Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon. After the U10 Tourbillon Lumiere launched in 2015, the reborn Angelus manufacture is presenting the U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon, a new timepiece made of sapphire, carbon and titanium that was designed to allow light to enter the watch and reveal as many details as possible of the movement’s architecture and tourbillon. The Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon (ref. 0TCAB.U01A.C004T) will be available in a limited edition of 18 pieces. The price is Swiss Francs 66,200.
After the U10 Tourbillon Lumiere launched in 2015, the reborn Angelus manufacture is presenting the U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon, a new timepiece made of sapphire, carbon and titanium that was designed to allow light to enter the watch and reveal as many details as possible of the movement’s architecture and tourbillon.
Entirely developed from scratch, the manufacture Angelus A-250 calibre (beating at 21,600 vph and offering a 90-hour power reserve) seems to float in the case thanks to the removal of any superfluous component and the adoption of a transparent sapphire crystal as the main plate.
The bridges have been made of blued titanium and have been skeletonized to increase transparency even further. The bridges’ beam shape maximizes rigidity, essential for chronometric precision.
Being so exposed, the components of the movement have been meticulously hand-chamfered, hand-polished and hand satin-finished to ensure that they look perfect from any point of view.
The heart of the U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon is the flying tourbillon (a tourbillon is “flying" when it does not require an upper supporting bridge - see also our feature article "The Tourbilllon, a short history of a watchmaking feat"). This helps to maximize the three-dimensionality of the movement and allows maximum appreciation of the technical and aesthetical refinements throughout the movement.
The tourbillon’s 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 especially designed and crafted to minimize air friction.
The titanium mainspring barrel bridge is supported by slim pillars set directly into the sapphire main plate to optimize visual lightness.
All wheels throughout the entire gear train have a six-spoke design developed to ensure rigidity while reducing mass.
All of the rubies, which actually act as low-friction bearings, are fitted into solid gold chatons that are embedded in the sapphire main plate, a detail typical of Haute Horlogerie finishing.
To further increase visibility, the 42 mm case does not feature a bezel but instead uses a sapphire crystal dome, which also allows a sideways view onto the movement.
The lugs, crafted from a titanium monobloc and securely attached to the carbon fibre case and reinforced with an armature of carbon fibre, echo the titanium bridges of the movement. The polished chamfered edges create a contrast with the satin-finished surfaces and help to soften the overall look.
The Angelus U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon (ref. 0TCAB.U01A.C004T) will be available in a limited edition of 18 pieces. The price is Swiss Francs 66,200. angelus-watches.com
Entirely developed from scratch, the manufacture Angelus A-250 calibre (beating at 21,600 vph and offering a 90-hour power reserve) seems to float in the case thanks to the removal of any superfluous component and the adoption of a transparent sapphire crystal as the main plate.
The bridges have been made of blued titanium and have been skeletonized to increase transparency even further. The bridges’ beam shape maximizes rigidity, essential for chronometric precision.
Being so exposed, the components of the movement have been meticulously hand-chamfered, hand-polished and hand satin-finished to ensure that they look perfect from any point of view.
The heart of the U20 Ultra-Skeleton Tourbillon is the flying tourbillon (a tourbillon is “flying" when it does not require an upper supporting bridge - see also our feature article "The Tourbilllon, a short history of a watchmaking feat"). This helps to maximize the three-dimensionality of the movement and allows maximum appreciation of the technical and aesthetical refinements throughout the movement.
The tourbillon’s 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 especially designed and crafted to minimize air friction.
The titanium mainspring barrel bridge is supported by slim pillars set directly into the sapphire main plate to optimize visual lightness.
All wheels throughout the entire gear train have a six-spoke design developed to ensure rigidity while reducing mass.
All of the rubies, which actually act as low-friction bearings, are fitted into solid gold chatons that are embedded in the sapphire main plate, a detail typical of Haute Horlogerie finishing.
To further increase visibility, the 42 mm case does not feature a bezel but instead uses a sapphire crystal dome, which also allows a sideways view onto the movement.
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