Angelus unveiled a new timepiece at Watches and Wonders 2024: the Instrument de Vitesse. This exquisite creation, the second addition to the La Fabrique collection, is a fascinating homage to the golden age of timed races.
At first glance, the Instrument de Vitesse might appear deceptively simple. Its sleek 39mm steel case and three central hands evoke a classic wristwatch aesthetic. However, a closer look reveals a true purpose-built chronograph, stripped down to its essential function: timing short bursts of up to 60 seconds. The tachymeter scale circling the dial and the singular crown, which doubles as the chronograph pusher, leave no doubt about the Instrument de Vitesse’s dedication to speed measurement.
Drawing inspiration from Angelus’ rich heritage, the Instrument de Vitesse embodies the spirit of vintage racing. Its design evokes the elegance of a bygone era, conjuring images of powerful V12 engines roaring and classic European automobiles hurtling down racetracks. This spirit of historical reinterpretation aligns perfectly with the La Fabrique collection’s core philosophy.
The Instrument de Vitesse comes in two limited editions of 25 pieces each. Both iterations boast a remarkably thin profile, measuring just 9.27mm thick. The domed dial is cleverly divided into two distinct zones. The periphery houses the tachymeter scale, calibrated for speeds ranging from 60 to 500 kilometers per hour. In the center, a finely graduated minute track displays the time with clear, contrasting typography.
The two available variations offer distinct personalities. The first features an ebony-black dial with striking white Arabic numerals against a caramel calfskin strap. The second iteration presents the opposite color scheme, with black outlined numerals on an ivory-white dial paired with a midnight-blue nubuck strap. Both versions boast luminescent hour and minute hands and numerals for enhanced legibility in low-light conditions.
The beating heart of the Instrument de Vitesse is the Angelus A5000 chronograph movement, a testament to the brand’s technical prowess. This versatile caliber, previously seen in other configurations, adapts beautifully to the Instrument de Vitesse’s minimalist chronograph purpose. The manually wound movement boasts a remarkably thin profile of just 4.20mm and operates at a frequency of 3Hz, employing a traditional column wheel and horizontal clutch for precise timing functionality.
Each edition of the Instrument de Vitesse represents a captivating fusion of vintage aesthetics, cutting-edge technology, and pure chronometric functionality. With its limited production run and historical inspiration, this timepiece is sure to become a coveted collector’s item, priced at CHF 17,100.
© Angelus