As its latest new release of 2023, NORQAIN has announced two new additions to its Neverest Glacier series of watches that feature striking dials with cracks of gold running through their surfaces. Unlike the original NORQAIN Neverest Glacier watch that debuted in 2021, which featured an entirely white dial, the use of gold for the glacier-inspired cracks on this latest duo of models creates a significantly more dramatic effect that isn’t just a texture, but rather an actual contrasting asymmetric pattern spread across the surface of their dials. While the first of the two new glacier-inspired watches is based upon the standard three-handed Neverest model and features a black and gold dial, the other is a GMT variant in gray and gold, which represents the first time that a GMT watch has been fitted with one of the brand’s glacier-themed dials.
Officially known as the NORQAIN Neverest Glacier 40mm Black & Gold, the new time-only version for 2023 is essentially a new colorway of the original model. Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the case measures 40mm in diameter by 12.55mm thick, with 20mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug profile of 48.3mm. Additionally, just like the previous time-only Neverest Glacier model, a double-domed sapphire crystal protects the dial, and it gets surrounded by a unidirectional rotating timing bezel that is fitted with a ceramic insert. Similarly, NORQAIN’s signature detachable plate for personalized engravings sits on the left-hand side of the case, while a signed screw-down crown and threaded display caseback help guarantee a generous 200 meters of water resistance.
Where the new NORQAIN Neverest Glacier Black & Gold differs from its predecessors is in regards to its dial, hands, and bezel insert. Like before, the dial features an asymmetric cracked pattern that is inspired by the jagged crevasses of Khumbu Icefall, which is the most dangerous stage of the climb on the way to the summit of Mount Everest. However, rather than just appearing as a tone-on-tone texture, the cracks are now finished in bright gold against the dark black textured surface of the dial. Additionally, the markings on the bezel, along with the luminous hands and hour markers are now outlined in gold, while small pops of bright red are used for the tip of the seconds hand and the “chronometer” text on the lower half of the dial.
The other new model is the NORQAIN Neverest GMT Glacier 41mm Grey & Gold, which takes this gold-finished glacier theme and applies it to the brand’s popular Neverest GMT watch. Just like the standard-production GMT models, this new glacier-inspired variant features a stainless steel case that measures 41mm in diameter by 14.94mm thick, with 20mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug distance of 48.9mm. The top of the case gets furnished with a double-domed sapphire crystal surrounded by a bezel with a ceramic 24-hour insert, while a signed screw-down crown and a threaded display caseback help to guarantee the model’s 100 meters of water resistance.
Similar to the new time-only model, the GMT variant also features a gold-themed colorway; however, while the three-handed variant pairs its golden accents with a black dial and bezel, the new GMT version features a gray and gold color profile. While the overall design of the dial and hands remains largely the same as what is found on the time-only model, the GMT version also features a date window at 3 o’clock, along with a split-color secondary 24-hour scale that is printed along the angled chapter ring that surrounds the periphery of the dial. Additionally, its small splashes of bright red now appear on the tip of the GMT hand, along with the “GMT” text on the lower half of its dial.
Both of the new 2023 NORQAIN Neverest Glacier watches are powered by the brand’s manufacture movements, which are COSC-certified chronometers that are produced by Kenissi. However, due to their different functionality, the two models ultimately receive different calibers. The time-only NORQAIN Neverest Glacier 40mm Black & Gold is powered by the brand’s Caliber NN20/1, while the Neverest GMT Glacier 41mm Grey & Gold is fitted with the Caliber NN20/2. Both self-winding movements run at a frequency of 28,800bph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, although the Cal. NN20/2 inside the GMT variant also features proper “traveler” style functionality, with the ability to jump the local 12-hour hand either forward or backward in one-hour increments.
Both of the new 2023 NORQAIN Neverest Glacier watches are available with the option of either a stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap, and based on the included photos, both options appear to be the same style that can be found on the brand’s other Neverest models. The bracelet offers a standard three-link design with a double folding clasp, while the rubber strap features a textured pattern that recalls the knurling that is present along the rim of the bezel. Additionally, since both of these new golden glacier-themed models feature standard 20mm lugs, a virtually endless list of third-party options will also be compatible.
The time-only NORQAIN Neverest Glacier 40mm Black & Gold is accompanied by an official retail price of $3,990 USD when purchased on a strap (ref. NN1001SC1CA/BG103/15BR.18S) or $4,390 USD when paired with its stainless steel bracelet (ref. NN1001SC1CA/BG103/150SS). Meanwhile the NORQAIN Neverest GMT Glacier 41mm Grey & Gold costs slightly more at $4,290 USD on rubber (ref. NN1100SC3CG/G113/15BR.18S) and $4,690 USD should buyers opt for the bracelet version (ref. NN1100SC3CG/G113/150SSG). Although this does make these two new golden glacier-inspired watches slightly more expensive than their siblings from the Neverest collection, the actual price premium is only several hundred dollars, and just like previous Neverest models, 10% of the proceeds from the sales of these new watches will be donated to the Butterfly Help Project, which is a non-profit organization based in Nepal that is dedicated to improving the lives of the people who live in the region. For more information on the new NORQAIN Neverest GMT Glacier Grey & Gold And Neverest Glacier Black & Gold watches, please visit the brand’s website.
