Home » Longines Watches » Longines Recreates Doctor’s Timepiece from 50 Years ago – Asthmometer-Pulsometer Chronograph
Among the upcoming novelties of Longines stands a timekeeper based on a classic model which the Swiss brand first launched half a century ago. It is a mechanical watch which combines its chronograph feature with scales that were originally intended to assist a medical professional to keep track of the pulse and the respiration rate of its patients. Preserving the restrained dimensions of its archetype model, new Asthmometer-Pulsometer Chronograph is just 38.5 mm wide. Unlike the model it was based upon, the new watch by Longines is supplied with a mechanical movement with automatic winding.
Longines Heritage Asthmometer Pulsometer Chronograph Watch
Since it is one of the recreated models by the Swiss watchmaker, we should expect it to be a part of the Heritage series, even though that Longines still does not provide information regarding the lineage of its chronograph which saw the light of day for the first time back in 1963. Apart from including traits and the appearance of a common chronograph with three sub-dials (for 30-minutes, 12 hours and small seconds), the timepiece likewise includes two scales on the outskirts of the dial. The first (and outer) one of them is in blue color and is used to measure the interval required for five respirations, while the other in red color is used to show how much time is needed for thirty heartbeats. Unlike it would have been the case for a regular chronograph, there is no need for additional computations in order to get the usual measurements for pulse and respiration rate (both commonly expressed in a time frame of 60 seconds).
These features could have been more useful when the watch first came out half a century ago. At this point, they are more a relic of past, though these features are still quite functional and it is quite possible that some of doctors will opt to utilize it in their practice. It is more likely, however, that the watch will be worn by medical professionals with a soft spot for Longines watches as some sort of token of prestige or as homage to their vocation.
New Asthmometer-Pulsometer Chronograph by Longines (with the reference number L2.787.4.16.0-2 has an automatic L652.2 caliber as its core (modified ETA 2094 chronograph with cams). The caliber with the width of 10 ½ lignes integrates 33 jewels in its construction, operates at the frequency of 4 Hz and stores enough power to keep it running for 37 hours. Apart from the previously listed features, the timepiece also shows date which is indicated in an aperture at the bottom of the face, inside the 12-hour chrono counter.
Longines Heritage Asthmometer Pulsometer Chronograph Watch Dial
The chronograph which was initially devised as an aid to doctors has a silvered dial with a single Arabic numeral (for 12 o’clock) and eight more applied indices which are combines with gilded yellow hands. It is fitted into a circular housing made form stainless steel which is 38.5 mm wide, as it has been mentioned. The dial is guarded with a glare-proofed sapphire crystal, while the water resistance is basic and measures to 30 meters. As far as the wristlet is concerned, Asthmometer-Pulsometer Chronograph has a black alligator strap which fastens with a buckle. Its price of around $2275 should not be an issue when compared to a doctor’s salary.
