Pure Freedom: Norqain Presents GMT and 3-hand Freedom Models in Stylish Steel & Bold Bronze with Exclusive Manufacture Calibre

Bronze makes its first appearance in NORQAIN’s collection with a limited edition GMT model and three-hand timepiece. These creations and their stainless steel counterparts are fitted with the fiercely independent brand’s new Manufacture Calibres created with mechanical movement manufacturer, Kenissi.

Biel, Switzerland – 9 October 2020: This year’s highly anticipated NORQAIN GMT models are finally here! The Swiss watch brand has introduced four new additions to its Freedom collection: two GMT models – one of which is limited to just 300 pieces – and two three-hand models.

The vintage vibes of the timepieces are unmistakable, and the bronze cases blend the spirit of 60s watch design with the metal’s renewed popularity today. However, the most impressive features of these chronometers are the 3-hand Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 and GMT Manufacture Calibre NN20/2 inside and their 70-hour, weekend-proof power reserve.

“When we began designing these new Freedom watches, we listened closely to what customers and followers wanted. The smaller size and attractive proportions of the GMT models – 40mm and 14.5mm respectively – are sure to be a major attraction for existing and new NORQAIN fans. The jumping hour GMT function of our Manufacture Calibre is the key highlight of these models. The Freedom collection is the perfect home for this initial launch because it symbolises our own freedom as an independent brand as well as the freedom the wearers experience when they set out on their own pursuits”, says NORQAIN CEO Ben Küffer.

NORQAIN Freedom 60 GMT models in steel and bronze

The highlight of this launch is the Freedom 60 GMT in steel – the first GMT to join NORQAIN’s Freedom collection. True to the message of the collection, this brand-new GMT timepiece inspires the wearers to enjoy the freedom they experience when going their own way.

Joining the stainless steel GMT model is another eye-catching model fashioned from bronze. The 40mm satined case with polished details has a yellowish tinge that becomes darker as it oxidizes over time. The bronze silicon-aluminium alloy is commonly used in marine applications because it is particularly resistant to corrosion and wear. The bezel, NORQAIN Plate, hand-applied indexes and faceted hands, which are set with “Old Radium” Superluminova markers, are also bronze and its steel caseback is treated with bronze PVD. Another distinguishing feature of this stylish wristwatch is its cedar brown dial. This particular piece is limited to just 300 pieces. At the centre of the black and brown dials is a unique GMT scale. The design includes an anthracite or black half-ring from 18:00 (6 pm) to 6:00 (6 am) that indicates night-time hours and a white half-ring from 6:00 (6 am) to 18:00 (6 pm) that indicates daytime hours. The GMT function allows the wearer to keep track of the time

in a second time zone. Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire glass that is characterised by a domed shape reminiscent of watch design in the 60s. These 40mm models have a lug-to-lug length of 49mm.
Whichever model the wearer chooses, they will benefit from the high-quality, high-performance Manufacture Calibre NN20/2 which was created with movement manufacturer, Kenissi. The highly complex Manufacture Calibre NN20/2 exceeds all industry standards and is COSC-certified. The automatic-winding movement has been constructed with an innovative jumping hour feature that makes it possible to safely and easily set the time at any hour of the day. The jumping hour functionality allows the wearer to set the time for a new time zone without losing a second. A glance at the movement through the transparent caseback underscores its exclusivity. The bridge is engraved with NORQAIN’s core values, “Adventure – Freedom – Independence”, and the oscillating weight is decorated with the golden NORQAIN “double-N” logo, which symbolises the Swiss Alps. The stainless steel Freedom 60 GMT is available on a Norlando leather strap (CHF 3,490.00) or a stainless steel bracelet (CHF 3,760.00) while the limited edition bronze version is available on a Norlando leather strap (CHF 3,790.00). These competitively priced GMT timepieces can be purchased at select authorised retailers and online at www.norqain.com.

NORQAIN Freedom 60 three-hand models in steel and bronze

With domed sapphire glass protecting their clean-cut dials, the two variations of the classic 39mm Freedom 60 three-hand model are available with an anthracite dial and steel case or with a cream-coloured dial and bronze case. The stainless steel model, with its gleaming anthracite dial, features hand-applied indexes and “Old Radium” Superluminova markers. The bronze variation is distinguished by its yellow shade, which makes it different from the rose-tinged bronze that is more commonly seen. The NORQAIN Plate on the left side of the case is also bronze and ready to be personalised. Additionally, the pin clasp of the watch’s Norlando leather strap matches the case and the caseback is steel with a PVD bronze treatment.
Protected by a scratch-proof sapphire glass, the exclusive NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 is clearly visible through the caseback of each model, as are the brand’s core values – “Adventure – Freedom – Independence” – engraved on the bridge and the recognisable NORQAIN pattern on the oscillating weight.
The 39mm diameter and 11.7mm thickness are impressive watchmaking feats for an automatic-winding Manufacture Calibre and address a long-standing request from watch lovers. The lug-to-lug length of these models is 48mm.
The NORQAIN Freedom 60 with Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 in steel is sold for CHF 2,720.00 and its bronze counterpart is available for CHF 2,990.00 online or at select authorised retailers.

Celebrating next-level independence

The launch of its Manufacture Calibres in February marked an important accomplishment for the family-owned brand. Calibres NN20/1 and NN20/2 helped NORQAIN establish itself as a distinctive brand in the Swiss watch industry and showed that it is taking steps to ensure its long-term independence while offering customers timekeeping quality that exceeds industry standards. Underscoring the quality of these calibres is NORQAIN’s four-year international warranty, which can be extended to five years when the customer joins the NORQAINER Club within one month of their purchase. The new Freedom 60 models are a thrilling part of the story as they are among the first watches in NORQAIN’s collection to be fitted with these high-performance calibres. With them, NORQAIN’s next-level independence has been unlocked, and the brand will continue to tell its story with other exciting product launches featuring its Manufacture Calibres.