Norqain

After growing up surrounded by watches and with his family working in the upper echelons of the watch industry, founding a watch brand was probably a no-brainer for Ben Küffer. So that’s what he did in 2018 when he established the Swiss brand Norqain. Benefitting from a lifetime of exposure to Swiss watchmaking and a wealth of family knowledge and connections, Norqain was able to immediately position itself as a legitimate brand.

Norqain has released a steady stream of models since its debut, with a catalog that favors sporty designs. The brand’s models run the gamut from the more traditionally-styled Freedom collection to the modern Independence line, with the Adventure series balancing the others. The models offer everything from pearl-dialed watches aimed at women to skeletonized movements to GMTs. To boot, all of its models feature a custom-engravable plate fastened to the case band.

What’s more, Norqain has made efforts to establish meaningful partnerships. Several of its movements are made by Kenissi—the same brand that furnishes Tudor, Breitling, and Chanel— and it counts industry icon Jean-Claude Biver and Stanley Cup Winner Mark Streit as board members. Like many brands, Norqain has made commitments outside of the watch world, with charitable collaborations with ongoing donations to The Butterfly Help Project, the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, and a commitment to carbon neutrality and animal cruelty-free products.