Norqain has a hot new purple limited edition of its Wild One Skeleton 42mm
Zach BlassDeveloped in collaboration with the legendary Jean-Claude Biver and crafted in partnership with world-renowned supplier BIWI, the Wild One collection’s debut marked a game-changer for Norqain. It was the brand’s moment to have a defining model and collection that irrefutably distinguished its offering from other watchmakers. The Wild One, whether watch enthusiasts like our founder Andrew McUtchen, watchmakers like Max Büsser, tennis players like Stan Wawrinka and Matt Ebden or actors like Mark Wahlberg, the Wild One has become a go-to watch for those looking to integrate a luxury timepiece into their more active lifestyles.
To date, it has proven to be a winning recipe, and today we have an all-new purple flavour of the Wild One Skeleton 42mm. The only catch is that it is limited to 400 pieces…
The case
For those less familiar, the Wild One case brings a NORTEQ carbon fibre case cage, a rubber shock absorber, and a titanium container together to create a watch that is six times lighter than steel and three and a half times lighter than titanium. Yet, despite weighing just 78 grams, it is shock-resistant to 5,000 G. This is the fruit of a very complex case construction, comprised of 25 different parts, and if you are questioning the attention to detail and engineering here, I would direct your eyes to the screws within the lugs that have sloped screwheads to match the conformity of the case.
To recap the dimensions, the case measures a very pleasant 42mm in diameter, 12.3mm thick, and 49.4mm lug-to-lug. These are favoured dimensions in the marketplace for a sports watch, but if it still seems too big for you on paper, firstly, I would recommend trying it on first. Secondly, if that fails, you do have a 39mm option in the catalogue if the watch interests you. Lastly, the case is 200 metres water-resistant, so it is more than ready for adventure both on land and in the water.
The dial
As its name suggests, you have a skeletonised dial that allows you to peer into the movement from the dial side – seeing the inner workings of the watch in action at all times, even while on your wrist. The bridges have been darkened to better blend into the case, but the white metal hands and applied hour indices, along with the lilac accents of the Super-LumiNova and outer minutes scale, make it very easy to discern the time despite all the action.
The strap
With a purple rubber shock absorber for the case, and lilac accents on the dial, the Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition is fittingly paired with a textured purple rubber strap. It is supple yet robust, and feels lovely on the wrist. But you do have a decision to make, as you can opt to purchase the watch with a case-matching pin buckle or folding clasp. A folding clasp will definitely feel (and perhaps look) more luxurious, but I have to admit I favour pin buckles due to the fact that they do not add underside bulk.
The movement
Whether from the front or the back of the watch, inside, you can see the NN08S movement at work. Its 41-hour endurance may not be record-setting, but it does have the appeal of being COSC-certified and therefore is regulated to run within +6/-4 seconds per day before landing on your wrist. Normally, Sellita-based calibres are not all that much to look at, but the customisation, finishing, and regulation Norqain performs on the calibre really elevates its base source material.
The verdict
By no means is the watch a revelation in terms of changing the existing framework. But, as I said earlier, this is a model that has garnered many fans and owners, and therefore, there is little incentive to mess with a good thing. What we do have is yet another handsome option to explore, albeit an option to explore quickly, with it being a limited edition. The good news, however, is that for the rest of October, the only place in the United Kingdom you can purchase this new limited edition is our Time+Tide London Watch Discovery Studio. It is exclusive to our London studio for the remainder of the month – so, if you live in the UK, and this watch is a bit of you, be sure to swing by to take a look at it ‘in the metal’. Or… Wait… ‘In the NORTEQ’?
Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition pricing and availability
The Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition is limited to 400 pieces, and in the United Kingdom, for the month of October, it will be available exclusively via our Time+Tide London Discovery Studio. Price: US$6,250 (pin buckle), US$6,650 (folding clasp)
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.3mm (T) x 49.4mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | NORTEQ® carbon composite, rubber shock absorber, titanium container |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | AR-coated sapphire front, sapphire back |
| Dial | Skeletonised with lilac and purple accents |
| Strap | Purple rubber strap, case-matching pin buckle or folding clasp |
| Movement | Norqain NN08S, Sellita SW-200-base, automatic, COSC-certified |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now, limited to 400 pieces |
| Price | US$6,250 (pin buckle) US$6,650 (folding clasp) |