Stephen Silver Introduces Norqain, a Highly Contemporary Independent Watch Company

Bold, technical, modern—and quite accessible—all are qualities that make Norqain a perfect addition to Stephen Silver’s independent watch portfolio. The brand was launched in 2018 by CEO Ben Küffer, is family owned, yet backed by some heavyweights in the watch industry. Former Breitling owner Ted Schneider is a co-founder, and Jean-Claude Biver, a legendary figure in watches who has led multiple brands, serves as an advisor.

Biver in particular contributed to the development of The Wild ONE model, which is now a major component of the brand's collection. The model is conceived as a completely modern sports watch. The ultralight, shock absorbing case utilizes Norteq, a proprietary carbon/polymer composite. An open works/skeleton architecture reveals a modernly finished exclusive movement. Similar design sensibilities extend through the wider Independence collection, as well as the Freedom and Adventure families. Together these watches offer features of far more expensive watches while remaining accessible to new collectors, young people or anyone attracted to a Norqain’s perfectly contemporary vision of watchmaking.

Norqain’s founding team also included Swiss-born hockey star Mark Streit, who subsequently brought a number of other prominent NHL players into the brand’s orbit. This deep connection to the sport has allowed the company to develop an international licensing partnership with the NHL—a startling coup for such a young brand. Expect this partnership do bear fruit at events, and in special watches where the league’s identity along with those of its 32 member teams are allowed to be featured.

The Wild ONE X-Lite

With a shock-resistant case in the proprietary Norteq composite, and a sophisticated open-works dial. The Wild ONE X-Lite is the purest expression of Norqain’s vision of modern watchmaking. The lightweight, yet high performance structure is incredibly complex, requiring triple the number of toolings used to build conventional pieces. The Wild ONE redefines the sports watch in its price category and provides a platform for the brand to evolve in the future.

Freedom Enjoy Life "Sprinkles"

Norqain’s deft hand with colors is readily apparent in a pair of chronograph confections inspired by the pastels of a summertime dessert. With dials in a soft pink or blue, each of these limited edition chronographs are also festooned with subtle sugar-like “sprinkles” that add to the sense of playfulness, even after nightfall when the sprinkles pop with the glow of Super-LumiNova.

Freedom GMT Enjoy Life "Holiday" Limited Edition

Casual flair, the quality we all cultivate in our recreational lives, is a central tenet of Norqain’s design philosophy. And when the company decided to add a GMT function to its Freedom collection, it saw a perfect opportunity to add its casual flair to a travel watch. With soft summery pastels and a world map, the appropriately named Freedom GMT Enjoy Life “Holiday” is a 500 piece limited edition that will let you bring your warm weather escapes along on your wrist. One special piece of the 500 will come with an actual holiday—a secret golden ticket to the Adaya Maldives.