The Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue is a blast of menthol freshness on the wrist
Fergus Nash- The Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue Limited Edition brings fresh new colour to the catalogue.
- Its 100m water-resistant case makes it ready for adventure even as a chronograph.
- It’s a limited edition of 300 pieces.
Norqain are a brand that pride themselves on adventuring and environmentalism, however their best-selling watch is actually one of the few that focuses on inner humanity rather than the outside world. The Freedom collection aims to embody the spirit of nature and its progression through time, evoked by retro-inspired designs and contemporary finishing. The Norqain Freedom 60 takes after popular 1960s chronographs, but with modern bursts of colour and an environmentally conscious approach. Joining the catalogue is this new limited edition of 300 pieces with an Ice Blue dial.
You can find the new Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue Limited Edition in the Time+Tide Shop
It can be difficult to avoid direct comparisons of Daytonas and Carreras when going for that ‘60s vibe, but the Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue definitely finds its footing as its own watch. The brand’s logo is simple but impactful, conjuring the mountains into your mind and reminding you of the watch’s outdoor capabilities. The hands take a bit more inspiration from the syringe style of vintage military watches, as does the colour of the C3 “Old Radium” Super-LumiNova they’re filled with. One reminding factor of modernity is the date display cut out at 4:30, however the date wheel has been colour-matched to reduce any sense of awkwardness. The Ice Blue colour itself is magnificent in its sunburst finish, retaining a rather narrow dynamic range of light blues that feels consistently gorgeous.
The case of the Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue errs on the bigger side of medium, with a 40mm diameter and a 49.2mm lug-to-lug. This ensures a unisex wearability, although its size will definitely carry a lot of presence on a smaller wrist with a 14.9mm thickness. The adventuring potential is very much there despite its racetrack looks, with 100m of water resistance and a screw-down crown. The design of the case is very classic and sporty, with the polished bezel and lug chamfers bringing a touch of refinement. The lugs themselves are very finely brushed, creating a matte reflection of light without looking too rough or industrial.
Powering the Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue is the Norqain calibre NN19, which is based on the Sellita SW510-a. With a smooth beat rate of 4Hz and a power reserve of 62 hours, this cam-operated chronograph uses the Valjoux 7750 architecture for an authentic automatic chronograph experience, plus the modern convenience of quick-set dates. You can see the automatic winding rotor through the display caseback, which is also made from scratch-proof sapphire. Three choices of straps include a stainless-steel bracelet, a black Perlon rubber strap, or a linen “Nortide” strap that’s made from recycled ocean plastic by #tide.
The Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue Limited Edition pricing and availability:
The Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue is a limited edition of 300 pieces, available from the Time+Tide Shop.
Price: A$6,600 (Nortide), A$6,900 (Nortide with folding clasp or perlon rubber), A$7,100 (steel bracelet), A$7,200 (perlon rubber with folding clasp)
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Freedom 60 Ice Blue |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 49.2mm x 14.9mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Ice Blue |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Nortide recycled linen, Perlon rubber, or steel bracelet |
| Movement | Sellita SW510-a |
| Power Reserve | 62 hours |
| Availability | Limited to 300 pieces |
| Price | A$6,600 (Nortide) A$6,900 (Nortide with folding clasp or perlon rubber) A$7,100 (steel bracelet) A$7,200 (perlon rubber with folding clasp) |