Ben Küffer is a Swiss entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Norqain, an independent, family-owned watch brand established in 2018. Based in Nidau, Switzerland, Küffer has become a prominent figure in the modern horological landscape by championing the values of independence and Swiss watchmaking tradition for a younger generation.
Born into a family with deep roots in the industry, Küffer is the son of Marc Küffer, who has over four decades of experience in Swiss watchmaking and served on the Board of Directors for the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. This familial background provided Ben with significant exposure to the technical and commercial aspects of the trade from an early age. Before founding Norqain, he accumulated over a decade of executive experience in the Swiss watch world, which shaped his vision for creating a brand from scratch rather than reviving a defunct name.
In 2018, Küffer launched Norqain alongside co-founders Ted Schneider, whose family previously owned Breitling, and Swiss ice hockey legend Mark Streit. Under his leadership, the brand has focused exclusively on mechanical watches, organized into three core collections: Adventure, Freedom, and Independence. A major milestone in his tenure was the 2020 partnership with movement manufacturer Kenissi, which allowed Norqain to introduce manufacture calibres into its timepieces.
Küffer is recognized for his “rugged independence” and an active lifestyle that directly influences the brand’s identity. An avid sportsman with interests in tennis and mountaineering, he steered the development of the Wild ONE collection, which utilizes a proprietary carbon fibre polymer called NORTEQ. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the strategic decision to refocus the brand on high-performance, innovative designs, moving away from a strategy solely based on price-to-quality ratios.
In addition to product innovation, Küffer has implemented a unique business strategy by involving professional athletes not just as brand ambassadors, but as shareholders and board members. This approach, supported by industry veteran Jean-Claude Biver as an advisor, has helped Norqain secure high-profile partnerships, including becoming the official timekeeper of the National Hockey League (NHL). Today, Ben Küffer continues to lead Norqain as a rare independent entity in an industry dominated by large conglomerates, focusing on building a global community of watch enthusiasts.