The Norqain NEVEREST Night Sight 40mm DLC is a low profile tool watch that feels like the end result of what might happen if the venerable Rolex Explorer was allowed to evolve. After all, it is part of the brand’s mountaineering themed collection, doesn’t have a date complication, has the same 3, 6, 9 Arabic numeral layout on the dial, and is a certified chronometer.
The main highlight of this watch is partly told in the name, and the reason why this watch is called “Night Sight” is because of the fully lumed dial.
Now fully lumed dials are relatively uncommon, and I honestly do not know why they are not more popular. With more dial surface area covered in X1 Super Luminova to absorb light, the utility of this type of dial is unmatched visibility in the dark.
This watch, like others with similarly lumed dials, then has the Arabic numerals and hands without any lume, and this to provide the contrast necessary against the lumed dial to read the time in the dark
The curious thing about this implementation of a lume dial is that the grey textured dial doesn’t even look like it might be lumed. Many lumed dials appear slightly greenish in day-light, which might not be so attractive. This one however is grey through and through, and also has a nice paper like texture, a common characteristic seen on other lumed dials as well.
I’m not particularly sure how the main Arabic numerals were created, as they look too full bodied and three dimensional to be done with pad-printing. Though I might be wrong and will have to check with Norqain on this. They do look very nice however under high magnification.
The grey dial of the watch paired with the stainless steel case in black DLC black, certainly makes the overall presentation very discreet. There is certainly a “special forces” vibe with this watch, and I can easily see it being worn by a soldier fighting in a desert environment.
The features you’d expect in this type of tool watch are all there, a screw down crown with protective crown guards for 200 metres of water resistance, and something very useful, a compass style marked bezel that, in a pinch and with some imagination, could be used like a countdown or a dual time bezel. Hey, if you’re out there in the wilderness with this watch, you use what you have – I would.
Movement wise, the NEVEREST Night Sight 40mm DLC is powered the Calibre NN20/1, which was developed with the Tudor-founded movement manufacturer Kenissi. This assures a high level of reliability, chronometric performance as well as a 70-hour power reserve that the brand calls “weekend-proof”.
One other thing about this watch and others in the NEVEREST collection, 10% of the proceeds from sales of these watches will go to the Butterfly Help Project, an organisation that helps families of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains and gives their children access to education, by paying for school fees, classroom material, books, uniforms, and athletic equipment.
The watch comes in three possible strap configurations, with a MN style Flex Fabric Strap (SGD 5,180) shown here, a Rubber Strap with Pin Clasp (SGD 5,180) and on a matching DLC Bracelet with Folding Clasp (SGD 5,680)
Technical Specifications
MOVEMENT: NORQAIN MANUFACTURE CALIBRE (NN20/1), 70 hours power reserve, Personalised bridge with NORQAIN core values: “Adventure – Freedom –Independence”, Mechanical automatic movement, Chronometer certified, 27 rubies, Personalised NORQAIN oscillating weight with the golden “double-N” logo, Balance frequency: 28’800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), 4+1 year warranty (Norqainer Club)
CASE: 316L polished, satined stainless steel with DLC coating, Polished NEVEREST plate adjacent to the left side of the case made of 316L stainless steel with DLC coating, 40 mm diameter, 13.25 mm thickness, Width between lugs of 20mm, Lug to Lug: 48.3 mm, 200 m water resistance, Slightly domed, double anti-reflective, scratch-proof sapphire glass, Case back made of scratch-proof sapphire glass, Screwed crown with engraved NORQAIN logo, Crown protection on the right side of the case
BEZEL: 316 stainless steel bezel with DLC coating, Bi-directional rotating bezel, Knurled bezel to ensure optimal handling, Compass engraving on the bezel