A new collaboration has emerged from the workshops of Chronofixe, this time enlisting the creative and often irreverent mind of Romaric André from seconde/seconde/. The result is the Chronofixe Cofrefor, a timepiece that marks the 55th anniversary of the classic comic album Astérix in Switzerland. This watch is not merely a piece of fan service but a thoughtfully executed concept that merges the world of the indomitable Gauls with the secretive and precise domain of Swiss banking and watchmaking, all delivered with a characteristic wink and a nod.
The core concept of the Cofrefor is a delightful narrative captured in steel and sapphire. Designed entirely by Romaric André, the watch reimagines a tool watch as a Swiss bank vault, with Astérix himself cast as the safecracker. This theme is not just a superficial overlay; it is integrated into the very mechanics and aesthetics of the watch. It’s a project that showcases the power of collaboration, bringing together a historic French watch brand, a beloved cultural icon, and a contemporary designer known for his playful disruption of horological norms. The result is a watch that tells a story, inviting the wearer to appreciate both its mechanical integrity and its conceptual wit.
Courtesy of Chronofixe
Chronofixe, the foundation upon which this creative project is built, has a history deeply rooted in French industrial and military watchmaking. The brand's origins trace back to 1857, established by François-Xavier Joubert in La Rasse, a location strategically situated in the Doubs gorges near the Swiss border. This proximity to the heart of European watchmaking allowed the manufacture to flourish, cultivating a reputation for precision and innovation from its earliest days.
A defining chapter in Chronofixe's history came with its specialization in aviation instruments. It distinguished itself as the sole French watch company certified to manufacture altimeter chronographs, a complex and critical piece of equipment for pilots. This expertise in creating reliable instruments for demanding environments solidified the brand’s identity and laid the groundwork for its most famous creation. In the early 1950s, the French Ministry of Defense issued a demanding set of specifications for a pilot's chronograph, a project that would come to be known as the "Type 20." Chronofixe rose to the occasion, producing a highly durable and legible chronograph that was issued to French Air Force pilots as standard equipment, remaining the property of the government.
The legacy of the Type 20 is significant, representing a benchmark in functional, military-grade watch design. Its success eventually led to the production of civilian models in the late 1950s, as public interest grew in these robust, purpose-built timepieces. Today, original Type 20 models are prized by collectors, and the principles that guided their creation—reliability, durability, and clarity—continue to inform the brand’s modern collections. Chronofixe leverages this rich heritage not as a constraint, but as a stamp of authenticity, allowing it to explore creative ventures like the Cofrefor while maintaining a connection to its history of serious watchmaking.
Courtesy of Chronofixe
The artistic vision for the Cofrefor comes from Romaric André, the founder and creative force behind seconde/seconde/. André’s journey into the watch world was anything but traditional. After graduating from business school, he began his career in finance, a world seemingly far removed from the artisanal craft of horology. His first foray into watches was an ambitious one, co-founding Celsius X VI II with Edouard Meylan, who is now the Co-CEO of H. Moser & Cie. Their venture aimed to fuse high watchmaking with mobile phone technology, an innovative concept that even had Richard Mille serving as an advisor. While the company ultimately ceased operations, it demonstrated André’s willingness to challenge conventions.
The birth of seconde/seconde/ was a more personal and organic development. Encouraged by his wife, André began modifying vintage watches by replacing their original seconds hands with playful, custom-made hands, often inspired by 8-bit video game art. This simple yet profound act of alteration gave birth to his brand. He wasn't just changing a component; he was injecting humor and a new narrative into existing designs. This unique approach quickly gained traction, and seconde/seconde/ transitioned from modifying individual vintage pieces to collaborating directly with established watch brands, creating official limited editions that carry his distinct signature. André has become one of the most sought-after designers in the industry, known for his ability to turn a watch dial into a miniature stage for his clever and ironic storytelling.
In the Cofrefor, André’s talent for narrative is on full display. The entire watch is a cohesive tribute to Astérix in Switzerland, specifically focusing on the album's themes of Swiss banking secrecy and impenetrable vaults. The dial becomes the central scene of the story. Against a matte black background, Astérix is depicted in a moment of focused mischief. His right ear is pressed firmly against the dial, listening for the tell-tale clicks of a tumbler, while his left hand appears to be turning the bezel, manipulating it like the combination wheel on a high-security safe. It’s a dynamic and humorous illustration that immediately establishes the watch's character.
Courtesy of Chronofixe
This safecracking theme is masterfully extended to the watch's physical components. The bidirectional bezel is designed to mimic the numbered dial of a vault’s combination lock. While it functions as a standard rotating bezel, its aesthetic purpose is to reinforce the central narrative. The act of turning it feels like participating in Astérix’s caper. The crown further enhances this concept, shaped to resemble the handle of a safe. It's a tactile detail that completes the fantasy, a small but crucial element that demonstrates a thorough commitment to the design's story.
Flipping the watch over reveals a solid stainless steel caseback, engraved with another layer of thematic detail. A depiction of Astérix is accompanied by the French inscription: “Aussi hermétique qu’un coffre helvétique.” This phrase translates to “As airtight as a Swiss vault,” a clever piece of wordplay that serves a dual purpose. It playfully alludes to the legendary secrecy of Swiss banks, a central plot point in the comic album, while also serving as a factual statement about the watch's construction, guaranteeing a substantial water resistance.
The case of the Chronofixe Cofrefor is crafted from 316L stainless steel, a material known for its corrosion resistance and durability. The dimensions are modern yet retain a classic feel, measuring 37 mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.80 mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 46 mm. This sizing makes the watch highly wearable for a wide variety of wrist sizes, striking a balance between presence and comfort. The entire case features a brushed finish, which not only resists fingerprints and minor scratches but also visually reinforces the theme, evoking the utilitarian, unpolished surface of a steel vault.
Courtesy of Chronofixe
The dial is designed for maximum clarity while serving as the canvas for the watch's central illustration. The matte black finish prevents reflections and provides a high-contrast backdrop for the hands and markers. The numerals and indexes are painted with luminescent material, ensuring readability in low-light conditions. A practical date window is positioned at the 3 o’clock position, cleanly integrated into the design. The metal hands are also treated with lume, maintaining the watch’s functional integrity as a legible timepiece. Protecting this entire scene is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, offering a clear view of the dial and providing peace of mind against daily wear and tear.
At the core of the Cofrefor is the Sellita SW200 automatic movement. This Swiss-made caliber is a well-respected workhorse in the watch industry, chosen for its proven reliability, solid performance, and ease of service. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), the movement provides a smooth sweep to the seconds hand and contributes to its accuracy. It is a self-winding movement, meaning it is powered by the motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for a battery. The SW200 offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours, ensuring that the watch will continue running even when taken off for a day and a half.
The watch's water resistance is rated at 20 ATM, which is equivalent to 200 meters. This level of resistance makes the Cofrefor more than capable of handling everyday exposure to water, including swimming and snorkeling. This robust specification aligns with Chronofixe's history of building tool watches and adds a layer of genuine utility to the playful design, reinforcing the "airtight" claim engraved on its caseback.
Courtesy of Chronofixe
Completing the watch is a matching stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet continues the brushed finish of the case, creating a seamless and integrated look. This choice adds a sense of weight and substance to the watch on the wrist, balancing the case and ensuring a secure fit. The 20mm lug width is a standard size, allowing for easy strap changes should the owner wish to experiment with different looks, though the included bracelet perfectly complements the watch's vault-like aesthetic.
This limited edition Chronofixe x seconde/seconde/ Cofrefor is priced at €740. Its availability is presented with a touch of whimsy, in keeping with the watch's theme. It will be offered for sale for a period of "five moons," which translates to a specific window starting on August 25, 2025, and concluding on December 26, 2025. The watch is available for purchase exclusively through the official Chronofixewatches.com website. Shipping for orders is scheduled to begin in November, and the watch comes with a two-year warranty.
Case: 316L stainless steel, Ø 37 mm diameter, 12.8 mm thickness, 46 mm lug-to-lug, 20 mm lug width. Features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, bidirectional bezel, and 20 ATM water resistance.
Movement: Sellita SW200 automatic. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and date. Features a 41-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Dial: Matte black with painted, luminescent numerals and indexes. Metal hands with luminescence. Date window at 3 o’clock. Custom Astérix illustration on the dial.
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with a brushed finish.
Price: €740
Notes: A limited edition designed by seconde/seconde/ commemorating the 55th anniversary of 'Astérix in Switzerland'. The watch is themed around a Swiss vault, featuring a combination-style bezel and a safe-handle crown. Available for purchase from August 25 to December 26, 2025.