The 6 best pulsometer watches you can buy in a heartbeat (more or less)

Mitchell Barber

All the way back in 1707, a gentleman by the name of Dr John Floyer, renowned for treating asthma (probably with leeches), developed the first-ever watch with a scale that would help him measure one’s pulse. Thanks to his pulsometer, Floyer became the first physician to study the rhythm of the heart in his clinical practice. It would be remiss of Floyer not to write about such an invention, titling his literary work The Physician’s Pulse-watch, Or, An Essay to Explain the Old Art of Feeling the Pulse, and to Improve it by the Help of a Pulse-watch. Some name. Either way, this book is a marker in time, and unequivocal proof that Floyer was a badass who invented one of the most practical complications and interesting dial styles in watchmaking. Trust a doctor to keep immaculate records! Below are six of the best pulsometer watches that Floyer would certainly approve of.

Boldr Field Medic II

Thanks to Boldr, owning a pulsometer does not require a hefty investment. Despite its US$299 price, the mechaquartz-driven Field Medic II is packaged in a 200-metre water-resistant titanium case that comfortably measures 38mm in diameter, 12.2mm thick, and 44mm lug-to-lug. Its dial is executed in a fan-favourite panda style, with a white backdrop contrasted by black counters and red accents. Furthermore, Boldr aptly placed the dial-blending date complication at the symmetrical 6 o’clock position, so dial purists are not at risk of falling ill. Price: US$299, available from the T+T Shop

Furlan Marri Nero Sabbia ref. 1072-A

If vintage-inspired chronographs are your thing, then the Nero Sabbia from Furlan Marri is for you. This watch is all about the details. Check out the fluted pattern on the ends of the chronograph pushers, the intricate engraving on the buckle, and the beautiful sector style printing on the dial. You get a 60-minute counter at 9, subtle Roman numerals, and the all important pulsations scale around the periphery. Furlan Marri has done a fantastic job making the dial feel balanced on the Nero Sabbia – no easy feat considering it has one off-centre sub-dial. Although this watch is all about aesthetics, you’re getting an interesting movement under the hood. Powered by a Seiko mechaquartz, it benefits from the accuracy and reliability of a battery-powered watch while keeping the old world charm of a mechanical chronograph. Price: CHF 555 (~US$640), available from the T+T Shop

Sinn EZM 12

While the term “tool watch” has become romantic, Sinn is a brand that genuinely produces tool watches that are purpose-driven for professionals. Designed with flight medics in mind, the large EZM 12 is encased in tegimented steel – which in layperson’s terms translates to steel that is as scratch-resistant as ceramic, but without the risk of shattering. The EZM 12, 44mm in diameter, 14mm thick, and 54mm lug-to-lug, hosts day and date complications at 9 o’clock, has a bi-directional countdown bezel and count-up inner bezel, and at its centre you’ll notice a four-bladed central seconds. The white-tipped hand is your actual running seconds, but the purpose of the other three hands is to ensure that you can make use of the PulsRotor scale that spans from 12 to 6 at any moment. Price: US$4,180

Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope

Though there’s certainly no lack of Speedy variants out and about, the Speedmaster Chronoscope brought something new upon its 2021 release. At 43mm, it’s a little big for me, but the assortment of scales on the dial and the beautiful hand-wound movement around the back have me won over. At first glance, the dial is certainly busy with its overlapping tachymeter, telemeter, and pulsometer scales, but the 1940s-inspired spiral-style track pattern is supremely legible. This is what I imagine Dr Floyer’s dial looked like. Powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900 movement, it’s as modern as they come, and the finishing is great. Price: starting from US$9,100

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar

Fewer and fewer big-name brands host pulsometer watches in their catalogue, at least not in regular production. But, leave it to the watchmaker’s watchmaker to have a top-notch pulsometer option available at retail. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar boasts complete calendar functionality (day, date, month and moonphase) alongside a chronograph complication that is paired with a pulsations scale instead of the more typical tachymeter. Perhaps this is because the watch has an elegance to it thanks to its perfectly laid out sunburst blue dial (or one of its alternatives), or the choice of a leather strap instead of the case-matching bracelet – both of which are easily interchangeable. The 50-metre water-resistant Master Control is 40mm in diameter and 12.05mm thick, and driven by a 65-hour, in-house, automatic movement. It’s a lot of watch if you’re willing to up your budget. Price: US$17,500 (on strap), US$19,100 (on bracelet)

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph

The 1815 Chronograph is, by far and away, my favourite watch on the planet. I love this thing, and it just happens to have a pulsation scale! Coming in at 39.5 mm, this watch has near perfect proportions, a beautifully balanced dial, and a movement to die for.

The calibre L951.5 has a power reserve of 60 hours and is manually wound, so there’s nothing impeding your view of the immaculate finishing. Being a German watch, the movement architecture is inherently different, and the depth is incredible. With bridges in German silver, it’s an entirely new experience. If you ever get the chance to see one of these in person, savour it! Price: Upon request