Hands-On: The Norqain Wild One Skeleton X-Lite & Wild One Skeleton Chrono

Since Norqain’s official launch in the UK in 2025, the brand has been on a tear. It is growing here and abroad, which says something in the current climate. Sure, the watches are a luxurious expenditure, but they’re fun, wearable, and capable. Today, I’ll briefly share some hands-on thoughts on two recently released Wild One models. The Skeleton X-Lite and Skeleton Chrono are in focus.

If you’ve read any of my other articles, you’ll know that I’m generally a traditionalist. Modern, skeletonized watches generally aren’t my bag. Often, they take me back to a time when I wore a fake open-dial Fossil watch in high school. That was fine back then, but the style left me cold for a very long time. Enter Norqain. The brand’s initial closed-dial watches were fine and very nicely made, but it wasn’t until a year ago at Soccer Aid in Manchester that I went hands-on with pieces from the Wild One collection. That experience made me realize that I enjoy a well-made, nicely finished skeletonized watch that doesn’t rival the price of a new car. Norqain makes modern design relatively accessible, which is something I’ve come to enjoy. So, without further ado, let’s look at two new pieces that were truly enjoyable to wear.

The Norqain Wild One Skeleton X-Lite

Once again, I attended Soccer Aid this year as a guest of Norqain. The brand is the official timer for the event (which raised over £16 million this year!), and it drew a great crowd at Olympic Stadium in London. We met in the locker room used for MLB events, and all of the brand’s pieces were on display. After the event, Norqain sent both of today’s pieces to me for review. Now, the Wild One Skeleton X-Lite is a watch that I’d held during Watches and Wonders 2026. In fact, I named it as one of my favorite releases from the show. I did, however, want some real time with it.

In the aforementioned favorites article, I listed some of the particulars of this piece, but the key criterion was that it was co-designed with former tennis player Stan Wawrinka. He suggested an extremely lightweight and rugged watch that could be worn during sports. At just 45 grams all in, with a depth rating of 100 meters and an ability to withstand shocks equivalent to 5,000 g, the 41mm watch is a lightweight beast with some cool tech.

Norteq, X-Lite, titanium, and aluminum

While Norqain’s Norteq carbon material is used on other Wild One models, this piece debuts an even lighter carbon fiber material appropriately named X-Lite. The material is used for the case ring, while Norteq is employed for the top, bottom, and sides. Finally, titanium is used for the case container and aluminum on the case back. Everything yellow is rubber to enhance shock absorption. All this comes together with twin sapphire crystals and a reasonable 11.95mm profile.

A wearing experience that rivals having nothing on

The Wild One Skeleton X-Lite is larger than the watches I typically wear, but the lightness, strap design, and dark case make it extremely comfortable. We often talk about how lightweight watches feel like one isn’t wearing a watch, but this might be the most truthful example yet. In short, it’s awesome without feeling like a toy.

Regarding the strap, Norqain designed a multi-piece unit that stretches and provides a great fit. Also, assuming this case design will live on in additional models, one can guess that the brand will make additional colors available for swapping. The lightweight theme with the Norteq buckle. Plus, the sliding keeper has a cool secret. On its underside, it has a tab that fits into a hole at the end of the strap tail. Therefore, there’s no uncouth strap end hanging off or causing annoyance. It’s a cool little detail.

Hardcore skeletonization on the Wild One X-Lite

Before we get to the dial, one characteristic that stood out to me is the scalloped bezel. Of course, it “adds” lightness, but it also reminds me of one of my favorite watches, the Seiko “Ashtray” diver! Moving on to the dial, we see it framed by a yellow rubber ring, which matches the rubber-lined screw-down crown and left flank plate. The yellow continues on the dial with framed luminous indexes and the tips of each hand. Look, I won’t kid you. A skeletonized watch isn’t the easiest to read for someone above age 45, but the Wild One X-Lite was as good as it gets. The contrast between the yellow and black is high. Still, some friends were curious what more yellow on the hands would look like.

A lightweight proprietary caliber from AMT

Inside, the Wild One Skeleton X-Lite uses a new chronometer-certified 4K manufacture caliber called the NBK26/1. This is produced by Sellita’s AMT department solely for Norqain. Fitting the theme, the skeletonization has been taken to extremes to reduce weight. This doesn’t mean a lack of performance, though. The 24-jewel movement has a 65-hour power reserve and a 28,800vph frequency.

Takeaways

The Wild One Skeleton X-Lite was a very different type of watch for me to wear when I frequented my local pub, ran errands, and took my daughter to school. Yet, I loved it. The materials, the fit, and the general build quality were awesome, and it’s definitely a watch I could see owning at some point in the future. For this model, though, just 200 are being built, and most seem to be allocated to boutiques. At €10,650 / US$13,900 / £9,700, it’s pricey due to its advanced materials, but I think it competes well against other watches in its range and certainly undercuts other modern-looking watches with less innovation. For more information, including an ability to preorder for summer delivery, check out the official Norqain website.

The Norqain Wild One Skeleton Chrono

So, there’s a funny story about the Wild One Skeleton Chrono. Norqain had originally planned to send examples of each of the new burgundy and turquoise limited editions. However, during Soccer Aid, England coach and Norqain partner Harry Redknapp came into the locker room and asked to wear the turquoise model. Apparently, he’s still wearing it! That’s fine, though, as the burgundy edition is a fine example.

Compared to the X-Lite, this Wild One Skeleton Chrono seems relatively tame. Still, innovation is a focus; it has a Norteq cage that surrounds a titanium inner. Black rubber is also used as a shock absorption medium on the screw-down crown, crown guards, and left-flank case guard. The 42mm by 49.4mm watch has an impressive depth rating of 200 meters and comes with a black rubber strap and burgundy Norteq pin buckle. Naturally, sapphire crystals are used on both case sides.

Flyback functionality

Like all Wild One models, the Skeleton Chrono has an open dial with black-coated bridges, rhodium-coated hands and indexes, and a red-tipped central chronograph hand. The regulator-style sub-dials show running seconds and a 30-minute totalizer. Using the chronograph is a satisfying experience thanks to well-defined pusher action. Plus, it has a nice party trick — a flyback function.

The 8K Manufacture caliber

Norqain wisely opted to work with AMT to create its 8K manufacture caliber. The result is a chronometer-certified movement with a 62-hour power reserve, a frequency of 28,800 vph, and a column wheel. As mentioned, it’s visible through a display case back. The crystal states that this is a limited edition of 400 pieces.

Refreshing on the wrist

If you’re a curmudgeon like me, panda and reverse-panda chronographs are the norm. Therefore, a watch like the Wild One Skeleton Chrono is an oddly refreshing sight when checking the time. Would it completely replace something like a Speedmaster Professional, a Carrera, or a Navitimer? Probably not, but a watch like this would be great to have in the rotation. Plus, unlike those stalwarts, this watch can handle more than just a dip in the pool. From a comfort perspective, this piece also defies its size due to its low weight and comfortable strap. The bottom line is that while I’d wear a smaller version, it didn’t feel necessary.

Final thoughts on the Wild One Skeleton Chrono

Like the X-Lite, the Wild One Skeleton Chrono is a limited edition. For this model, it’s 400 pieces, which should suit demand well. At €7,850 / US$9,490 / £7,150, it’s not inexpensive, but, again, it’s positioned as an option to the regular closed-dial choices from a slew of long-running brands. In that respect, I think it fares well considering the material choices and the movement specs. If you’re the kind who enjoys more modern options, Norqain is making some credible choices that fit the bill without costing a new mortgage. The brand has carved a cool niche with its products and a go-to-market approach of making serious watches, while not taking itself too seriously. I think that resonates with people who want something different, legitimate, and refreshing. For me, these latest Wild One pieces certainly fit that definition.