The front of house

Invariably, I commence watch reviews by discussing the dial of the watch, however, the U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante has no dial as such. Instead, black open-worked bridges are employed, immediately distinguishing this watch as something quite special. Holding the watch with its crown pointing downwards reveals that the bridges are arranged to form a letter 'A', acknowledging the first letter of the brand's name.

This timepiece cordially invites the wearer to see much of the mechanical goings-on, typically hidden from prying eyes. This open-worked design approach, whilst occasionally seen elsewhere, is unusual because of the degree of mechanical frankness. There is a sea of silver-coloured wheels, luscious red rubies and open-worked hour and minute hands.
Adjacent the crown at 3 o'clock, a 30-minute register appears to levitate above the movement. The register, presented on the upper chronograph bridge, is rhodium treated and laser engraved with a combination of Arabic numerals and black markings. The hand on the register features a centrally positioned red line, delivering a touch of visual interest and aiding legibility.
Just below the 30-minute register is the first of two column wheels. The dial-side column wheel is used for the rattrapante or split second chronograph. Eight specular polished triangular pillars gleam against a black backdrop. A second column wheel is visible via the exhibition caseback and is used for the flyback chronograph.
A power reserve indicator is positioned between 7 and 8 'clock. This display is mounted directly upon the power reserve bridge, rhodium treated and filled with green and red lacquer. The incorporation of red and green hues adds a tasteful of smattering of cheer without impairing readability.

As previously stated, this Angelus timepiece is a split-second chronograph, equipped with two co-axially positioned central hands, according the wearer with the facility to measure two separate times. Typically, the wearer will only see the upper, central chronograph hand which features a fetching red shade on its tip. However, once the rattrapante ('catch up' in French) is actuated, the split-seconds chronograph hand, a second co-axially mounted hand, hidden beneath aforementioned chronograph hand, comes out to play. In this instance, the rattrapante, or split-seconds, hand eschews colour, relying on its seemly sand-blasted finish to communicate with the wearer.
Encircling the dial is a black chapter ring, marked with Arabic numerals along with white and red strokes. Throughout the display, numerous 'Angelus three-point design' screws occupy the movement. These distinctive screws are not just attractive, but confer much technical virtue, allowing the watchmaker to tighten them to a pre-determined torque.
Residing between 10 and 11 o'clock, a one-minute tourbillon pulses with life, delivering an additional flourish of animation to the display. This watch delivers a spellbinding visual performance, inviting its audience to view the magical show of rotating wheels and traversing hands.

Despite the neoteric character of the U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante, this timepiece embraces a particular quality found with watches created in the 19th century, namely the capacity to be serviced and repaired in decades to come. There are numerous components present on this watch which have been conceived from the outset to be washed in ethanol, and other cleaning fluids favoured by watchmakers, without fear of removing text or coloured markings. There is a welcome integrity with this Angelus, sometimes lacking with some modern, contemporary-styled watches.
By revealing a profusion of mechanical parts, often hidden from view, there is much taking place front of house which some would-be wearers may not like. However, I personally did not struggle to read the dial and enjoyed witnessing the spectacle presented. The U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante delivers a wonderful visual performance which many lovers of haute horlogerie, myself included, will never tire of admiring.