It’s really not that hard to use the pulsation scale on chronograph replica watches online, but it’s one of those things that’s easier to show than tell, so for the second time, Brandon and I are doing a joint video/written article (don’t we make a cute couple?). So before you jump below to some of our favorite pulsation chronographs, take a moment and watch Brandon’s minute of cinematic excellence.
I’ll wait.
Okay, thanks Brandon. Now that you know how to read a pulsation chronograph – I told you it was easy, right? – you might think to yourself, “hey self, that’s pretty cool, now I kind of want a pulsation chronograph for myself.” And since it’s nearly Valentine’s Day, I’m inclined to say that the heart wants what the heart wants, and maybe you should just listen to it already.
While pulsation scales were originally put on chronographs for doctors to track the heartbeat of their patients in the 20th century, nowadays it’s more of an aesthetic choice than anything else. Enthusiasts like them because they look cool and they remind us of a time when Swiss made fake watches were something different – namely, tools for getting a job done. I’m not here to argue that any of these chronographs have any practical use today – they’re just beautiful watches, and on Valentine’s Day, can’t that be enough?
Replica Patek Philippe 5170J and 5170G Watches
Say “one of the best modern chronographs” three times fast and 1:1 top replica Patek Philippe watches’ sure to show up at your door. When Lange introduced the Datograph and its in-house caliber in 1999, the Swiss got to work. A decade later, Patek introduced the 5170J, its first chronograph using an in-house caliber, the CH 29-535 PS.
Compared to the previous 5070 it was slimmed down and subtle, more an heir to Patek’s vintage chronographs like the ref. 130 than the bold, modern 5070. Aesthetically, the 5170 also felt like a reaction to the first decade of the 20th century, when perfect copy watches had grown bigger, bolder, and more complicated. The 5170 was classically styled – 39mm, square pushers, and a smooth, Calatrava-style case. The applied Roman numerals and pulsation scale of the 5170J felt lifted from a prior era. Introduced three years later, the white gold 5170G swapped Roman numerals for the even more heart-melting applied Breguet numerals.
As luxury UK replica Patek Philippe watches’ first effort at an in-house chronograph, these classical elements felt intentional, a statement that, while modern watchmaking was often about harder, better, faster, stronger, we’re still Patek and we’re going to continue, in many cases, doing things the way we’ve always done them. One of those things is making one of the best manual-wind chronographs on the market. The vintage inspiration of the 5170 is clear, perfectly punctuated with the pulsation scale.
In 2019, Patek discontinued the 5170, replacing it with the 5172. Today, you can buy a 5170J or 5170G for a fraction of the price of many popular time-only sport watches – not to mention at a discount compared to the original retail prices of these best quality super clone watches – which only makes my heart grow fonder for the relative value they represent.
Omega CK2998 Speedmaster Limited Edition Fake Watches
Patek, Lange, and even Jaeger-LeCoultre are decidedly more haute horology than not, with price tags not for the faint of heart. Luckily, pulsation scales can also be found on AAA replica watches that were merely destined for outer space. Starting in the ’60s, Omega began offering the option of a pulsation scale bezel on Speedmasters in place of the more familiar tachymeter.
In modern form, this has been perhaps best executed in the 2023 fake Omega Speedmaster CK2998 Limited Edition watches from 2018. This particular limited edition is so successful because it’s not faithful to any particular vintage Speedmaster (though, to be clear, some of those have been very successful too), but simply a modern Speedmaster that’s designed to look good. The silver dial and black subdials are of course a classic pairing evoking our bamboo-eating brethren, but the red chronograph hand and “Speedmaster” text give it a completely modern feel. Meanwhile, the pulsation scale on the bezel means there’s more black compared to a typical tachymeter, giving it a slightly bolder look.
Of course, this Omega Speedy replica watches for men was limited to 2,998 pieces in 2018, when its MSRP was $5,850. Nowadays, secondary prices can be nearly double that, but if your heart longs for one, at least they can be found with some patience. For more on the CK2998 Limited Edition from 2018, check out our original Hands-On.
P.S., I would’ve loved to include the Omega Museum Collection “MD’s Chronograph”, a 2010 limited edition of 1938 pieces, but opted for the CK2998 as one slightly less likely to induce heartburn trying to find and afford.