Angelus, a name synonymous with intricate watchmaking, is once again drawing from its storied past to introduce its latest collection: the Chronographe Tachymètre. This new line features three distinct monopusher chronographs, each meticulously designed to echo historical stopwatch aesthetics while incorporating contemporary materials and engineering. Following the successful Chronographe Télémètre from the previous year, these new additions swap the distance-measuring telemeter scale for a tachymeter, geared specifically for calculating speed, marking a natural evolution for a chronograph.
Established in Le Locle in 1891, Angelus built its reputation on producing sophisticated timepieces, including repeaters, alarm watches, and chronographs. The modern La Fabrique collection draws deeply from this rich heritage, reinterpreting iconic designs from the 1930s to the 1950s with a fresh perspective. Examples like the recent Tinkler 1958 Quarter Repeater and the 2025 Chronographe Télémètre showcase this dedication. The new Chronographe Tachymètre continues this tradition, offering a function that aligns perfectly with the chronograph's core purpose. While sharing a lineage with previous Angelus models, this collection distinguishes itself through unique dial designs and captivating color schemes.
The Chronographe Tachymètre maintains a remarkably compact profile, with a 37mm diameter and a thickness of just 9.25mm, making it one of the most svelte chronographs currently available. The case, available in either luxurious 18k yellow gold or robust stainless steel, features a brushed and polished finish. Its distinctive curved caseband flows gracefully from lug to lug, with lugs that gently sweep downwards and twist, creating an unmistakably vintage silhouette. A box-shaped sapphire crystal, enhanced with anti-reflective coating on both sides, protects the dial, while a display caseback offers a captivating view of the intricate movement within. The single chronograph pusher is cleverly integrated into the fluted crown at 3 o'clock, providing seamless control over the start, stop, and reset functions. The watches offer a water resistance of 30 meters.
A key differentiator from the 2025 Chronographe Télémètre is the dial, which now proudly displays a tachymeter scale. This scale is calibrated to a base of 1,000 and begins at 500 km/h, reinforcing its connection to high-speed pursuits. The initial launch includes three compelling dial variations. Each features a textured central section, a satin-finished flange, and snailed subdials positioned at 3 and 9 o'clock. The yellow-gold version is presented with a golden dial accented by what the brand describes as British racing-green details, which appear more brown in accompanying visuals. The stainless steel models offer a choice between a striking coral-pink and steel-grey combination, or a sophisticated pearl-grey center with petrol-blue subdials and a matching tachymeter ring. The gold model boasts applied Arabic numerals and markers in a gold tone, while the steel variants feature black rhodium-plated accents. Time is precisely indicated by rhodium-plated syringe hands, enhanced with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility.
At the heart of these timepieces lies Angelus' hand-wound A5000 calibre, expertly crafted by its sister company, La Joux-Perret. This movement has a distinguished lineage, tracing its origins back to the THA movement from the late 1980s, famously known as the Cartier 045MC and utilized in the iconic 1999 Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir. The A5000 incorporates a column wheel and a horizontal clutch with an oscillating-pinion coupling, operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and providing a reliable 42-hour power reserve. The movement's aesthetics are equally impressive, featuring a 3N-gold-finished mainplate and bridges adorned with elegant Geneva stripes and circular graining, complemented by polished screws. The steel chronograph components are finished with a contrasting rhodium plating, highlighting their intricate design.
Each Chronographe Tachymètre is paired with a calfskin strap in a color that harmonizes with its dial, secured by a pin buckle crafted from matching metal. The yellow-gold model is presented with a refined sage green leather strap, while the steel versions come with either a sepia grey or steel-blue strap, completing the cohesive and elegant aesthetic of each timepiece.
The collection offers exclusive limited editions: the gold variant is restricted to just 15 pieces, while the steel version with the pink dial is limited to 30 pieces, and the steel with the grey dial to 50 pieces. The pricing for these exquisite chronographs is CHF 34,600 for the yellow-gold model and CHF 18,500 for either of the steel versions, inclusive of VAT. These timepieces represent a perfect blend of historical reverence and modern horological excellence, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
