Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 5: Norqain Vs. Isotope
Rules:
• Voting is based on the overall brand, not the individual model or sample photo.
• There are no rules on how you should choose, but you are welcome to civilly debate quality, value, heritage, etc.
• Voters are encouraged to look at the hashtags for threads on individual brands or visit their sites.
• Poll closes apx 11PM ET 3/18.
• Be respectful of all the brands and members, even if the vote does not go your way. This is meant to be lighthearted fun to raise awareness of 64 microbrands.
• Ties will go to the brand with the most unique user-owned photos of their watch on this thread.
Good luck and have
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Check Out The Lineups Here:
Norqain
Isotope
Like norqain but HATE their prices
Norquain. They are too pricey, but I love the Kenissi movements. To me, Isotopes designs look like what a child would draw as a watch concept. Just not for me.
OK...Norqain is the better watch for sure...still none in my collection, but c'mon they have Jean-Claude Biver in their camp...
Had to vote for the outsider Isotope as I have just added a new one to the collection...
I went with the Isotope though they're not really my style. The Norqain watches prices just seem too much for a Microbrand for me at least.
Went with the spicy startup - they've had a few designs that have made me smile. Also, I used to be into free diving, so one more Isotope point for that. When they make an interesting one out of lighter Ti that won't break my freaky thin wrist, I'll buy it!
I'm still hung up on the name - Norqain. Can't vote for that.
Interesting watches, the Isotope ones. Not really for me but wanted to give them my vote still.
This was a tough one for me cause norqain is probably the watch I'd choose to wear; however I voted isotope because they have such a distinctive look and unique design language. Even if it's not for me personally they really do get away from the "looks like everything else" design.
Isotope 100%
I would have voted for Isotope, they have some interesting/different designs, but Norqain is just better.
Wish they had been matched up differently, i.e., each against other companies.
Oh well.
Norquain. They are too pricey, but I love the Kenissi movements. To me, Isotopes designs look like what a child would draw as a watch concept. Just not for me.
I agree, too pricey but I think they get the win because of the Kenissi movement and also, on a personal level, I prefer their designs over isotope
Isotope are so cool. I spoke to them at the British watchmakers live event. The wall clock is excellent
Isotope is too playful for me here...
To beat a horse I've beaten before, I really don't think of Norqain as a microbrand. Their prices are in the multiple thousands USD, they have quite a few brick and mortar retail outlets, in multiple counties on multiple continents, and most telling, I think they are actively trying to position themselves as a mainstream luxury brand, albeit rather new. One small sign, two years ago, they had a presence at both the Windup Watch Fair and WatchTime New York. Last year they dropped Windup and stayed uptown at WatchTime. To me this is a clear signal they intend to play with the big boys.
That said, since there in the lineup, they got my vote. Some of their designs are distinctive and interesting, which I like. And it's hard for Isotope to compete with watches that are multiples of the price of theirs.
Like norqain but HATE their prices
Agreed, £2k for something with an SW200 movement, and that's their cheapest model. I'd expect that to be half the price!!
Two very different approaches, to me, Norquain plays in the safe zone, they do some nice things with different materials, but at the end of the day are on well trodden ground. Which is solid ground and absolutely nothing wrong with that, all in all their offerings are very nice.
Isotope seems to work more boldly within a more constrained materials set, so for me, they feel more innovative, more creative. But definitely not a fit for all of us, and without owning one, I question whether they are a novelty for awhile.
Just a few thoughts on a Monday…
Isotope starting shit - if anyone is interested in how they like to operate in public
I voted for #norqain , I understand some of the complaints about the brand that have been voiced, but I do believe they are doing a good job in a very crowded industry, where making in-roads is beyond challenging. The Isotope offering is unique and it's obvious that they have a consistent design philosophy, but beyond it just not being my taste, I felt like the brand was more about a sort of fashion statement than about the watch itself.
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Norqain!