NORQAIN Biver and young talents create a new generation of sporting icons

Following the sudden announcement in June 2022 that Jean-Claude Biver had become an advisor, Norqain has now brought us some surprising news. The new model, the Wild One, follows the styling of the iconic Independence, but features a completely new case structure that is lightweight and highly shock-resistant, and is made from new materials. This model symbolizes a new start for Norqain, which has welcomed Biver as a mentor, as he is sympathetic to the young talent of the brand.

The NORQAIN Wild One symbolizes a new beginning

　The hottest name in the Swiss luxury watch industry right now is probably Norqain. Launched in 2018, Norqain is an independent brand led by CEO Ben Kaffer, formerly of Breitling. Its founding members include Ted Schneider of the Schneider family and former NHL player Mark Streit. The company's chairman is Marc Kaffer, former CEO of Roventa Hennex.

　The young brand Norqain brings surprising news every two years. In 2020, two years after its founding, the company announced a long-term partnership with fellow emerging ébauche manufacturer Kenissi. The new 11.5-ligne movement, numbered NN20/1, was initially sold as a Norqain exclusive.

　Two years later, this year, the company announced that it had hired Jean-Claude Biver as an advisor. With Biver's support, the company built a new supplier team that was 100% Swiss-made, leading to the creation of the Wild One, which offers a completely new vision for sports watches.

　Perhaps the greatest blessing Biver has brought is its collaboration with Biwi, which has been responsible for everything from concept work to design and material development. While well-known as a manufacturer of replacement straps, Biwi's main business is a comprehensive manufacturer of rubber, industrial plastics, and silicone. Biwi also owns trademarks such as Super Biwi Nova® (a luminous paint that can be applied to sloped surfaces) and TitaCarbo®, which emerged as new materials in the Swiss watch industry in the 2020s.

　The new material developed by Biwi for the Wild One is "Nortech," a carbon composite with a marble-like surface pattern. It weighs approximately one-sixth the weight of steel and one-third the weight of titanium. In addition to the lightweight and high rigidity characteristics of carbon material, Nortech uses a polymer matrix containing approximately 60% bio-based materials, allowing for a variety of colors. For the Wild One, a rubber caseband with integrated lugs is covered with a Nortech cage, creating a completely new sports watch. The cage on the dial side is molded as a single unit with the bezel and the upper surface of the lugs, and the same is true on the caseback side, where the lower surface of the lugs is molded as a single unit. The NN20/1, encased in a titanium container, is placed on this Nortech and rubber exterior.

　The case alone weighs approximately 84g, roughly half the weight of a steel NORQAIN watch. And yet, it's shock-resistant to approximately 5000G. The titanium container is manufactured by MRP, as is the case assembly (the sapphire crystal on both sides of the case is attached directly to the titanium container). The laser-cut dial, featuring a three-layered NN logo engraved with a height difference of 0.05mm, is manufactured by Montremo, while the skeletonized hour and minute hands are manufactured by HMS. The vegan-certified rubber strap with a Milanese pattern is, of course, manufactured by Biwi.

　Four models were released simultaneously as part of the Wild One launch collection, one of which features a burgundy Nortec cage. The overcoat on the middle case and crown surface is made of rubber, meaning the color variations are virtually limitless. This year, only black and burgundy are available, but from 2023 onwards, the Nortec color variations will be expanded. Working closely with one of Switzerland's leading premium suppliers and supported by Jean-Claude Biver, these young talents are sure to continue to take on innovative creations.