Norqain Adds a Limited Edition Freedom 60 Chrono in Ice Blue to their Lineup

The latest release from Norqain capitalizes on a recent color trend while steering the brand back from the tech forward, ultra sporty Wild One that has been the brand’s primary focus since late last year. The Freedom 60 Chrono Ice Blue Limited Edition, in a 40mm case size, sits on the opposite end of the spectrum of Norqain’s increasingly varied catalog, which now includes watches made with unusual proprietary materials and an increasing stock of limited editions. The Freedom 60 Chrono takes a more vintage inspired approach, but this version has been given a super sleek colorway that is quite contemporary. 

The Freedom 60 Chrono seen here has an ice blue dial with a subtle sunray effect, and is dotted with three black subdials providing readouts for elapsed minutes, hours, and running seconds. The dial has a two layer construction with the subdials sitting below the main dial for added depth, and a matching black outer ring with a white tachymeter scale for contrast. The hour markers are diamond cut and rhodium plated, and have small old radium colored lume tips at their inside edge. The date window at 4:30 is color matched to the ice blue dial, and in these photographs appears to be very well executed, proving that it is, in fact, possible to deliver a three register layout and 4:30 date window without completely fumbling the bag. 

The secret weapon here is really the case. The 40mm incarnation of the Freedom 60 case is dramatically more wearable and in proportion than the 43mm option, which still exists and is ready for those with larger wrists, poor eyesight, or a preference for an action movie ready version of the watch. The 40mm case, to me, just feels right, and is a great complement to the dial’s classic chrono vibes. At just shy of 15mm tall, this still isn’t a demure watch at 40mm, but it’s well balanced and attractively finished. 

The movement at work here is the NN19, a rebadged Sellita SW510. It has a healthy 62 hours of power reserve and is viewable through a sapphire exhibition caseback. Rounding out the specs, the Freedom 60 Chrono is 100 meters water resistant, is equipped with a screw down crown, and can be purchased on a steel bracelet, a black rubber strap, or a “Nortide” linen strap made from recycled ocean plastics. 

The Freedom 60 Chrono with an ice blue dial is a limited edition of 300 pieces, and starts at $4,320 on a Nortide strap, and tops out at $4,590 on a bracelet. Norqain