Angelus has introduced a new, vibrant, and mechanically transparent timepiece, the Flying Tourbillon Skeleton Titanium Orange. This watch is a powerful statement of modern design, merging aggressive aesthetics with high-end mechanical watchmaking. It is presented as a limited edition of just 25 pieces, signaling its exclusivity from the outset. The watch immediately confronts the viewer with a dense, three-dimensional network of gears and bridges, all framed by a striking, zesty orange flange. It’s a piece that forgoes a traditional dial entirely, putting the entirety of its complex inner workings on full display.
To understand a watch this modern from Angelus, one must first look back at the brand's complex history. The name is not new; it was originally founded in 1891 in Le Locle, Switzerland, by the Stolz brothers, Gustav and Albert. From their small workshop, they quickly established a reputation for not just assembling watches, but for manufacturing their own complicated movements. In an era when such work was often divided among many specialists, this in-house capability set them apart.
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Throughout the early 20th century, Angelus became a quiet powerhouse of innovation. The company specialized in chronographs and repeater mechanisms, earning numerous gold medals and grand prix awards at international exhibitions. They were known for pushing the boundaries of what was mechanically possible. This spirit of invention wasn't just for show; it was about creating functional, useful complications.
The brand's golden age was arguably the mid-century. In 1942, Angelus launched the "Chronodato," which holds a significant place in watch history as the very first serially produced wristwatch to feature a chronograph paired with a full calendar. This model became a best-seller and defined the brand for a generation. This was followed by other "firsts," like the Datalarm in 1956 (first with alarm and date) and the Tinkler in 1958 (first automatic waterproof repeater). They also famously supplied 8-day power reserve movements to Panerai for their Italian Navy dive watches.
Like many historic manufactures, Angelus could not weather the storm of the quartz crisis in the 1970s. The brand ceased production and lay dormant for decades, its legacy preserved only in the hands of vintage collectors. However, in 2011, the name was revived by the famed movement specialists at La Joux-Perret. This resurrection, now under the umbrella of the Citizen Group, was not about recreating the past. The new Angelus was reborn with a philosophy of "Legacy and Beyond" (L.A.B.), aiming to honor its innovative past by creating radically modern, technical timepieces.
The Flying Tourbillon Skeleton Titanium Orange is a perfect embodiment of that "Beyond" philosophy. It is a watch defined by its material science and architecture. The case, measuring 42.50 mm in diameter and a relatively slim 11.45 mm thick, is a complex, modular construction. The core of the watch, the chamber housing the movement, is crafted from a black carbon composite. This material is exceptionally lightweight yet incredibly rigid, providing a protective inner cradle for the calibre.
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This carbon core is then encased in a modular "outer cage" made of Grade 5 titanium. This titanium structure includes the bezel, the lugs, and the case back, creating a strong, satin-finished frame. The surfaces are meticulously brushed, with sharp, polished chamfers along the edges that catch the light and define the case's angular, modern shape. The large, knurled crown is also titanium and is protected by stout guards that flow organically from the case side, enhancing the watch's tool-like, robust posture.
Despite its aggressive, sporty look, this is a piece of mechanical art. The water resistance is rated to 3 bar, or 30 meters. This is sufficient to protect against splashes and rain, but it clearly indicates the watch's true home is not underwater, but rather in full view where its mechanics can be appreciated. The front and back are sealed with sapphire crystals, both treated with anti-reflective coatings to provide a clear, unobstructed view of the movement from every angle.
Visually, the watch is a study in high-contrast, three-dimensional design. There is no dial in the conventional sense. Instead, the wearer looks directly through the watch. The primary visual anchor is the bright orange PVD-treated flange that encircles the entire mechanism. This component serves as the minute track, marked with crisp white indices. This vibrant ring appears to float above the darker, more technical components below it, creating a stunning sense of depth.
Just inside this orange ring is a black flange that holds the hour markers. In a notable first for Angelus, these markers are not merely painted with luminous material but are crafted from monolithic blocks of solid Super-LumiNova. These thick, white blocks provide exceptional legibility in low light and add to the multi-layered, architectural feel of the watch. The central hour and minute hands are similarly bold, partially skeletonized at their base and filled with white Super-LumiNova to match the markers.
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The star of the show, mechanically and visually, is the calibre A-310. This is a manual-winding movement designed from the ground up to be a skeleton. It's not a standard movement with material cut away; rather, its very structure is an interplay of interlocking circles and lightweight, circular bridges. The entire design is intended to maximize transparency while maintaining the rigidity needed for precision timekeeping.
At the 6 o’clock position, the one-minute flying tourbillon rotates in open space. A flying tourbillon is distinguished by its lack of an upper bridge, meaning it is supported only from below. This constructional choice removes any visual obstruction, making the tourbillon cage appear to float freely. Angelus has amplified this effect with an intentionally asymmetric design, supporting the tourbillon with a bridge angled at 160 degrees, creating a dynamic visual tension.
The tourbillon cage itself is rhodium-plated, its bright, silvery finish contrasting sharply with the black PVD-coated bridges surrounding it. The movement's layout is both graphically balanced and technically legible. At 1 o’clock, a large-diameter mainspring barrel is visible, its cover skeletonized with the brand’s "A" logo. This barrel is the power source, providing a stable distribution of energy for a healthy 60-hour power reserve.
Opposite the barrel, at the 9 o'clock position, is the small seconds display. This is also completely open-worked, featuring its own orange-treated flange that mirrors the main minute track. A small, simple hand ticks along, driven by a gear train that is fully exposed. The wheels of this gear train feature Angelus's signature design: three openwork double spokes, which create a constant, mesmerizing optical choreography as the watch runs.
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Finishing on a skeletonized movement is paramount, as every surface is visible. The A-310 does not disappoint. The main plate and bridges are treated with a black PVD coating, and then finished with a sunburst pattern and polished, chamfered edges. This technique makes the edges of the bridges pop against their dark, brushed surfaces. The retaining screws visible on the movement side feature a three-blade propeller design, a subtle stylistic hallmark of the modern Angelus brand.
From a technical standpoint, the calibre A-310 operates at a modern frequency of 4 Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour. This higher beat rate contributes to greater stability and precision, especially in a watch featuring a tourbillon. The movement, which consists of 23 jewels, is impressively thin for its complexity, measuring just 4.30 mm in height, which allows the overall case to maintain its wearable 11.45 mm profile.
A key feature of this model is its "customisable energy," which comes from its interchangeable strap system. The watch is delivered with three different strap options, allowing the owner to completely change its character. A quick-release system on the lugs means these changes can be made easily without tools, offering a genuine sense of versatility.
The first option is a full, integrated bracelet made from satin-finished titanium. The links are broad and horizontal, flowing seamlessly from the angular lugs. This option gives the watch its most architectural and complete technical aesthetic, transforming it into a single, flowing piece of titanium sculpture for the wrist.
The second option is a sporty strap made of textured orange rubber. This strap, in the same vibrant hue as the dial flange, makes the watch its most bold and casual. It leans into the chromatic energy of the piece, creating a powerful, sporty look that is impossible to ignore.
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The third option is a more classic strap made of black alligator leather. This choice provides a stark contrast to the watch's modern, technical case. It dresses the piece up, demonstrating how the watch can transition from a futuristic sports watch to a piece of avant-garde mechanical art suitable for more formal settings. All three options secure to the wrist with a titanium folding clasp.
The Angelus Flying Tourbillon Skeleton Titanium Orange is a watch for a very specific collector. It is not a subtle timepiece. It is a bold, technical, and graphic expression of 21st-century watchmaking, built upon the legacy of a 19th-century innovator. As a limited edition of only 25 pieces, it represents a rare convergence of material science, complex mechanics, and expressive design. The watch, bearing the reference 0TSZF.B01A.M0249E, is priced at a Swiss retail of 47,000 CHF.
Case: 42.50 mm diameter, 11.45 mm thickness. Modular construction with a carbon composite case chamber and a titanium outer case (bezel, crown, monobloc case). Satin-finished surfaces with polished chamfers. Sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating. Sapphire case back. Water resistance 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet).
Movement: Calibre A-310, mechanical manual winding. Features a 1-minute flying tourbillon. 32.80 mm diameter, 4.30 mm height. 60-hour power reserve, 23 jewels, 4 Hz (28,000 vph) frequency. Black PVD-treated bridges with sunburst and polished finishes.
Dial: Skeleton dial with orange PVD-treated hour and small seconds flanges. Hour markers crafted from monolithic blocks of Super-LumiNova. Hands filled with Super-LumiNova. Functions include hours, minutes, and small seconds.
Strap: Interchangeable strap system. Includes three options: a satin-finish titanium bracelet, a black alligator leather strap, and an orange rubber strap. Comes with a titanium folding clasp.
Price: CHF 47,000 incl. VAT
Reference Number: 0TSZF.B01A.M0249E
Notes: Limited edition of 25 pieces. The watch features a complex, open-worked calibre with signature three-spoke wheels and a 160° angled tourbillon bridge.