he Maison Angelus, founded in 1891 by the Stolz brothers, announces the Chronographe Télémètre in collaboration with Massena LAB. Fitted in an 18k gold case, this timeless design is offered as a limited edition of only 10 pieces.

Measuring 37 millimeters in diameter and equipped with a manual-winding caliber, the timepiece is operated by a single pusher subtly set into its crown. Adorned with a black dial – a rare aesthetic in the Maison’s catalogue – the Chronographe Télémètre will appeal to enthusiasts and collectors of exceptional watches with an elegant design and vintage touches.

With a diameter of 37 mm and a thickness of only 9.25 mm, the Chronographe Télémètre is the most compact of the contemporary models from Angelus, the watchmaker renowned for its expertise in creating highly technical chronographs. True to the spirit of instruments developed by Angelus in the first half of the last century, the watch features a classic case in 18k yellow gold (3N) with a slim bezel for maximum surface area and legibility.

Its clean lines, typical of watches of the 1930s and 1940s, are sharpened by a deep curvature running from lug to lug, ensuring exceptional wearability and comfort on the wrist. Polished edges sweep downward from the top and twist along its sides to highlight the refinement and accentuate the design of its lugs. All these details, elevated by William Massena’s knowledge and expertise of vintage watches, infuse the chronograph with dynamism while affirming the vintage and historical signature of the Angelus La Fabrique family, inspired by the watchmaker’s storied catalogue. To conserve this spirit, the chronograph is fitted with a strap of black Saffiano leather, secured by a classic yellow gold pin buckle.

For this limited edition of only 10 pieces, Angelus and Massena LAB have chosen a domed, vintage-inspired black dial set under a box sapphire crystal. The black color, inspired by a vintage stainless-steel chronograph from William Massena’s personal collection, is rare among Angelus watches and offers optimal legibility while contrasting and complementing the glistening, gold case. A grained dial center prevents the effects of glare that sometimes compromise legibility, while providing clear textural contrast to its two radially grooved subsidiary dials: small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter for the chronograph at 3 o’clock.

The satin-finished rehaut mirrors the case finishing and contrasts with the grained effect at the dial center. Continuing this visual distinction and playful use of contrast, the tachymeter scale and railway track seconds ring are enhanced with a diamond-cut edge crisply separating the two zones. The polished applied indices and Arabic numerals feature a golden finish (3N), as do the hands, which are enhanced with Super-LumiNova.

First invented for infantry soldiers, the telemeter scale measures the distance between the wearer and an event, producing a flash of light and sound. The initial concept was straightforward: measure the distance between the source, cannon fire, and the weapon’s impact based on the speed of sound travelling through the air at approximately 360 meters per second (1,240 km/h).

The tool also proves to be invaluable during a thunderstorm, allowing the wearer to discern whether the storm is approaching or receding using the telemeter scale to measure the distance of lightning strikes. Start the chronograph when lightning flashes appear, then stop when thunder is heard. The telemeter is but one practical application tied to the chronograph. Other scales include the tachymeter, pulsometer, and asthmometer, with the latter employed on the Angelus Chronographe Médical x Massena LAB. This collaboration marked the beginning of the Angelus La Fabrique family in 2023.

The Chronographe Télémètre is powered by a mechanical chronograph movement with manual winding, the caliber A5000. Manufactured in-house, the caliber uses only a single pusher to start, stop, and reset the chronograph functions. This single coaxial pusher is integrated into the winding crown for a streamlined silhouette, ensuring the case maintains a smooth, uninterrupted profile. The finely crafted movement measures 24mm in diameter (10½ lignes) and just 4.2mm in thickness—ideal proportions for a case measuring 37mm. The movement features a Swiss lever escapement with a balance wheel oscillating at 3 Hz, or 21,6000 vibrations per hour, ensuring optimal precision. Just like it was done in the past, the operating mechanism of the Chronographe Télémètre controls the chronograph hand and the 30-minute counter through a column wheel and a horizontal clutch. This timepiece offers a traditional 42-hour power reserve when the mainspring is fully wound.

The caliber A5000 is distinguished by its exemplary finishing and belongs to the same family as the Angelus Chronographe Télémètre, which has been nominated for the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève in 2025 in the chronograph category. The elements of the mainplate and bridges are carefully beveled and have a 3N gold finish. At the same time, the functional components of the chronograph have been coated in palladium for both performance and contrast. Its levers, return mechanisms, and hammers are crafted in stainless steel and are finely brushed to highlight their form. Polished screws and circularly grained gear wheels add visual texture and depth to the movement.

Massena LAB is a creative horological studio founded in 2018 by William Massena. Angelus previously collaborated with Massena LAB on creating the Chronographe Médical, the first watch released under the La Fabrique family of timepieces in 2023. The Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB is the latest collaboration between Massena LAB and Angelus.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Chronographe Télémètre

• Functions hours, minutes, 30-minute chronograph 20 km telemeter scale

• Movement Caliber A5000, manual winding, mechanical Jewels 23 Diameter 24 mm Height 4.20 mm Power Reserve 42 hours Frequency 3 Hz / 21,600 vph Finishing mainplate: 3N gold finish, circular-grained bridges: 3N gold finish, Côtes de Genève, chamfered wheels: circular-grained screws: polished

• Dial black, domed, stamped grained center, satin-finished rehaut, diamond-polished thread, snailed counters hands, numbers, and indices in 3N gold finish

• Case Material 18k yellow gold (3N) Diameter 37.00 mm Depth 9.25 mm Crystal box sapphire, anti-reflective coating on both sides Case back sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating Water-resistance 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet)

• Strap Material Saffiano calfskin, black Buckle pin buckle, 18k yellow gold (3N)

• Limited Edition 10 pieces

• Price upon request