Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2016 Review – Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon Watch
The Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon puts everything on show by entirely revealing the splendor of its movement’s architecture and tourbillon.
The impeccable newcomer is made of sapphire, carbon, and titanium and its future owner will be constantly aware of the detailed, high-tech finishings of its new timekeeping companion. The “ultra-skeletonized” Angelus caliber A-250 is entirely developed from scratch and it seems as it floats in the case thanks to the removal of any superfluous part and the adoption of a transparent sapphire crystal as the main plate. The stunning mechanism has a beating pace of 21,600 alternation per hour (3 Hz) and it is capable to store enough energy to keep the watch working for at least 90 hours when fully charged.
Caliber A-250
The bridges have been crafted from blued titanium and have been skeletonized to further enhance transparency. Considering the fact that the mechanism is fully exposed, all its parts have been meticulously hand-chamfered, hand-polished and hand satin-finished to ensure that they look perfect from all angles.
Caliber A-250 – Front and Back
Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon has central hours and minutes. The heart of the new Angelus is the flying tourbillon that does not require an upper supporting bridge. This helps to maximize the three-dimensionality of the mechanism. A one-minute flying tourbillon is located at the 6 o’clock position. Its steel cage is hand chamfered and polished with flat surfaces either mirror-polished or satin-finished. The variable inertia balance wheel is regulated by four gold weights around its perimeter and designed and crafted to minimize air friction.
The titanium mainspring barrel bridge is supported by slim pillars which are set onto the sapphire main plate to optimize visual lightness. All wheels through the entire gear train have a six-spoke design created to provide rigidity whilst reducing mass. All of the rubies which actually act as low-friction, are fitted into solid gold chatons that are embedded in the sapphire main plate.
The U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon is housed in a round case which measures 42mm in diameter and 10.30mm in diameter (including sapphire crystals). In order to increase visibility, the case does not feature a bezel, but instead uses a sapphire crystal dome which also allows a sideways view onto the movement. The lugs are made of a titanium monobloc and securely attached to the carbon fiber case and reinforced with an armature of carbon fiber, thus echoing the titanium bridges of the mechanism.
Furthermore, the polished chamfered edges make a contrast with the satin-finished surfaces and help to soften the overall look. The crown is engraved with the brand’s logo. The water resistance is assured down to 30 meters (about 100 feet).
The watch is teamed up with a stealth black alligator leather strap with a titanium insert, fitted with a titanium pin buckle engraved with Angelus logo.
Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon (ref. 0TCAB.U01A.C004T) is issued in the limited series of only 18 specimens and it will be presented later this month at Baselworld 2016 watch fair.
