Alvin Wong 10 February 2022

Norqain’s robust GMT watch returns with a bit of extra shine.

Having broken the news about the arrival of the mid-luxury, adventure-inspired marque, Norqain, to the Singapore market in 2021, we have been consistently bowled over by the brand’s honest-to-goodness approach to watchmaking. The independent family-owned Swiss company, headed by a team comprising experienced industry veterans and youthful entrepreneurs, may be only three years old, but in a short space of time, it has rolled out an impressive array of value-for-money watches featuring excellent construction, that are powered by exclusive calibres and bear a sportive spirit.

The latest Neverest GMT 41mm Steel & Gold, which hails from Norqain’s Adventure series, pretty much epitomises the brand’s modus operandi. Like offerings from the brand's dressier Freedom and contemporary Independence collections, the Neverest GMT 41mm Steel & Gold expresses a sense of horological integrity in its build and construction.

The 41mm watch is housed in 361L stainless steel, a grade of stainless steel alloy favoured by luxury brands for its robustness and corrosion resistance. As one’d expect of a sports-inspired timepiece that professes eminence, the quality of satin and polished finishing on the case and triple-link bracelet is commendable – and indeed, comparable to costlier makes available in the market today.

This 100-piece limited edition is packed with the same, well-regarded features as previous Neverest GMT models. The dial with date window bears Norqain’s signature weave pattern, while the second-time zone read-off with an independent red-tipped arrow hour hand is fuss-free and legible. Also, like all Norqain watches, the left of the case is affixed with a polished plate that bears the brand name, which you can customise with your own inscriptions.

The Neverest GMT 41mm Steel & Gold’s other big draw is its powerful engine. The watch runs on the automatic Calibre NN20/2, the same movement that drives the earlier Neverest GMT models, as well as the GMT models from the Freedom collection. An exclusive Norqain calibre, it is produced by Kenissi, a movement manufacturer founded by Tudor, Breitling and Chanel, with which the brand signed a long-term agreement for supply of movements. The Calibre NN20/2 is a bang-for-buck workhorse: a chronometer-certified movement, it features a jumping hour GMT display which can be easily set forwards and back in tandem with the date, and offers up to 70 hours of power reserve.

A cosmetic upgrade on the Neverest GMT collection, this new model ups the luxury stakes a little with its 24-hour bezel in 18K red gold with ceramic ring, while previous versions came in full stainless steel. Admittedly, the Neverest GMT 41mm Steel & Gold is more steel than gold. Only the bezel, as well as applied markers and hands, are sheathed in the precious metal. And this slightly gilded upgrade comes at a cost – an increase of S$2,200, to be exact, compared to a full stainless steel model. That said, the uppity presence of gilded refinement in this model is far from inconspicuous. Available with full stainless steel bracelet or black rubber strap.

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Alvin Wong

Ex Editor-In Chief

Alvin promises not to be a douche when talking about watches. He may have scoured the Basel and Geneva watch fairs for the past 15 years, and played an instrumental role to the growth of Singapore's pioneering horological and men's lifestyle publications, but the intrepid scribe seeks to learn something new with each story he writes.