Built like a supercar, the new Baselworld 2016 Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante unites three coveted 'haute horlogerie' complications in a contemporary, three-dimensional form that is unlike any other. With a tourbillon, a flyback double column wheel chronograph, a split seconds —rattrapante— chronograph and a power reserve indicator, this new watch from the reborn Angelus is one of the highlights this year at Baselworld 2016.
Angelus comes with a rich history manufacturing chronographs since 1925 with a monopusher. The company's first highlight was the 1942 launch of the Chronodato, the world's first serially manufactured chronograph with calendar. Fitted with a 47 mm case in grade 5 titanium with black coating on the caseband and a perfectly skeletonized dial, the new Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante is definitely a racing inspired machine like no other. Fitted with perfectly curved chrono pushers that embrace the caseband seamlessly, activating the chronograph takes no effort as these pushers are soft like butter.
The dial features a power reserve indicator at 8 o'clock and a 30-minute chrono register at 3 o'clock. With red and green accents on its power reserve indicator, this watch could easily become a favorite for an Italian or Mexican watch collector. A tour of the open dial begins with skeletonized central hour and minute hands. High legibility is ensured by high-contrast black movement bridges underneath light-colored hour and minute hands, as well as the fact that the latter have slightly curved profiles to catch the light from any angle.
A technically complicated combination re-engineered based on structural optimization and skeletonized to reveal as much of the movement as possible on the dial side, all while ensuring maximum legibility of the time and chronograph functions.
The skeleton bridges alone allow the display of no fewer than 15 different wheels dial side. To make things even better, a visible column wheel for the split-seconds function at 4 o'clock can be viewed thanks to the skeletonized dial positioned just below the 30-minute counter.
The one-minute tourbillon occupies a quarter of the dial space and can be appreciated through the skeletonized movement plate and bridges at 10 o'clock. The tourbillon is a high-beat with 4 Hz /28,800 vph, a perfect fit for the watch’s character. The tourbillon cage is entirely made of non-magnetic material and reduced to the maximum to further minimize mass and optimize performance. Not only can the tourbillon itself be fully admired dial side, but also all its gearing, creating an intriguing micro-mechanical display.
Powered by the automatic in-house Angelus calibre A-150, the movement hosts a number of complications —all fully integrated rather than modular add-ons— that are built on several layers, all visible thanks to the skeletonized bridges that create a form evoking the “A” of Angelus. To further increase the impression of depth, the movement is fully transparent around the tourbillon and treated in various shades of black and grey. While a column wheel for the split seconds is visible on the dial side, a second column wheel on the back of the movement controls the chronograph. This 38-jewel movement features a Swiss lever escapement and provides a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound. While the main plate and automatic bridge are grey NAC-treated to maximize contrast and depth, the upper bridges and column wheels are black ADLC treated. The winding rotor is also black ADLC-treated with solid 22K white gold segment.
The new Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante ref. 0CRAC.B01A.C003U is equipped with a black stealth alligator strap red contrast stitching on the interior. The strap features a titanium double folding buckle engraved with the Angelus logo. A second rubber strap is included with the watch.
On the wrist, the watch wears extremely light, comfortable and true to its size. Its wrist presence is simply out of this world and very sporty. A watch that we find hard to wear with a suit and one that we would typically wear with casual clothes during an F1 Grand Prix day. This watch is water resistant to 50 meters and limited to only 25 pieces.
Sticker Price $59,950 USD. For more info on Angelus click here.