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One other historic French watch model has been revived, and this time, it’s in a method we’ve by no means seen. Chronofixe, initially based within the 1850s, turned a well known altimeter and Sort 20 chronograph maker within the Nineteen Sixties. After that, although, the model went quiet. A just about unknown Chronofixe watch, mannequin Flight 1952, already surfaced just a few years in the past. Nevertheless, the Asterix sixty fifth Anniversary Restricted Version needs to be the model’s breakthrough.
Chronofixe × seconde/seconde/ Asterix sixty fifth Anniversary Restricted Version
Earlier than diving into the Asterix watch, I wish to clarify a bit extra concerning the Chronofixe model. The historical past of Chronofixe dates again to the mid-Nineteenth century. It was based in 1857 in La Rasse, near the Swiss border. The Chronofixe manufacturing unit was the one French watchmaker licensed to supply altimeter clocks. Within the early Nineteen Fifties, the French Ministry of Protection developed a set of specs for a chronograph meant for the Air Power. The federal government requested watchmakers to create a extremely resistant and flight-qualified mannequin, the Sort 20. Amongst many others — like Breguet, Dodane, Airain, Vixa, and Auricoste — Chronofixe was one of many suppliers of those flyback chronographs. So what would have been extra apparent for Chronofixe than a Sort 20 reissue? Properly, Chronofixe selected to do all of it in a different way.
Pores and skin diver
As a substitute of the obvious alternative of a Sort 20 chronograph, Chronofixe opted for a wholly totally different kind of watch — a pores and skin diver. Whereas there isn’t a official definition of a pores and skin diver, it’s typically thought of a watch with a stress resistance ranking between 10 and 20 atmospheres. Due to the decrease ranking, it tends to be slimmer and extra ergonomic than watches meant for scuba diving, so-called diver’s watches. Pores and skin divers typically have arched instances with sloping, squared-off lugs hugging the wrist. And as a rule, they’ve comparatively massive, unprotected crowns. They’re rugged and sporty but trendy and chic with a 34–38mm diameter.
So, what does Chronofixe must do with pores and skin divers? So far as I do know, subsequent to nothing besides that the brand new Asterix sixty fifth Anniversary watch is certainly rugged and sporty but trendy and chic. And that, after all, makes one of these watch all the time a sensible choice. However that’s not the place it ends.
Asterix
As a substitute of commemorating the model’s 167th anniversary, Chronofixe selected to have a good time Asterix’s sixty fifth. It’s a extra interesting quantity and a extra well-known identify. I don’t assume I’ve to elucidate a lot about who Asterix is, however for these unfamiliar with this small and mighty warrior from a tiny village in historic Gaul, right here’s a recap.
Asterix is the primary character in a French comedian e book collection created by author René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo in 1959. He lives within the final stronghold resisting Roman rule, because of a magic potion brewed by Getafix, the village druid. The potion grants superhuman power, permitting Asterix and his finest good friend, Obelix, to outmatch any Roman pressure. His intelligence, strategic thoughts, and indomitable spirit make him a real hero. The comics, crammed with humor, historic references, and playful wordplay, have remained beloved for many years, symbolizing resistance, cleverness, and the underdog’s triumph.
I don’t wish to go too deep into the similarities between Chronofixe and Asterix, however with a little bit of creativeness, there actually are some. This makes Chronofixe’s alternative to attach with Asterix much more becoming.
Collaborating with seconde/seconde/
For Chronofixe, merely having a picture of Asterix on the watch’s dial or case again wasn’t sufficient. The character wanted to be an built-in a part of the watch’s design. Who higher to ask for this artistic project than Romaric André, aka seconde/seconde/? We’ve seen seconde/seconde/ boost watch fashions with nice success for manufacturers like Frederique Fixed, Christopher Ward, Airain, Maen, H. Moser, Nivada Grenchen, Spinnaker, and even classic Omega and Excelsior Park. For Chronofixe, the project was clear. Similar to within the comics, there needed to be a variety of Romans, and Asterix needs to be busy defeating them. Not surprisingly, Romaric André of seconde/seconde/ delivered. The watch celebrates Asterix’s 65-year legacy with a “double-level” design method. With Asterix followers and horology lovers in thoughts, the design captures Asterix’s cultural relevance and watchmaking sophistication.
Particulars
As stated, there needs to be a variety of Romans, and there are! Let’s begin with the daring, luminous Roman numerals within the dial. First, we discover Asterix beating up the biggest and most attention-grabbing quantity, VIII, and sending it off to the opposite aspect of the dial. Second, we see the Roman quantity IV moderately than the IIII used far more generally on watch dials. Then, we discover the never-before-seen Roman numerals on the unidirectional 60-click bezel. That’s a singular look, with X as an alternative of 10, XX for 20, XL for 40, and L for 50 — good! The ultimate reference to Romans on the dial is the window at 3 o’clock, which shows the date in Roman numerals.
Nevertheless, the reference to Asterix and the Romans isn’t restricted to the dial. To prime it off, the non-screw-down and polished crown is adorned with Caesar’s laurel wreath. Final, Asterix seems steadfastly on this Chronofixe Sous-Marine’s case again, talking the phrases, “Resister, encore et toujours…” (“Resist, once more and all the time…”).
Conclusion, pricing, and non-availability
Like the true world, the watch world is at the moment not in probably the most jubilant state of affairs. Many manufacturers’ gross sales figures and outcomes undergo from setbacks, whereas value will increase appear unable to succeed in their restrict. So it’s not all enjoyable and video games within the watch business, which makes me respect an initiative like Chronofixe’s collaboration with seconde/seconde/ much more. I’m so glad that manufacturers, in opposition to all odds, dare to supply a cheerful, solid-quality watch at a extremely inexpensive value.
Chronofixe produced 500 items of the Asterix sixty fifth Anniversary watch in December 2024 and January 2025 batches. The value was solely €395 (together with VAT), with free delivery in mainland France and a small charge for different nations. I say “was” as a result of this /seconde/seconde collaboration watch has, sadly, already offered out. A complete of 500 items isn’t loads for a collaboration watch with a lovely theme at an inexpensive value for a big viewers. However that’s all of the extra motive to maintain an in depth eye on Chronofixe. Rumor has it that we’ll see extra attention-grabbing fashions from the model quickly.
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