Summer On The Wrist: The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” Special Edition
With a colourful special edition of its Freedom 60 Chrono, Norqain marks the start of summer with a model that combines seasonal design elements with proven mechanical performance.
Just in time for the start of summer, Swiss watch brand Norqain presents a vibrant new version of its popular Freedom 60 Chrono 40 mm: the so-called “Enjoy Life” Special Edition. This watch aspires to capture the positive emotions of summer, expressed through brightly coloured sub-dials and a multi-hued tachymeter scale integrated into its chronograph function. Which stylistic elements Norqain has chosen to give the watch its summery character, how the brand’s identity is reflected in this creation, and what other surprises the model has in store – all of this will be explored in the following article.
Norqain: An Independent Tale of Success
Norqain’s rapid rise from a start-up founded in 2018 to an established brand selling over 10,000 watches annually ranks among the most remarkable success stories in the watch industry in recent years.
With the new Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” special edition, Norqain now presents a watch whose colourful subdials embody the self-image of a brand that does not take itself too seriously. Norqain founder and CEO Ben Küffer puts it in fitting words: “I’m often asked what the purpose of NORQAIN is. For me, the answer is simple: we’re here to spread positive energy and joy, and to create watches that make people feel good. Every NORQAIN timepiece is designed with exactly that intention – and the Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm ‘Enjoy Life’ Special Edition expresses it perfectly.”
The colourful dial of the “Enjoy Life” Special Edition
The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” Special Edition is a faithful translation of a watch that unites the vibrant colours and uplifting energy of a summer holiday. At the centre of attention is the dial, brought to life through green, pink and blue accents inspired by the colourful scoops of Italian gelato. These colours are distributed across the 3 o’clock minute counter, the 6 o’clock hour counter and the small seconds at 9 o’clock – each sub-dial rendered in a different hue. Framing them is the tachymeter scale along the outer edge of the dial, which continues the playful colour theme in three distinct segments.
A tachymeter scale is a common feature of watches with chronograph complications and is used to measure units per hour – such as a car’s average speed. Completing the dial of this special edition is a date window at 4:30, which, on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of each month, replaces the numeral with a whimsical illustration of an ice cream cone featuring three scoops – in the very same colours as the sub-dials.
The water-resistant case
Originally only available in a 43 mm case, Norqain introduced a more compact version of its popular Freedom Chrono in 2022, featuring a reduced diameter of 40 mm. The “Enjoy Life” Special Edition is also presented in this stainless steel 40 mm case, which measures 14.90 mm in height, 49.20 mm lug-to-lug, and is fitted with a box-shaped sapphire crystal.
Thanks to its water resistance of 100 metres, this colourful special edition is well-suited for a variety of water activities and beachside holidays. It is complemented by the brand’s signature Norqain Plate on the case flank, which buyers can personalise with an engraving. Turn the watch over, and the sapphire caseback reveals the “Enjoy Life” logo – featuring an ice cream cone as a recurring design motif.
The calibre inside the special edition
Inside the Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” Special Edition beats the Norqain calibre N19, visible through the sapphire caseback. This automatic Swiss chronograph movement offers a power reserve of approximately 62 hours and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). The movement is based on the Sellita SW510, which in turn draws on the proven Valjoux 7750 – a true classic among chronograph calibres. Sellita has been producing this calibre for many years in collaboration with ETA, one of Switzerland’s most renowned movement manufacturers.
The strap options
Buyers of the “Enjoy Life” Special Edition can choose between a stainless steel bracelet with satin-brushed centre links and a folding clasp, or a white rubber strap featuring Norqain’s signature stitching and a stainless steel pin buckle. Each timepiece is delivered in a special presentation box that not only captures the watch’s spirited character through its design, but also includes a matching pair of sunglasses adorned with the Norqain logo.
Pricing and availability
As carefree as the watch itself is the way Norqain has chosen to launch it. The debut of the new “Enjoy Life” edition begins with an exclusive pool party at the Hilton Resorts World, where the colourful, playful design of the watch takes centre stage – perfectly capturing the “Enjoy Life” spirit. The event marks the start of a series of summer-themed happenings and initiatives centred around the “Ice Cream” concept, set to accompany the collection throughout the season.
The Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” Special Edition will be available from 4 June, priced at €4,650 with a white rubber strap and pin buckle, or €4,750 with a stainless steel bracelet.
To mark the brand’s 250th anniversary and 70 years since the birth of the Type XX (the standard Type version was released in 1953), Breguet is launching two new chronograph models. Under reference 2075, the maison introduces two variants: one comes with a black anodised aluminium dial, the other is limited to just 250 pieces…
Yesterday morning at 9 AM (CET), with a quick refresh of my safari page, Patek Philippe dropped seven new watches to its sports collections. All of them carry precious stones and are aimed towards the female clientele of the brand. This is truly the season for minute repeaters; as well as the new Ref. 1938…
Swiss watchmaker Oris, from Hölstein, has teamed up with online platform and #SpeedyTuesday founder Fratello to launch their first limited edition of a Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date model. Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze Fratello Limited Edition The Big Crown Pointer Date is a true classic timepiece from Oris and was first presented in…
Audemars Piguet has introduced a new piece in the Royal Oak Concept collection, designed in collaboration with artist KAWS. This watch features a miniature KAWS Companion character and an innovative peripheral time display, showcasing the brand’s commitment to creativity and haute horlogerie. Case The case of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” is made of…
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light is a unique timepiece that celebrates the achievements of Swedish pole vaulting legend Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis. This latest model was revealed as Duplantis set a new world record height of 6.25m, adding another feather to his illustrious cap. The 'Mondo Duplantis Edition,' was spotted on his wrist during…
70 years ago, Panerai introduced the tritium-based luminous substance Luminor – now, the Florentine watchmaker is launching a highly modern watch with a further improved luminosity and – for the first time – a service warranty of 70 years. PAM1117 Ever since the 1940s, Panerai has continuously worked on improving the emission of light. By…
TAG Heuer has unveiled two new additions to its Carrera collection: the Carrera Chronograph and the limited Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon, the latter of which is limited to 200 pieces. Both watches feature a striking smoky black-to-purple gradient dial, showcasing the brand’s Glassbox design. These timepieces offer collectors a fresh perspective on the Carrera’s more then…
For the first time, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie offers a minute repeater in a full ceramic case. The two new 42 mm variants of the Royal Oak with Minute Repeater and Supersonnerie integrate the latest research results from a long-standing collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. With…
With the RM 47 Tourbillon, Richard Mille is presenting an extraordinary timepiece that pays an artistic tribute to Japanese culture. Instead of a dial, the wearer can admire a three-dimensional decoration depicting a samurai warrior. This symbolises the traditional Japanese values that still influence society today. The work of art is made entirely by hand…
Blancpain is presenting a new model in the Bathyscaphe collection. The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Sedna combines a blue dial and bezel with a Sedna gold case for the first time. It comes with a choice of a blue NATO textile strap or a blue canvas strap. The Bathyscaphe (pronounced: "Batiskaf", a type of…
Piaget has unveiled the limited Altiplano Skeleton High Jewellery Métiers d’Art. This watch showcases the brand’s expertise in ultra-thin mechanics, gem-setting, and cloisonné enamelling. Cloisonné enameling, a centuries-old technique, involves crafting detailed designs by outlining patterns with thin metal wires or strips (cloisons, meaning “compartments” in French). These compartments are filled with colored enamel paste…
In line with its CEO's current focus on “hyper horology”, watch brand Roger Dubuis is introducing a new Excalibur Double Flying Tourbillon model. The model aims to optimise all of its components in order to match with its wearers' lifestyle, from design and performance to wearability. For this reason, it features a reinvented flying tourbillon,…
After presenting the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel on the watch fair SIHH this January, the Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre now presents another chiming model: the Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle with silver (Ref. Q5233420) and blue dial (Ref. Q52334E1). Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle with blue dial (Ref. Q52334E1) (links) Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition…