The Angelus U30 Black Titanium Tourbillon Rattrapante

The Angelus U30 was first introduced in 2016, but despite its age, it still looks like a very modern watch, which could have just as easily been introduced yesterday. You see certain design elements come and go, but this has already stood the relative test of time. To keep things rolling and fresh, Angelus now brings us the U30 Black Titanium. It’s still an excellent tourbillon rattrapante, but now with a shiny black attire.

Before we get down to the details of this new version of the impressive Angelus U30, let’s first quickly recap what we’re dealing with. First presented in bare titanium, the Angelus U30 is a highly complex and uncompromising watch. All elements are focused on one thing only, and that is to display the technical prowess of Angelus to the fullest. Every component is in full view, and Angelus has not held back the visual impact. What makes the Angelus U30 so special, as we’ve explained in great length in our in-depth review when the watch was introduced in non-coated titanium, is the combination of the hyper-technical movement construction, the mix of complications and the contemporary design of it all.

The in-house automatic calibre A150 is built as an openworked movement from the ground up. As mentioned, it is an integrated chronograph movement with split-seconds and flyback function, regulated by a flying tourbillon. It features a double-column wheel, one for engaging the timing function and the other to release the split-seconds function. The combination of these features, resulting in an integrated flyback split-seconds chronograph, is a rare thing in the world of watchmaking. Only a handful of brands have pulled it off and are capable of such a thing. 

The flyback chronograph is operated through the pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, with the split-second pusher integrated into the crown. The pushers only barely protrude from the case and require only a slight push as the travel for each pusher is short. The Angelus U30 indicates the time with a pair of large skeletonized hands for the hours and minutes only. Both hands have a luminous stripe on their tips. 

The chronograph indication is divided between a 30-minute counter positioned at 3 o’clock and the double centrally mounted hands for the split seconds. The final indication is the power reserve, which we don’t often see on a chronograph movement, let alone an automatic one. All components are finished in either black or gunmetal grey to provide depth and contrast to the movement. This contrasting finish also aids in the watch’s legibility a little, often a delicate balance in skeletonized watches. 

The 47mm wide and 15mm thick grade 5 titanium case has been given a black DLC coating, as have the crown and pushers. Even though the case is very well made and looks the part, it serves only as a vessel for that spectacular calibre. The design of the blackened case is enhanced with a recessed section running along the caseband and into the lugs. On top of the case is a boxed sapphire crystal, with a second crystal installed in the caseback. Visible from the back is the black DLC-coated rotor with a white gold segment to provide the necessary mass for winding. You can also see the second column wheel through the caseback.

This very special Angelus U30 Black Titanium is limited to five pieces only and comes on a rubber strap with a black DLC-coated titanium folding buckle. It also comes with a substantial price tag as it will set you back CHF 66,700 (excluding taxes). One thing to consider, though, is that there is very little that can compete with this for a similar amount of money. The Angelus U30 offers you an integrated chronograph movement with the added flyback and split-seconds complexity, plus a tourbillon regulator. An alternative watch with similar specifications would set you back considerably more.

More information on Angelus-Watches.com.