CH720308A2 - Watch dial - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch dial (1) comprising: a lower part (2) made of an opaque material, an upper part (3) made of a transparent material, at least one pattern (30) formed on the upper part, a first peripheral ring (4) joining the upper part and the lower part in a sealed manner and forming a volume (5) between the upper and lower parts, a liquid (50) capable of moving in the volume, the lower and upper parts each having an orifice (20) facing each other for the passage of a barrel of a needle, and a second central ring (6) in the immediate vicinity of the orifices joining the upper part and the lower part in a watertight manner. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a dial (1).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of dials for timepieces.

Technology background

[0002] In the field of watchmaking, there are watches whose dial contains a liquid containing suspended particles as in document EP0373804. Such a dial gives an attractive side to the watch but the visual effect is quite limited, the construction bulky, and such a dial does not meet the needs in terms of personalization which are becoming more and more selective, in particular to adapt to the wishes of the wearer.

Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims in particular to overcome the various disadvantages of the dials of the prior art.

[0004] More precisely, an objective of the invention is to provide a dial with a particular visual effect.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch dial comprising, a lower part made of an opaque material, an upper part made of a transparent material, at least one pattern formed on the upper part, a first peripheral ring securing the part upper and the lower part in a sealed manner and forming a volume between the upper and lower parts, a liquid capable of moving in the volume, the lower and upper parts each having an orifice facing each other for the passage of a barrel of a needle, and a second central ring in the immediate vicinity of the orifices joining the upper part and the lower part in a watertight manner.

[0006] In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention: – the first peripheral ring is in the form of a ring with a variable section, the variable section having three successive portions of distinct height and length, a first portion of height H1 and width L1 arranged to rest between the lower and upper parts, a second portion of height H2 and a width L2 arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts, and a third portion of height H3 and width L3; – the width L1 is greater than the width L2, and the width L2 is greater than the width L3; – the height H3 is greater than the height H2, and the height H2 is greater than the height H1; – the lower part is made of a material chosen from: ceramic materials, or metal or metal alloy; – the upper part is made of glass or sapphire crystal; – the first ring and the second ring are made of a material chosen from: ceramics, metals or metal alloys, sapphire glass; – the upper part and the lower part have a thickness of between 0.15mm and 0.7mm; – the second ring is in the form of a ring with a variable section, the variable section having three successive portions of distinct height and length, a first portion of height H1' and width L1' arranged to rest between the lower parts and upper, a second portion of height H2' and a width L2' arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts, and a third portion of height H3' and width L3'; – the width L1' is greater than the width L2', and the width L2' is greater than the width L3'; – the height H3' is greater than the height H2', and the height H2' is greater than the height H1'; – the height H3 and the height H3' are less than or equal to the height of the dial; – the liquid is composed of an aqueous solution or a mineral oil or a vegetable oil; – the liquid comprises solid particles chosen from: metal particles, phosphorescent particles, beads, flakes, strips.

[0007] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a dial according to the invention, comprising the following steps: – providing a lower part; – place the first ring and the second ring on the lower part to form a volume; – place a seal of glue respectively between the first ring and the lower part, and between the second ring and the lower part; – deposit a liquid in the volume formed by the rings and the lower part; – place an upper part on the first ring and the second ring; – place a seal of glue respectively between the first ring and the upper part, and between the second ring and the upper part.

Brief description of the figures

[0008] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 schematically represents a sectional view of a dial according to the invention; – Figure 2 represents a detailed view of zone C of Figure 1; – Figure 3 represents a detailed view of zone B of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional representation of a watch dial 1 according to the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the dial 1 comprises a lower part 2 made of an opaque material and an upper part 3 made of a transparent material, the lower and upper parts 2, 3 each having an orifice 20, 30 arranged in opposite for the passage of a barrel of a needle

The lower and upper parts 2, 3 are mounted together via a first peripheral ring 4, and via a second central ring 6 placed in the immediate vicinity of the orifices 20, 30, the two rings thus joining the upper part and the lower part waterproof manner.

The lower part 2 is made of a material chosen from: ceramic materials, or metal or metal alloy

The upper part 3 is made of crystalline glass or sapphire glass or transparent polymers such as polycarbonates or acrylic.

The first ring 4 and the second ring 6 are made of a material chosen from: ceramics, metals or metal alloys, sapphire glass.

The first peripheral ring 4 is in the form of a ring with a variable section. The variable section presenting three successive portions 40, 41, 42 of distinct height and length.

The first ring 4 comprises a first portion 40 of height H1 and width L1 arranged to rest between the lower and upper parts 2, 3 so as to space the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and form a first sealing barrier . The first ring 4 comprises a second portion 41 of height H2 and a width L2 arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and forming both a second barrier for sealing and a stop for adjusting the placement of the lower and upper parts 2.3 against the rings.

The first ring 4 comprises a third portion 42 of height H3 and width L3 forming a first groove 7 around the lower and upper parts 2, 3, the groove being capable of receiving a glue joint 8 to secure the ring 4 to the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and form a third sealing barrier.

[0018] Advantageously, the height H3 is greater than the height H2, and the height H2 is greater than the height H1, such an arrangement making it possible to create a space for depositing a glue joint between the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and the first and second rings 4, 6.

[0019] It will also be observed that the difference in height between H1 and H2 is less than the heights of the lower and upper parts 3, such an arrangement makes it possible to form a surface on each side of the ring and in which the parts are partly housed. lower and upper 2, 3.

The width L1 is greater than the width L2, and the width L2 is greater than the width L3, which ensures good support of the rings 4,6 and the lower part 2 once these are assembled .

The second ring 6 is also in the form of a ring with a variable section, the variable section having three successive portions of distinct height and length.

The second ring 6 comprises a first portion 60 of height H1' and width L1' arranged to rest between the lower and upper parts 2, 3 so as to space the latter and form a first sealing barrier.

The second ring 6 comprises a second portion 61 of height H2' and a width L2' arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and forming both a second barrier for sealing and a stop to adjust the placement of the lower and upper parts 2,3.

The second ring also comprises a third portion 62 of height H3' and width L3' forming a second groove 7' around the lower and upper parts 2, 3, the groove 7' being capable of receiving a glue joint 8 ' to secure the ring 4 to the lower and upper parts 2, 3 and form a third sealing barrier.

The heights H1', H2' and H3' of the second ring 6 are identical to the heights H1, H2 and H3 of the first ring 4, this for obvious reasons of flatness of the dial 1.

Likewise, the width L1' of the second ring is greater than the width L2', and the width L2' is greater than the width L3'.

The lower part 2 and the upper part 3 are spaced a distance d by means of the rings 4, 6 so as to form between them an internal volume delimited by the lower face of the upper part 3, the upper face of the lower part 2 and the portions 40 and 60 of the first and second rings.

The internal volume is arranged to receive a liquid capable of moving. The internal volume is preferably partially perforated to be able to observe the movement of the liquid and any particles added to the liquid. The liquid is transparent and can be colored or colorless.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower or upper face of the upper part 3 is decorated to form a pattern. The pattern is produced via PVD deposition and/or laser ablation or varnish deposition or a galvanic process.

The lower part and the upper part 3 each have a thickness of between 0.25mm and 0.35mm, and the dial has a thickness of between 0.8mm and 1mm.

[0031] Thus, thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to obtain a dial with a particular visual effect presenting a space-saving construction.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a bracelet according to the invention, comprising the following steps: – providing a lower part 2; – place the first ring 4 and the second ring 6 on the lower part 2; – deposit a glue joint respectively between the first ring 4 and the lower part 2, and between the second ring 6 and the lower part 2, to secure the latter and form a volume capable of receiving a liquid; – deposit a liquid in the volume formed by the rings 4, 6 and the lower part 2; – place an upper part 3 on the first ring 4 and the second ring 6; – place a seal of glue respectively between the first ring 4 and the upper part 3, and between the second ring 6 and the upper part 6 to secure the latter and obtain a sealed dial containing a liquid.

Claims (15)

1. Watch dial (1) comprising, a lower part (2) made of an opaque material, an upper part (3) made of a transparent material, at least one pattern (30) formed on the upper part, a first ring (4 ) device joining the upper part and the lower part in a sealed manner and forming a volume (5) between the upper and lower parts, a liquid (50) capable of moving in the volume, the lower and upper parts each having an orifice ( 20, 30) facing each other for the passage of a barrel of a needle, and a second central ring (6) in the immediate vicinity of the orifices joining the upper part and the lower part in a watertight manner. 2. Dial according to claim 1, in which the first peripheral ring (4) is in the form of a ring with a variable section, the variable section having three successive portions (40, 41, 42) of distinct height and length , a first portion of height H1 and width L1 arranged to rest between the lower and upper parts, a second portion of height H2 and a width L2 arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts, and a third portion of height H3 and width L3. 3. Dial according to claim 2, in which the width L1 is greater than the width L2, and the width L2 is greater than the width L3. 4. Dial according to claim 2, in which the height H3 is greater than the height H2, and the height H2 is greater than the height H1. 5. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower part is made of a material chosen from: ceramic materials, or metal or metal alloy. 6. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the upper part is made of glass, sapphire glass, or transparent polymers such as polycarbonates or acrylic. 7. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the first ring and the second ring are made of a material chosen from: ceramics, metals or metal alloys, sapphire glass. 8. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper part and the lower part have a thickness of between 0.15mm and 0.7mm. 9. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the second ring is in the form of a ring with a variable section, the variable section having three successive portions of distinct height and length, a first portion of height H1' and width L1' arranged to rest between the lower and upper parts, a second portion of height H2' and width L2' arranged to rest against the edges of the lower and upper parts, and a third portion of height H3 ' and width L3'. 10. Dial according to claim 9, in which the width L1' is greater than the width L2', and the width L2' is greater than the width L3'. 11. Dial according to claim 9, in which the height H3' is greater than the height H2', and the height H2' is greater than the height H1'. 12. Dial according to claim 4 or 11, in which the height H3 and the height H3' are less than or equal to the height of the dial (1). 13. Dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the liquid is composed of an aqueous solution or a mineral oil or a vegetable oil. 14. Dial (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid comprises solid particles chosen from: metal particles, phosphorescent particles, beads, flakes, strips. 15. Method of manufacturing a dial (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: – provide a lower part; – place the first ring and the second ring on the lower part; – place a seal of glue respectively between the first ring and the lower part, and between the second ring and the lower part; – deposit a liquid in the volume formed by the rings and the lower part; – place an upper part on the first ring and the second ring; – place a seal of glue respectively between the first ring and the upper part, and between the second ring and the upper part.