Chronofixe - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Chronofixe is a French watch brand founded in 1857 in La Rasse, in the Doubs gorges according to the company’s communication; after a long hiatus around the turn of the 21st century, the name was revived in 2025 with a vintage-leaning, accessible lineup and limited editions rooted in “tool-watch” heritage (Type 20/21 pilot’s chronographs, divers).

From military chronographs to playful reissues: a claimed historical thread

The brand’s public narrative places Chronofixe among the French makers involved in supplying pilot chronographs to the Ministry of Defense under the 1950s–1960s “Type 20” specs, and this association routinely appears in explainers that cite the brand alongside Auricoste, Dodane, Vixa, Airain and other period suppliers.

Beyond issued chronographs, the storyline mentions a specialisation in so-called “altimetric” instruments and an industrial foothold in the Doubs during the 19th century, with the name later fading from view; in the absence of exhaustive public archives these elements remain “information not confirmed,” and the modern relaunch sensibly focuses on tangible, readable, robust objects rather than an over-embellished origin tale.

Reentry happens through highly visible capsules — creative collaborations, plainly explained heritage cues, a short lineup — that return Chronofixe to the tool-watch conversation at reasonable prices; the strategy balances nostalgia, cultural wink and day-to-day practicality, and the brand stakes out an unpretentious tone appealing both to vintage-savvy enthusiasts and to curious first-time buyers.

Object language: compact cases, instant legibility and signature cues

Early pieces in the revival favour contained dimensions (circa 37–38 mm), sapphire crystals, functional bezels and high-contrast dials to deliver easy ergonomics and at-a-glance reading; the goal is a wear-everywhere instrument tolerant of water, ordinary knocks and frequent strap changes, and this compact stance contrasts with the size escalation often seen at entry level.

On the themed “Sous-Marine,” narrative details abound without getting in the way: Roman numerals on bezel and date, laurel-engraved crown, a screw-down back with character art; beyond the wink, you still get a 200 m diver with an aluminium insert and a 60-click bezel, and that blend of whimsy and function neatly sums up the aesthetic intent of the relaunch.

The “aviation” register is reintroduced pedagogically: explaining Type 20/21 codes (black dial, big clarity, historic flyback, purposeful bezel), unpacking the original specs and the roles of the various suppliers so forthcoming models sit within a shared history, and the brand strives to clarify what a French “Type” truly denotes rather than tossing around a buzzword.

Current lineup and likely families: Sous-Marine, Diver, historical nods

The online shop shows a tight offer built around a culturally themed “Sous-Marine” limited run, several “Diver” variants and a higher-priced special tied to a Swiss-flavoured anniversary, with public prices below €800; this clear price signalling supports the comeback by giving buyers an obvious entry point, and the message is to prioritise on-wrist experience over spec-sheet inflation.

• Chronofixe Sous-Marine Asterix — compact diver (~37 mm) in 316L steel, 60-click unidirectional bezel, sapphire, 200 m, engraved back; limited to 500 pieces, indicative RRP ~€395.
• Chronofixe Diver — sibling divers with the same spirit (steel case, contrast-forward dials, purposeful bezel) in a price band close to the Sous-Marine.
• Chronofixe Cofrefor — a pricier special (~€740 displayed) tied to a Swiss anniversary theme; a more collectable proposition.

Mechanically, the brand currently opts for widely-used automatic workhorses with hacking and date; this choice blends robustness, low running cost and global serviceability of parts, and it underlines the aim of building watches meant to be worn often and serviced easily.

Positioning and pricing

The positioning targets the “accessible instrument” segment: tidy finishing without flash, solid build, credible water-resistance and straightforward service, all at tight pricing (~€395 for the headliner piece, more for the anniversary edition); the messaging leans on the collective Type 20/21 history and the revival of a French name, and the value proposition hinges as much on narrative as on the spec sheet.

Distribution is largely direct via the e-shop and targeted editorial campaigns (specialist media, social channels, invited creators); the aim is to skip intermediaries, control volumes and leave room for perceived quality, and this short channel meshes well with limited runs that are simple to track and deliver.

The addressable audience is twofold: vintage-minded buyers who already know Type 20/21 codes and want a stress-free daily, and newcomers drawn to a readable, sturdy, culturally playful watch; in both cases the brand urges selection by use case (water, city, travel) rather than prestige signalling, and the tone stays approachable, light on jargon.

Selection and use: scenario first, clarity next, then care

Start with your dominant context: if water and outdoor activity rule, a compact 200 m diver is a natural daily; if you prefer the aeronautical imagination, keep an eye out for more instrument-forward pilot variants, and always validate preference with a one-metre, one-glance test in natural light.

Then confirm ergonomics: contained diameter, lug-to-lug span, perceived height with bezel and sapphire, crown feel; the aim is a watch you “forget” soon after strapping on, and a simple strap swap (textile, rubber, leather) lets you tune character without breaking the object’s coherence.

On maintenance, mainstream automatic calibres can be serviced almost anywhere and shrug off daily life; respect water-resistance (replace gaskets as needed), avoid knocks during setting and book a check if rate drifts or reserve drops markedly, and think in terms of needs-based care rather than an arbitrary service calendar.

Conclusion

Chronofixe’s return lives in a clear space: simple, compact, story-rich tool watches with a French flavour — Type 20/21 aviation, sporty diving — executed for practicality today. The claimed heritage sets the frame, design details bring personality, and the “few references, well explained” strategy simplifies choice. To decide, begin with use case, test clarity and comfort, then choose by wear context and preferred level of upkeep. To align these cues with owner experience over time, a helpful compass remains Dialicious customer reviews.

(Updated August 2025)