Presenting the Blancpain Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre

Blancpain’s Villeret collection welcomes yet another model – the interesting new Chronographe Pulsomètre. In addition to the practical chronograph function, the new watch in the Villeret family also features a pulsometer function, which helps its wearer to determine the heart rate at a single glance.

The pulsometer watches were traditionally reserved for medical professionals, to help them take accurate pulse measurements. The new Villeret Chronographe Pulsomètre calls in mind vintage doctor’s chronographs, which were once regarded as practical medical tools, and used for precise 60-second measurements during which the number of heartbeats needs to be accurately counted. The combination of the chronograph and pulsometer makes it possible to read someone’s heartbeat directly from the dial, while bypassing any calculations.

Thanks to the new in-house caliber F385, all that is required to display the value of the wearer’s pulse measurements is to start the chronograph and stop it after counting off 30 beats of the heart. The chronograph movement is a flyback-type, which means that only one pusher is used for stopping, resetting and restarting the function. This high-frequency mechanism is assembled from 322 components and a silicon balance spring. It beats at a rate of 36.000 vibrations per hour, ensuring around 50 hours of power reserve. The silicone balance spring is incorporated into the movement to improve the watch’s precision, its constancy and its timekeeping performance. The use of this high-tech material ensures that the balance spring is more resistant to everyday shocks and physical disturbances, which, in the long run, improves the performance of a mechanical watch.

In the terms of design, the new model of the Villeret collection is crafted from red gold, and it comes in a circular case of 43.6 millimeters in diameter, fitted with a sapphire crystal case back. The exhibition back provides an undisturbed view of a brand-new chronograph movement and its golden oscillating weight adorned with a honeycomb engraving. The watch face reveals a chambered white Grand Feu enameled dial with enameled Roman numerals and two chronograph sub-counters. The bi-compax chronograph layout involves a 12-hour counter positioned at 9 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter that appears at 3 o’clock. Located at 6 o’clock position is also a discreet date window. The watch is mounted on an elegant brown leather strap, which complements the warm hue of its golden case.