
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Angelus Chronodato Jumbo Chronograph, Fantastic Condition, circa 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Angelus (maker)
- Date
- c. 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- vws4070cs
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws4070cs)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Angelus Chronodato Jumbo Chronograph - Fantastic Condition - c.1940s (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws4070cs), this is a wristwatch by Angelus, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
A Stunning Angelus Chronodato in fantastic preowned condition with a beautiful chronograph dial, c.1940s Angelus is one of Switzerland’s most innovative historic watchmakers, founded in 1891 in Le Locle by the Stolz brothers. The brand became renowned for its advanced chronographs, travel clocks, and groundbreaking complications, including the first series-produced wristwatch with an 8-day movement. Angelus gained further prestige through military-issued timepieces during WWII, notably their robust chronographs supplied to various Allied forces. Today, vintage Angelus watches are highly sought after for their technical ingenuity, rarity, and distinctive mid-century design. What's on Offer A charming vintage Angelus Chronodato , one of the most recognisable and collectible models from the mid-century era. The Chronodato line is celebrated for combining a classic chronograph layout with a full calendar display, and this example delivers all the visual character that has made the model so sought after among enthusiasts. The dial ( which has been refinished historically at some point) presents beautifully with its balanced twin-register design, applied hour markers, and the distinctive blue date numerals circling the outer edge. The month window sits neatly at 12 o’clock, with the day at 6, accompanied by a central date pointer hand — a signature look that defines the Chronodato’s appeal. The silver-toned dial, elegant handset, and period-correct styling give this piece that unmistakable vintage charm. The case shows the clean, traditional lines expected of watches from this era, paired with a modern perforated leather strap that adds a contemporary touch while keeping the overall aesthetic grounded in its heritage.
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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