Doctor Ignaz Semmelweis and Florence Nightingale were pioneers who insisted upon basic sanitary conditions and introduced hygiene standards for hospitals. Today, the entire concept of sterilization, disinfecting, and cleanliness protocols are largely attributed to the work pioneered by Florence Nightingale and Doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.

The purpose-built PuristSPro All Black Rescue (ABR) watch continues the tradition of cleanliness in a user-friendly format designed for everyday use. Manufactured by Saint Gallen Horology in this format exclusively for PuristSPro, the ABR is not only a novel concept, but also a genuine tool.

The PuristSPro ABR isn’t merely satisfied with germ resistance, it also features a pulsation and respiration indicator based on the tachymeter concept. To obtain pulsation, wait until one of the four second hands reaches the 12 o’clock position and then count fifteen pulses. At the end of your count, look at where the second hand was pointing on the markings of the bezel to obtain pulses per minute. To obtain respiration vitals, follow the same instructions except start at the 6 o’clock position and count to five respirations. The green markings on the dial indicate the safe zone of normal body functions. In addition, the four second hands reduces the wait time the wearer has to wait for the second hand to cross the 12 o’clock or 6 o’clock starting positions.

Limited to 178 pieces worldwide, the PuristSPro ABR was made to be disinfectable, waterproof, robust, and not to be underestimated; the PuristSPro ABR may be the closest watch in one’s collection that is capable of saving a human life.

First Impressions

When one opens the box of the PuristSPro ABR watch, one can already tell, this is a purpose built watch – it comes ready for anything. The white plastic box resembles a first aid kit and is secured with two sliding latches. Its interior is lined with die cut polyethylene foam with five cavities to house the watch itself, the rubber strap, the buckle, a long hook made in 316L stainless steel designed to hang the watch in disinfectant solution, and a cylindrical brush designed to clean the horizontal tubular lugs of the watch.

The Case

The large 42mm case is made of a single solid piece of 316L steel with a tough PVD coating with a brushed finish. The case features muscular lugs and gives the impression the watch is solidly constructed, PuristSPro lettering is also engraved on the side of the case. The flat crystal is mostly recessed within the case and protrudes minimally. A solid case back features an engraving of PuristSPro lettering, Saint Gallen logo, a limited edition serial number, and the depth rating. Lastly, a screw-down crown is one of the vital components that enable this watch to reach a depth of 100 meters.

The brushed PVD coating on the PuristSPro ABR is noticeably robust, as there is virtually no wear on the PVD coating even in the usual damage prone areas such as the corners of the watch. Even the crown has been treated with a polished PVD coating. The watch case is also highly simple in its construction with no additional parts and crevices to minimize the possibility of biohazard build-up and maximize ease during clean-up.

The Dial and Hands

The face of the watch is extremely attractive with a good balance of color. The dial itself is made of genuine carbon fiber with a very wet appearance that gives the carbon fiber a three-dimensional depth. The carbon fiber is further embellished with a luminescent rail-track and luminous hour markers. The green “safe zones” of the pulsation and respiration meters are also luminescent. The four second hand is especially characteristic as it is practical; it gives more movement on the dial and contributes to the unique charm of the watch.

The Movement

The PuristSPro ABR watch features a robust ETA movement with exceptional reliability and accuracy. Several weeks worth of trial data indicated the watch was exceptionally accurate and averaged about two seconds slow each day. The movement also features a quick-set date, an extremely important feature for collectors with more watches than watch winders.

Technical Data
Movement: ETA 2824-2
Jewels: 25
Frequency: 28,800 bph
Power Reserve: approximately 38 hours (verified with hand winding)
Hacking seconds
Quick set date
Instantaneous date change
Incabloc shock protection
Ball bearing rotor winds in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions

On The Wrist

The watch sits well balanced on the wrist and is available with two buckles; a PVD coated steel buckle and a black plastic buckle. I personally found the PVD coated steel buckle to be less comfortable than the plastic buckle. The medical grade silicon strap has a high friction coefficient that allows the wearer to wear the watch loosely and its non-tapering width makes the watch feel especially secure. The silicon strap is somewhat different from the rubber strap on a Panerai Luminor, which is made of a rubber compound that is more slippery and forces the user to wear it somewhat more tightly. Overall, the watch is extremely comfortable and stays relatively well planted on your wrist.

Furthermore, when you feel like you’re in a different mood, you have ability to change straps in record time (a la Panerai). The silicon straps simply slide out and slide in securely. Changing from a black silicon strap to the supplied red silicon strap can be performed in less than one minute with no additional tools. Even a leather strap is possible for those formal occasions.

Final Sentiments

The PuristSPro All Black Rescue watch is indeed a special fun watch to have. Its novelty is a conversation starter and its practicality can be a potential life-saver. During the many weeks I’ve worn this timepiece, I’ve never once gotten tired of it for a moment, and the benefits I’ve experienced provided by this watch have changed my criteria in selecting watches for the future.

Here’s a list about my favorite aspects of the PuristSPro ABR watch:
1. Robust PVD Coating
2. Quick Change strap system, other strap colors available
3. Four-arm second hand
4. Pulsations and Respirations tachymeter
5. Carbon fiber dial
6. Very luminous in the dark
7. Robust construction and design
8. Accuracy of the movement
9. A genuinely ORIGINAL concept

Personally, my appreciation about watches is not all about solid gold watches with tourbillons and minute-repeaters, I appreciate the ingenuity and the idea. Watches such as the PuristSPro ABR is all about the driving force of innovation and the application of mechanical concepts. It is this brainchild of continuous innovation and creativity that keeps haute horlogerie alive today. The PuristSPro ABR’s ingenious use of a four-arm second hand and a pulsations and respiration tachymeter was an imaginative and creative method to obtain a pulse and respiration count.

Thank you for reading, and remember the PuristSPro ABR watch is not just for medical professionals but for all who can appreciate useful functionality, mechanical watches applied in different methods, and of course cleanliness! After all, cleanliness is next to Godliness.

This message has been edited by patrick_y on 2009-08-04 12:58:44 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2009-08-04 13:34:01 This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-08-07 23:31:52