The family-owned independent Swiss company Norqain has introduced two new flyback chronographs that sport a brand-new movement made for them by the bespoke division of Sellita.
The 8K Manufacture Calibre is a high-performance skeletonized flyback chronograph movement.
It was inspired, Norqain says, by the world’s highest mountains.
The “8K” refers to the 14 peaks in the world that stand more than 8,000 meters above sea level.
Manufacture Calibre NK24/1 was developed in a partnership between Norqain and Sellita’s AMT division under the guidance of Norqain founder and CEO Ben Küffer, and industry grandee Jean-Claude Biver.
The movement will initially find a home in two new watches in the brand’s Independence collection.
Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono
The Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Titanium DLC has a lightweight Grade 5 titanium case coated in black DLC and a skeletonised black dial with purple detailing.
A strictly limited edition, it comes on a rubber strap and the caseback is engraved: “Limited Edition ONE of 300”.
The second watch, the Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Steel, is not limited.
It has a black satin-finished skeletonized dial with gold-plated detailing and comes on a four-link stainless steel metal bracelet or a rubber strap.
Both offer 100m of water resistance, screw-down crowns, double anti-reflective sapphire glass crystals and sapphire case backs.
They also have the Norqain signature plate on the side of the case, ready to be personalized with a customer’s engraving.
“The Norqain 8K Manufacture Calibre is a giant leap forward in our mission to bring innovative products to the market, and it takes Norqain to new heights in Swiss mechanical watchmaking,” Ben Küffer says.
“The 8K becomes our third major innovation milestone, following our Kenissi Manufacture movement of 2020 and the ground-breaking Wild ONE of 2022,” he adds.
Jean-Claude Biver added: “Since I joined Norqain as advisor to the board, Ben and I have been working on a unique roadmap that will underline our role as a young, dynamic Swiss challenger brand in the Swiss watch industry. After the launch of the Wild ONE, the 8K Manufacture Calibre is another huge step for us. We will continue to innovate and surprise and there is more exciting innovation in the pipeline.”
The Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Titanium DLC on a rubber strap costs $6,990.
The Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Steel costs $6,490 on a steel bracelet and $6,190 on a rubber strap.