Look at the Norqain Adventure and Adventure Neverest collection before today and you’ll see a variety of watch sizes represented. From 44mm chronographs to slim 37mm beaters. However, one size that is conspicuously absent is the goldilocks mid-range size of 40mm, even though when the Neverest subcollection was introduced back in 2021 it was exclusively 40mm. However, 40mm is making a comeback with a pair of new Adventure models at that size along with an Adventure Neverest limited edition.
Adventure 40mm
The Adventure is Norqain’s practical tool watch, as opposed to the Independence which leans more into urban, skeletonised design or the Freedom with its retro slant. It’s the definition of a GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. With 200m water resistant and robust steel construction, it can tackle everything you throw at it. At 40mm diameter x 12.5mm thickness, it really is that perfect size for adventuring – large enough to be resilient and provide good legibility across its display without being so big as to become bulky and uncomfortable on a hike or during day-to-day wear.
For the dial, there’s a mountain pattern across the face with a date window at 6 o’clock and centre hour, minute and seconds hands. It’s protected by a sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, which is inside a uni-directional rotating bezel with 60-minute graduation. The two versions that are available are the Adventure Green 40mm in a rich forest green and the Adventure Grey 40mm with a grey display and sky-blue accents.
Powering both models is the calibre N08, base Sellita SW200-1, with 41-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification. Being a chronometer ties into its identity as a practical tool, ensuring that it remains accurate across a variety of positions and conditions. Both versions are priced at £2,875 on rubber strap or £3,115 on steel bracelet.
Price and Specs:
Adventure Neverest 40mm Limited Edition
Neverest is the moniker Norqain give to Adventure models that support the charity initiative Butterfly Help Project. It’s a project that provides aid to the families of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayas, ensuring that their children have access to education. The word Neverest is a fusion of the concepts ‘never rest’ and ‘Mt. Everest’.
For this limited edition, the core structure of the watch is identical to the Adventure 40mm models above, it even houses the same movement. The case has the same proportions and design but with a black DLC coating providing an extra layer of protection and scratch resistance as well as a darker appearance. That’s paired with a fumé dial to match while orange accents provide a dramatic contrast.
The biggest deviation of the Adventure Neverest 40mm Limited Edition compared to the standard Adventure 40mm is the bezel. It still has a 60-minute graduation so you can use it for diving and regular timing, but the markers are interspersed with compass markings, allowing you to use the watch for navigation too.
It’s priced at £3,375 on rubber strap with a choice of either black or orange, depending on which colour you want to highlight. It’s a limited edition of 350 pieces. Of the three 40mm launches this is my favourite due to the restraint in the design of its dial, a clean fumé vs the mountain pattern of the other models.
Price and Specs:
More details at Norqain.
