Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm

Borna Bošnjak

The Wild One was all the time destined to be Norqain’s poster youngster. However, I’m undecided the model anticipated the limelight to be taken by the Skeleton mannequin, particularly contemplating they graced its closed-dial sibling with a extra premium, Kenissi motion. And but, right here we’re. Whether or not it’s due to movie star endorsement or collectors’ need for one thing refreshing (in actuality, it’s in all probability a little bit of each), the Wild One Skeleton has loved loads of success. To additional develop this success story, Norqain expanded the gathering at Watches and Wonders 2025, downsizing the light-weight sports activities watch to a flexible (and on-trend) 39mm diameter. As they’ve simply arrived on the T+T Melbourne Watch Discovery Studio, I assumed I’d take a more in-depth look and work out what makes them tick – how laborious might it’s, contemplating all is on present?

Consolation champion

To essentially expertise the Wild One’s greatest energy, no matter diameter, you’ve gotta get it in your wrist. The Norteq composite case signifies that it’s light-weight, and its flat caseback and barely curved lugs make it conform to just about any wrist completely. For the 39mm specifically, it additionally wears surprisingly slim, contemplating its sports activities/dive watch-derived aesthetic. It sits at 11.75mm in thickness and 45.75mm lug-to-lug, which is extra compact than a Tudor Black Bay 58, for comparability’s sake.

That is additional emphasised by the fitted rubber strap, although it did present extra construction than I had anticipated. It doesn’t fairly have the pliability or suppleness of silicone, however that doesn’t actually detract from consolation in any respect – it’s truly the other. The rubber has sufficient flexibility to broaden as your wrist swells, however not a lot so to really feel flimsy or slide up and down it.

Simply as a lot watch

Properly, okay. It’s not simply as a lot watch – it’s fairly actually the other, contemplating the 3mm drop in diameter, however you get what I imply. Every little thing that you simply cherished within the 42mm Wild One Skeleton is right here, together with the aforementioned composite building and open dial showcasing the skeletonised variant of the Sellita SW200 inside. All too typically, drops in measurement additionally imply drops in specification, however I’m glad to say that’s not the case right here.

Actually, the Wild One Skeleton 39 provides a contact that many might have most popular on the bigger variants: the open bridges of the motion are actually blackened to match the case color, moderately than the untreated end of its assortment siblings. It simply seems a lot extra premium, as is becoming contemplating the value tag the watch instructions.

Excessive-tech in (nearly) all facets

The entire concept of Norqain’s proprietary composite was to supply an avant-garde materials expertise, and that’s what’s been one of many fundamental drawcards of the Wild One assortment. Fairly unexpectedly (particularly realizing how watch nerds can get), the eschewing of the Kenissi motion from the Skeleton assortment wasn’t sufficient of a deterrent to beat the huge strides the mannequin made by way of visible enchantment. Denoted because the NB08S, the modified Sellita SW200 behind the Wild One 39 Skeleton does function COSC certification, which is a pleasant contact – although one which I truthfully assume is critical given the asking worth for an in any other case entry-level Swiss motion.

With a widespread motion getting used, although, Norqain does make it simpler to service it. In case you can’t fairly make it to a Norqain retailer or showroom, you will be pretty protected in leaving this one with a fairly good watchmaker, given the SW200’s ubiquitous design and availability.

Closing ideas

With its new diameter, the Wild One Skeleton 39mm merely improves on all of the issues its bigger sibling already did very effectively. Consolation is even higher (particularly on my 16cm/6.2in wrist), and its light-weight case and cozy rubber strap are to thank for that. It additionally has simply as a lot enjoyable with its colors, although I do assume the aesthetic vastly improves with the blackened motion that’s solely current within the Mint Inexperienced restricted version for the time being.

The Wild One Skeleton, no matter measurement, proves that for a lot of, watchmaking actually isn’t about what’s beneath the hood, however moderately the way it’s introduced. A narrative that’s cropped up a few occasions in my conversations with our personal Jamie Weiss is the one of many EcoBoost-powered Ford Mustang, and I believe that’s the right analogy for this watch. Positive, you don’t have a thunderous V8 to drown out any price ticket query marks, however the roof is down, the Solar is shining, and also you’re sitting in a shiny yellow Mustang. In case you’re not cautious, it’s possible you’ll simply find yourself having a little bit of enjoyable.

Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm pricing and availability

The Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm is now accessible from the Time+Tide Studios in Melbourne and London, in addition to the Time+Tide Store, together with this delectable, limited-edition Mint Inexperienced colourway that’ll be produced in simply 400 examples. Worth: A$8,800, £4,750