EP2791738B1 - Reversible mystery watch - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and relates more particularly to so-called mysterious watches.

State of the art

The so-called mysterious watches are "transparent" watches in which the movement is either concealed in the chassis of the case or held between several transparent sapphires, often coated with an anti-reflective and / or metallic layer, so as to give it an appearance of floating. in the middle. The absence of visible movement and the floating hands give a magical aspect to these watches.

Mysterious clocks or pendulums have been known since the 19th century in the base of which the movement is generally located. In another mode of construction, so-called mysterious watches have transparent crystal or sapphire discs on which the hands are fixed. The edge of the discs is fitted with teeth which allow the discs and therefore the needles to be driven in rotation using pinions hidden in the frame of the box. An example of such a device is described in the patent CH639812 .

The document EP0673519 discloses a transparent watch provided with a seconds hand, a minute hand and an hour hand whose movement is distributed by means of transparent discs driven by one or more motors confined in the middle of the watch . The hollow shaft of each needle is driven by a transparent toothed wheel, the drive member (common or specific to each needle) being mounted invisibly in the ring of the housing.

The document GB2351163 describes a watch comprising transparent discs on which the hands are inscribed. The edge of the discs is provided with teeth which make it possible to drive the discs and therefore the needles in rotation by means of pinions arranged in the frame of the box. The pinions are themselves driven by a drive mechanism arranged in the back of the watch.

The document WO9711412 describes a so-called "mysterious" clock comprising a transparent dial bearing reading marks, a minute indicator, and an hour indicator, also transparent.

The document FR2713357 discloses a device making it possible to change the visible back of the watch yourself. This device comprises a case formed by two discs for the minutes and for the hours and a sliding movable drawer.

The documents WO2007113603 , CH639812 , WO2009031789 and NL2000545 describe a mysterious watch with transparent discs, featuring indicators, such as seconds, minutes and hours indicators. In WO2007113603 and CH639812 and mounted on a central axis. In WO2009031789 and NL2000545 , the disks are supported at their periphery.

The document WO0223284 discloses a time measuring device, comprising a double-sided transparent dial plate. This device has a right-hand rotation of the components on the face directed towards an observer, which rotation takes place to the left when the time measuring device is observed from the opposite face.

In the solutions presented above, the discs are mounted on shafts arranged in the middle of the dial of the watch. On the other hand, the arrangement of the discs and the drive mechanism only allows the time to be read from one side of the watch. In the event that the drive mechanism is arranged in the frame of the box, the latter is often very thick.

Brief summary of the invention

An aim of the present invention is to provide a mysterious watch free from the limitations of the known state of the art.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in particular by means of a watch comprising: a case comprising a caseband forming a transparent central region, a first display arranged on the side of a first face and a second display arranged on the side of a second face opposite the first face; at least two transparent indicator mobiles arranged pivotally and superimposed in the central region, each indicator mobile comprising at least one indicator; a drive member comprising an electric motor, a power source, a quartz oscillator, an electronic circuit, and a gear train, the drive member driving each indicator mobile in rotation at its periphery by the intermediate gear train; holding means capable of maintaining each indicator mobile at its periphery in a position substantially perpendicular to its axis of rotation; the drive member and the holding means being housed completely in the middle part of the watch so that they are outside the central region, said at least one indicator of each of the indicator wheels being visible on the first face of the watch so as to form the first display, and visible on the second face so as to form the second display. The first and second face of the watch comprises marks to which the indicators point, the marks of the second face differing from those of the first face so that the first display is different from the second display.

In another embodiment, each indicator mobile may have the form of a disc comprising a peripheral toothing; the teeth engaging with the drive member so as to drive the indicator mobile.

In yet another embodiment, the toothing can be formed integral with each indicator mobile.

In yet another embodiment, the indicator mobile may comprise an element, an optically variable element.

In yet another embodiment, said at least two transparent indicator mobiles can comprise an hour indicator mobile and a minute indicator mobile.

In yet another embodiment, said at least two transparent indicator mobiles may further comprise an indicator mobile for the display of the seconds, and / or an indicator mobile for the display of the dates, and / or an indicator mobile for the display of the seconds. 'display of the power reserve.

In yet another embodiment, the first display and the second display may include markers.

In yet another embodiment, the marks may be included on an element of the first and / or of the second display, with the element being close to the periphery of the central region.

In yet another embodiment, the indicators can be produced with the mobile in the same injection mold; or again, the indicators can be produced by overmolding during the plastic injection of the mobile, making it possible to manufacture the mobile and the indicator in different materials.

In yet another embodiment, the watch may further include a bracelet and two fastening elements for attaching the bracelet to the middle part so that the watch can be worn on a wrist; each of the fastening elements comprising, at one end, first fastening means for fixing the fastening element pivotably on the middle part and, at the other end, second fastening means for fixing the bracelet so pivoting on the attachment element; so that the middle and the strap fit the wrist when the watch is worn.

In yet another embodiment, the drive member may include a Lavet-type stepping motor; the motor possibly comprising a stator having substantially the shape of an arc of a circle, and a rotor included at one end of the stator, in the extension of the arc formed by the stator.

An advantage of the mysterious watch proposed over the prior art is that it is reversible, that is to say that it allows the display to be read on both sides. Another advantage of the watch is that it makes it possible to create a visual atmosphere which differs according to the face of the watch that is being looked at. The configuration of the watch also allows for a larger transparent surface than that of known mysterious watches.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 illustre un arrangement d'une montre mystérieuse, qui ne correspond pas à l'invention mais à partir duquel l'invention est réalisée, l'invention n'étant pas illustrée;
• la figure 2 représente un détail de la montre mystérieuse, qui ne correspond pas à l'invention mais à partir duquel l'invention est réalisée, l'invention n'étant pas illustrée;
• la figure 3 illustre un moteur pas-à-pas; et
• la figure 4 représente la montre comportant un bracelet et deux éléments d'attache, selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention.

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of a mysterious watch, which does not correspond to the invention but from which the invention is realized, the invention not being illustrated;
• the figure 2 shows a detail of the mysterious watch, which does not correspond to the invention but from which the invention is realized, the invention not being illustrated;
• the figure 3 illustrates a stepper motor; and
• the figure 4 shows the watch comprising a bracelet and two fastening elements, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

The figures 1 and 2 illustrate the arrangement of a watch which does not correspond to the invention but from which the invention is realized. The watch case 1 is composed of a middle part 2 of essentially annular shape, the inside diameter of the middle part 2 delimiting a central region indicated by 15 on the dial. figure 1 . Here, the central region 15 is concentric with the annular middle part 2. The case 1 can be closed on a first face 3 by a transparent element (not shown), for example an anti-scratch glass. The second face 4 can also be closed by a transparent element (also not shown). A drive member 6 is housed invisibly in the middle part of the case 2. In other words, the drive member 6 is housed completely in the case. middle part 2 of watch 1 outside the central region 15. In a variant not shown, the case of watch 1 can also include a flange, gaskets, and a means of opening one of the faces 3, 4 of the watch 1 to assemble and / or maintain the movement, and / or partial opening to change only the battery (see below).

Watch 1 comprises at least two transparent indicator mobiles 5 mounted to pivot and superimposed in the central region 15 of watch 1. Each of the indicator mobiles 5 may include at least one indicator 7. In the example of figures 1 and 2 , watch 1 is shown with an hour indicator mobile and a minutes indicator mobile 5. Each of the indicator mobiles 5 at the form of a disc comprising a peripheral toothing 9. The toothing 9 can take the form of an annular toothing arranged at the periphery 14 of the indicator mobile 5, or can be formed integral with the indicator mobile 5. The peripheral toothing 9 is arranged so as to come in taken with the drive member 6, so as to drive the indicator mobile 5 in rotation. For example, the hour indicator mobile 5 can be driven with the hour wheel, and the minute indicator wheel 5 can be driven with the minute wheel. In this way, the hour and minute indicator 7 are driven as would the hour and minute hands, respectively, in a conventional watch display. Other means of driving the indicator mobile 5 are also possible. For example, the indicator mobile 5 can have a smooth periphery 14 allowing friction drive.

In the figures 1 and 2 , each of the mobile indicators 5 are formed of a transparent material and each comprises an indicator 7 in the form of a needle. The indicator (s) 7 can obviously take any other form than that of a needle. The indicators 7 can be printed, engraved, transferred or painted on the mobile 5. The indicators 7 can also take the form of a structure applied to the mobile 5, or even be included in the form of a selective modification of the transparent material. of the indicator mobile 5. In a variant, the indicator mobile (s) 5 and the indicator (s) 7 are formed by cutting or engraving. In another variant, the indicators 7 are produced with the mobile 5 by means of a form formed in the injection mold of the mobile 5, in the case where the mobile and the indicator 7 are made of the same material. The indicators 7 can also be formed by overmolding during the plastic injection of the mobile 5, thus making it possible to manufacture the mobile 5 and the indicator 7 in different materials (for example, the mobile being transparent and the indicator opaque).

In another variant, the indicator mobiles 5 are of substantially identical shape so as to simplify the manufacturing process as well as the assembly of watch 1.

The mobile indicators 5 are maintained at their periphery by holding means 10, housed completely in the middle part 2 of watch 1 outside the central region 15. The retaining means 10 make it possible to maintain the indicator wheels 5 in a position substantially perpendicular to their axis of rotation, in the absence of any other retaining means. In the example of figures 1 and 2 , the indicator wheels 5 are kept in rotation by means of rollers 10 fixed to pivot in the caseband 2. More particularly, each indicator wheel set 5 is rotatably mounted by means of three rollers 10 angularly spaced from each other by approximately 120 °. Other arrangements of the rollers 10 are also possible insofar as the arrangement allows good guidance of the indicator wheels 5. For example, the spacing between the rollers 10 can be different from 120 °, and / or the indicator mobile 5 can be guided in rotation by two or more than three rollers 10.

The figure 2 shows a sectional view of the middle part 2 illustrating a detail of a roller 10. In this example, the roller 10 is formed of two parts 100 superimposed on one another and rotating freely around a tenon 11 integral with the middle part 2. The two superimposed parts 100 form a groove 13 of complementary shape with the periphery 14 of the indicator mobile 5. In this configuration, the indicator mobile 5 is housed in the groove 13, thus facilitating the guiding of the indicator mobile 5. Other arrangements of the rollers are also possible. For example, the rollers 10 may include a ball bearing bearing. Still in the example of figure 2 , the tenon 11 is screwed into a clamping screw 12 which also serves to fix two portions 200 of the middle part 2.

In the configuration of watch 1 as described here, the central region 15 is completely transparent, in other words, free of any visual obstruction from another element of watch 1 with the exception of the indicator mobiles 5. Indeed, the 'drive member 6 and the retaining means 10 being included in the middle part, the central region 15 does not include either the retaining shaft of the indicator mobiles 5, or movement, as is common in conventional mysterious watches. In such a configuration, and insofar as the mobiles 5 are transparent, the indicators 7 for each of the indicator mobiles 5 are visible from the first face 3, forming a first display, as well as the second face 4, forming a second display. The mysterious watch 1 as described here therefore has the advantage of being reversible, that is to say, allowing the reading of the first and second display, depending on whether one looks, respectively, at the first and the second face. 3, 4 of the watch 1. In other words, the watch can be worn turned over on one of the faces 3, 4 so as to display, as desired, one or the other of the displays.

The drive member 6, not shown, comprises a quartz oscillator drive, comprising an electric motor, energy source (battery), a quartz oscillator, an electronic circuit, and a gear train adapted to drive the indicator wheels 5, for example, by their peripheral toothing 9. Preferably, the electric motor is a Lavet-type step-by-step motor. The figure 3 illustrates the step-by-step motor 30. The motor 30 comprises a stator 31 comprising two branches 311, 312: One of the branches 311 carries a winding 32 making it possible, when under voltage, to create a magnetic field in the stator 31. In an advantageous configuration, the stator 31 has substantially the shape of an arc of a circle, and an opening 43 and a rotor 33 of the motor 30 are arranged at one end of the stator 31, in the extension of the arc formed by the stator. 31. Preferably, the radius of the shape of a circular arc of the stator 31 may correspond substantially to that of the annular middle part 2. In this advantageous configuration, the middle part 2 comprising the motor 30 can have a reduced thickness in comparison with this. which can be achieved with a conventional engine. The size of the motor 31 can be further reduced by reducing the intermediate space provided between the branches 311, 312. The particular circular arc shape of the stator 31 makes it possible to accommodate the drive member 6 outside the central region 15. , completely in the middle part 2 of the watch 1. This shape of the stator 31 makes it possible to configure the watch 1 with the middle part 2 of annular shape and the central region 15 concentric with the middle part 2.

The central region has a surface corresponding to at least half of the sum of the area of the caseband 2 and the surface of the central region 15. Here, the surface of the middle part being defined by the difference between the outside diameter and the inside diameter of the middle part 2. For example, in the example illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , the area of the central region 15 is approximately 55% of the area occupied by the annular middle part 2. However, nothing prevents making the watch 1 with other proportions between the surface of the middle part 2 and the central region 15. Other shapes for the middle part 2 are also possible, for example, the middle part 2 can be ovoid or angular in shape. The central region can also be off-center with respect to the caseband 2.

The watch may include more than two indicator mobiles 5. The additional indicator mobile (s) 5 can be used for displaying the seconds, or any other functions such as the display of dates, the power reserve, stopwatch, etc. . The indicator wheels 5 may take the form of a disc having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the central region 15 or of smaller diameter. The mobile indicators 5 can also be pivoted eccentrically in the center of the central region 15.

According to the invention, the watch comprises reference marks (not shown) on which the indicators point, thus making it possible to determine, among other things, the current hour and minute. These marks are included on an element of the first and of the second face 3, 4 so as to be visible from both faces 3, 4, respectively forming the first and second display. Such an element will preferably be disposed close to the periphery of the central region 15 so as to leave the central region 15 essentially free of any visual obstruction. For example, watch 1 may include a dial comprising the marks, the dial having an annular shape disposed at the periphery of the central region 15. The dial may also take the form of a transparent disc comprising the landmarks. The element and / or the marks seen from the first face 3 can be essentially identical to those seen from the second face 4 so as to read the same information on the two faces 3, 4, although possibly reversed, in an example not forming part of the present invention. According to the invention, the element and / or the marks of the second face 4 differ from those of the first face 3 so that the first display is different from the second display. For example, the element and / or the marks on the first face 3 can be associated with the mobile indicators 5 for the hours and minutes, while the element and / or the marks on the second face 4 can be associated with the mobile indicators 5. stopwatch and / or dates. It is possible that this last configuration can complicate the reading since all the indicators are visible simultaneously from the first face 3 and from the second face 4. On the other hand, such a display could amplify the "mysterious" and fanciful aspect of the watch 1 It will be noted that the indicator mobiles 5 will be seen as rotating clockwise or anticlockwise depending on whether watch 1 is viewed from faces 3 or 4.

In a variant not shown, each of the indicator mobiles 5 may comprise an optically variable element, that is to say, an element giving the indicator mobile 5 a visual appearance which varies according to the viewing angle, depending on whether the mobile 5 is viewed from the first or the second face 3, 4, and with the rotation of the mobile 5. The optically variable element may comprise a polarizing element. Such an arrangement makes it possible to create a visual atmosphere which differs depending on the face 3, 4 of the watch which is being looked at. This visual atmosphere can be reinforced by the arrangement of the marks of the first and second face 3, 4 and the texture and / or colors of the middle part of the side of the first and second face 3, 4. The optically variable element can also include a pattern producing a Moiré effect when one of the mobiles 5 pivots relative to another of the mobiles 5.

In yet another embodiment not shown, one of the faces of each of the indicator mobiles 5 comprises a first graphic element and the other face of the indicator mobile 5 comprises another graphic element distinct from the first graphic element. Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain a display which visually differs when we look at watch 1 from face 3 or opposite face 4, a bit like having two watches in one.

The figure 4 shows a perspective view of watch 1 comprising a bracelet 25 and two fastening elements 20 for attaching bracelet 25 to the middle part 2 of watch 1 so that watch 1 can be worn on a wrist, according to one mode embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, each of the fastening elements 20 comprises, at one end, first fastening means 21 for fixing the fastening element 20 in a pivoting manner on the middle part 2. At the other end, each of the fastening elements 20 comprises second fixing means 24 for fixing the bracelet 25 in a pivoting manner on the fastening element 20. In the example of figure 3 , the two fastening elements 20 are arranged oppositely on the middle part 2. The first fastening means comprise a pair of arms 21 pivotably fixed on the middle part 2, for example, by means of pins or screws ( not visible in the figure 3 ) extending through an opening 22 made in each arm 21. The second fixing means comprise a fixing lug 24 on which the bracelet 25 is attached in a pivoting manner by means of a pin 23, extending transversely through the end of the bracelet 25 and the fastening tab 24. The bracelet 25 may also attach to the fastener 20 in a conventional manner, for example by using a bar (not shown).

The fasteners 20, fixed to pivot with respect to the middle part 2, make it possible to wear the watch 1 on the wrist with either the first face 3 being on the side of the wrist or the second face 4 being on the side of the wrist, while ensuring a good adjustment of watch 1 and bracelet 25 around the wrist. In other words, the pivoting of the element fastening 20 minimizes the space between the end of the bracelet attached to the fastening element 20 and the wrist. Watch 1 can thus be worn comfortably in both directions.

Reference numbers used in figures

1

show

2

housing

3

first side

4

second side

5

mobile indicator

6

movement

7

indicator

8

support

9

peripheral toothing

10

pebble

11

tenon

12

clamping screw

13

throat

14

periphery

15

central region

100

pebble parts

200

middle part

20

attachment element

21

first means of attachment, arm

22

barrette

23

pin

24

second fixing means, fixing bracket

25

bracelet

30

step-by-step engine

31

stator

311

plugged

312

plugged

32

winding

33

rotor

34

opening

Claims (16)

1. Watch (1) comprising:

   a housing comprising a housing middle (2) forming a transparent central region (15),

   a first display arranged on the side of a first face (3) and a second display arranged on the side of a second face (4) that is opposite the first face (3);

   at least two transparent indicator wheels (5) arranged so as to pivot and superposed in the central region (15), each indicator wheel (5) comprising at least one indicator (7);

   a drive member (6) comprising an electric motor, an energy source, a quartz oscillator, an electronic circuit, and a gear train, the drive member (6) driving each indicator wheel (5) in rotation at its periphery via the gear train;

   holding means (10) that are able to hold each indicator wheel (5) at its periphery in a position essentially perpendicular to its axis of rotation;

   the drive member (6) and the holding means (10) being accommodated entirely within the middle (2) of the watch (1) in such a way that they are outside of the central region (15); and that

   said at least one indicator (7) of each one of the indicator wheels (5) being visible on the first face (3) so as to form the first display, and visible on the second face (4) so as to form the second display;

   characterized in that

   the first and second face (3, 4) of the watch comprise reference marks to which the indicators come to point, the reference marks of the second face (4) being different from those of the first face (3) so that the first face differs from the second face.
2. Watch (1) according to Claim 1, wherein
   wherein the reference marks of the first face (3) are associated with the hour and minute indicator wheels (5); and
   wherein the reference marks of the second face (4) are associated with the indicator wheels (5) for a chronometer and/or for dates.
3. Watch (1) according to Claim 1, wherein
   the holding means (10) comprise runners (10) included in the housing middle (2).
4. Watch (1) according to Claim 1, wherein
   the holding means (10) comprise ball bearings.
5. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the central region (15) has a surface area corresponding at least to half of the sum of the surface area of the middle (2) and of the surface area of the central region (15) .
6. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the middle (2) is annular and the central region (15) is concentric with the middle (2).
7. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each indicator wheel (5) is in the form of a disc comprising a peripheral toothing (9); the toothing (9) coming to engage with the drive member (6) so as to drive the indicator wheel (5).
8. Watch (1) according to Claim 7, wherein
   the toothing (9) is made integral with each indicator wheel (5).
9. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the indicator wheel (5) comprises an optically variable element.
10. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said at least two transparent indicator wheels (5) comprise an hour indicator wheel and a minute indicator wheel.
11. Watch (1) according to Claim 1, wherein
    said at least two transparent indicator wheels (5) further comprise an indicator wheel (5) for displaying seconds, and/or an indicator wheel (5) for displaying dates, and/or an indicator wheel (5) for displaying the remaining running time.
12. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the first display and the second display comprise reference marks included on an element of the first and/or second display, the element being close to the periphery of the central region (15).
13. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein one of the faces of each of the indicator wheels (5) comprises a first graphical element and the other face of the indicator wheel (5) comprises another graphical element that is different from the first graphical element.
14. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, further comprising a strap (25) and two attachment elements (20) for attaching the strap (25) to the middle (2) such that the watch (1) can be worn on a wrist; each one of the attachment elements (20) comprising, at one end, first securing means for securing the attachment element (20) to the middle (2) so as to be able to pivot and, at the other end, second securing means for securing the strap (25) to the attachment element (20) so as to be able to pivot; in such a way that the middle (2) and the strap (25) adjust to the wrist when the watch (1) is worn.
15. Watch (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the drive member (6) comprises a stepping motor (30) of the Lavet type.
16. Watch (1) according to Claim 15, wherein
    the motor (30) comprises a stator (31) being essentially in the shape of an arc of a circle, and a rotor (33) comprised at one end of the stator (31), in the extension of the arc formed by the stator (31).

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