Angelus
Le Locle, Switzerland · Est. 1891
Founded by Stolz Frères
Angelus was founded in Le Locle in 1891 and became celebrated for its alarm complications and, notably, the first wristwatch chronograph with a seconds reset to zero in 1942. Revived in 2015 under the leadership of Frédéric Gasser, it now focuses on avant-garde skeletonised and high-complication pieces.
- Founded
- 1891
- Headquarters
- Le Locle, Switzerland
- Group
- Citizen Watch Group
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Revived
Key Collections
- U10 Tourbillon Lumière — Skeletonised tourbillon with architectural bridges and luminous treatment — the showcase of the revived Angelus.
- U20 Ultra-Skeleton — Open-worked movement with sweeping architectural bridges inspired by modern sculpture.
- U30 Diver Tourbillon — 300m dive-rated tourbillon — an audacious combination of professional tool watch and grand complication.
- U41 Big Date Tourbillon Rattrapante — Split-seconds chronograph with tourbillon and big date — technical bravado in a contemporary case.
- U50 Executive Tourbillon Ultra-Slim — Dress tourbillon at the pinnacle of slim-case construction, echoing Angelus's historical expertise.
Timeline
- 1891 — Angelus Watch Co founded in Le Locle by the Stolz brothers, beginning a tradition of alarm and complex complications.
- 1942 — Angelus creates the world's first wristwatch chronograph with split-seconds reset to zero — a landmark in complication history.
- 1950 — Angelus produces the first multi-axial tourbillon wristwatch.
- 1971 — Angelus ceases production during the quartz crisis.
- 2015 — Angelus revived by Frédéric Gasser in Le Locle with a mandate to produce high-complication modern pieces.
- 2017 — First contemporary Angelus collection launched at Watches & Wonders, featuring skeletonised tourbillons.
- 2019 — The U30 Diver Tourbillon unveiled — 300m-rated dive watch with a flying tourbillon.
Frequently Asked Questions about Angelus
- What made the original Angelus historically significant?
- Angelus pioneered mechanical alarm wristwatches and, most notably, produced the world's first wristwatch chronograph with split-seconds reset to zero in 1942.
- When was Angelus revived and why?
- Revived in 2015 by Frédéric Gasser in Le Locle — the same Swiss town where the brand was founded. The goal: honour the original's pioneering spirit in grand complications.
- What is the price range for Angelus watches?
- Angelus occupies the high-end independent sector. Watches typically range from CHF 20,000 to CHF 80,000+, with grand complications exceeding CHF 100,000.
- Where are Angelus watches made?
- The revived Angelus is manufactured in Le Locle, Switzerland, with all movements developed in-house.