CH722099A2 - Watch featuring a shock-resistant dial - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch (100) comprising a case (10), a removable case back (12) mounted on the case (10), and a movement (20) housed within an internal volume of the case (10), characterized in that the watch comprises a dial (40) having an upper face visible to the user, the dial (40) being integral with a reinforcing piece (30) positioned beneath the dial (40). The reinforcing piece (30) has a peripheral annular shoulder (36) cooperating with an annular bearing surface (16) formed in the case (10), said reinforcing piece (30) being integral with the case (10) and bearing against the annular bearing surface (16) of the case (10).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a watch comprising a shock-resistant dial.

Technological background

[0002] Typically, a watch comprises a case, a crystal, and a removable back. A watch movement is held in the case by casing elements.

[0003] A dial visible through the glass is fixed to the clock movement.

[0004] It is known that an accidental shock to the watch can damage, mark certain components of the watch movement, or even cause the loss of the connection of certain components.

[0005] Solutions have been developed to minimize the shock experienced by the watch movement, in particular by inserting a shock absorber between the case and the watch movement.

[0006] However, the watch movement is not the only element that can be damaged during an accidental impact on the watch.

[0007] Indeed, the dial fixed to the watch movement can also be damaged or deformed when the watch is subjected to a shock.

[0008] Consequently, there is a need to improve the dials to address at least one of the problems mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The main objective of the invention is to provide a watch with a shock-resistant dial offering improved shock resistance.

[0010] To this end, the invention aims to provide a watch comprising a case, a removable back mounted on the case, a movement housed in an internal volume of the case.

[0011] According to the invention, the watch comprises a dial, of thickness e<3>, having an upper face visible to the user, the dial being integral with a reinforcing piece positioned under the dial, the reinforcing piece having an annular peripheral shoulder cooperating with an annular bearing surface provided in the case, said reinforcing piece being integral with the case in support against the annular bearing surface of the case.

[0012] Such a reinforcing piece makes it possible to reduce the deflection of the dial when the watch is subjected to an impact. Thus, for the same dial (i.e., of identical material and thickness), the shock-resistant dial according to the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the deflection at the level of the dial, by at least a factor of 2, when the watch is subjected to an impact of 1 meter.

[0013] Thus, the shockproof dial according to the invention makes it possible to provide a simple and economical solution without having to use other expensive and more complex materials to implement for the manufacture of a dial.

[0014] The shock-resistant dial according to the invention provides reinforced support over the entire surface of the dial, and secures the dial directly to the case to minimize stress and deformation at the dial level.

[0015] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the watch according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations:

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the dial is rigidly supported on one upper face of the reinforcing piece; preferably the dial is entirely rigidly supported on the upper face of the reinforcing piece;

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the dial has a central portion and a peripheral portion and in that the central portion and the peripheral portion are rigidly supported on the upper face of the reinforcing piece;

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the reinforcing piece has a central portion of thickness e1 and a peripheral portion at the level of which the annular peripheral shoulder is provided, the peripheral portion having a thickness e2, the thickness e2 of the peripheral portion being greater than the thickness e1 of the central portion and greater than the thickness e3 of the dial;

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the thickness e2 of the peripheral portion is at least twice greater than the thickness e1 of the central portion 31 and/or greater than the thickness e3 of the dial;

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The reinforcing piece is attached to the frame by screwing;

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The reinforcing piece is secured to the case by screwing it at the level of the annular bearing surface of the case;

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the watch has a clamping ring, separate from the removable back, screwed into the case and arranged to axially compress the reinforcing piece against the annular bearing surface of the case;

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the clamping ring has on an external circumference a thread cooperating with a tapped hole made in the body;

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the tapping of the case for tightening the clamping ring is configured to receive the removable bottom (12) by screwing;

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the dial is a single piece with the reinforcing piece;

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The dial is secured by gluing it to the upper face of the reinforcement piece using an adhesive element;

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the dial is secured by screws to the upper face of the reinforcement piece by means of screwing;

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The dial is secured by brazing or welding to the upper face of the reinforcement piece;

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The movement is fitted into the case by means of the reinforcing piece.

Brief description of the figures

[0016] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description below, which refers to the following figures:

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Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first example of the realization of a watch according to the invention comprising a shock-resistant dial;

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Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view partially illustrating the first example of the realization of the watch shown in Figure 1;

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Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view partially illustrating a shock-resistant dial according to the invention;

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Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second example of an embodiment of a watch according to the invention.

[0017] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified.

Detailed description of the invention

[0018] In the present application, the axial direction is a direction extending perpendicularly to a plane formed by the dial of the watch movement, referred to here as P1. A radial direction, on the other hand, is parallel to the plane P1 formed by the dial.

[0019] The terms “internal”, “external” are to be considered in reference to the center of the timepiece so that an internal face is closer to the center than an external face which is opposite to the center of the timepiece.

[0020] The terms “superior” and “inferior” are to be considered in a reference frame of a watch placed on its base as shown in Figure 2.

[0021] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first example of an embodiment of a watch 100 according to the invention, with central axis B, comprising a case 10 configured to be closed on both sides by a removable back 12 and by a glass (not shown).

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view partially illustrating the first embodiment of the 100 watch shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating more particularly a shock-resistant dial according to the invention.

[0023] For example, the case 10 is made of metallic material, ceramic, polymer material or a mixture of different materials.

[0024] The watch 100 comprises a movement 20 housed in an internal volume 15 delimited by the case 10 and held in position in the case 10 by casing means (not shown).

[0025] The movement 20 can be a mechanical, electromechanical or electronic movement.

[0026] The movement 20 has a central axis A perpendicular to a general plane P1. The central axis A of the movement 20 is parallel to or corresponds to the axis of rotation of the hands of the movement.

[0027] The central axis A of the movement 20 is parallel to or corresponds to the central axis B of the case 110.

[0028] A dial 40 is classically positioned above the movement 20 and is visible through the glass.

[0029] The dial 40 has an upper surface 41, visible to the user, bearing markings and/or openings for displaying time-related information. The dial 40 may also have a decorative element on its upper surface 41.

[0030] The dial is for example made of brass, aluminium, steel, a metal alloy, synthetic material, composite materials or a mixture of these materials.

[0031] The dial has a thickness e<3>. Typically, the dial has a thickness of 0.4 mm. Depending on the material used for the dial and its dimensions, such a thickness can cause rigidity problems and lead to deformation when the watch 100 is subjected to an impact.

[0032] To remedy this drawback, the dial 40 is attached to a reinforcing piece 30, positioned under the dial 40, the whole forming a shockproof dial according to the invention.

[0033] The dial 40 has a central portion and a peripheral portion. According to the invention, the central portion and the peripheral portion of the dial 40 are supported by the reinforcing piece 30.

[0034] The reinforcing piece 30 is for example in the shape of a disc having a central portion 31 and a peripheral portion 32.

[0035] Preferably the reinforcing piece 30 has a radial dimension greater than the radial dimension of the dial 40, so that the dial 40 rests entirely in support on the reinforcing piece 30.

[0036] The reinforcing piece 30 has an upper surface 33 forming a bearing surface on which the dial 40 rests and is fixed.

[0037] The reinforcing piece 30 has an annular shoulder 36 formed at the level of the peripheral portion 32 configured to cooperate in support with an annular bearing surface 16 formed in an internal portion of the frame 10.

[0038] Preferably, the peripheral portion 32 has, at the level of the annular shoulder 36, a thickness e<2> greater than the thickness e<1> of the central portion 31 and a thickness e<3> of the dial 40. For example, the peripheral portion 32 is at least twice as thick as the central portion 31 so as to ensure a rigidity of the dial 40 of less thickness.

[0039] The reinforcing piece 30 is integral with the frame 10 in support against the annular bearing surface 16 at the level of the peripheral annular shoulder 36.

[0040] In this first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the reinforcing piece 30 is secured to the case by means of screwing, such as screws.

[0041] For example, the reinforcing piece 30 is secured to the case 10 by means of screws cooperating with threads provided at the level of the annular bearing surface 16. The screwing means make it possible to ensure rigid retention of the reinforcing piece 30 against the annular bearing surface 16 of the case 10.

[0042] In a second embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the reinforcement piece 30 is rigidly secured to the case 10 by means of a clamping ring 50, separate from the removable base 12. The clamping ring 50 is screwed into the case 10 and configured to clamp and axially compress the reinforcement piece 30 against the annular bearing surface 16 of the case 10.

[0043] The clamping ring 50 has on its outer circumference a thread configured to cooperate with a tapped hole 17 provided on an axial inner face of the body 10.

[0044] The clamping ring 50 may have on its lower face indentations allowing the introduction of a tool to facilitate the tightening of the clamping ring 50 in the case 10.

[0045] Preferably, the thread 17 for tightening the clamping ring 50 is identical to the thread for mounting and tightening the removable bottom 12.

[0046] The clamping ring 50 can be made of any rigid and non-elastomeric material, for example a metal or a synthetic material.

[0047] For example, the clamping ring 50 is made of a rigid, non-elastomeric material having a Young's modulus greater than 50 GPa.

[0048] Preferably, the reinforcement piece 30 completely covers the movement 20 and has openings necessary for displaying information at the dial 40.

[0049] The reinforcing piece 30 can be provided in contact with the movement 20, for example in contact with the upper face of the movement 20. The reinforcing piece 30 can also be positioned at a distance from the movement 20 so as to present axially a space between the reinforcing piece 30 and the movement 20.

[0050] The dial 40 can conventionally include fixing feet 42 cooperating with holes provided in the central portion 31 of the reinforcement piece 30. These fixing feet 42 form an indexing means for correctly positioning the dial 40 on the reinforcement piece 30.

[0051] The dial 40 is for example secured to the reinforcement piece 30 by bonding using an adhesive element 14, for example an adhesive film.

[0052] Thus, the adhesive element 14 forms an interface layer between the dial 40 and the reinforcing piece 30.

[0053] The dial 40 is for example secured by screwing onto the reinforcement piece 30, for example by screws cooperating with threads provided on the upper face 33 of the reinforcement piece 30.

[0054] The dial 40 is for example secured by welding or brazing to the reinforcement piece 30.

[0055] By way of example, the dial 40 is made of brass and has a thickness e<3> of 0.4 mm. The reinforcing piece 30 is made of steel and has a thickness e<1> of 0.4 mm and a thickness e<2> of 0.9 mm.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the dial 40 is for example one piece with the reinforcing piece 30. In this embodiment, the decorative surface is applied directly onto the reinforcing piece 30.

Claims (15)

1. Watch (100) comprising a case (10), a removable back (12) mounted on the case (10), and a movement (20) housed in an internal volume (15) of the case (10), characterized in that the watch comprises a dial (40), of thickness (e<3>), comprising an upper face (41) visible to the user, the dial (40) being integral with a reinforcing piece (30) positioned under the dial (40), the reinforcing piece (30) comprising an annular peripheral shoulder (36) cooperating with an annular bearing surface (16) provided in the case (10), said reinforcing piece (30) being integral with the case (10) bearing against the annular bearing surface (16) of the case (10). 2. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dial (40) is rigidly supported on an upper face (33) of the reinforcing piece (30). 3. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dial (40) has a central portion and a peripheral portion and in that the central portion and the peripheral portion are rigidly supported on the upper face (33) of the reinforcing piece (30). 4. Watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement piece (30) has a central portion (31) of thickness (e<1>) and a peripheral portion (32) at the level of which the annular peripheral shoulder (36) is provided, the peripheral portion having a thickness (e<2>), the thickness (e<2>) of the peripheral portion being greater than the thickness (e<1>) of the central portion (31) and greater than the thickness (e<3>) of the dial (40). 5. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thickness (e<2>) of the peripheral portion (32) is at least twice greater than the thickness (e<1>) of the central portion (31) and/or greater than the thickness (e<3>) of the dial (40). 6. Watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing piece (30) is secured to the case (10) by screwing. 7. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reinforcement piece (30) is secured to the case (10) by screwing at the level of the annular bearing surface (16) of the case (10). 8. Watch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the watch (100) has a clamping ring (50), separate from the removable back (12), screwed into the case (10) and arranged to axially compress the reinforcing piece (30) against the annular bearing surface (16) of the case (10). 9. Watch (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping ring (50) has on an external circumference a thread cooperating with a tapping (17) provided in the case (10). 10. Watch (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tapping (17) of the case (10) for tightening the clamping ring (33) is configured to receive the removable back (12) by screwing. 11. Watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dial (40) is one piece with the reinforcing piece (30). 12. Watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the dial (40) is secured by gluing to the upper face (33) of the reinforcement piece (30) by means of an adhesive element (14). 13. Watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the dial (40) is secured by screws to the upper face (33) of the reinforcement piece (30) by screwing means. 14. Watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the dial (40) is secured by brazing or welding to the upper face (33) of the reinforcing piece (30). 15. Watch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the movement (20) is fitted into the case (10) by means of the reinforcing piece (30).