Today, Swiss newcomer Norqain unveils the latest update to its attention-grabbing Freedom collection — specifically, two new Freedom 60 GMT watches, one with a forest green dial in a bronze case, the other a steel-cased model with an opaline dial.
Norqain’s initial launch of the Freedom 60 GMT came last year, just prior to October’s WatchTime Live event, and at the time the series encompassed two distinct models, one opting for a bronze case and sunray brown dial, the other a solid steel model with a black dial. These latest updates demonstrate both the brand’s sustained interest in expanding its design options as well as its continued interest in bronze as a alternative material.
Both new Freedom 60 GMT watches closely resemble the previous models in the series, with cases measuring 40 mm in diameter and 14.5 mm thick. The case of the steel model opts for mirror polishing throughout, from its slightly angled lugs to its smooth, hardy bezel, while the case of the bronze edition features somewhat more contrast, with brushed finishing on some of its accents like lugs and side facets. Both models have deeply grooved, screw-down crowns resting on their right side and, like all Norqain watches, have customizable plates on their left. Each of the watches is also available with a few different strap options, including leather, rubber, and steel bracelet.
The dial on the new models is also similar in style to those found on the previous Freedom 60 GMT watches, with the bronze watch opting for a forest green sunray look with more bronze accents on its surface. Meanwhile the steel watch uses a white opaline dial, complete with a red-and-blue “Pepsi” inner GMT ring and “Old Radium” Super-LumiNova on the hands and indices.
Other dial details include an outer tachymeter-inspired minute ring taken from the original Freedom 60 Chronograph, applied numerals with the aforementioned luminous accents, and syringe-style hour and minute hands. Also as mentioned, the watch uses a central GMT ring with day/night sections in contrasting colors and the second time zone indicated via a red-tipped arrow hand.
Inside the new models is the Norqain Caliber NN20/2, a manufacture automatic movement introduced to coincide with the launch of the first Freedom 60 GMT last year. The automatic mechanism is capable of a 70-hour power reserve, includes a praiseworthy jumping hour functionality, and runs with high accuracy as attested to by its COSC chronometer certification. The movement is visible behind a sapphire caseback, with the Norqain “core values” — i.e., “Adventure – Freedom – Independence” — engraved upon its bridge.
The new Norqain Freedom 60 GMT watches are available now directly through the brand, with prices for the opaline model starting at CHF 3,550 ($3,750) on a Norlando leather strap, CHF 3,690 ($3,890) on a rubber perlon strap, and CHF 3,790 ($3,990) on a steel bracelet. The forest-green dial model will be limited to only 300 editions, with pricing set at CHF 3,790 ($3,990) on a Norlando leather strap and CHF 3,950 ($4,150) on either a crocodile-style or Perlon rubber strap.
To learn more and inquire for purchase, you can visit Norqain’s website, here.
These are great GMT watches with a jumping hour hand. But, a bit on the pricey side, and I wish they were a bit larger, and with 200M water resistance.