It’s rare that I get to see a watch so precisely engineered and so lovely. Angelus is a fairly small brand in the high-end horology world and their Chronodate line is a two-register panda-style chronograph with date arrow.
The Angelus Chronodate harkens back to Angelus’ 1942 design for the Chronodato, a full calendar chronograph with month and day along with a date arrow pointing to the current date on the outer ring.
This piece, as you can see, sticks to the design fairly precisely although the modern Chronodate features a far fancier selection of materials and a nicer face.
Angelus, founded in 1891 by the Stolz brothers in Le Locle, Switzerland, has long been recognized as a pioneer in the watchmaking world. The brand gained acclaim in the mid-20th century for its innovations in chronographs and complicated timepieces. Among its most iconic models is the Chronodato, introduced in 1942 as the world’s first chronograph with a pointer date and full calendar.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Angelus produced high-quality watches that featured cutting-edge movements, such as alarm watches and multi-complication chronographs. The company also supplied precision movements to other renowned watch brands.
However, like many traditional watchmakers, Angelus struggled during the quartz crisis of the 1970s, leading to a decline in production and eventual dormancy. In 2011, the brand was revived by La Joux-Perret, bringing new life to its legacy with a focus on contemporary designs and in-house movements.
At first glance, the case architecture of the new Angelus Chronodate stands out. It’s crafted from a combination of lightweight titanium and carbon-fiber composite, giving it both durability and a distinct, high-tech aesthetic. The openworked titanium structure integrates seamlessly into the lugs, creating a unified, streamlined look. One thing to watch out for: the whole thing is very sharp, with machined edges that could clearly cut if you’re not careful. When you use the official metal band most of the edges are hidden but you’ll definitely notice the edge on the bracelet itself, something I’ve rarely felt on a piece of this caliber.
One thing Angelus does is use a space tri-lobe screw on the band and lugs. This means you can’t easily resize this thing at home or even swap out bands easily. This is actually good because when I tried a nylon strap on this I exposed the edge of the case which was at least as sharp as a steak knife. Titanium really holds and edge and Angelus has done amazing things with the material.
Other bold details include angular carbon pushers marked with red accents and a crown surrounded by a carbon composite ring, protected by hollowed-out guards. A titanium bezel with 12 wide notches is enhanced by a contrasting black rubber ring, adding depth to the design. Measuring 42.5mm in diameter and 14.25mm thick, the watch retains a robust yet balanced profile. It’s paired with a satin-brushed titanium bracelet or a black rubber strap.
Dial Design and Layout
The Magnetic Silver sunray-brushed dial pairs sophistication with functionality. Large, recessed metallic black counters at 9 and 3 o’clock ensure optimal readability. These house running seconds and a 30-minute chronograph subdial, respectively, both featuring snailed interiors for texture. The peripheral pointer date—a hallmark of the original 1942 Chronodate—is retained, indicated by a red arrow-tipped hand that circles the outer silver track.
Arabic numerals in a vintage 1940s style and syringe-style hands filled with Super-LumiNova reinforce the retro inspiration. Meanwhile, bright red chronograph details pop against the muted tones, offering clarity and a sporty edge.
Movement and Mechanics
Turn the watch over, and the sapphire caseback reveals the La Joux-Perret calibre A500, a heavily modified automatic movement based on the Valjoux 7750. Enhanced with a column wheel and tailored for the pointer date function, it delivers a 60-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800vph. The tungsten rotor, shaped like a vintage Angelus logo, adds a nostalgic touch.
Price and Availability
Angelus positions the Chronodate Titanium Magnetic Silver Edition at a bold CHF 25,100 or $29,000 with the titanium bracelet. It’s about $26,000 with the rubber bracelet.
The watch itself is beautiful and surprisingly light. That said, at $29K you really have to love the Angelus story and design. I personally find this piece to be striking and, when paired with a proper band, very wearable.
Specs
FUNCTIONS
hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and peripheral date
CALIBRE A-500 – TITANIUM EDITION
CASE
42.5 mm monobloc bezel, crown and case middle in titanium, sub-case and push-pieces in carbon composite
DIAL
Magnetic Silver-coloured, appliques and hour hands with Super-LumiNova, black metallic counters
STRAP
satin-finished titanium with titanium folding clasp
WATER RESISTANCE
30 meters
