Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Angelus Instrument de Vitesse Indianapolis and Silverstone Editions
The seductive vintage style of this monopusher chronograph with no counters returns with matte grey and blue dials.
Founded in 1891 by the brothers Albert and Gustav Stolz in Le Locle, Angelus earned fame as a producer of chronographs. Following a period of dormancy, the brand was revived in 2015 with edgy, contemporary models that didn’t really capture the past soul of the brand. However, last year, Angelus created its La Fabrique collection, a special repository for golden oldies. Launched earlier this year, the Instrument de Vitesse monopusher chronograph caught our eye and was reviewed in great detail by Brice in this article. Designed to measure speed over a maximum period of 60 seconds, the Instrument de Vitesse combines charming retro design, modern construction and a La Joux-Perret monopusher chronograph movement. First launched with ivory and ebony dials, the Instrument de Vitesse returns with Silverstone Grey and Indianapolis Blue dial colours, highlighting its ties to the world of racing.
The compact 39mm stainless steel case with its incredibly slim 9.27mm profile is decorated with alternating satin and polished finishes. For an extra touch of retro charm, the glass-box sapphire crystal over the dial imitates the look of vintage plexiglass. With no sub-counters on the dial, the Instrument de Vitesse is the purest expression of a chronograph and sticks to its primordial function of calculating average speed with its one-minute chronograph indications. The highly legible base 1,000 tachymeter scale printed on the periphery and graduated from 60 to 500 (km/h) is accompanied by a precision minutes track.
The new Silverstone Grey and Indianapolis Blue Angelus Instrument de Vitesse retain the same layout as the earlier editions but feature new colours. The Silverstone Grey has a domed, matte, grained dial accompanied by a white tachymetre scale and minutes track. For contrast and enhanced legibility, the tachymeter scale has light blue markings matching the Base 1000 inscription and the tip of the central chronograph seconds hand. The domed matte blue dial of the Indianapolis version highlights the tachymeter scale with golden accents.
Both models have applied Arabic numerals with golden frames filled with blue-emitting Super-LumiNova. The syringe-shaped hour and minute hands also have golden frames, but the SLN inside emits a green glow. Both dials feature elegant golden Angelus and Instrument de Vitesse inscriptions.
The slim case height is thanks to the manual-winding A5000 monopusher calibre produced by La Joux-Perret, Angelus’ sister company. A calibre with a great deal of history – covered here – the movement has classic chronograph architecture with a column wheel and horizontal clutch. It has a slim height of just 4.2mm, beats at 3Hz and delivers a power reserve of 42 hours. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the movement reveals its gears, levers, springs and column wheel.
The new Angelus Instrument de Vitesse Indianapolis and Silverstone Editions are fitted with nubuck calfskin straps matching the dial colour, are limited to 25 pieces each and retail for CHF 17,200 (incl. tax). More information at angelus-watches.com.
