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A1 Optical

A1 Optical

£2,640 GBP
£2,640 GBP
Sale Sold out
Dial Colour
  • Available again, shipping in September.
  • Free shipping. Easy returns. 2 year warranty.
  • Featured in GQ, New York Times, Vogue, Wall Street Journal and Hodinkee.

Anoma creates wearable sculptures inspired by the rich world beyond watchmaking. The rounded triangular shape of the A1 draws inspiration from a 1950s free-form table by Charlotte Perriand. We were also influenced by the organic softness of river stones and the dynamism of Constantin Brancusi's modernist sculptures.

This sculptural case bends light and reflection, subtly reshaping the world around it. The A1 Optical takes this distortion even further, featuring an engraved dial inspired by Optical Art — an artistic movement that transforms simple geometric patterns into captivating illusions.

Fifty subtly offset triangles are engraved into the dial, one by one, using a sharp tool dragged across the metal base. The surface is then sandblasted and gently hand-polished to achieve the desired level of reflectiveness.

Specifications (tap for details)

Diameter: 39mm x 39mm (wears like 37mm, due unique shape & lack of lugs)

Thickness: 9.45mm (wears thinner, due to the bottom 3mm curving inwards)

Metal: 316L stainless steel

Movement: Swiss automatic Sellita SW100

Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating

Water Resistance: 5 ATM / 50 metres / 164 feet

Strap: grained Italian leather (using regular 18mm springbars, changeable with tool)

Warranty: 2 years

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The Story

The watch's rounded triangular shape was inspired by a 1950s free form table by Charlotte Perriand. We first came across one in a Parisian antique gallery a few years ago.

We were also influenced by the organic softness of river stones and the dynamism of Constantin Brancusi's modernist sculptures.

The engraved dial is inspired by Optical Art, an artistic movement that transforms simple geometric patterns into captivating illusions.

We were particularly drawn to the work of Bridget Riley, Ferruccio Gard, and Marina Apollonio.

Fifty subtly offset triangles are engraved into the dial, one by one, using a sharp tool dragged across the metal base.

The surface is then sandblasted and gently hand-polished to achieve the desired level of reflectiveness.

How does it wear?

The A1 was carefully designed to be as comfortable as possible, on all kinds of wrists. The case measures 39mm by 39mm, but it wears closer to 37mm, thanks to its triangular shape, lack of lugs and hidden crown.

The case is 9.45mm thick, but the bottom 3mm curve inwards, allowing them to disappear into the wrist when the watch is worn. This makes the A1 wear even thinner than its dimensions would suggest.

Due to the soft, rounded profile of the case and the wrist bone holding the watch in place, the tip of the triangle at 3 o’clock does not cause any discomfort.

The circumference of the wrist in photography are 16.5cm (6.5 inches).