Hands-On: The Anoma A1 Slate With A Refined Dial

Last year, Anoma founder Matteo Violet-Vianello launched his first watch, the A1. The triangular timepiece earned quite some hype on social media, and he sold many A1s to the lucky people who pre-ordered one. A few weeks ago, Matteo presented the Anoma A1 Slate, a refined version of the same watch with a brushed, engraved, and lacquered dial. We briefly had the watch in the office, and I got a chance to go hands-on with it.

My mother’s triangular Ventura, which she still wears every day

Triangular watches have a special place in my heart. For as long as I can remember, my mother has worn a triangular watch with the Ventura brand on the back. It’s part of a series, and each watch represents a different quarter of the pie. Other than its shape, the watch is quite modest, but that’s simply because its shape is already special enough. The Anoma A1 Slate is very different in its execution, but its peculiar shape certainly reminds me of my mother’s watch. Let’s see what it’s like in person and how it wears on the wrist.

The Anoma A1 Slate

Visually, not much has changed about the A1’s case. It’s still a lugless, pebble-like triangle with rounded edges. However, its manufacturing process did change slightly. The accuracy of the CNC machining on the case has been improved. That’s why the different parts fit better, and the watch feels more refined overall. Its measurements didn’t change, though, so the case still offers a 39mm length and a 9.5mm thickness. It also has a 50m water resistance rating.

The biggest change on the Anoma A1 Slate is the dial’s different color and finish. While the dial of the A1 First Series was blue and quite flat, this one is black and both brushed and engraved. At first, the dial is vertically brushed, and then two finely engraved “lanes” are applied. Finally, the dial receives three layers of black lacquer. The markings on the dial have also slightly changed. The logo at 12 is gone, and the hour markers at each quarter become thinner toward the center of the dial. The hour and minute hands are still domed and have a leaf shape.

Sellita inside

With the small and hidden push-pull crown at 3 o’clock, you can operate the automatic Sellita SW100 movement inside. That’s the same movement as, for example, the one in the Toledano & Chan B/1. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, features 25 jewels, and holds a power reserve of roughly 40 hours. Normally, this movement also features both a date complication and a central seconds hand. However, neither of those made the cut on the Anoma A1 Slate, which is a good thing.

On the wrist

This was the first time I could try the Anoma A1 on my 17cm wrist, and I must say, it felt right at home. I expected it to have a slimmer profile, but while the case sides are rather straight, the watch didn’t feel thick on my wrist at all. I’d say that, due to the lugless design, it wears more like a 36mm watch. The wearing experience was quite similar to my Reverso Classic Medium Duoface, another oddly shaped watch.

In real life, the brushed, engraved, and lacquered dial plays beautifully with the light. It accentuates the A1’s peculiar plectrum-like shape. Lex thought it was a bit much when he saw it, but I think it’s subtle enough. The domed leaf-shaped hands also match the rounded case shape very well. Another thing I appreciate is that this fairly dressy piece features an automatic movement inside. We don’t see watches like that very often, but it is a very wearer-friendly and welcome addition.

The Anoma A1 came on a cream-colored pigskin 18mm strap with a 2mm taper and a pin buckle that nicely resembles the curvy case shape.

Sold out

The Anoma A1 Slate was for sale for £1,800 excluding VAT. Unfortunately, it looks like all 300 pieces already sold out. The price was quite a bit higher than what the A1 First Series sold for, which was £1,300 excluding VAT. Matteo explained to me that the higher price covers the refinements in the case production and helps the company to invest in future projects. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing what else is to come from this young British brand.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Anoma A1 Slate!