US3675295A - Method for the fabrication of rings for a watch dial - Google Patents

Method for the fabrication of rings for a watch dial Download PDF

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Publication number
US3675295A
US3675295A US79778A US3675295DA US3675295A US 3675295 A US3675295 A US 3675295A US 79778 A US79778 A US 79778A US 3675295D A US3675295D A US 3675295DA US 3675295 A US3675295 A US 3675295A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
ring member
groove
ring
markings
electrically non
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US79778A
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English (en)
Inventor
Gilbert Feller
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METALEM
Original Assignee
METALEM
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by METALEM filed Critical METALEM
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Publication of US3675295A publication Critical patent/US3675295A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
    • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
    • G04D3/0043—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the time-indicating mechanisms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/06—Dials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
    • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
    • G04D3/0043—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the time-indicating mechanisms
    • G04D3/0048—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the time-indicating mechanisms for dials
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49579—Watch or clock making
    • Y10T29/49583—Watch or clock making having indicia, face, or dial

Definitions

  • Kleeman s'n ABSTRACT A method for the fabrication of rings or the like possessing decorative or indicator symbols or figures, for instance hour symbols or figures for small watches, which method comprises the steps of producing at least one substantially ring-shaped groove at the base of a metallic ring member, which base is hidden from the observer of the watch or article. Then at least one electrically non-conductive material is applied in such groove or grooves, and thereafter at the locations of the ring member where the symbols or figures are to be produced on the surface of such nng member which is disposed opposite the groove or grooves there is performed a material removal operation in order to expose the aforementioned electrically non-conductive material.
  • the present invention broadly relates to a new and improved method for the fabrication of rings or ring members possessing decorative or indicating markings, for instance hour symbols or figures for small watches, and further pertains to ring members fabricated in accordance with the aforesaid inventive method and possessing decorative or indicating markings.
  • the term "markings" as used in the context of this application is intended to generally denote different types of symbols, figures, indicia, adornments, or the like which may possess decorative and/or functional purposes.
  • rings of the aforementioned broad classification can be either applied to the dial of a small watch and provided with decorative markings serving purely for ornamentation, or additionally or exclusively can possess hour symbols or figures or other type of indicating or functional markings.
  • rings can be constructed as bezels for a watch casing which are mounted to be rotatable or stationary upon the case and carry decorative and/or indicating markings.
  • Such rotatable bezels are particularly commonplace in divers watches and chronographs.
  • Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to the development of a simple and relatively inexpensive method of equipping a ring member with markings clearly discernible from the remainder of such ring member.
  • Yet a further important and specific object of the present invention relates to a simple and relatively inexpensive method for the fabrication, for instance, of metallic dials or watch cases of a small watch so as to possess zones and portions which, after the fabrication thereof, are quite clearly and explicitly distinguishable from the remaining metallic portions of the dial plate, and wherein such fabrication techniques can be utilized without changing or complicating the conventional manufacturing operations, especially for the manufacture of dials.
  • Still a further object of the present invention concerns itself with improving the manufacturing economies and operational techniques for ring-shaped articles, typically those used in the watch industry, and equipped with suitable markings, whether they be solely for decorative purposes, functional purposes or both.
  • the inventive method for the fabrication of rings with such markings contemplates that initially one or a number of ring-shaped grooves are produced at the base of a metallic ring which is hidden from the observer of the article, typically a watch. Then at least one electrically non-conductive material is applied into such groove or grooves, and
  • a material removal operation is performed at the locations of the surface of the ring situated opposite the groove or grooves and at which the marks are to be produced, in order to render visible or exposed the aforementioned material inserted in such groove or grooves.
  • the above-noted material removal step to which the surface of the metallic ring or ring member is subjected can be, for instance, accomplished by carrying out a radial milling operation, but other techniques for metal or material removal are equally contemplated.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a peripheral ring or ring member produced according to the inventive method and secured to a dial plate and possessing hour symbols or figures;
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in a manner analogous to the showing of FIG. 1, additional embodiments of ring members equipped with suitable markings and produced in accordance with the inventive method.
  • ring or ring member 8 which, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, may possess a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, and in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 as indicated by the phantom lines, possesses a rectangular or approximately rectangular cross-sectional configuration.
  • ring member 8 shown in FIG. 1 there is initially formed at the base, that is to say, the undersurface of such ring member 8, namely the surface which is not visible to the observer of the article, one circularshaped groove 9.
  • the base that is to say, the undersurface of such ring member 8 namely the surface which is not visible to the observer of the article
  • a suitable electrically non-conductive material 2 may be, for instance, a thermosetting plastic.
  • electrically non-conductive material is in a pasty condition it can be applied into the groove or grooves 9, 9a, 9b with the aid of a spatula or any other suitable tool or can even by sprayed into such groove or grooves and permitted to harden therein.
  • a further possibility would be to form a bar or rod of this electrically non-conductive material 2, which may be for instance plastic or a suitable precious stone material, and which possesses the form of the groove itself, the bar or rod afier having been separately formed then subsequently being pressed into the space formed by its receiving-groove 9, 9a, 9b.
  • the thus produced dial can thereafter be finished in accordance with any one of the known or interior techniques, that is to say, can be finally fabricated or terminated.”
  • These classical manufacturing techniques generally constitute a galvanic treatment by means of which a layer of a metal is applied or deposited on the polished surface of the metallic dial.
  • this final treatment only is efiective upon those portions of the dial structure which are electrically conductive whereas the remaining portions, especially the material 2 where it appears at the surface of the dial structure, will be indeed exposed to such treatment but will not receive any coating layer or deposit.
  • the structure of the ring 8 of FIG. 3 differs from the corresponding ring 8 of FIG. 1 only insofar as here two grooves 90, 9b for receiving electrically non-conductive material are provided at the original rectangular cross-sectional configuration of such metallic ring member. Furthermore, in this atrangement there is advantageously provided for both grooves 90, 9b electrically non-conductive material of different color and/or surface properties.
  • FIG. 2 particularly illustrates how it is possible by utilizing a different machining or working operation at a ringshaped work piece equipped with grooves 9a, 9b for receiving electrically non-conductive material 2 to obtain a ring member which appears to the observer as three independent concentric rings, of which the central ring consists of a different material.
  • the markings which result through the materialremoval operations to which the ring member is subjected and by virtue of which the material 2 becomes visible, can enjoy, instead of an indicating function as is the case for hour symbols or figures, also purely a decorative function.
  • the actual hour symbols could be fabricated in a conventional fashion separately of the ring member itself and could then be applied to such or to the dial plate in the form of applied chapters.
  • the ring members equipped with markings in the aforedescribed manner may not only serve, as is the case with the arrangement of FIG. I, as peripheral rings for dial plates, but also can be used as rotatable or non-rotatable bezel rings which are intended to be secured internally or externally of the casing of a small watch.
  • such rings can be used as rotatable or non-rotatable bezels, with the machined-out electrically non-conductive material forming the decoration of the watch case, or however, such can be provided with suitable indicating markings for the user as is the case with the rotatable bezels found in divers watches.
  • the inventive technique also renders possible the fabrication of dials with a heretofore unknown aspect wherein the dials provided with decorations and markings whose appearance and, especially their color, are clearly discernable from the remaining portions of the dial.
  • a further advantage of the described inventive method resides in the fact that the material 2 which differs from the remaining portions of the dial does not protrude past the metallic portions. Such however would be, for instance, the case with stamped or transferred markings, since these last-mentioned markings are only applied at the last moment, in other words, after the final machining or working of the dial inclusive of the application of the protective coating. Hence, such subsequently applied markings automatically protrude past the surface of the dial plate by the amount of their thickness.
  • An essential advantage of the inventive method is particularly recognized in the fact that it enables the fabrication of dials with metallic dial plates possessing indicating or decorative markings of difi'erent color, and wherein these markings can be produced prior to the finishing operations of the metallic components because such markings, owing to their inherent electrically non-conductive character, do not respond to the conventional galvanic treatment to which the metallic plate is subjected during the course of its being finished fabricated.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US79778A 1969-10-14 1970-10-12 Method for the fabrication of rings for a watch dial Expired - Lifetime US3675295A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1535369 1969-10-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3675295A true US3675295A (en) 1972-07-11

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ID=4408389

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US79778A Expired - Lifetime US3675295A (en) 1969-10-14 1970-10-12 Method for the fabrication of rings for a watch dial
US00213583A Expired - Lifetime US3724202A (en) 1969-10-14 1971-12-29 Ring member for a watch dial

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00213583A Expired - Lifetime US3724202A (en) 1969-10-14 1971-12-29 Ring member for a watch dial

Country Status (3)

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US (2) US3675295A (fr)
CH (1) CH531737A (fr)
DE (1) DE2049341C3 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140177401A1 (en) * 2011-07-20 2014-06-26 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Method for inserting a decoration in an external timepiece element deposited by electroforming and an external element made in accordance with this method
USD858339S1 (en) * 2017-11-08 2019-09-03 Richemont International Sa Watch dial
US11415943B2 (en) * 2017-09-15 2022-08-16 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Display member and timepiece

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2115149C1 (ru) * 1997-01-06 1998-07-10 Николай Петрович Колчев Шкала
IL121200A (en) * 1997-06-30 2000-06-01 Scopus Light 1990 Ltd Marker
US6802276B2 (en) * 2001-06-19 2004-10-12 Yazaki Corporation Meter apparatus and a character plate thereof
DE10141751A1 (de) * 2001-08-29 2003-03-27 Siemens Ag Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Zifferblattes und danach hergestelltes Zifferblatt
US7903503B2 (en) * 2007-10-02 2011-03-08 James Brewster Olmes Dual illumination watch face, and associated methods
JP6110502B2 (ja) * 2013-09-17 2017-04-05 矢崎総業株式会社 目盛構造および車両用計器
CH712210B1 (fr) * 2016-03-14 2020-02-14 Nivarox Sa Procédé de fabrication d'un composant d'affichage d'horlogerie.
EP4184255B1 (fr) 2021-11-23 2025-04-16 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Boîte de montre comprenant un composant d'habillage sur lequel est déposé un empilement de couches minces

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH345850A (fr) * 1959-04-09 1960-04-15 Lapidor Sa Procédé de fabrication d'un élément contrasté, notamment d'un cadran de montre
US3433013A (en) * 1966-04-04 1969-03-18 Jean Singer & Cie Sa Timepiece dial

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2252647A (en) * 1939-08-18 1941-08-12 Schmitz Werner Watch
FR1055158A (fr) * 1952-04-24 1954-02-16 Cadran perfectionné pour appareils d'horlogerie ou autres applications et son procédé de fabrication
US2716829A (en) * 1953-02-05 1955-09-06 Huguenin & Cie Time piece dials
CH405163A (fr) * 1963-01-08 1965-09-15 Flueckiger & Cie Procédé de fabrication d'un cadran à signes horaires luminescents et cadran obtenu par ce procédé

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH345850A (fr) * 1959-04-09 1960-04-15 Lapidor Sa Procédé de fabrication d'un élément contrasté, notamment d'un cadran de montre
US3433013A (en) * 1966-04-04 1969-03-18 Jean Singer & Cie Sa Timepiece dial

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140177401A1 (en) * 2011-07-20 2014-06-26 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Method for inserting a decoration in an external timepiece element deposited by electroforming and an external element made in accordance with this method
US9128468B2 (en) * 2011-07-20 2015-09-08 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd. Method for inserting a decoration in an external timepiece element deposited by electroforming and an external element made in accordance with this method
US11415943B2 (en) * 2017-09-15 2022-08-16 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Display member and timepiece
USD858339S1 (en) * 2017-11-08 2019-09-03 Richemont International Sa Watch dial
USD880332S1 (en) * 2017-11-08 2020-04-07 Richemont International Sa Watch dial

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US3724202A (en) 1973-04-03
CH531737A (fr) 1972-08-31
DE2049341C3 (de) 1979-06-13
DE2049341A1 (de) 1971-04-29
DE2049341B2 (de) 1978-10-12

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