When it comes to reviving a historical icon, you’re often faced with a creative dilemma. Do you enact an unwaveringly faithful homage, as was the case with Omega’s 60th Anniversary Speedmaster based on the original 1957 CK 2915-1? Think also of Audemars Piguet’s [Re]master01 based on the reference 1533, one of only 307 chronographs made in the brand’s history before 1980. Certainly, in a watch world in the throes of a torrid love affair with all things vintage, this has become the norm.
Or do you deviate and, in the words of American poet Robert Frost, tread “the road not taken”? The latter involves channeling the spirit of the original timepiece but creating something altogether new. Says Bertrand Savary, a man who wears dual hats as CEO of Arnold & Son and Angelus, both owned by The Citizen Group, “I am often inspired by the daring of the automotive industry. One of my favorite cars is Ferrari’s F12 Tour de France designed by Flavio Manzoni. I love how he channeled the spirit of the 250 GT Tour de France to create one of the world’s most original modern supercars. He was able to forge just the right genetic lineage with its ancestor while designing something completely new and breathtaking.”
For years, Savary and his team had been deluged with requests to revive the iconic Chronodate, to this day still Angelus’ most famous watch. So, he too found himself at this veritable fork in the road.
ANGELUS CHRONODATO — THE FIRST FULL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH
The Chronodate, as it was
