The “Pulsometer” part of the models’ name comes from the fact that around the periphery of the dial is a pulsometer scale, versus something like a tachymeter scale. The latter is used in conjunction with the chronograph to measure speed when you are able to track distance, whereas a pulsometer can be used to measure one’s pulse. Often on “doctors’ watches,” the pulsometer is making a bit of a comeback lately on dress watches. Honestly, scales that can be meaningfully included around the dial of any chronograph watch are limited to just a few things like a tachymeter, telemeter, and pulsometer. Given that doctors are frequent watch lovers and tachymeter scales make more sense on a sports watch, the pulsometer scale is getting new life as the “periphery scale of choice” around the dials of dressier watches that nevertheless have a chronograph complication.

So let’s discuss the Blancpain F385 automatic chronograph movement. Compared to that movement in the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph the one in the Villeret model has a different engraving design on the automatic rotor, and more traditional Cotes de Geneve stripe polishing decor on the movement surface. Compared to most chronograph movements that operate at 4Hz (28,800 bph) or less, the F385 operates at 5Hz (36,000 bph). This higher frequency balance wheel means that the movement is theoretically more accurate, as well as stable over time. For a very long time, the Zenith El Primero more or less monopolized the “Swiss high-beat chronograph” market – and supplied variants to other brands in LVMH group including TAG Heuer. The F385 is important, not only because it is available for Blancpain, but because derivatives might be available to other brands within The Swatch Group in the future. With that said, the Manufacture Blancpain caliber F385 will be seen as a midway point to the more exclusive 10Hz Breguet movements.

The caliber F385 will also contain silicon parts in the escapement and for the balance spring, which contribute to performance enhancements and stability in various conditions. Chronograph lovers will appreciate the use of both a vertical clutch, as well as a column wheel. Of course, the 12-hour chronograph includes a flyback complication (meaning you can reset the chronograph without first stopping it), and the movement has 50 hours of power reserve.

One of the things I appreciate about most about the Blancpain Villeret watches that I admire is that Blancpain doesn’t use movements with the same specs as other companies and always tries to offer something special. For example, this basic three-hand version of the Villeret has an automatic movement with eight days of power reserve, and this Villeret watch models has an automatic, eight day power reserve, perpetual calendar movement. So with this new chronograph, the value proposition to collectors is more than “new Villeret chronograph,” but there is a great appeal for movement lovers who want something simple and understated, yet luxurious. Price for the ref. 6680F-3631-55B Blancpain Villeret Pulsometer Flyback Chronograph is about $31,600 (29,500 Swiss Francs), which is about double that of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph (13,800 – 16,200 Swiss Francs). blancpain.com