Triangular design of Anoma's A1 Optical transformed into mesmerizing wearable art for the wrist
Introducing the Anoma A1 Optical Watch: A Miniature Piece of Wearable Art
London-based watchmaker Anoma is set to release the limited-edition Anoma A1 Optical watch, a unique timepiece that blends watchmaking with the artistic principles of Optical Art. The watch, which opens for orders on August 7 at 2:00 PM GMT through Anoma's website, features a striking optical dial design inspired by the works of Bridget Riley and Ferruccio Gard, prominent artists in the Optical Art movement.
The A1 Optical watch retains the rounded triangular case design, reminiscent of Charlotte Perriand's 1950s furniture, and measures 39mm. However, its lug-free construction ensures it wears closer to 37mm, making it comfortable and unobtrusive on the wrist. The triangles on the dial are hand-engraved using a dragged engraving tool, sandblasted, and hand-polished for the right balance of reflection and depth. This painstaking process results in a dynamic surface that distorts and plays with light, creating a mesmerizing illusion that shifts as light hits from different angles.
Each numbered piece of the first 300 comes with original artwork by optical artist Adam Fuhrer, reinterpreting the watch's pattern in a larger format. The watch is offered in two limited-edition versions: 150 each in silver and copper.
Powering the A1 Optical watch is the reliable Sellita SW100 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. The watch has a curved profile that hugs the wrist naturally, making it feel thinner. It comes with a dark gray grained Italian leather strap and a steel buckle. The recessed crown is accessible through a cutout in the caseback, maintaining the clean lines of the stainless steel case.
The A1 Optical watch is more than just a timepiece; it's a small sculptural artwork for the wrist. Its optical illusion effect and triangular geometry are deeply rooted in the artistic principles of Optical Art, translating these principles into precision engraving and hand-finishing. The watch's dial, with its 50 slightly offset triangular patterns, creates an optical illusion that is both visually disorienting and aesthetically pleasing.
Anoma's founder, Matteo Violet-Vianello, sought to create a design that transcends traditional watchmaking, resulting in a watch that feels sculptural and visually disorienting. The A1 Optical watch is a testament to the fusion of art and watchmaking, offering wearers a unique and captivating timepiece that is as much a work of art as it is a functional timekeeper.
Orders for the limited-edition Anoma A1 Optical watch open on August 7 at 2:00 PM GMT through Anoma's website, with delivery expected in October. The price for the numbered pieces is £2,200 (~$2,955) and includes the companion artwork.
[1] Anoma A1 Optical Watch [2] Bridget Riley [3] Ferruccio Gard [4] Adam Fuhrer
- The Anoma A1 Optical Watch, a mesmerizing fusion of watchmaking and Optical Art, is more than just a gadget or a wearable; it's a miniature piece of wearable art that wears elegantly on the wrist, inspired by the works of Bridget Riley, Ferruccio Gard, and contemporary optical artist Adam Fuhrer.
- This limited-edition timepiece, featuring precision engraving and hand-finishing techniques, transcends the boundaries of traditional watch styles, offering style-conscious wearers a unique blend of artistic aesthetics and technology.
