Chronofixe Chronograph ‘Type 20’ c1960

Chronofixe

Chronofixe is a historic French watchmaking brand founded in 1857 in La Rasse, near the Swiss border. It is notable for being the only French manufacturer certified to produce altimeter chronographs, a distinction that highlights its technical expertise and innovation in aviation and military timepieces. The company gained prominence in the mid-20th century for creating Type 20 pilot’s chronographs, which were commissioned by the French Ministry of Defense to equip Air Force pilots. These watches were designed to meet rigorous specifications for durability, precision, and functionality, including features like flyback chronographs.

Description

The Chronofixe Type 20 Flyback Chronograph is an exceptionally rare and historically significant pilot’s watch that was part of the French Air Force’s Type 20 chronograph series. These watches were designed to meet strict specifications issued by the French Ministry of Defense in the 1950s for military aviation use. Chronofixe is considered one of the rarest manufacturers within this series, standing alongside more prominent names like Breguet, Vixa, Auricoste, and Dodane.

A wonderful completely original, unrestored and untouched stainless steel Chronofixe Flyback Chronograph wristwatch, with a wonderful twin-register, black dial with 1 – 12 standard Arabic numerals. The outstanding stainless steel case measures 37mm, excluding the correct unsigned crown, making this an oversized watch today, this watch also carries a high-grade Chronofixe calibre 222 hand-wound movement which is in sparkling condition.

The Dial

The completely original, unrestored and untouched black dial is in wonderful condition as are the beautiful steel ‘index’ hands, making the dial very easy to read. These are also original and are an outstanding feature of this watch. The dial also carries attractive lume-filled 1 – 12 standard Arabic numerals.

As with most chronographs, the left-hand dial is used to continuously read seconds, whether or not the centre seconds hand/chronograph function is operating. The right-hand register records elapsed minutes up to 30, while the chronograph is running. This, and the centre seconds hand are started as soon as the top pusher is pressed. These are then stopped on this movement by a press of the bottom pusher, to record the elapsed time in seconds and minutes. Both hands are then reset to zero by a single press of the bottom pusher. This watch being a flyback chronograph, can be reset to zero even when the chronograph function is still running, when reset to zero the chronograph function will then continue. Each of the pushers works perfectly with a lovely smooth action.

The dial is simply signed ‘Chronofixe’ at the very top of the dial just below 12 along with ‘Type 20’ at the bottom of the dial above 6.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The movement within this watch is the Chronofixe calibre 222, 25 Jewel hand-wound chronograph movement which is in sparkling condition and has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only the correct original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon returning to stock, the watch is now running to within +15 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any vintage watch of this age!

With care and with regular servicing, say every 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run quite happily for many decades to come. We are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty* and to assist with servicing again in the future.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The three-piece stainless steel case measures 37mm in diameter, excluding the unsigned winding crown, making this watch an oversized watch for this period. The case, as we would expect from Chronofixe , is very solid and well made and the screw-down case-back. It is of full-thickness and has never been engraved.

Having been cleaned, carefully examined and lightly hand-polished by our case-maker, the case is totally immaculate, being very crisp with no scratches, dings or other blemishes visible to the naked eye. This, along with the superb general condition of the rest of the watch, indicates this watch has received an excellent level of care and only light use.

On the exterior of the case back carries the case serial number 254754.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality dark brown leather strap and matching stainless steel plain buckle has been fitted, which we feel matches the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but we can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to c1960.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

A high quality hardwood presentation box is included in the sale of this watch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a first-class example of a highly collectable and highly practical vintage Chronofixe Chronograph stainless steel watch from one of horology’s most famous names which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! This will make an excellent evening wear dress watch as well as a practical highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage stainless steel watches.

Thank you