Abstract

The bottom plate for a timepiece movement has a transparent or translucent first, outer part (1) that has a central opening (1.2) and at least one cutout that allows an element of a movement to pass, and also a second, central part (2) designed to carry all the members, elements, bridges, gear-trains and mobiles of a timepiece movement made of an opaque material. At least one part of the outer perimeter (2.1) of the second, central part (2) has a shape and dimensions that correspond to the shape and the dimensions of the inner perimeter (1.3) of the central opening (1.2) in the first, outer part (1). The first, outer part (1) and the second, central part (2) form a one-piece assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 37/05 - Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches
• G04B 45/02 - Time-pieces of which the clockwork is visible partly or wholly
• G04B 29/00 - Frameworks
• G04B 29/02 - PlatesBridgesCocks

Abstract

Drive member (1) for clock movement comprising: a barrel (2, 2') comprising a drum (6, 6') mounted on an arbor (3) so that it can rotate with the abrbor (3) about an axis (4) when the drive member (1) is wound up; a main spring (8, 11) wound inside the barrel (2) and able to be wound up around the arbor (3) when the drive member (1) is wound up, and a core (17, 17') coaxial with and pivoting on the arbor (3); the exterior end (9, 13) of the spring (8, 11) being coupled to the drum (6, 6') and the interior end (10, 12) of the spring (8, 11) being coupled to the core (17, 17'); the exterior end (9, 13) of the spring (8, 11) is coupled to the drum (6, 6') by a first clamp (18) that is pivot mounted in the drum (6, 6') so that when the spring (8, 11)is unwound, the first clamp (18) pivots in such a way as to hold the exterior tuen of the first spring (8, 11) against the drum (6, 6') and when the spring (8, 11) is wound up, the first clamp (18) pivots towards the centre of the barrel (2) to follow the exterior turn of the spring (8, 11). The bending stresses in the spring are reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 1/14 - MainspringsBridles therefor
• G04B 1/12 - Driving mechanisms with mainspring with several mainsprings

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for placing a watch case (5) and the movement thereof under protective atmosphere, comprising the following steps: installing the watch case, which is not fully closed, in the housing (2) of a fitting (1) comprising watch retaining means (3) and means (4, 13) for guiding an actuator (7, 12) that acts on part of the case; introducing the fitting (1) into a flexible pouch (10); installing the fitting (1) in the open pouch (10) in a protective atmosphere device; reducing the pressure in the protective atmosphere device; sealing the pouch (10) containing the fitting (1); exacting the fitting (1) in the sealed pouch (10) from the protective atmosphere device; closing the watch case by acting on the actuator (7, 12) from outside the pouch (10) so that it moves part of the watch along the guide means (4, 13) in order to close the watch; and opening the pouch (10) and separating the actuator (7, 12) from the part of the case on which it is acting.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 37/02 - Evacuated casesCases filled with gases or liquidsCases containing substances for absorbing or binding moisture or dust
• G04D 7/00 - Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing, or regulating apparatus

Abstract

Mainspring for driving a clock movement, said mainspring being made of a material comprising a polymer matrix containing fibres, said mainspring having a coating containing a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer. The mainspring proposed reduces the friction of the turns of the mainspring.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 1/14 - MainspringsBridles therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the chronometry of a mechanical timepiece movement intended to operate in a low-pressure atmosphere, comprising the following successive operations: 1. placing the movement in an atmosphere at the low-pressure pre-established for the normal operation of the movement; 2. measuring the advance or delay (typically advance +ΔΡ) of the timekeeping precision of the movement at said low pressure. 3. returning the movement to ambient atmospheric pressure; 4. adjusting the movement in order to compensate for the advance or delay previously measured (typically implementing a delay -ΔΡ) during operation at low pressure; 5. returning the movement to the atmosphere at the low pressure pre-established for the normal operation of the movement.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 37/02 - Evacuated casesCases filled with gases or liquidsCases containing substances for absorbing or binding moisture or dust

Abstract

The invention relates to a method by which a timepiece movement intended to operate at ambient atmospheric pressure is adapted for operation in a low-pressure atmosphere, comprising the following steps: 1. measuring the quality factor of the movement at atmospheric pressure; 2. measuring the quality factor of the movement at a pre-determined low pressure corresponding to the operating pressure intended for the altered movement; 3. calculating the energy gain between the two measurements; 4. adapting the dimensioning of the movement according to said energy gain, in particular by altering at least one of the following movement elements, namely the reduction ratio of the watch train mechanism, the barrel torque, the overall dimensions of the barrel and the inertia of the balance.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 37/02 - Evacuated casesCases filled with gases or liquidsCases containing substances for absorbing or binding moisture or dust

Abstract

The oscillating mass capable of being fixed to a cage (1) pivoted on the outside of a timepiece movement comprises teeth kinematically connected to the ratchet of a barrel of said timepiece movement. This oscillating mass comprises an annular frame (4) or a frame in the shape of an annular sector capable of being fixed to said cage (1) and a central part (7) mostly or totally located in one half of the surface area delimited by said frame (4).

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 5/18 - Supports, suspensions, or guide arrangements, for oscillating weights

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism which prevents operating deviations caused by gravity on a regulating member (2, 3) of a clock of a timepiece which comprises a regulating member including a hairspring (2) and an escape wheel (3) mounted on a platform (4). Said platform (4) comprises an imbalance and is mounted such as to rotate freely about at least one first axis (A-A) relative to a bottom plate (1) of the clock such that the platform (4) rotates about said first axis (A-A) under the effect of earth's gravity. The mechanism includes a system of wheels comprising a kinematic drive chain (M) arranged such as to connect the escape wheel (3) to a barrel system (10) of the timepiece as well as a kinematic correcting chain (C) for cancelling the effect of the movements and the speed of the platform (4) relative to the bottom plate (1). Said mechanism is characterised by also comprising a regulating device which includes a regulating member (50) connected to the platform (4) and driven by the relative movements between the platform (4) and the bottom plate (1) of the clock.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 17/28 - Compensation of mechanisms for stabilizing frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon

Abstract

A watch comprises a case having a middle (10) that has a peripheral portion (24) about an axis AA, a part (18) mounted 5 on said peripheral portion, and means for locking the part in the axial direction on the middle. The locking means comprise elastic members (62a, 64a) having axial flexibility in the direction of axis A-A, and certain rigid members, some mounted on the middle (10) and others on the part (18). The first rigid members act 10 with the elastic members in at least one relative position of the part (18) with respect to the middle (10).

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 19/28 - Adjustable guide marks or pointers for indicating determined points of time
• G04B 37/00 - Cases