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Norqain has just unveiled what is certainly their biggest release of the year, and quite possibly their most ambitious release since the debut of the Wild One two years ago. The new Independence Skeleton Chronograph expands on the design language we saw take shape with the Wild One, and introduces a new, skeletonized, flyback chronograph mechanism. The new watch is conceived as something of a statement piece, meant to highlight what the brand thinks of as their independent spirit, and launches in two variants that illustrate where a full collection of watches powered by this new caliber could potentially go.
The movement at the center of this release has been dubbed the 8K Manufacture Calibre, and features flyback functionality, a tool that was first developed for chronographs used by pilots to time flight related intervals. Flyback functionality allows a running chronograph to be reset to zero instantaneously without first stopping it, so it’s a useful tool for anyone that needs to time multiple intervals in rapid succession (it has gained wide adoption in sporting contexts through the decades). The execution of this particular movement appears to have all of the hallmarks of a solid, modern chronograph movement, including a power reserve stretching to 62 hours, as well as a column wheel. The 8K caliber is also chronometer certified.
It’s also worth noting that the 8K movement was developed in partnership with Manufacture AMT, a division of Sellita known for creating custom and bespoke movements for a number of diverse brands, including Oak & Oscar, TAG Heuer, and Hanhart. It’s well known that Norqain has been working with Kenissi, a movement manufacture owned in part by Tudor, for years, so seeing them collaborate with another producer is an interesting development and begs the question about what the future might hold for their partnership with both firms.
According to Norqain, bespoke elements added to the 8K movement include the particular style of skeletonization performed on the caliber, and decoration to the movement’s mainplate, bridges, and winding rotor with the brand’s mountain motif. The skeletonized segments of the dial, too, have been shaped to evoke Norqain’s mountain logo.
As mentioned above, the 8K caliber will be found in two variants to start, the Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Titanium DLC, and the Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Steel. As the names of these watches would imply, they are differentiated by their case materials. The steel version is the more traditional of the two, with the skeletonized dial being given a black satin finish and gold accents on the markers and hands. The titanium version has been given a black DLC coating and a comparably more adventurous purple dial. The titanium version is limited to 300 pieces, while the steel variant is not limited by number, but by production. Norqain has commissioned 600 total 8K movements in their initial batch with AMT, with a second batch expected prior to Watches & Wonders 2025.
In terms of specs beyond the movement itself, these new watches (the first chronographs in the Independence collection) offer many of the robust qualities you would expect from Norqain. The 42mm cases are squarely in the range of a modern sports watch, and come in just under 50mm lug to lug and 13.9mm tall. The cases are water resistant to 100 meters and are protected by a screw down crown. The titanium version with a purple dial is mounted to a rubber strap in a matching purple shade, while the stainless steel version is available on a bracelet or a black rubber strap.
The retail price for the stainless steel Independence Skeleton Chrono is $6,190 on rubber, and $6,490 on a bracelet. The titanium version is $6,990. Norqain
