Norqain has significantly deepened its engagement with the world of ice hockey by becoming the National Hockey League's premier luxury watch associate. This partnership ushers in the debut of the Adventure Chrono 41mm NHL Limited Edition, a meticulously designed timepiece that mirrors the dynamic spirit of the sport. The collaboration is a natural progression for Norqain, which has long been intertwined with ice hockey, notably through its co-founder Mark Streit, a celebrated former NHL All-Star. This exclusive watch not only signifies the start of a promising collaboration but also hints at future innovations, potentially including designs dedicated to specific teams.
The newly released chronograph showcases Norqain's commitment to both athletic prowess and horological precision. It is built upon the sturdy foundation of the Adventure Chrono series, known for its resilience and functional design. The watch's unique aesthetic elements, such as the 'scratched ice' dial and the innovative small seconds sub-dial, ingeniously weave the essence of hockey into its very fabric. Driven by a dependable automatic movement and presented with packaging that further reinforces its connection to the rink, this limited edition piece offers enthusiasts a distinct blend of sporting passion and Swiss craftsmanship.
Celebrating the Partnership: Design and Inspiration
Norqain's newly launched Adventure Chrono 41mm NHL Limited Edition is a testament to the brand's enhanced association with the National Hockey League, solidifying its position as the official luxury watch partner. This timepiece is meticulously crafted to reflect the energetic world of ice hockey, incorporating design elements that resonate deeply with the sport's fans and culture. From its inception, Norqain has maintained strong ties with ice hockey, partly due to the involvement of co-founder Mark Streit, a former NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup champion. The watch's design narrative is directly influenced by the sport, featuring a dial that evokes the appearance of a well-played ice rink after an intense game, complete with 'scratched ice' texture. A standout feature is the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, ingeniously designed to mimic a hockey face-off circle, adorned with a rotating disc shaped like crossed hockey sticks, a subtle yet powerful nod to game-defining moments.
Beyond these visual cues, the chronograph counters at 12 and 6 o'clock are rendered in black for striking contrast, with the 12-hour counter discreetly displaying a light grey NHL logo, further cementing the watch's official status. A pulsometer scale encircles the dial, notably marked with a 'TIMEOUT' inscription in red at the 200-mark, adding an element of storytelling that aligns perfectly with the strategic pauses in a hockey match. The robust 41mm stainless steel case, finished with a comprehensive brushing, ensures durability and a sporty appeal, while features like a screw-down crown with a distinctive red accent, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and 100m water resistance underscore its readiness for action. The hands and applied indices are treated with Super-LumiNova, ensuring optimal legibility in various conditions. This model, the first fruits of Norqain's elevated partnership with the NHL, suggests a promising future for hockey-inspired horology, potentially leading to a broader collection that celebrates the league and its teams.
Precision Engineering and Exclusive Details
Underpinning the Norqain Adventure Chrono 41mm NHL Limited Edition's captivating aesthetics is a foundation of precision Swiss engineering. The watch is powered by the Norqain calibre N17, an automatic chronograph movement based on the reliable Sellita SW500. This movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and boasts a substantial power reserve of 62 hours, ensuring consistent and accurate timekeeping. The mechanical intricacy of the movement, along with a personalized Norqain rotor, is elegantly showcased through a sapphire case back. This transparency also reveals an engraved inscription, 'Limited Edition – One of 1917,' a direct homage to the founding year of the National Hockey League, emphasizing the watch's exclusivity and historical connection to the sport.
The commitment to incorporating hockey elements extends to the watch's accompanying accessories. It comes equipped with a black rubber strap that uniquely integrates material from an actual hockey puck, offering wearers a tangible piece of the sport's heritage. For those who prefer a classic touch, a stainless steel bracelet option is also available. The presentation of this limited edition timepiece is equally thoughtful, housed in a special box featuring a white insert designed to resemble an ice rink, and includes an authentic NHL puck. Limited to just 1,917 pieces, this watch is a collector's item, symbolizing a significant moment in the intersection of luxury timekeeping and professional sports. Available through Norqain boutiques, authorized retailers, and the brand's online platform, the Adventure Chrono 41mm NHL Limited Edition is priced at EUR 4,750 with the rubber strap and EUR 4,950 with the stainless steel bracelet, offering enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a piece of this pioneering partnership.