Chronofixe and French dial ‘vandal’ seconde/seconde/ have unveiled a new ‘Astérix’ Edition, paying tribute to the sixteenth comic book album by Goscinny and Uderzo , first published in 1970.
Given the Sellita SW200 ticking away inside, paying tribute to Astérix in Switzerland – or ‘Astérix Chez les Helvètes – is an appropriate choice, regardless of 55-year anniversaries or delightful dial adornments.
And the cheeky Swiss references extend to the winding crown, even: reinterpreting the three-armed aesthetic of the famous Swiss safes by Ferner, featured on the cover of the comic album (along with requisite cheese references and gold bank reserves).
The bidirectional bezel cleverly mimics a safe’s combination wheel, while the dial depicts Astérix in a whimsical pose: his right ear pressed against the dial, left hand turning the bezel – as if he were attempting to crack the code.
On the caseback, the engraving reads: “As airtight as a Swiss vault” – a playful nod to Swiss banking secrecy, while guaranteeing water resistance.
The French artist behind seconde/seconde/, Romaric André has won hearts throughout the horological firmament, with his 8-bit Zelda sword retrofits to vintage Omegas and Rolexes, earning official hook-ups with Maen, Squale, Christopher Ward, even the austere likes of Frederique Constant.
This is the ‘second’ Asterix watch from his relationship with the 1858 Doubs valley watchmaker, and if you need to ‘Getafix’ you best move fast: it’s only being offered on Chronofixewatches.com for ‘five moons’ from August 25th through December 26th.
€740; chronofixewatches.com