Exchanging the telemeter scale for a tachymeter, Monochrome gives Angelus’ chronograph a 2N gold makeover.
With a 37mm diameter and 9.25mm thickness, the monopusher chrono is enviably slim, all thanks to the ingeniously designed movement under the hood.
Priced at €18,500, the souscription run is limited to 20 pieces, available for order during a 10-day period starting on the 29th of January, 15:00 CET.
Just over a month after introducing their fourth souscription watch, the stunning Habring² Seconde Morte (chapeau, Pietro), our Dutch friends over at Monochrome are back with another tasty take on an enthusiast favourite. This time, they lent a pale golden touch to Angelus’ beautiful Chronographe Tachymètre, an iteration on the telemeter-equipped salmon stunner we saw at Watches & Wonders 2025. While two is hardly a pattern, I could certainly get used to this release cycle – it reminds me of when I was subscribed to Nat Geo Kids, and the goodies that would come through every month. Except those were freebies with the mag, and this is a A$30,000 watch. You know what, maybe this is nothing like my Nat Geo Kids subscription. What it is is damn beautiful, and with just 20 pieces up for grabs, it is sure to become a proper collector’s item.
Let’s look at that all-new, 2N yellow gold dial. Apart from the subtle pastel colouring, what immediately stands out to me is the grained texture, something I also loved in the original salmon colourway. Since we’re comparing, Monochrome seem to have done away with the groove separating the telemeter and minutes scales of the Chronographe Telemetre, and gone with a flatter overall look that better suits the snailing tachymeter markings.
Despite this change, the dial isn’t left wanting when it comes to dimension; the applied indices and azuraged sub-dials give just a hint, without compromising on the vintage aesthetics of the typeface, which I have to say is spot-on.
A reason why many applaud Angelus’ monopusher chronograph efforts is that they’ve managed to package them incredibly well. 37mm across and just over 9mm thick are dimensions many dress watches are content with these days, and add to that the lack of pushers emanating from the case, and you have a very sleek proposition on-wrist. The case here is mostly brushed stainless steel with just the right amount of polished highlights.
if I had one gripe with this watch, it’s that it only has 30 metres of water-resistance. I say that, but then again, it would certainly not detract me from buying one – if it’s enough protection so I don’t have to hurriedly cover it with a sleeve or put it in an inside jacket pocket the way I do with my actual vintage chronos, it’s good enough for me. Not to take anything away from the dial, Monochrome is pairing their MdS5 with a grey nubuck leather strap and a steel pin buckle.
The alluring trifecta of Monochrome’s latest Montre de Souscription is the Chronographe Tachymètre’s movement, which not only helps it remain so wonderfully slim but also healthily pads out the storytelling. To vintage Cartier nerds, this movement may look familiar, and it’s for good reason, as it featured in the ultra-collectible Tortue CPCP Monopusher chronograph and was developed by Techniques Horlogères Appliquées.
If the THA name doesn’t mean much, how about Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet, and F.P. Journe? The trio co-designed the slim monopusher (though if Flageollet’s memory serves, Halter wasn’t part of the development) using the venerable Peseux 7001 as the base, making what would become known as the THA 045MC.
The Calibre A5000 was indeed derived from this movement, but while it may look familiar, there are differences between it and the THA original. The rights to produce the movement were sold to Jaquet SA, with Journe working on the movement which would later see wider commercial use by the likes of Bucherer and Ulysse Nardin. As Jaquet became La Joux-Perret, the calibre would become what it is today, the LJP 5000. While the two movements differ – over the years, it grew a millimetre or two, and the chronograph architecture changed – the oscillating pinion remains, which is to thank for the movement’s slimness.
As for the other basic specs, it sports 23 jewels, beats at 3Hz, and has a power reserve of 42 hours. In Monochrome’s MdS5 execution, expect 3N gold-coated bridges and plates with some nice (but likely machine-cut) anglage and some fairly subtle Geneva striping, with perlage on the baseplate and central bridge offering added contrast.
Angelus Chronographe Tachymètre x Monochrome Montre de Souscription 5 pricing and availability
Monochrome’s latest souscription watch is now available, as a limited edition of 20 pieces maximum, and during a 10-day period between the 29th of January at 15:00 CET (though I’m sure they’ll sell out before that). Monochrome is requesting a non-refundable down payment of €5,000 (exclusive of VAT) to confirm your allocation. Price: €18,500 (~A$31,600)
Brand
Angelus
Model
Chronographe Tachymètre x Monochrome Montre de Souscription 5
Case Dimensions
37mm (D) x 9.25mm (T)
Case Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
30 metres
Crystal(s)
Box sapphire front, flat sapphire caseback
Dial
2N yellow gold with galvanic treatment
Strap
Grey nubuck, steel pin buckle
Movement
Calibre A5000, made by La Joux-Perret, manual-winding
Power Reserve
42 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, monopusher chronograph
Availability
20 pieces, souscription
Price
€18,500 (~A$31,600)