Angelus Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB

Founded in 1891 by the Stolz brothers, the Swiss heritage brand Angelus has teamed up once again with Massena LAB to present a limited-edition monopusher chronograph that captures the charm of a bygone era. Its 18-karat yellow gold case houses a hand-wound movement and features a telemeter scale, while the black dial pays tribute to the successful Angelus chronographs of the 1930s. This elegant vintage design, combined with the warm glow of gold, the contrasting dial layout, and the strict limitation, makes the new Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB a particularly attractive proposition for chronograph enthusiasts and collectors alike. It marks the second collaboration between Angelus and the creative horological studio founded in 2018 by William Massena, following their joint creation of the Chronographe Médical in 2023— the first model launched under Angelus’s La Fabrique family.

For this special edition, Angelus and Massena LAB have chosen a subtly domed, vintage-inspired black dial protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. The design is based on a historic steel chronograph from William Massena’s personal collection— and the black tone, now rarely seen in Angelus timepieces, evokes the distinctive character of early tool chronographs. The layout is quintessentially Angelus, with a railway minute track, applied Arabic numerals, and syringe-style hands coated with Super-LumiNova. A fine grained texture in the center reduces glare, while the recessed subdials— small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock— offer pleasing contrast. The telemeter scale, printed on the satin-finished flange, adds a scientific yet nostalgic touch.

Originally developed for infantry soldiers, a telemeter scale allows the wearer to measure the distance to an event that produces both light and sound. The principle is straightforward: the interval between a flash and its sound— for example, between a cannon shot and its impact— corresponds to the distance, calculated according to the speed of sound (approximately 360 meters per second, or 1,240 km/h). The same function proves useful during thunderstorms: the wearer starts the chronograph at the flash of lightning and stops it when the thunder follows.

Crafted from 18-karat yellow gold, the case measures 37mm in diameter and just 9.25mm in height, making it remarkably slim and comfortable for a chronograph. The slender bezel provides a generous view of the dial, while the fluid case lines and gently curved lugs lend an air of timeless refinement. Polished accents and meticulous detailing underscore the watch’s sophisticated finishing. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, the beautifully decorated movement takes center stage.

Inside beats the hand-wound Angelus caliber A5000, a manufacture movement equipped with a column wheel and horizontal clutch. Measuring 24mm in diameter and only 4.2mm thick, it fits perfectly within the compact case architecture. The balance oscillates at a frequency of 3 hertz (21,600 vibrations per hour), ensuring smooth and precise timekeeping, while the power reserve is approximately 42 hours.

The meticulous finishing underscores the refinement of the watch: the bridges and mainplate are treated with a 3N gold finish and adorned with Geneva stripes, while polished screws and circular-grained wheels add subtle contrast. The functional components of the chronograph mechanism are crafted from stainless steel and palladium-coated, enhancing both durability and aesthetic harmony.

The watch is paired with a black Saffiano calfskin leather strap. Pricing is available upon request.

To learn more, visit Angelus, here.