Since launching its watch program with a Tank-shaped watch that sold out at record speed in 2024, Noah has become a go-to its scope beyond that original model to include others with an oval shape that resemble Patek Philippe’s elegant Ellipse. Now, the brand is leaving behind the world of dress watches for its sportiest and most wearable piece yet
The new MK1 Anchor Watch offers a simpler, decidedly midcentury take on the field watch. Timex originally created the piece that inspired the MK1 for the US military in the ‘80s, but despite producing a small batch, the project was never fully developed. However, the watch’s design was used for a public release known as the Camper. That piece became a staple and caught on with collectors after MacGyver wore it in the original TV series.
J.Crew helped resuscitate the model in 2016 under the modern MK1 name and continues to put out quirky editions to this day. The MK1 has become a favorite among clothing brands like J.Crew and Todd Snyder because its open and simple dial leaves a lot of room for artistic interpretation. The new Anchor Watch from Noah takes advantage of this blank canvas to put its imprint on the design with a nautical-inspired graphic and an appropriately sized serving of mint-green accents.
The Anchor Watch, $248, is dropping on Noah’s
The Anchor Watch, $248, is dropping on Noah’s website this Thursday, 8/27, at 11 a.m. EST. While Noah founder Brendon Babenzien professes not to be a diehard watch nerd, he has a knack for creating watches with shades of beloved vintage models. The color palette reminds me, a deep menswear and outdoor gear nut, of choice mid-century Abercrombie & Fitch watches like the Sub-Sea (produced by Movado) or the Seafarer (produced by Heuer).
The Anchor carries over the nautical/outdoor vibes from those hallowed references in spades. Also, take a good look at the lume color: it’s got that minty-green hue typical of certain ‘40s and ‘50s pieces slathered in radium. And the alpha minutes and hours hands? Those are also ripped right off watches from the ‘40s and ’50s. Same with the mix of dart and Breguet indices.
(Check out, for example, a ref. 2577 Omega Seamaster.) In short, the Anchor Watch looks like something the grandfathers of the Noah and Timex folks who designed this thing might’ve worn—which is probably the point. Of course, rather than using a hand-wound movement, it’s fitted with a convenient quartz caliber, and the lume is definitely not radioactive like it would have been 70 years ago.
The crystal, however, is acrylic, which
The crystal, however, is acrylic, which is a fun vintage-inspired touch. Other details include a laser-engraved Noah logo on the caseback; a pair of fabric straps in black with red stripes and solid blue; quick-release spring bars; and 30m of water resistance. Noah’s collabs with Timex have been incredibly sought after since the debut of the Sun and Moon Watch back in 2024. Though the two brands collaborated on a customized Timex Weekender back in 2019 and a Waterbury in 2020, it was the Sun and Moon that truly put the partnership on the map.
All of the initially produced 200 units, priced at just $198, sold out in roughly five minutes, prompting Noah and Timex to rush another production run. The new Anchor Watch adds an extra layer of excitement to a Noah x Timex drop. With this release, the brands are showing they’re now ready to expand their universe of slightly whimsical, affordably priced watches into super-wearable sport pieces.
Source: www.gq.com
