Noah and Timex have returned to a familiar formula: take the military-minded MK1, keep the proportions approachable and add just enough of Noah's identity to make it feel different. The result is the MK1 Anchor Watch, a 36mm quartz watch whose most distinctive detail sits at six o'clock.
The collaboration is not trying to turn the MK1 into a luxury object. It remains compact, straightforward and built around an acrylic crystal and fabric strap. That restraint is precisely why the anchor graphic works. It gives the watch a point of view without smothering the practical design underneath.
The anchor is the whole idea
Instead of placing a conventional running-seconds hand at the centre, Timex uses a small sub-dial at six o'clock. Noah's anchor appears inside it, turning with the seconds and providing a small flash of movement against the otherwise restrained dial.
The graphic is playful, but the dial around it stays legible. Large Arabic numerals, a clear minute track and simple hands give the watch the familiar field-watch character expected from an MK1. Noah's name sits below 12 o'clock without competing with the time display.
It is a better collaboration because it resists the temptation to add logos everywhere. The anchor is immediately recognisable to people who know Noah, yet it also works as a nautical motif for anyone coming to the watch without that context.
A compact case that should wear easily
The stainless-steel case measures 36mm across with an 18mm lug width. Those dimensions should suit buyers who prefer a smaller watch or want the proportions associated with older military watches. The compact diameter also makes the large numerals feel more prominent on the wrist.
An acrylic crystal covers the dial. It will not resist scratches like sapphire, but acrylic is part of the MK1's character and can usually be polished when light marks appear. Timex rates the watch to 30 metres of water resistance, so it should be treated as an everyday watch rather than a swimming or diving instrument.
Inside is a quartz movement. That keeps the watch simple to own and avoids pretending that this is something it is not. The attraction is the design, the size and the collaboration rather than a mechanical specification.
Two straps in the box
Noah supplies the watch with two two-piece fabric straps, both fitted with quick-release spring bars. One uses red and navy stripes, while the second offers a darker alternative. Swapping between them changes the mood without requiring a spring-bar tool.
The bright strap brings out the playful side of the anchor graphic. The navy option makes the watch more restrained and lets the cream-coloured dial details do more of the work. Including both is useful because the watch can move between casual summer wear and a quieter everyday look immediately.
The solid caseback carries Noah and Timex branding alongside the water-resistance marking. It is a simple finish for a simple watch, and that consistency matters more here than decorative movement views or elaborate engraving.
The two-piece construction is also worth noting. It keeps the caseback visible and avoids the extra layer of fabric that passes underneath a watch on a traditional one-piece strap. That helps a small 36mm case sit neatly on the wrist. Quick-release bars make the supplied straps easy to change, although the 18mm lug width also opens the door to plenty of aftermarket leather, canvas and fabric options later.
Price and availability
Noah listed the MK1 Anchor Watch at €270 on its Irish storefront at the time of writing, with immediate shipping shown on the product page. Regional prices and stock can change, so buyers should check the current listing before ordering.
At that price, the watch is competing on personality rather than specification. There are automatic watches with sapphire crystals available for similar money, but they will not offer this particular size, graphic or connection to Noah. The decision comes down to whether the design makes you smile.
The verdict
The Noah x Timex MK1 Anchor Watch succeeds because it knows when to stop. The 36mm case remains wearable, the field-watch layout remains clear and the rotating anchor adds the one memorable detail a collaboration needs.
It will not satisfy somebody looking for a high-spec sports watch, and 30 metres of water resistance requires sensible care. For buyers who want a compact, characterful watch that feels different without becoming loud, however, it is a convincing release.
Written by the Man of the Hour Editorial Team.