Playing with Distortion… Meet the new Anoma A1 Optical

Anoma, the indie microbrand founded in London by Matteo Violet-Vianello, derives its name from “anomaly”, indicating its less-than-conventional approach to design. Taking design cues from art, architecture and nature, the brand is making a name for itself with its shaped watch case. The brand’s first watch, the sculptural A1 with a rounded triangular case inspired by a free-form 1950s table designed by architect Charlotte Perriand, returns as the A1 Optical with a mesmerising Op Art dial producing mind-bending illusions.

Bored by the lineup of traditional and overpriced watches produced by hallowed brands, like many other indie microbrands, Violet-Vianello spotted a niche for original design and affordable prices. Although Violet-Vianello is not a watchmaker or a designer by trade, the guiding light behind Anoma is design. Shaped cases have been kicking around for years, and Cartier is generally acknowledged as the king of this genre, with designs like the crazy Crash and Pebble, without forgetting icons like Hamilton’s Ventura sported by the King of Rock and Roll.

The rounded, triangular shape of the A1, reminiscent of stones eroded by water in a stream, is bereft of lugs and a crown to respect its smooth, organic temperament (in case you were wondering, the crown is recessed into the case and accessed via a cut-away area on the caseback). Measuring 39mm x 38mm, the asymmetrical stainless steel case has a thickness of 9.45mm but wears thinner thanks to the inward-curving profile.

The novelty here is the groovy Op Art dial designed by optical artist Adam Fuhrer. Loosely defined as a form of abstract art that uses distorted geometrical patterns to create the illusion of movement and vibrations, Op Art emerged in the 1960s. Distortion is the operative word as the 50 engraved triangles on the dial seem to move and bend in different directions when the light hits them. Playing with proportion, perspective and depth, Fuhrer created a series of rounded triangles (echoing the case shape) by dragging a sharp tool across the metal base, which were then sandblasted and hand polished to achieve the desired degree of reflectiveness.

Available with a copper or silver dial, the leaf-shaped hands are rounded to match the curvy case. Both versions are paired with a grey, grained Italian leather strap and are limited to 150 numbered pieces in each dial colour. The screwed-down caseback hides the small-sized, no-frills but reliable Swiss Sellita SW100 automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

The first 300 numbered Anoma A1 Optical watches are delivered with an original and numbered artwork by Adam Fuhrer. They retail for GBP 2,200 (excl. tax). The watches launch on 4 August, and orders open on 7 August at 14:00 GMT with shipping in October 2025. Non-numbered pieces will follow later in the year.

More information at AnomaWatches.com.