Anoma has moved quickly from newcomer to one of the more interesting names in the design-led microbrand space.
The London brand’s A1 already stood apart for its rounded triangular case, but the A1 Prehistoric gives that shape a more tactile, almost archaeological edge.
With a hand-chiselled 316L stainless steel case and a Swiss automatic movement inside, it’s a compelling reminder that independent watchmaking doesn’t need to look familiar to feel considered.
At a glance
- Anoma has introduced the A1 Prehistoric, a new version of its sculptural A1 watch with a hand-chiselled case.
- The watch uses a 39mm by 39mm lugless 316L stainless steel case, sapphire crystal and a Swiss Sellita SW100 automatic movement.
- Orders open on July 8 at 14:00 BST, with the watch offered through Anoma’s official channels.
A London independent with a clear design language
Founded in 2024, Anoma entered the watch world with a unusually specific visual idea rather than a familiar catalogue template.
The A1’s rounded triangular form takes inspiration from a 1950s free-form table by Charlotte Perriand, the French architect and designer closely associated with Le Corbusier.
That influence matters because it explains why the watch doesn’t sit neatly in the usual categories.
It isn’t a cushion case, a tonneau case or a softened sports watch shape dressed up as something new.
It’s closer to a small design object for the wrist, with an organic asymmetry that feels more architectural than trend-led.
Anoma has already explored the A1 through small-series editions including Slate and Optical, while Abyss and Stone have become part of the permanent line.
The Prehistoric continues that progression, but it shifts attention from colour and surface mood to the physical treatment of the case itself.
The hand-chiselled case gives the A1 a rawer personality
The defining feature of the A1 Prehistoric is its hand-chiselled stainless steel case.
Rather than relying on a conventional polished or brushed finish, the case surface is worked with chisels to create an uneven, tactile texture.
The result is deliberately irregular, which means each example should carry slight variations in the way it catches light and breaks up reflections.
It’s a technique more often associated with far more expensive independent and high-end Swiss watches, partly because it demands time and hand work rather than simple repeatability.
On the A1, that texture feels particularly well judged.
The case shape was already soft and unconventional, and the chisel work adds a mineral quality that suits the Prehistoric name without turning the watch into a costume piece.
There’s a sense of rough stone or a small object unearthed rather than something aggressively machined.
For a young brand, it’s also a confident move.
Hand finishing at this level of visibility can’t hide behind a dial detail or a marketing flourish, because the case is the object people will notice first.
Proportions made for presence, not bulk
The A1 Prehistoric measures 39mm by 39mm, but the lugless design changes how those numbers translate on the wrist.
Anoma positions the wearing experience closer to that of a classic 37mm watch, helped by the absence of protruding lugs and the compact footprint of the shape.
At 9.45mm thick, it also keeps a relatively slim profile for an automatic watch with this much visual character.
The lower 3mm of the case curves inward, which should help the watch sit cleaner and appear thinner in daily wear.
Inside is the Sellita SW100, a Swiss automatic movement that suits the watch’s compact dimensions and keeps the mechanical package credible without overwhelming the design conversation.
The sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating, while water resistance is rated to 5 ATM.
A grained Italian leather strap completes the watch and uses standard 18mm spring bars, so owners won’t be locked into a proprietary strap system.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Anoma |
|---|---|
| Model | A1 Prehistoric |
| Case size | 39mm x 39mm |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel with hand-chiselled finish |
| Thickness | 9.45mm |
| Movement | Swiss automatic Sellita SW100 |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM / 50 metres / 164 feet |
| Strap | Grained Italian leather with standard 18mm spring bars |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Orders | Open July 8 at 14:00 BST |
A microbrand release with a real point of view
The most persuasive thing about the A1 Prehistoric isn’t a single specification, although the package is strong.
It’s the coherence between the inspiration, the case shape and the finishing method.
Plenty of microbrands compete on movement choice, depth rating or price-to-spec value, but fewer arrive with a design language that’s recognisable from across a room.
Anoma is building around one shape and finding ways to deepen it rather than abandoning it for safer territory.
That will appeal to collectors who already have the conventional bases covered and want something more expressive without drifting into impracticality.
The A1 Prehistoric won’t be for everyone, and that’s part of its strength.
It’s a small, sculptural automatic from a young London brand that understands the value of having a clear aesthetic position, and in today’s crowded independent watch scene, that counts for a lot.
