Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Angelus x Massena LAB Chronographe Télémètre in Yellow Gold
A gold monopusher with a black telemeter dial, with classic Angelus cues and Massena's touch.
Angelus and Massena LAB return with a second collaboration that once again leans hard into classic mid-century chronograph codes. After the first collaborative project, the 2023 Chronographe Médical, which reintroduced the brand’s vintage tool-watch spirit and the La Fabrique collection, and the recent Chronographe Télémètre established a small-case, hand-wound monopusher as a core design, the new Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB uses the formula for a new variant with a black domed dial, housed in a luxurious yellow gold.
The Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB case in 18k 3N yellow gold keeps period-correct proportions with a 37mm diameter and 9.25mm thickness. A slim polished bezel maximises the dial opening, while sharply twisted lugs drop the case comfortably onto the wrist. The single pusher is coaxial with the crown, allowing control of start/stop/reset without breaking the silhouette. A box sapphire with anti-reflective coating protects the dial; a sapphire caseback offers a full view of the movement. Water-resistance is 30m.
A rare-for-Angelus but Massena LAB’s dear black, the domed dial underlines the vintage vibe. The grained centre reduces glare; the satin-finished rehaut carries a 20km telemeter. A diamond-cut step separates the telemeter from the railway minutes scale. Recessed, snailed sub-dials at 9 o’clock (running seconds) and 3 o’clock (30-minute totaliser) preserve visual balance. Applied Arabic numerals and baton indices in gold, plus leaf hands with Super-LumiNova, complete the layout.
Like Angelus’ own Chronographe Télémètre, this collaboration edition is powered by calibre A5000, a hand-wound monopusher chronograph developed and manufactured within the La Joux-Perret ecosystem. Historically, its architecture traces back to THA (Techniques Horlogères Appliquées), the trio of F.P. Journe, Denis Flageollet and Vianney Halter, whose design later powered the Cartier CPCP Tortue Monopoussoir (045MC). The rights and know-how passed through Jaquet SA, now La Joux-Perret. Technically orthodox and beautifully laid out, it uses a column wheel with horizontal coupling via oscillating pinion. The balance runs at 21,600 vibrations/hour, and the power reserve is 42 hours. Finishing is a highlight, with gold-finished bridges with Geneva stripes and hand-chamfered edges, a circular-grained mainplate, palladium-coated chronograph works for contrast, brushed steel levers and hammers, circular-grained wheels and polished screws.
The Angelus Chronographe Télémètre x Massena LAB is worn on a black Saffiano calfskin strap with an 18k 3N yellow-gold pin buckle. The watch is limited to 10 pieces; the price is upon request (for reference, the classic version in gold was priced at CHF 32,300). For more, visit massenalab.com and angelus-watches.com.
3 responses
Maybe it’s just me, but, this a beautiful watch in many respects. Size, movement and design. I just don’t understand the telemeter though. It’s just so impractical , why not a chronograph. It’s been quite a while since I sat in a foxhole timing how far away the artillery was. Which is never.
beautiful movement and case, just like the other version, which has nicer dials too; I really dislike the freshly-poured asphalt look of this one, and don’t understand what the “LAB” brings to the table…
I don’t understand what Massena-LAB are (I have similar thoughts about Louis Erard).
They say they “embody a horological culture and play an integral part in its constant evolution using elements of style from the past to enhance the future of watchmaking” “with the mission to perpetuate the art of independent watchmaking”.
But what do they actually do? They certainly don’t enhance horology–no horological concepts, no technical innovation. So what is lefy is design, so what do they do in design–they don’t create new ways of time telling, no new cases so basically all they do is come up with new colour schemes. How is that what they mission is supposed to be?? So how does it work: does Angelus come to M-L saying–look, we have run out of ideas for dials, you know, what colour to use… please help and what we do in return is promote your business… or is it the other way round?