Cracking the Code: The Chronofixe x seconde/seconde/ Asterix Cofrefor Watch is a Horological Heist

Every once in a while, a watch comes along that defies easy categorisation. It’s not just a time-telling instrument; it’s a piece of art, a wink at history, and a playful jab at the seriousness of the watch world. The Chronofixe x seconde/seconde/ Asterix Cofrefor watch is precisely this, a horological delight born from a unique collaboration that celebrates the 55th anniversary of the iconic ‘Astérix in Switzerland’ album. This limited-edition timepiece is a masterclass in witty design, blending a comic book classic with the sober, unyielding world of Swiss banking.

The genius behind this watch is Romaric André, the artist and designer better known as Seconde/Seconde/, a man who has made a name for himself by injecting pop culture and subtle humour into the often-stuffy world of fine watches. For his second collaboration with Chronofixe, he has turned the dial into a miniature scene from a comic panel.

Here, the famously plucky Gaul, Asterix, is depicted in full infiltration mode. With his ear pressed to the dial and his fingers working the bezel, he’s attempting to crack the safe, turning a simple watch face into a dramatic and ironic narrative.

The level of detail is, quite frankly, absurdly good. The bidirectional bezel is styled as a combination wheel, complete with a knurled edge that Asterix’s hand seems to be turning. The crown, a typically understated component, has been reimagined as a safe’s locking handle, a subtle but brilliant design twist that ties the entire narrative together.

This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s an integrated design philosophy that makes the watch a cohesive work of art. The stainless steel case, at a very wearable 37mm diameter, has clean, brushed surfaces that echo the solidity of a Swiss bank vault. The matching brushed steel bracelet adds to this feeling of a solid, impenetrable object, lending a satisfying weight and balance to the wrist.

Underneath the hood, the watch is all business. It’s powered by a Swiss automatic Sellita SW200 movement, a workhorse calibre valued for its proven longevity and reliable performance. With a 41-hour power reserve, this is a watch that’s meant to be worn and enjoyed, not babied in a box. The caseback, engraved with the phrase “Aussi hermétique qu’un coffre helvétique” (As airtight as a Swiss vault), is another testament to the watch’s witty, conceptual design. It’s a dual nod to the comic and the watch’s impressive 20 ATM water resistance.

This is a watch that stands out from the crowd for its narrative rather than its price, which at a very fair £640, makes it an accessible slice of horological irony. It’s a timepiece that perfectly captures the spirit of the Asterix comics—subtle, ironic, and unmistakably French in its playful intellectualism. The Chronofixe x seconde/seconde/ Asterix Cofrefor watch is available for a limited time, a period of “five moons” that ends on December 26th.

It’s a brief window to own a piece of watchmaking that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering on all the fundamentals of a great automatic timepiece. For fans of Asterix and great design, this watch is a lock.

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