Full-bodied chrono
Since its revival in a neo-retro style, Chronodate has been presenting a blend of two distinct approaches: Angelus, the historic brand steeped in Swiss watchmaking tradition, and Angelus, the contemporary, technical brand known for extreme complications. This delicate integration is what characterises the collection.
Technical Specifications
Functions
Movement
- Calibre:
- A-500 Gold Edition (view calibre)
- Jewels:
- 26
- Diameter:
- 30.00 mm
- Thickness:
- 7.90 mm
- Power reserve:
- 60 hours
- Frequency:
- 4 Hz/28,800 vph
Dial
Case
- Material:
- 18K red gold 5N and carbon composite
- Diameter:
- 42.5 mm
- Thickness:
- 14.25 mm
- Crystal:
- domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Back:
- sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflecting coating
- Water resistance:
- 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet)
Strap
- Material:
- ‘Moka’ brown alligator leather
- Buckle:
- folding clasp, 18K red gold (5N)
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Preparation
This Chronodate Moka edition features a complex 42.5 mm case that combines carbon composite with red gold (5N). The movement is housed in a container machined from a rigid yet lightweight carbon-fibre-based composite. The chronograph pushers, also in carbon composite, are directly applied to this chamber. Around this container, Angelus has crafted an openworked cradle that unites the case middle and lugs in a single line. This assembly also includes a fixed bezel marked with twelve notches. The energy radiating from this chamfered profile and from the alternating straight and curved lines gives the Chronodate Moka a full-bodied feel.
Origins
The Chronodate serves as a historical reminder of the brand’s origins, as Angelus became a leading manufacturer of chronographs in the 1930s. During that era, these timepieces featured a smaller diameter, aligning with the fashion trends of the time, and their counters were notable for their distinct size and clarity. This is why Angelus is now introducing the Chronodate with larger, easy-to-read counters.
The 30-minute chronograph totaliser and small seconds counter stand out from the dial thanks to their metallic black colour and snailed texture, which contribute to the modernity of the Chronodate design. The dominant shade – mocha-brown with an amber shimmer – is applied with a fine sunray-brushed effect, accentuated by the minutes’ circle. The final touches to the colour palette are the gold-finished applied Arabic numerals and hands filled with luminescent material.
Mechanics
The A-500 calibre stands out for its bold, contemporary decoration, in keeping with both the traditional codes of its history and its current evolution. The sandblasted main plate and bead-blasted bridges highlight the movement’s volumes and are treated with NAC, a surface treatment that modifies the appearance and properties of the metal, giving it an anthracite-grey hue. The retaining screws are shaped like three-bladed propellers, an Angelus signature that reflects the house’s advanced research into aesthetics. Finally, the edges of the main elements are chamfered and satin-finished, offering a subtle play of light that mirrors the matt finishes.
This movement, oscillating at 4 Hz, is driven by a column wheel and a horizontal clutch to reduce its thickness. The A-500 calibre has a power reserve of 60 hours. Its self-winding system operates via an oscillating weight featuring a red-gold segment. Its design is taken from the brand’s archives, with a capital letter ‘A’ above a star, evoking a bell and its clapper.
