Angelus has unveiled the new Flying Tourbillon Titanium Blue Edition. It features a skeleton dial with blue PVD treatment showcasing a new hand-wound movement with a flying tourbillon, a titanium case, and choice of interchangeable titanium bracelet, matt blue alligator leather strap, and blue rubber strap. It is a limited edition of 25 individually numbered pieces.
Image: A bold and striking watch. Featured here with the titanium bracelet (Same as header image).
“Flying Tourbillon Titanium marks the second instalment of Angelus’ contemporary series. Two years after the launch of Chronodate, the brand has fitted its now famous and instantly recognisable titanium case with a flying tourbillon calibre. This contemporary vision can be seen in all the aesthetic elements of this 42.5 mm diameter timepiece.”
Angelus, Arnold & Son, and Manufacture La-Joux Perret (LJP, the renowned movement manufacturer), are the same company and owned by Citizen Group of Japan. LJP is the integrated manufacture for Angelus and Arnold & Son and provides movements for other watch brands as well. Mr. Pascal Béchu is the Managing Director of Angelus and Arnold & Son and sits on the Executive Board of LJP.
Key features
Functions and Operation
Image: A futuristic design attempt at a skeleton tourbillon watch. Featured here with the matt blue alligator leather strap.
Central hours and minutes.
Small seconds on subdial at 9 o’clock.
One-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
Dial
Skeleton dial featuring blue PVD treatment.
Image: Lume view. Arabic numerals appear suspended.
Hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.
Arabic numerals are coated with Super-LumiNova.
The flange features blue PVD treatment and a minute scale, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
“There is dynamism in the Arabic numerals suspended between the flange and the movement. Dynamism in the interplay between solids and voids. Dynamism in the openings in the movement that allow light to enter. Dynamism in the different levels and depths. And there is dynamism in the way the calibre is structured around juxtaposed circles. It has all been given a blue PVD treatment for this inaugural edition.”
“The design of Flying Tourbillon Titanium is underpinned by the contrast between the coloured bridges, flange and minute circle, on the one hand, and the generous use of white Super-LumiNova on the imposing Arabic numerals, on the other. The overall effect enhances the rhodium plating of the movement’s functional parts.”
Movement
Image: I love how calibre A-310 perfectly fills up the case, not something one sees often. Each watch is individually numbered – XX/25.
Powered by calibre A-310, a hand-wound movement that powers the hours, minutes, small seconds, and one-minute flying tourbillon.
“This modular construction houses an updated version of Angelus’ historical A-300 calibre. The A-310 calibre is built around a series of circles – its mainplate and bridges – and has an openworked structure. The small seconds at 9 o’clock visually balances the large barrel situated between 12 and 1 o’clock and the flying tourbillon located at 6 o’clock.”
Diameter: 32.80 mm. Height: 4.30 mm.
Jewels: 23. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power Reserve: 60 hours.
Movement finishing includes:
Mainplate and bridges are “sunray-brushed, chamfered and polished with blue PVD treatment.”
Wheels feature a circular-grained finish.
Tourbillon carriage features a circular-grained finish and is rhodium-plated.
Tourbillon bridge is “block-polished and chamfered.”
Image: A closer look at both the dial, showcasing calibre A-310, and the case. Notice the satin finish of the titanium case, and the 12-notched bezel. I love the blue ring on the crown, a thoughtful design touch that creates visual balance with the blue dial and flange.
“The openworked three-armed wheels, a signature of Angelus watches, each interlock and lead to the most dynamic element: the flying tourbillon. Its carriage bridge is angled at 160 degrees, creating an asymmetry that further emphasises the technical rhythm of Flying Tourbillon Titanium.”
Case, Bracelet, and Strap
Image: A complex 2-part case featuring modern materials such as carbon composite and titanium. Featured here with the blue rubber strap.
2-part case.
The chamber is made from carbon composite.
The monobloc case middle, bezel, and crown are made from titanium, featuring satin finished surfaces and polished chamfers.
“The first – a lightweight, rigid carbon composite container – protects the movement. The second is formed of six main titanium elements that surround the container and keep it in place.”
Diameter: 42.50 mm. Thickness: 11.45 mm.
Dial side features a sapphire crystal with dual side anti-reflective coating.
Caseback features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
Water resistant up to 3 Bar / 30 metres / 100 feet.
Interchangeable bracelet and strap options include: Single-row titanium bracelet, satin finished. Matt blue alligator leather strap. Blue rubber strap. Each comes with a titanium folding buckle.
“The openworked case middle widens towards the crown, which bears the Angelus logo. The sapphire crystal is surrounded by a 12-notched bezel, while the faceted lugs hold the interchangeable bracelet system in place.”
Our Thoughts
The new Flying Tourbillon Edition Blue Edition is a futuristic design attempt at a skeleton tourbillon watch, one where Angelus has done a great job. Most of the time, tourbillons are clothed in classical designs and precious metals, and there is little to differentiate them across brands. Angelus has created a versatile tourbillon, one which can be worn daily on a rubber strap.
Skeleton watches are not always love at first sight, an aspect that holds true for the Flying Tourbillon Edition Blue Edition. It appears interesting and cohesive the more I look at the images. It would be a compelling addition for collectors who love tourbillons (and other grand complications), and who have the personality to wear this bold watch.
It is expensive, yet relatively affordable for a grand complication that frequently costs upwards of 100K and more. I look forward to other editions of this watch. Perhaps one in silver featuring red accents, and another in black PVD!
We look forward to seeing the Flying Tourbillon Blue Edition in the flesh and doing a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: Flying Tourbillon Edition Blue Edition (part of the brand’s Tourbillon collection)
Reference: 0TSZF.U01A.M009T – Titanium bracelet version. Includes both the matt blue alligator leather strap and blue rubber strap.
Swiss retail price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 47,000 (Subject to change)
Reference: 0TSZF.U02A.C009A – Matt blue alligator leather strap version. Includes blue rubber strap.
Swiss retail price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 45,000 (Subject to change)
Limited edition of 25 individually numbered pieces.
Please visit the Angelus website and Instagram page for more information.
We recently covered the brand’s Instrument De Vitesse. Read here.
