Born in the Swiss Alps, NORQAIN is a family-owned, independent watch company that dares to go its own way. Based in Nidau (Biel/Bienne)—at the very heart of Swiss watchmaking—the brand is driven by a spirit of adventure and a passion for the outdoors. Since its founding in 2018, Norqain has established itself as one of the most exciting young players in the luxury watch industry.
“What is Norqain?”
As Emmanuel explained in a recent conversation:
“ NORQAIN is an independent, family-owned Swiss watch company founded in 2018—still a relatively young brand. It was started by Ben Küffer in Nidau, near Biel/Bienne. Ben comes from a strong watchmaking background: his father owned Roventa Hen, a large watchmaking facility, so the know-how was already in the family. Ben then brought his own youthful drive and enthusiasm to launch a new watch brand. That was in 2018, so we’re now seven years into the journey. It’s been an exciting ride—we’re already well established and have built a strong network of successful retailers, especially in the U.S., which is our biggest market.”
Building the U.S. Market
Q: How long have you been involved with the company?
A: “Since 2019, almost from the beginning. I started the U.S. office that year from a tiny office in Miami. Now we have a strong team of seven people in New York as well. We’ve come a long way since then. Of course, COVID slowed us down at first, but since 2021 we’ve seen tremendous growth.”
NORQAIN’s success in the United States has been instrumental in establishing its reputation worldwide. With a dedicated team and a growing network of retail partners, the brand is now firmly positioned as a challenger in the global luxury watch arena.
Watches that Define Adventure
Q: What do you have for us here?
Emmanuel proudly introduced some of NORQAIN’s standout models:
Wild ONE Skeleton – A cutting-edge sports watch weighing only 78 grams, featuring shock resistance up to 5,000 g thanks to its proprietary NORTEQ® carbon composite case and integrated rubber shock absorber.
Independence Skeleton Chrono – A column-wheel flyback chronograph, chronometer-certified, with a titanium DLC-coated case and a mountain-inspired dial. Limited to just 500 pieces, it debuted at Watches & Wonders.
Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm “Enjoy Life” Edition – A playful pastel-toned watch with an ice-cream date wheel reminder to “enjoy life.”
Adventure Collection – Robust sports watches with steel cases, rotating bezels, and bold dials designed for outdoor lifestyles, available as chronographs and GMTs.
“ NORQAIN is about the outdoors and real-world wearability—our customers can wear these watches for any activity, even hockey.”
A Brand with Purpose
NORQAIN isn’t just about watches—it’s about a philosophy of living with passion, authenticity, and a spirit of exploration. With independent ownership, innovative materials, and partnerships in both sports and watchmaking, the brand is carving its own path in a competitive industry.
As Emmanuel concluded:
“It’s been a really exciting journey. We are already quite established, and the future looks very promising.”
Discover More
You can explore NORQAIN’s full story, collections, and retail partners—your hub for discovering the world’s most exciting watch brands.
📖 Learn about the brand: WatchDNA.com/Norqain
📍 Connect with your local authorized dealer: Store Locator
