The Angelus Instrument de Vitesse is a clever little chrono with an interesting secret. Although it looks like a standard three-hander, you can activate the chronograph function by pressing the button on the crown. The limited collection is available in two editions – Indianapolis blue and Silverstone grey – and costs a cool $20,000.
Its minimalist design, lacking sub-counters, highlights its primary feature: the tachymeter. The tachymeter is placed discreetly at the edge of the dial, designed to measure average speed over 60 seconds – a nod to the fast-paced world of motorsports.
Angelus Watches, founded in 1891 by the Stolz brothers in Switzerland, has a long-standing history of innovation in the watchmaking world. Known for their pioneering work in creating some of the earliest chronographs, Angelus quickly gained a reputation for precision and craftsmanship. By the mid-20th century, the brand was celebrated for its groundbreaking designs, including the launch of multi-function watches and advanced movements like the Angelus 215. Despite a period of dormancy in the late 20th century, the brand was revived in recent years and now continues to merge traditional watchmaking techniques with modern innovations, producing limited-edition timepieces that honor their storied past.
Design and Functionality
The watch’s 39mm steel case, with a slim profile of just 9.27mm, makes it wearable yet sturdy. The dial is cleanly divided into two functional zones. The outer ring features a tachymeter scale, ranging from 60 to 500 km/h, ideal for motorsport enthusiasts. Inside, the time display is simple but elegant, with clear minutes marked in cursive, ensuring easy readability.
Beneath the surface, Angelus powers this chronograph with its in-house A5000 manual-wind movement. Produced by Manufacture La Joux-Perret, this movement is a nod to the mechanical watches of the past. With a slim thickness of just 4.2mm and a 42-hour power reserve, it keeps things simple yet precise. The movement beats at a frequency of 3Hz, ensuring smooth and accurate chronograph function.
Only 25 pieces of each color variant are available so you’d best get down to the AD and pick it up if you’re really, really into racing and have $20K to spend. Otherwise, just bask in the simple glory of these clever little pieces.
