From the movement to the case design, the objective from the get-go has been to showcase the splendor of the movement’s architecture.
The U22 Tourbillon features a carbon fiber and titanium case like the original U20, however with an even greater emphasis on weight reduction.
The U22 Tourbillon
The U22 Tourbillon on the other hand features a carbon fiber and titanium case like the original U20, however with an even greater emphasis on weight reduction. Thanks to its carbon fiber main plate, the U22 Tourbillon weighs a mere 54 grams in total. The flange ring has also been revisited, set with satin-finished applied indexes for the hour markers. The central hands offer a racy look thanks to the red SuperLumiNova.
The goal with this U22 Tourbillon is to present the essence of the movement by removing any superfluous material. What seems to look deceptively simple to achieve requires great artistic vision and engineering prowess. The more material that is removed, the more the structure of the movement has to be carefully calculated to ensure rigidity and sturdiness for a maximum precision.
The absence of a dial and the use of a sapphire crystal dome set directly onto the carbon fiber case allow full visual access to the movement from both the top and sides, accentuating the three-dimensionality of the movement’s architecture.
The U22 Tourbillon even goes a step further
The absence of a dial and the use of a sapphire crystal dome set directly onto the carbon fiber case allow full visual access to the movement from both the top and sides, accentuating the three-dimensionality of the movement’s architecture.
The titanium lugs, which are securely attached to the carbon fiber case and reinforced with an armature of carbon fiber, have a very technical shape and echo the titanium bridges of the movement. However, the intricacy of the lugs is softened by the clever use of polished chamfered edges and contrasting satin-finished surfaces.
The U22 Tourbillon deserves closer inspection, which reveals many of the well- thought-out details that go into creating a contemporary, cutting-edge skeleton watch: the variable inertia balance wheel of the tourbillon is especially designed and crafted to minimize air friction; the patterned carbon fiber used in the main plate is offers maximum rigidity; ruby bearings are set into solid gold chatons. The ultra-light case, entirely made of carbon fiber, titanium and sapphire, has been designed to echo the three-dimensional aspect and the technical feel of the timepiece.
The ultra-light case, entirely made of carbon fiber, titanium and sapphire, has been designed to echo the three-dimensional aspect and the technical feel of the timepiece.
The highly engineered movement further features beam-type titanium bridges which are skeletonized to reduce weight and offer a better view of the watch's inner workings.
Calibre A-250
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. In the quest for high performance, the rim of the balance wheel has been milled to maximize aerodynamics and reduce air resistance.
The highly engineered movement further features beam-type titanium bridges which are skeletonized to reduce weight and offer a better view of the watch's inner workings.
The titanium mainspring barrel bridge is supported by slim pillars set directly into the carbon fiber main plate.
All wheels throughout the entire gear train have a specially developed six-spoke design, again in the quest for maximum rigidity for minimum mass.
All of the rubies, which actually act as low-friction bearings, are fitted into solid gold chatons that are embedded in the carbon fiber main plate. Gold chatons not only look good and attest to the movement's haute horlogerie bona fides, they are also non-magnetic and corrosion resistant like the carbon fiber itself.
The heart of the U22 Tourbillon is the flying tourbillon.
The U22 Tourbillon in-depth
The carbon fiber used in the U22 Tourbillon is very specific, offering the essential characteristics necessary for use in a haute horlogerie timepiece, with tolerances in the micron range. They are not decorative elements, but 100% functional.
The heart of the U22 Tourbillon is the flying tourbillon. The tourbillon is “flying", which means that it does not require an upper supporting bridge. This helps to maximize the three-dimensionality of the movement and allows maximum appreciation of the technical and aesthetical refinements throughout the movement.
| Reference: | 0TCBB.B01A.C004T | |
| Limited edition: | 18 pieces |
Central hours and minutes, one-minute flying tourbillon, haute horlogerie manufacture movement with NPT carbon-fiber main plate and titanium bridges
| Jewels: | 18, set in solid gold chatons | |
| Diameter: | 32.60 mm | |
| Thickness: | 5.78 mm | |
| Power reserve: | 90 h | |
| Frequency: | 21,600 vph / 3 Hz | |
| Tourbillon cage: | steel, hand-chamfered and hand-polished | |
| Movement finishing: | haute horlogerie, all steel component with hand-chamfered and hand-polished edges, flat surfaces mirror-polished or satin-finished. Chamfered and sand blasted titanium bridges. |
| Material: | NPT carbon-fiber and titanium | |
| Diameter: | 42.0 mm | |
| Height: | 10.30 mm including sapphire crystals | |
| Crystals: | Sapphire crystal dome with anti-reflective coating on inside surface | |
| Water resistance | 30 m / 100’/ 3 atm |
| Material: | NPT carbon-fiber dial is actually the movement's main plate | |
| Hour and minute markings: | printed spokes on outer chapter ring and satin finished indexes | |
| Hour and minute hands: | rhodium-treated with red SuperLumiNova blue emission |
| Strap: | stealth black alligator leather with titanium insert | |
| Buckle: | Titanium pin buckle engraved with Angelus logo |
| Water-resistant: | 30 m |
