OUR HISTORY
Chronofixe was born when time was not a statement, but a necessity. Conceived as instruments before they were objects, its watches were built for aviation, engineering, and real-world use, where function mattered more than style.
Rooted in French technical culture, Chronofixe does not romanticize the past. It carries it forward as fragments of history meant to be worn, used, and transmitted.
1857
Origins in Precision Engineering
Chronofixe was established in 1857 in La Rasse, a small village in the Doubs region of France, an area historically shaped by the proximity between French industry and Swiss watchmaking expertise.
Founded by François-Xavier Joubert, the manufacture was devoted to precision instruments, developed
for professionals whose work depended on accuracy, reliability, and clarity.
Early 20th Century
The Altimeter Expertise
In the early decades of the 20th century, Chronofixe reached a defining milestone. According to historical records, the manufacture stood as the only French company officially approved to produce altimeter chronographs, tools relied upon by engineers and pilots in the early days of aviation, when flight was still uncertain and demanding.
This technical expertise positioned Chronofixe as a reference
in the field of aeronautical time-measuring instruments, well before pilot’s watches became a recognized market segment.
Early-Mid 20th Century
A Shared Technical Heritage
Chronofixe’s development was closely linked to one of France’s most important watchmaking families.
Alphonse Dodane, founder of the Dodane manufacture, was the son-in-law of François-Xavier Joubert. Rather than operating independently, Chronofixe became part of a broader industrial ecosystem dedicated to precision timing instruments.
1950s - 1970s
Issued for Service
A decisive chapter in Chronofixe’s history began in the 1950s.
When the French Ministry of Defense issued its strict specifications for a pilot’s chronograph, known today as
the Type 20, and later the Type 21, Chronofixe was selected
as one of the approved suppliers. These watches were not commercial products, they were government property, issued to pilots of the French Air Force as essential flight instruments. Designed for legibility, robustness, and operational reliability, they embodied Chronofixe’s long-standing philosophy: watches as tools, not ornaments.
1960s
From the Sky to the Sea
During the 1960s, as exploration and recreational diving gained popularity, Chronofixe extended its tool-watch approach beyond aviation. Models such as the Sous-Marine applied the same functional principles to underwater use. Clear dials, purposeful construction, and practical design defined these watches, aligning them with an era increasingly drawn to adventure, exploration, and professional-grade equipment adapted for civilian life.
Late 20th Century
The Quartz Crisis
Like many historically significant watchmakers, Chronofixe did not withstand the profound transformations of the late 20th century. Industrial restructuring, shifting markets, and the rise of quartz technology gradually pushed the brand into dormancy. For decades, Chronofixe survived primarily through issued military pieces and archival records, known mainly to collectors, aviation historians, and specialists.
Its watches remained quietly on wrists, in drawers, and in archives.
2024
A New Chapter in Continuity
This renewed momentum naturally translated into the first contemporary expressions of the brand. It took shape through a collaboration with artist Romaric André (seconde/seconde/), followed by the Sous-Marine and the return of
the legendary Type 20, a central model in Chronofixe’s history and a lasting symbol of its connection to functional aviation instruments.
Today, Chronofixe continues to grow from this foundation, guided by the same principles that shaped it from the beginning: function, culture, and a quiet sense of continuity. New projects are being developed in this spirit, extending
a story deeply rooted in French technical and cultural heritage.
The Revival of the Chronofixe legacy
Chronofixe was revived in 2024 by an international watchmaking group owned by a French entrepreneur already known for his involvement in the relaunch of historic watch brands. Rather than pursuing a purely nostalgic military re-edition, the revival chose a deliberate direction: respect the original tool-watch DNA while allowing contemporary cultural expression, reconnecting Chronofixe with its past without freezing it in time.
This revival is rooted in a simple conviction: Chronofixe belongs to a tradition that is at once French, technical, and cultural. A tradition where watches were conceived as instruments, built for function, and shaped by the environments in which they were used. Reviving Chronofixe today is not about returning to the past. It is about preserving a different approach to watchmaking, one that connects utility with memory, precision with purpose, and objects with the stories they carry. In a world of disposable products, Chronofixe creates watches that hold meaning, that can be worn, used, and passed on.
