The Wild One is NORQAIN's signature collection. At Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2025, a model with a small 39mm case was added to the lineup. Don't think of this new model as just a variation on a different size. It's a next-generation luxury sports watch that allows all users to enjoy mechanical watches.
Text by Chieko Tsuruoka (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 9, 2025]
A fun new model has been released for Norqain's Wild One Skeleton!
Founded by Ben Kaffer in 2018, NORQAIN is a new brand, but it has achieved success by producing high-quality luxury watches under an independent, family-run structure. This success is in no small part due to the success of the Wild One. Released in 2022, this collection is a high-performance sports watch with a unique case structure that makes it resistant to shocks of 5000 g despite being a mechanical watch. Since its launch as NORQAIN's core collection, multiple new variations have been added to the lineup every year, and four variations of the Wild One Skeleton 39mm with a 39 mm case diameter were introduced at Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2025.
Automatic movement (Cal. N08S). 26 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 41 hours. Nortec case (diameter 39mm, thickness 11.75mm). Water resistant to 200m. Hyper Pink, Purple Ice Blue, and Sky Blue are priced at 924,000 yen each, while Mint Green, limited to 400 pieces worldwide, is priced at 935,000 yen (all prices include tax).
The new models are named Hyper Pink, Purple Ice Blue, Sky Blue, and Mint Green, and feature vibrant colors on the rubber case, rubber strap, dial flange, and luminous hands. The Mint Green model is limited to 400 pieces.
The "fun" brought by the "Wild One Skeleton 39mm"
The eye-catching coloring alone will make you feel happy, but the "fun" doesn't end with the exterior. As mentioned at the beginning, this is a mechanical watch that can be enjoyed by all users. Let's take a look at the Wild One Skeleton 39mm, which brings that "fun" to life.
The unique case structure became a canvas
The Wild One has two major features. One is that it is shock-resistant to 5000 g despite being a mechanical watch, and the other is that it is extremely light compared to typical sports watches. With the exception of a few models, most modern mechanical watches pass certain shock tests, and everyday use has little effect on the mechanical performance. However, it is not suitable for sports such as golf or tennis, where impacts can cause significant shock to the wrist. This is because impacts can distort the balance spring, which regulates the precision of mechanical watches, or break the balance shaft that supports the balance. However, Norqain clearly states that the Wild One can be used in sports that place stress on the wrist, such as those mentioned above. This shock resistance is achieved thanks to the unique case structure.
The case is made up of 25 parts. The movement is protected by being enclosed in a titanium container, which is then covered with a rubber shock absorber, and a cage made of a proprietary material called NORTEQ is sandwiched between the bezel and case back. The use of titanium, rubber, and NORTEQ also makes the watch lightweight.
Now, another unique feature has been added to the Wild One: its unique case can be made of canvas. As with the four new models announced today, variations with distinctive coloring on the rubber parts have been available for some time. Following the success of developing the NORTEQ in burgundy, brown, and gray, NORQAIN has now introduced a purple color variation.
NORTEQ is a high-performance carbon composite material developed by BIWI, containing carbon fiber and 60% bio-based materials (castor oil). Normally, carbon fiber cannot be painted in any color other than black. However, this model successfully achieves colors other than black by coloring each individual carbon fiber. Because the surface is not painted, it will not peel off due to scratches and the distinctive NORTEQ pattern is not lost. However, achieving such a bright color is extremely difficult, and NORQAIN worked with BIWI to test samples multiple times. We recently interviewed NORQAIN's Vice President Tobias Kaffer during his visit to Japan. While he acknowledged the difficulty of coloring NORTEQ, he hinted at plans to introduce more new colors in the future. While the exact "painting" they plan to create on this canvas remains a secret, the introduction of new variations is sure to add even more fun to the Wild One.
Positioning the watch as a "versatile wristwatch" thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight
The big topic of this model is that the case of the Wild One, which was previously 42mm in diameter, has been reduced by 3mm. In order to reduce the diameter while maintaining the unique case structure and impact resistance, BIWI has completely redesigned the 13 pieces of tooling (connecting devices used to fix and hold cutting tools in CNC machine tools) used to cut the case, and has also redesigned the position and size of the titanium container and rubber shock absorbers. Tobias Kaffer said, "Everything except the movement was designed from scratch" (Reference:http://www.webchronos.net/features/139264/).
Furthermore, the smaller diameter has resulted in a lighter weight. While the 42mm Wild One Skeleton model weighs 78g, this model weighs just 64g. The case alone weighs just 44g.
Small and light watches are comfortable to wear. During this interview, I tried on the 39mm Wild One Skeleton. While I'm only speaking from a personal perspective, it felt comfortable for me as a woman with a 14.7cm wrist. The short lugs fit snugly around my wrist, so there was no gap between my wrist and the case, and the watch head didn't wobble. The case size, with a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of 11.75mm, is by no means small for a woman. That's why I was surprised at how comfortable this watch felt for me as a woman. I learned that Norqain and BIWI have studied the case fit for various wrist sizes, and are confident that it can be worn comfortably by a wide range of users.
In other words, with the introduction of the 39mm diameter, the Wild One Skeleton has established itself as a "versatile watch" that can reach an even wider range of users. While mechanical watches often have reduced specifications such as power reserve when their diameter is reduced, it is also noteworthy that this model maintains its shock resistance and movement. As a result, mechanical watches can be enjoyed comfortably by all types of users.
However, after the interview, I tried on the 42mm model, and it also felt comfortable. However, the over 40mm diameter case still felt too large to fit under the cuffs of women's blouses. This new size makes it versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of fashions and tastes.
Bringing mechanical movements closer to you
The Wild One Skeleton's openwork dial allows the movement to be viewed from the dial side. This feature is its most distinctive feature, conveying the "fun" of this mechanical watch. While many models have see-through case backs made of sapphire crystal or other materials, the case back is difficult to see when the watch is being worn or when the crown is being operated. Furthermore, in the case of automatic models, the rotor is prominent, making it difficult to understand the overall structure and structure of the movement. However, by exposing the movement from the dial side, this model allows the wearer to enjoy watching the barrel axle rotate and wind the mainspring when winding it with the crown, as well as the balance wheel's repeated reciprocating motion even while wearing the watch.
Many users who choose to purchase a mechanical watch rather than a quartz watch, which does not require regular time adjustment, are interested in the mechanism itself. For such users, being able to check the mechanical movement at hand at all times is a welcome feature.
The movement specifications are the same as before, but only the Wild One Skeleton 39mm Mint Green has a black ruthenium finish on the bridge, giving it a more manly impression.
Experience the joy of mechanical watches with the Wild One Skeleton 39mm
NORQAIN has always aimed to "spread the passion for mechanical watches." The Wild One Skeleton 39mm, unveiled at this year's Watches & Wonders Geneva, is a collection that embodies this philosophy. This model combines the qualities of a mechanical watch with ease of use for anyone in a variety of situations. It is a next-generation sports watch that broadens the reach of mechanical watches, which are often perceived as classical and intimidating.
Of course, this collection is enjoyable even for those who have owned multiple mechanical watches in the past, but the lightness, comfort, and shock resistance of this watch will be a real surprise for those who have been using mechanical watches for a long time and are familiar with how to care for them.
We hope that you will enjoy the fun of this work and experience the fun of mechanical watches.
