When two worlds renowned for their craftsmanship, heritage, and passion collide, the result is bound to be spectacular. Such is the alchemy between Angelus and Château Angelus, as they debut at Only Watch 2023 with the Chronodate Gold x Château Angelus. Their shared moniker symbolizes more than mere coincidence; it’s an emblem of the profound ties between the art of watchmaking and winemaking.
Château Angelus, a revered estate nestled in the heart of Bordeaux, has been the pride of the de Boüard de Laforest family for eight generations. Their wine journey, steeped in dedication and finesse since 1782, parallels Angelus’s commitment to timepiece excellence. Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, the estate’s guardian, embraced this natural kinship, culminating in the masterpiece – Chronodate Gold x Château Angelus one-off piece.
The watch encapsulates a unique alliance of Swiss precision and Bordeaux’s wine heritage. Its dial is an artisanal marvel, crafted from freeze-dried lees of the 2022 vintage, aptly termed “Le Majestueux.” This powdery vestige of winemaking bestows a unique texture and hue to the dial, reflecting the sun-kissed vineyards of Bordeaux.
An intricate red gold applique graces the 6 o’clock mark, replicating the iconic bell of Château Angelus, an emblem of tradition and timelessness. But the romance between Angelus and Château Angelus extends beyond this watch. The exclusive auction lot, geared to support Duchenne muscular dystrophy research, pairs this magnificent timepiece with the exquisite “Impériale” from 2012. This bottle, bearing the de Boüard de Laforest family’s crest, shuns the typical paper label for a lavish 21.7-carat gold imprint of the emblematic Angelus bell.
Completing the ensemble are three bottles of Grand Vin Blanc, an elixir reserved for select moments and never sold. The fortunate connoisseur will also receive an invitation to the majestic Château in Saint-Émilion, offering an immersive experience into the world of Angelus wines.
Chronodate Gold x Château Angelus isn’t merely a watch; it’s a testament to Angelus’s horological lineage. Within its confines beats the A-500 in-house calibre, reminiscent of Angelus’s chronograph legacy from the late 1930s. This intricate machinery, with a small second’s placement at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, echoes the inaugural Chronodate model from 1942. Every glance at the dial serves as a journey through time, underscored by the hand-based date display.
Ticking at 4 Hz, this calibre hosts a column wheel, with the self-winding mechanism crowned by an A-shaped oscillating weight. A design nuance, this weight evokes the bell imagery synonymous with Château Angelus. Historically, these bells marked the angelus time – moments of reflection at dawn, midday, and dusk. They epitomized an era where timekeeping was communal, resonating the ebb and flow of life.
This Only Watch 2023 masterpiece, enveloped in 18-carat red gold and accentuated with carbon composite finishes, fuses horology with viticulture seamlessly. Its design intricacies, from the freeze-dried lees dial to the Super-LumiNova coated numerals, and the luxurious alligator skin straps, are a testament to Angelus’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.
For Angelus and Château Angelus, timekeeping transcends mere hours. It’s a celebration of human artistry, tradition, and passion, immortalized in the Chronodate Gold x Château Angelus. The passage of time and the maturation of wine are akin, each enriching the soul with every fleeting moment. This collaborative masterpiece stands as a beacon of this eternal romance, awaiting its rightful connoisseur at Only Watch 2023.
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