Norqain intensifies never-resting spirit with new versions of top-selling neverest glacier featuring unique golden glacier dial

Closely linked to the brand’s philanthropic partnership with the Butterfly Help Project, the new NEVEREST models feature unique bicolour dials and support schoolchildren in Nepal by helping them access quality education.

Capturing the beauty and mystery of the Himalayan mountains, NORQAIN’s newest timepieces feature an eye-catching dial inspired by the NEVERST Glacier – one of the brand’s top-selling watches first presented in 2021. The golden cracks on the dial are inspired by the jagged crevasses of Khumbu Icefall, the most dangerous stage of the climb to Everest’s summit. Both models are equipped with a NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre produced by movement manufacturer Kenissi: the black version is powered by the three-hand movement while its grey counterpart houses the jumping-hour GMT movement. This is the first time NORQAIN has introduced a GMT with this unique glacier dial.

As with the NEVEREST predecessors, 10% of the proceeds from sales of these watches will be donated to the Butterfly Help Project, a non-profit organisation based in Nepal which NORQAIN has supported since 2021. Together, NORQAIN and the Butterfly Help Project have helped 50 children access a quality education and recently completed construction of a hostel where these students can stay during the school periods so they can attend their lessons despite the long journey from home. The children whom the Butterfly Help Project supports are primarily daughters and sons of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains while guiding climbers to Mount Everest and other high summits of the Himalaya. The Butterfly Help Project built three new schools after the existing ones were destroyed in a devasting 2015 earthquake.

“Looking at these watches, I feel a huge sense of pride – not only because of their symbolic design and the creative innovation behind the dial, but also because of the positive impact they enable. The work that the Butterfly Help Project does is immensely important, and Andrea and Norbu do it with such compassion. To have played a part in helping these children in Nepal access education continues to be rewarding with every story we hear and picture we see”, says NORQAIN Founder & CEO Ben Küffer.

The organisation was created by Norbu Sherpa and Andrea Sherpa-Zimmermann of Wild Yak Expeditions. Andrea Sherpa-Zimmermann from Switzerland and Norbu Sherpa, who has successfully climbed Mount Everest seven times and has earned the title of Sirdar, met in 2011 when Andrea attempted to summit Cho Oyu with Norbu leading the way. They founded Wild Yak Expeditions in 2014 and were married one year later in 2015. The following year, they conquered Mount Everest together. With Wild Yak Expeditions, Norbu and Andrea not only want to make the dreams of mountaineers and adventurous travellers come true; they also want to give something back to Nepal’s people, who may not have the same chances in life.

Andrea and Norbu say: “On behalf of our team and the children who attend the school and live in the hostel we built, we are extremely grateful for NORQAIN’s generous support. The donations through NORQAIN’s NEVEREST collection make it possible for us to change lives, and not only that but empower children to achieve greatness”.

From the very beginning, mountain climbing has been a part of NORQAIN’s story – from the logo inspired by the Swiss Alps to Mount Everest, the inspiration behind the NEVEREST collection. The collection name captures the family-owned and independent watchmaker’s adventurous spirit and its unending motivation to push the boundaries of the industry.

NEVEREST GMT GLACIER GREY & GOLD

Presenting a new take on the best-selling NEVEREST Glacier launched in 2021, this 41mm stainless steel NEVEREST GMT Glacier has a remarkable grey and gold colour scheme as well as satined and brushed finishings on the case. The most eye-catching element is the anthracite dial with its gold-filled cracks inspired by the crevasses on Mt. Everest. The red-gold-coloured NORQAIN logo matches the facetted central hour, minute, seconds, and GMT hands, all of which feature white X1 Superluminova and are red gold plated. The moss grey ceramic ring on the bezel features the 24-hour scale in red gold. The 24-hour scale is also visible on the outer ring of the dial where the daytime hours are indicated in white and the night-time hours in black. Its protected screw-down crown and knurled bidirectional rotating bezel emphasise this model’s readiness for outdoor adventure. Water resistant to 100 metres, this timepiece is presented on an integrated stainless steel bracelet with 9mm quick micro-adjustment (CHF 4’280) or black animal cruelty-free rubber strap (CHF 3’950).

Fitted with the COSC-Certified NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/2, the NEVEREST GMT Glacier has a weekend-proof 70-hour power reserve and jumping hour feature keeping time in two time zones with absolute precision. The sturdy construction of the movement features a traversing bridge with two-point fixation to ensure that the timekeeping performance will not be hindered by powerful activity.

NEVEREST GLACIER BLACK & GOLD

Like its counterpart, this 40mm timepiece has a striking “cracked” dial inspired by the appearance of the world’s highest peak. However, this version is distinguished by a black dial with golden crevasses. The central hour, minute and seconds hands are plated in red gold and coated in white X1 Superluminova, which is 60% stronger than standard Superluminova. The black ceramic ring of the bezel is decorated with a red golden scale and Superluminova marker at the 12 o’clock position. The knurled edge of the unidirectional rotating bezel makes it easier to grip while turning it counter-clockwise mid-adventure, while the protection around the screw-down crown enhances the watch’s robustness as well as its sporty appearance. Visible through the transparent case back is the COSC-certified NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 featuring a 70-hour power reserve and personalised bridge.

Water resistant to 200 metres, this high-quality timepiece comes on an integrated stainless steel bracelet with 9mm quick micro-adjustment (CHF 3’980) or a black animal cruelty-free rubber strap (CHF 3’650).

BUTTERFLY HELP PROJECT & NORQAIN: NEVER-RESTING SPIRIT

The independent Swiss watch brand has supported the Butterfly Help Project since 2021 when the partnership was announced along with the first NEVEREST watches. Since then, NORQAIN has supported 50 children in Nepal, facilitating their access to education while also ensuring their safety by constructing a hostel adjacent to the school, eliminating the need for them to undertake dangerous journeys daily. This support was made possible through the donation of 10% of the proceeds from sales of NEVEREST timepieces. In May 2023, a small team from NORQAIN made the three-day journey to the site of the school and hostel – in a very remote village in the southern part of Nepal – to meet Andrea and Norbu, their team, and the students. The children supported by the Butterfly Help Project are often orphans whose parents guided climbers through the Himalayan mountains – one of the only possible jobs for locals in the area, and one that is extremely treacherous. The donations to the Butterfly Help Project give these disadvantaged children an opportunity for a fresh start, with quality education and a comfortable place to stay. As the hostel begins to reach its full capacity, plans are already in place to build a second accommodation near the school and to continue making access to education available to many more children in this area of Nepal.

The name NEVEREST has been trademarked in the watch industry and represents the brand’s never-resting spirit and never-ending commitment to quality, innovation and making a positive impact. These new watches and the ongoing partnership with the Butterfly Help Project underscore the NEVEREST ethos and NORQAIN’s values.