Watchatlas

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 (2015) — The U10 Tourbillon Lumière was the watch that relaunched modern Angelus in 2015, pairing a deconstructed rectangular architecture with an off-centred flying tourbillon, dead-beat seconds and a dramatic multi-window sapphire display inspired by vintage travel clocks but executed as contemporary haute horlogerie. Key references: 0LUAS.B01A.C001F, U10 Tourbillon Lumière, Tourbillon Lumière.
  • U20 Ultra-Skeleton (2016) — The U20 Ultra-Skeleton followed the U10 as Angelus’s second modern flagship, using a sapphire main plate, blued titanium bridges and a carbon-composite-and-titanium case to create a tourbillon movement that appears to float inside the watch. Key references: 0TCAB.U01A.C004T, U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon, Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon.
  • 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.

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