A big, bright sportive beast for lume-natics.

Though it was established only in 2018, Norquain, a new-to-market, adventured-inspired watch brand, come with impressive credentials. The Biel/Bienne-based independent marque is family owned, helmed by board members that include 31-year-old CEO Ben Küffer and his father, chairman Marc Küffer, who spent 25 years on the board of directors of the Swiss Watch Industry Association. Joining them is Ted Schneider, a member of the family that owned Breitling for nearly 40 years, and Mark Streit, a Swiss ice hockey legend.

The Norqain team is a mix of youth, experience and sports stardom, an intriguing combination that is inadvertently reflected on the timepieces the company makes – robust but stylish adventure-inspired watches backed by proper horological competence. From what we’ve seen, Norqain’s watches are robustly built with attention to detail and refined finishing. Last year, the company embarked on a long-term collaboration with Kenissi, a movement manufacturer founded by Tudor, Breitling and Chanel, which, for a start, ensured the supply of two exclusive calibres to Norqain.

The new Norqain Neverest ‘Nightsight’ is powered by one of the aforementioned movements, the chronometer-certified NN20/1 with 70-hour power reserve, that lays the foundation to a rugged and handsome watch that truly comes alive in the dark.

Housed in a 40m black DLC-coated stainless steel case, with a bi-directional bezel engraved with the initials of the cardinal and ordinal directions, the Neverest ‘Nightsight’ rocks a three hand, time-only dial that is accented with military-esque hour numerals for extra machismo. But it is really the dial, which is entirely coated with Super-LumiNova, that steals the show. Taking on a sand-coloured appearance by day, the dial glows with strong green luminescence that guarantees legibility and adventure-laden style in the dark. The X1 grade of Super-LumiNova used purportedly provides a brighter and longer lasting glow – up to 60 per cent more than regular grade Super-LumiNova.

Water resistant to 200m, the Neverest ‘Nightsight’ is an all-round watch that will brave the elements with you on your trails as competently as it chills with laidback chic as an after-office accompaniment. Additionally, you can choose to adopt any of its myriad styles with a variety of strap options that include a textured black rubber strap (S$5,180), khaki fabric strap (S$5,180) and DLC stainless steel bracelet (S$5,680).

And just when you think that Norqain couldn;t be more generous with a well-constructed, five-grand-a-pop sports watch with an exclusive movement, the brand top the offering with a neat CSR initiative. The brand will donate 10 per cent of its sales earnings to the Butterfly Help Project, an organisation that helps families of Sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains and provide funding for their children’s education. This horological adventure is well worth it, we say.

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