Review: Norqain Neverest GMT 41mm

As a watch writer, sometimes you get a watch that for whatever reason compels you to photograph it immediately and start typing the review as soon as you can. That could be because you feel sick with it on your wrist and it’s a flaming piece of garbage. Or, as I believe is the case with the Norqain Neverest GMT 41mm, there may be an immediate excitement about the watch. Recall the urgency you felt as a child (or last year) to immediately use or play with that one birthday gift (for me it was a Roomba)—that’s the sensation I had when I first opened up the Neverest GMT.

The Norqain Neverest GMT was released in the fall of 2021, the second GMT from the brand after its dressier Freedom 60 GMT, which lacked the rotating bezel of the newer model. Like the Freedom GMT, this watch houses the manufacture Caliber NN20/2, a chronometer flyer GMT movement made in collaboration with Kenissi, and essentially the same as the Tudor MT5652. So, when the Tudor Black Bay Pro came out this year and the world exploded, the Neverest GMT became an even more compelling watch.

As is the case with many Norqain models, the first thing that will catch your eye is the hallmark basketweave pattern. I also quickly spotted how well that texture plays against the shine of the ceramic bezel insert. Strapping the watch on, you’ll be surprised by how well it wears given its nearly 15mm height.

The Case

Even though it wears well, the case is still prominent. You can see the thickness here in profile, some of which is accounted for by the tall bidirectional bezel, which has excellent grip and operates with a deep satisfying click. The crown is similarly grippy and easy to operate and I really like how the end is sandblasted with the polished logo. See how the crown guards aren’t the same thickness as the case? That’s to allow you to optimally grip the bezel from any position, even right above the crown.

Doesn’t look like a 15mm watch, does it? The curve of the lugs and the fitted bracelet make this a treat on the wrist. Part of that treat is simply that you expect it to be much larger and it’s just not. Not that you won’t feel it—you will—but it’s sure to be a pleasant surprise. Though the sapphire has a slight dome, it never provided any distortion, making it easy to read at any angle.

Can you customize the side plate to say whatever you want? You can. Should you get something vulgar on it? You should.

The Dial

While my choice was the green Norqain Neverest GMT, the model is also available with blue accents, orange accents in a black DLC case, and a now sold-out limited edition with 18kt rose gold accents. Legibility is solid but not perfect, but the dial is well balanced and despite all the hands, remains uncluttered. Of particular note, of course, is the flyer GMT functionality. The movement allows the hour hand to be set in one-hour jumps, independent of the other hands (you also change the date by turning the hour hand forward or back). Technically, you can track three times with this: local time with the hour hand, home time with the GMT hand, and a third with the bezel!

The Norqain logo is comprised of two back-to-back Ns—as are found at the ends of the brand name—which form a mountain’s peak, referencing the Alps in Switzerland, where founder and CEO Ben Küffer grew up. The brand also managed to form a backronym out of NORQAIN, but it’s painfully forced so I won’t bother to type it out.

One thing I noticed about the hands and the applied markers is taht they have such a phenomenally high polish that they catch even the smallest amount of light. Together with their faceting, this means that in some lower-light situations, the lume isn’t even necessary. Another detail to notice? How the ‘6’ on the two-tone chapter ring is half white, half black.

Never mind the GMT Chronometer badging. Look at the seconds and GMT hands. I found them similar to the point where you have to give more than just a glance to check either one. While I like the color-matching of the GMT hand, it doesn’t differentiate the hand enough; the shape and size of the seconds hand should be adjusted to maximize legibility. An easy fix would be to swap in the simple unlumed seconds from the Freedom GMT.

The X1 Super-LumiNova used here is the highest grade available and it’s clear when this watch shines in the dark. While the hands are noticeably brighter than the pip or indices, everything is adequate for low-light reading.

The Rest

In addition to the steel bracelet, the Neverest GMT is also available on a stretchy nylon single-pass strap or a marvelous two-piece rubber NATO that matches the dial. The bracelet itself is great, though I would have appreciated drilled lugs or some quick-release mechanism. However, there are two sets of lug holes and a notch between the lugs, allowing the watch to fit more easily with a variety of straps—and this watch looks fantastic on straps. What struggles is the clasp. It’s sturdy and secure, but after undoing the flip lock, it’s difficult to get a solid grip on the main body. It’s quite short, so it’s hard to get any leverage, and there isn’t a clear point at which to grip it. As such, you’re left prying it up with the tip of your finger.

All hail the manufacture Norqain Caliber NN20/2! For the uninitiated, the movement is made for Norqain by Tudor-owned Kenissi and apart from decoration and branding, appears to be almost identical to Tudor’s GMT caliber MT5652. It’s chronometer-certified, has 28 jewels and a 70-hour power reserve, and beats at 4hz.

As soon as I shared with a few friends that I had the Norqain Neverest GMT 41mm in for review, the comparisons to the Tudor Black Bay Pro started. They’re inevitable and there’s nothing necessarily wrong with making them. I can tell you this: the BB Pro is a safer watch. It’s safer because its design is more conservative and familiar. The Norqain has a textured dial and two-tone colorway and it doesn’t look like an old, iconic GMT. And the Norqain costs $100 less on bracelet (the only way to buy a watch when it’s an option). That’s money in your pocket, people.

But the Norqain Neverest GMT doesn’t need to be compared to anything. It stands on its own. On top of its well-designed and well-made case, it’s got elements unique to Norqain that give it a sporty vibe that lets it stand out amongst other GMTs. While not perfect, take into consideration the chronometer manufacture movement with an independently adjustable hour hand—and the fact that I simply could bot stop looking at it while it was on my wrist—and it’s a knockout.

You can learn more about the Norqain Neverest GMT 41mm at the brand’s website.