Up Close with the NORQAIN Independence Wild One Skeleton Turquoise & Burgundy Watches
Monday - 10 July 2023
The new turquoise and limited-edition burgundy Wild One watches from NORQAIN feature a skeletonised dial and sapphire exhibition caseback that almost offers a 360-degree view of a proprietary NORQAIN movement
The Wild One watch series by NORQAIN has been the brand’s focus over the past year or so. Sitting within the Independence watch collection, it represents the relationship between company CEO and NORQAIN co-founder, Ben Kuffer and the legendary Jean-Claude Biver. Perfectly signifying the modern and youthful style that Biver is associated with, alongside a modular case design, the Wild One is a unique sports watch that can be transformed into a plethora of different colours thanks to its innovative shock-resistant rubber technology that can be coloured to any shade desired. The Wild One takes design cues from the Independence watch but is designed to be lighter and more resistant on the wrist. The dial too can be printed with any number of graphics or it can be 3D laser cut. The rubber material, once combined with the carbon material used for the case, creates a superb shock-resistant and vibration-resistant housing for the movement to perform inside.
The NORQAIN case
For 2023, NORQAIN has released a skeletonised version of its Wild One Independence watch – a theme that follows the standard non-wild Independence watch. The observation dial exposes key features of a proprietary movement based on a Sellita engine. The watches are presented in two summery colours and have been stylized on the wrist of Olympic swimmer, Filippo Magnini. Its lightweight case is made from a material named Norteq. The composition is made up of carbon fibre and a polymer mix made up of 60% caster oil. The outer core is the Wild One’s shock-resistant rubber structure that protects the internal components of the watch. These rubber structures are exposed through the surface of the case to inject a touch of colour into each iteration. Within this outer core structure is the inner core – a titanium body with sapphire crystal applied to both of its sides for guaranteeing utmost protection over a chronometer-certified movement fitted within.
Reducing the weight of the new NORQIAN Independence Wild One watch further is the choice to combine this Norteq case with a skeletonised movement which reduces the weight by another 78 grams. The first of the skeletonised Independence watches from the brand first unveiled themselves in 2019, equipped with a super sleek black DLC-coated case. The second iteration followed in 2022. Today, the third generation arrives in the form of the turquoise and burgundy models, measuring a 42mm diameter and featuring a stunning marble-like effect upon the surface of their shock-absorbent cases. The watches sit at a depth of 12.30mm on the wrist and comprise a total of 25 parts that come together to create a housing that can resist up to 5000g. Flashes of turquoise and burgundy colour can be seen through the sides of the 200-meter water-resistant case in a matching colour to the rest of their respective designs.
The turquoise NORQAIN Wild One skeleton watch has a black marbled case with matching turquoise accents on the crown guards flanking the screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, as well as the left shock absorber, the hands, and the rubber seals, not to mention the mesh rubber strap itself with a stylish black border. The burgundy Wild One watch, however, is a limited edition watch of just 300 pieces worldwide and features a burgundy marbled case with contemporary black shock absorbers, rubber seals, crown guards and mesh strap. It also features the plaque screwed onto the left side of the case, engraved with the NORQAIN signature.
On the peripheral dial of the two Wild One watches, indexes joined by five-minute markings have been treated with Super-LumiNova (silver coloured for the turquoise model, with turquoise luminous material). The burgundy version features gold-plated indices that have been skeletonised in a burgundy colour, along with Super-LumiNova-coated hands that glow richly in the dark. Both models also feature an arrow-tipped second hand that is also luminous at night. Inside the two new NORQAIN Wild One Skeleton watches is the propriety automatic winding Calibre NN08S. Configured from the original Sellita SW 200-1S – the movement is designed with a beam construction with at least two arms holding each support point. The movement also provides a 41-hour power reserve and beats at a rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It is also completed with a personalised NORQAIN rotor that is put on show through a sapphire-backed case.
If you’d like to purchase the turquoise or burgundy version of the new WILD ONE watch from NORQAIN, you can check out more details on the watches here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches today on 01335 453453.
