It has been a big year for ice blue racy chronographs, with Rolex picking the colour for the key 60th anniversary edition of its Cosmograph Daytona in platinum.
But if the interminable waiting lists and a price of $77,800 make that a non-starter, an alternative from Norqain in the form of a new steel-on-steel Freedom 60 Chrono launching this week for $4,590 may be just the ticket.
At 40mm, it is the same size, and the pale blue sunray dial is exquisitely presented with diamond-cut, rhodium-plated applied indexes and hands.
An exhibition case back exposes the NN19 movement, based on an SW510a but with a Norqain-decorated oscillating weight.
Along with the steel bracelet, Norqain is also offering the Freedom 60 Chrono on a black Perlon rubber strap or a linen Nortide strap made with ocean-bound recycled plastic by tide ocean SA.
It went on sale from June 1, and there may be a scrum to score this watch as well, because Norqain is limiting production to just 300.
