CH720671A2 - Display mechanism for a timepiece, as well as movement and timepiece comprising such a display mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a display mechanism (100) for a timepiece comprising at least one time indicator member (h, m) of the current time driven in rotation relative to a support (CD), such as a dial, which at least one time indicator member includes an hour indicator member (h) driven at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 12 or 24 hours. The support (CD) is made of a transparent material and has an upper face (CDa) and a lower face, each provided with an opacifying or translucent marking (160h, 160m, 160). The display mechanism (100) further comprises a rotating disk (DR) positioned below the support (CD) such that an upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is visible at least partially through the support (CD), the rotating disk (DR) being driven in rotation coaxially with the hour indicator member (h). The upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with at least one time indicator (150) intended for displaying information that varies over time. The display mechanism (100) is configured so as to allow, in addition to displaying the current time, the display of additional time information by combining the time indicator present on the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR), on the one hand, and the hour indicator member (h) and/or the opacifying or translucent marking made on the support (CD), on the other hand.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of watchmaking and more particularly concerns a display mechanism for a timepiece, as well as a watch movement and a timepiece comprising such a display mechanism.

Technological background

[0002] Swiss Patent No. CH 701 406 B1 discloses a display module for a timepiece comprising a first fixed dial and first and second rotating members coaxially superimposed below or above the first fixed dial on a common axis, the first fixed dial and the first and second rotating members each being at least partially transparent. In particular, a configuration is proposed where the first and second rotating members each consist of a rotating disk and are arranged below the first fixed dial, above a second fixed dial which, depending on the position occupied by the first and second rotating members, can be completely hidden or partially visible through the transparent portions of the first fixed dial and the first and second rotating members. More specifically still, the first fixed dial comprises an opaque angular sector and a transparent angular sector, as do each of the two rotating members. The sum of the angles of each of the opaque angular sectors corresponds to at least 360. The first and second rotating members are arranged to pivot about their common axis, in opposite directions, so as to completely hide or reveal the second fixed dial. This solution was notably implemented in the “Galet Secret” piece marketed by the company LAURENT FERRIER SA. With regard to the aforementioned solution, it can be noted that the rotating members are not intended to allow the display of a time indication and are only pivoted to reveal or hide part of the second fixed dial.

[0003] Swiss patent No. CH 688 171 B5 discloses an additional astronomical representation mechanism for a timepiece comprising in particular a first semi-transparent rotating disk bearing a graphic representation of a map of the stars visible in the sky (also referred to as a "sky map"), which first rotating disk is rotated counterclockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per period approximately equivalent to one sidereal day (i.e. approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.09892 seconds or 0.99727 days). In fact, according to the information contained in this patent, the first rotating disk is rotated at a period precisely equivalent to 1,819/1,824 days, i.e. approximately 0.99726 days, resulting in an inaccuracy of approximately 0.941 seconds per day. The mechanism further comprises a moon circumvolution indicator mechanism including a second rotating moon disk, arranged below the first rotating disk, and rotated counterclockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per period approximately equivalent to one lunar day (i.e. approximately 24 hours, 50 minutes and 28.328 seconds or 1.03505 days). This moon circumvolution indicator mechanism also incorporates the moon phase display timed to the rhythm of a lunation. The subject matter of Swiss patent No. CH 688 171 B5 has been implemented in particular by Patek Philippe in the wristwatches bearing the references 5102 CELESTIAL and 6102 CELESTIAL, the aforementioned mechanism being in this case associated with the display of the current time by means of hour, minute and second indicator hands. Regarding the timepiece marketed by Patek Philippe under the reference 6102 CELESTIAL, which is based on the caliber 240 LU CL C, the specifications indicate that the inaccuracy regarding the drive of the first rotating disc has been reduced to 0.088 seconds per day.

[0004] Timepieces such as the Admiral's Cup AC-One 45 Tides marketed by Corum are also known. This piece is equipped with the CO 277 caliber developed by Dubois & Dépraz which is notably provided with a tide cycle display mechanism consisting of a dedicated counter, placed at six o'clock, making it possible to indicate the approximate time, over 24 hours, of the next high and low tides. This counter comprises a rotating disk rotated clockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per lunation and an indicator hand making one complete revolution in 24 hours. The rotating disk more particularly carries high tide and low tide indicators which make it possible to determine the time of the high tide and low tide and indicate whether the tide is rising or falling. The aforementioned CO 277 caliber is also provided with a moon phase display mechanism consisting of another dedicated counter, placed at twelve o'clock, as more fully described in Swiss patents Nos. CH 676 310 B5 and CH 680 694 B5.

[0005] Swiss patent No. CH 710 770 B1 describes a timepiece comprising a movement and an astronomical display device, which comprises first and second transparent elements, superimposed and rotatable relative to each other. The first element bears a representation of a map of the stars likely to be visible in the sky, while the second element bears a representation of a closed curve delimiting at each instant a part of the star map. More specifically, the second element is located between the movement and the first element. In addition, the movement is visible through the first and second elements. Finally, an area of the second element inside the closed curve is opaque or less transparent than the rest of the second element in order to make visible the part of the star map delimited by the closed curve. In one embodiment, the first element is for example constituted by a crystal of the timepiece and the second element is constituted by a rotating disk. In another embodiment, the first and second elements are both discs, one rotating and the other fixed. This latter embodiment is notably implemented on the back of the unique piece Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 by Vacheron Constantin.

[0006] The above-mentioned solutions have certain limitations, particularly with regard to their concept which is dedicated to a well-defined function. These solutions are also perfectible with regard to their precision.

[0007] There therefore remains a real need to propose a solution which remedies the limitations and disadvantages of the display mechanisms for timepieces of the state of the art.

Disclosure of the invention

[0008] A general object of the present invention is to remedy the various problems and limitations of the display mechanisms for timepieces of the state of the art.

[0009] More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide such a display mechanism which offers great flexibility of implementation and is not limited to a single operating mode or a single display function.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a display mechanism which can be implemented in various forms without requiring complex and/or costly adaptations.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a display mechanism which can be integrated into a watch movement, respectively into a timepiece, without compromising the functionalities of this watch movement or of this timepiece.

[0012] The present invention meets at least part of these aims, as well as others, by proposing a display mechanism for a timepiece comprising at least one time indicator member of the current time driven in rotation relative to a support, which at least one time indicator member includes an hour indicator member driven at the rate of one complete revolution per period of 12 or 24 hours. The support is made of a transparent material and has an upper face and a lower face, each provided with an opacifying or translucent marking. The display mechanism according to the invention further comprises a rotating disk positioned below the support so that an upper face of the rotating disk is at least partially visible through the support, the rotating disk being driven in rotation coaxially with the hour indicator member. In addition, the upper face of the rotating disk is provided with at least one time indicator intended for displaying information varying over time. The display mechanism according to the invention is thus configured so as to allow, in addition to the display of the current time, the display of additional time information by the combination of the time indicator present on the upper face of the rotating disk, on the one hand, and the hour indicator member and/or the opacifying or translucent marking made on the support, on the other hand.

[0013] This display mechanism offers the possibility of implementing multiple distinct display functions while exploiting a common base, which makes it possible to pool and reduce production costs by reusing a very large part of common components.

[0014] Advantageous and/or preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] In particular, according to a variant of the invention, the support is a dial opposite which said at least one time indicator member of the current time is driven in rotation, the rotating disk being positioned below the dial so that the upper face of the rotating disk is arranged opposite the lower face of the dial. According to another variant, the support could consist of a glass of the timepiece.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the rotating disk is secured, on a lower face, to a toothed crown ensuring the rotational drive of the rotating disk. This toothed crown is preferably a toothed crown with internal teeth. The toothed crown is preferably arranged near the periphery of the lower face of the rotating disk so as to free up space in the center of the toothed crown for driving the rotating disk.

[0017] This toothed crown may in particular have a peripheral shoulder used to ensure the rotational guidance and the axial guidance of the toothed crown and the associated rotating disk. Alternatively, the toothed crown may be made integral or form an integral part of a ring of a rolling bearing, such as a ball or needle bearing.

[0018] The rotational drive of the rotating disk is preferably provided by means of a drive mechanism comprising a gear train meshing, on the one hand, with an hour wheel secured to the hour indicator member and, on the other hand, with the toothed crown. In this context, the drive mechanism may in particular comprise a disengageable gear wheel that can be actuated in order to selectively interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel. In one embodiment, this disengageable gear wheel is a sliding gear mounted on a pivoting lever.

[0019] Preferably, the display mechanism further comprises a mechanism for rapid correction of the position of the rotating disk, which is configured so as to actuate the disengageable gear wheel in order to selectively interrupt the driving of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel and in parallel establish a connection between a manual correcting member and the rotating disk. This manual correcting member may in particular be a correcting rod with several axial correction positions also acting as a correcting member for setting the time.

[0020] The correcting rod can occupy at least first and second axial correction positions. According to a first embodiment variant, in the first axial correction position, the correcting rod actuates the disengageable gear wheel so as to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel, thus allowing a correction of the position of the rotating disk independently of the position of the time indicator member(s), whereas, in the second axial correction position, the correcting rod also actuates the disengageable gear wheel so as to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel, thus allowing a correction of the position of the time indicator member(s) independently of the position of the rotating disk. According to another embodiment variant, in the first axial correction position, the corrective rod likewise actuates the disengageable gear wheel so as to interrupt the driving of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel, thus allowing a correction of the position of the rotating disk independently of the position of the time indicator member(s), whereas, in the second axial correction position, the corrective rod does not actuate the disengageable gear wheel so as to maintain the driving of the drive mechanism by the hour wheel, thus allowing a joint correction of the position of the time indicator member(s) and the position of the rotating disk.

[0021] The disengageable gear mobile can advantageously be actuated by means of a control member, in particular a slide or rocker, the position of which is controlled by the rapid correction mechanism.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred aspect, the gear train is at least partly modular and reconfigurable so as to adapt the direction of rotation of the rotating disk and/or the period of revolution of the rotating disk. In particular, the display mechanism advantageously comprises a plurality of bearings prearranged so as to allow the formation of a set of pre-established gear trains, suitable for the implementation of multiple distinct display functions.

[0023] Generally speaking, the support is preferably made of sapphire glass or mineral glass, or even synthetic glass, such as polycarbonate.

[0024] With regard to the opacifying or translucent marking carried out on one and/or the other of the upper and lower faces of the support, this is in particular preferably a marking obtained by selective sandblasting of the relevant surface of the support or by selective application of an opacifying material, such as a lacquer, on the relevant surface of the support, other solutions being possibly conceivable. Thus, a surface treatment other than sandblasting, for example by laser treatment, may in particular be envisaged. In fact, the implementation of any mechanical, physical, chemical or galvanic process may be envisaged with a view to forming the desired opacifying or translucent marking(s), including any deposit or formation of metallizations.

[0025] Generally speaking, the relevant face of the support can advantageously be provided with indexes and/or hour numerals for indicating the current time.

[0026] In the specific case where the support consists of a dial, the rotating disk is in particular advantageously arranged immediately below the dial and spaced from the latter by a distance preferably not exceeding 0.5 mm, so as to minimize any parallax error when reading the additional time information.

[0027] The invention allows the realization of multiple distinct display functions, and this with great flexibility and versatility, as explained below.

[0028] In particular, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the information varying over time is information related to the lunar cycle, in particular information relating to a tidal cycle or information relating to the phases of the moon. More specific embodiment variants of this first embodiment are also claimed as preferred.

[0029] Furthermore, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the information varying over time is information linked to the day of the week, the date of the month, or to at least one time variable whose periodicity is of the order of one year, in particular a periodicity substantially equivalent to the duration of a tropical/solar year (namely approximately 365.2425 days). More specific variant embodiments of this second embodiment are also claimed as a preference.

[0030] According to a third embodiment of the invention, the information varying over time is information linked to the time of at least one other time zone, and the rotating disk is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per 24-hour period. More specific embodiment variants of this third embodiment are also claimed as preferred.

[0031] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the information varying over time is information related to the position of the stars in the sky, and the rotating disk is rotated counterclockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per period substantially equivalent to the duration of a sidereal day, preferably a period equivalent to 8'401/8'424 days. A more specific variant embodiment of this fourth embodiment is also claimed as a preference.

[0032] According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, the information varying over time is a time story taking place over the time of a complete revolution of the rotating disk. In this context, the rotating disk can in particular be rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per period of several days, but this period can in fact be between, for example, twelve hours and one year. In the context of this fifth embodiment of the invention, the upper face of the rotating disk is provided with a graphic representation illustrating the time story and the support is provided, preferably on its lower face, with an opacifying or translucent marking arranged so as to partially mask the rotating disk and reveal only part of the time story through a transparent area of the support. A more specific variant embodiment of this fifth embodiment is also claimed as a preference.

[0033] Also claimed is a watch movement comprising a display mechanism according to the invention, as well as a timepiece (for example, but not only a wristwatch) comprising a case accommodating such a watch movement, the case having a bezel portion delimiting a front opening closed by a crystal, the display mechanism being at least partly visible through the front opening. Preferably, the display mechanism is configured and arranged so that the rotating disk occupies substantially the entire space of the front opening. More specifically still, in the case where the support consists of a dial, the bezel portion may in particular advantageously cover a peripheral edge of the dial and may also be made integral, for example by screwing, with a caseband of the case so as to receive the dial in a shoulder made on the caseband or on the bezel portion and hold the dial by its peripheral edge between the bezel portion and the caseband.

[0034] Other aspects and advantages of the invention are set out in the remainder of this description.

Brief description of the drawings

[0035] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are presented solely as non-limiting examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings in which: – Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a timepiece, namely a wristwatch, incorporating a display mechanism according to a first variant embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of moon phases; – Figure 1B is a back perspective view of the timepiece of Figure 1A; – Figure 2 is a photorealistic rendering representation of a timepiece in accordance with Figure 1A; – Figure 3 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of the display mechanism equipping the timepiece of Figures 1A, 1B and 2; – Figure 4A is a view of the dial equipping the display mechanism of Figure 3, as seen from the front, from the side of the upper face of the dial; – Figure 4B is a view of the dial equipping the display mechanism of Figure 3, as seen from the back, from the side of the lower face of the dial; – Figure 5A is a view of the upper face of the rotating disk equipping the display mechanism of Figure 3; – Figure 5B is a view of the lower side of the rotating disk equipping the display mechanism of Figure 3, revealing a toothed crown secured to the rotating disk in order to ensure its rotational drive; – Figure 5C is a side view of the rotating disk equipping the display mechanism of Figure 3; – Figure 6 is a partially exploded sectional view of the timepiece of Figures 1A and 1B illustrating a particularly preferred arrangement of the display mechanism inside a case of the timepiece; – Figure 7 is a perspective view, dial side, of the watch movement equipping the timepiece of Figures 1A and 1B, the current time indicating organs, the dial, as well as the rotating disk having been omitted with the exception of the toothed crown; – Figure 8A is a front view, dial side, of the movement of Figure 7, the upper bridges having been omitted in order to reveal a drive mechanism for the rotating disk, as well as a mechanism for correcting the angular position of the rotating disk and the position of the time indicating organs; – Figure 8B is a partial exploded perspective view of the drive mechanism for the rotating disk of Figure 8A; – Figure 9 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a second variant embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism also allows the display of moon phases; – Figure 10A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a third embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of a tidal cycle; – Figure 10B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 10A illustrating the display in a configuration where the hour indicator member is aligned with a high tide indicator provided on the rotating disk; – Figure 11A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of the day of the week; – Figure 11B is a front view of a portion of the display mechanism of Figure 11A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is Sunday and a little after 10:09 in the morning; – Figure 12A is a view of the dial equipping the display mechanism of Figures 11A and 11B, as seen from the front, from the side of the upper face of the dial; – Figure 12B is a view of the dial equipping the display mechanism of Figures 11A and 11B, as seen from the back, from the side of the lower face of the dial; – Figure 13 is a view of the upper face of the rotating disk equipping the display mechanism of Figures 11A and 11B; – Figure 14A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a fifth variant embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of the date of the month; – Figure 14B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 14A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is a little after 10:09 p.m., the 2nd of the current month; – Figure 15A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism also allows the display of the date of the month; – Figure 15B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 15A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is a little after 10:09 p.m., the 11th of the current month; – Figure 16A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows in particular the display of the equation of time as well as the approximate time of sunrise and the approximate time of sunset; – Figure 16B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 16A illustrating the display in a configuration corresponding to July 23 of the current year; – Figure 17 is a front view of an enlarged area of the periphery of the rotating disk of the display mechanism of Figures 16A and 16B on which an annual calendar scale is provided, illustrating a longer transition between the end of February and the beginning of March; – Figure 18A is an exploded schematic perspective view of a display mechanism according to an eighth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the wandering display of the day of the week by means of the hour indicating member; – Figure 18B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 18A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is Sunday and a little after 10:09 in the morning; – Figure 19A is an exploded schematic perspective view of a display mechanism according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the wandering display of the date of the month by means of the hour indicating member; – Figure 19B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 19A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is a little after 10:09 p.m. on the 27th of the current month; – Figure 20A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a tenth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism notably allows the wandering display of the equation of time as well as the approximate time of sunrise and the approximate time of sunset; – Figure 20B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 20A illustrating the display in a configuration corresponding to October 15 of the current year; – Figure 21A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of a star map visible in the sky; – Figure 21B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 21A showing the display in an illustrative configuration; – Figure 22 is an exploded, schematic perspective view of a display mechanism according to a twelfth alternative embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of the times of the world time zones; – Figure 23 is a schematic front view of a timepiece incorporating a display mechanism according to the alternative embodiment of Figure 22 where the rotating disk bears a graphic representation of a world map centered on the North Pole; – Figure 24 is an exploded, schematic perspective view of a display mechanism according to a thirteenth alternative embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of the time of a second time zone; – Figure 25 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the wandering display of the time of a second time zone; – Figure 26 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of a time narrative taking place over a determined period, for example 3 days; – Figure 27A is a schematic, exploded perspective view of a display mechanism according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism allows the display of the time of a second time zone by means of a rotating disk making a complete revolution of several days, for example 3 days; – Figure 27B is a front view of the display mechanism of Figure 27A illustrating the display in a configuration indicating that it is for example a little after 10:09 p.m. and that it is a little after 2:09 p.m. in the second time zone considered; – Figure 28A is a front view, dial side, of a timepiece movement incorporating a display mechanism according to the invention, illustrating the movement in a normal winding configuration; – Figure 28B is a front view, dial side, of the timepiece movement of Figure 28A, illustrating the movement in a first correction configuration allowing the correction of the position of the rotating disk independently of the time indicating members; – Figure 28C is a front view, dial side, of the timepiece movement of Figures 28A and 28B, illustrating the movement in a second correction configuration allowing the joint correction of the position of the time indicating members and the position of the rotating disk; and – Figure 29 is a front view, dial side, of a timepiece movement incorporating another display mechanism according to the invention, illustrating the movement in a second correction configuration allowing the correction of the position of the time indicator organs independently of the position of the rotating disc.

Description of the embodiments

[0036] The present invention will be described with reference to various embodiments and variants as illustrated in particular by Figures 1A-B to 29.

[0037] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views, respectively from the front, dial side, and from the back, of a timepiece P, namely a wristwatch in the illustrated example, incorporating a display mechanism according to a first variant embodiment of the invention, which display mechanism is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. In the illustrated example, as discussed below in more detail, the display mechanism 100 more particularly allows the display of moon phases.

[0038] The timepiece P conventionally comprises a case B including in particular a caseband CR, a part forming a bezel L delimiting a front opening closed by a crystal GL, for example a sapphire crystal, and a back here consisting of a transparent back LF delimiting a back opening itself closed by another crystal GF, for example sapphire. Inside the case B is housed a watch movement MVT comprising the aforementioned display mechanism 100. In the present case, the watch movement MVT is a hand-wound movement comprising two barrels BR, partly visible on the back of the piece P, providing the energy necessary to drive the movement MVT. The winding of the barrels BR can be carried out in a manner which is conventional in itself by a hand-winding device actuated by the crown CC at three o'clock and which will not be described here because it is known as such. The going train conventionally drives the means for displaying the current time, here comprising a pair of hour indicator hands h and minute indicator hands m, which are conventionally arranged coaxially at the centre of the MVT movement. Visible on the back of the timepiece P are the balance wheel BL and its hairspring and part of the associated escapement EC, which sets the pace of the MVT watch movement so that the going train ensures the rotational drive of the hour indicator hand h and the minute indicator hand m at a rate of one complete revolution every 12 hours and every 60 minutes, respectively.

[0039] In the illustrated example, it can already be noted that the display mechanism 100 occupies substantially the entire space of the front opening delimited by the bezel-forming part L, including a dial, forming a support, (hereinafter designated by the reference sign CD) made of a transparent material and a rotating disk (hereinafter designated by the reference sign DR) positioned below this dial, as described below. In the illustrated example, the dial is not immediately recognizable and its existence is mainly betrayed by the presence of opacifying or translucent markings 160, 160h, and 160m made, here, on both a lower face and an upper face of the dial. More precisely, a translucent (or even opacifying) marking 160 is produced (for example by sandblasting) on the lower face of the dial so as to form a masking element for displaying the moon phases, while opacifying markings 160h, 160m are produced (for example by applying an opacifying material, such as a lacquer) on the upper face of the dial so as to form hour indexes and numerals 160h as well as minute indexes 160m in order to facilitate the reading of the current time indicated by the set of indicator hands h, m. The presence of the rotating disk, positioned below the dial, is essentially betrayed by the presence of a time indicator 150 made on the upper face of the rotating disk. In the present case, this time indicator 150 comprises a graphic representation of two moons which are rotated at a rate of one complete revolution corresponding to two lunations, namely approximately 59 days.

[0040] Figure 2 is a photorealistic rendering representation of a timepiece P in accordance with Figure 1A and which allows a better understanding of a possible implementation of the display mechanism 100 according to this first variant embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of the display mechanism 100 equipping the timepiece of Figures 1A, 1B and 2. It shows the hour indicator hands h and minutes m, the dial CD, the rotating disk DR, as well as the watch movement MVT including a corrector stem TC which, in the assembled state, is secured to the crown CC conventionally positioned at three o'clock.

[0042] As already mentioned, the dial CD is here provided, on its upper face, designated CDa, with opacifying markings 160h, 160m to facilitate the reading of the current time, and, on its lower face, designated CDb, with a translucent marking 160, participating in the display of additional time information, namely the moon phases (see also Figures 4A and 4B which show the dial CD seen from the front and from the back).

[0043] In the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is provided, on its upper face, designated DRa, with a time indicator 150 comprising here a graphic representation of two moons, arranged in two diametrically opposed positions and symbolized by two circles in Figures 3 and 5A. As is partly visible in the side view of Figure 5C, the graphic representation of two moons 150 also has a slight bulge in order to give an impression of relief.

[0044] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR is preferably ensured by means of a toothed crown 120, visible in FIGS. 5B and 5C which is made integral with the lower side of the rotating disk DR, for example by riveting. This toothed crown 120 is advantageously a toothed crown with internal teeth 120a, a solution which has the advantage of facilitating the assembly and guiding of the rotating disk DR on the MVT watch movement. For these purposes, the toothed crown 120 preferably has a peripheral shoulder 120b, positioned here on an external peripheral part of the toothed crown 120. This peripheral shoulder 120b is used in order to ensure the rotational guidance and the axial guidance of the toothed crown 120, and therefore of the associated rotating disk DR, as explained below.

[0045] As illustrated, the toothed ring 120 is arranged near the periphery of the lower face of the rotating disk DR so as to free up space in the center of the toothed ring 120 for driving the rotating disk DR, as explained below.

[0046] In a variant, the toothed crown 120 could be made integral or an integral part of a ring (in particular an inner ring) of a rolling bearing, such as a ball or needle bearing. Such a variant is appropriate in the case where it is desirable to minimize the friction likely to resist the rotation of the rotating disk DR.

[0047] Figure 6 is a partially exploded sectional view of the timepiece P of Figures 1A and 1B illustrating a particularly preferred arrangement of the display mechanism 100. Figure 6 reveals that the caseband CR has a shoulder CRa sized to receive the dial CD, which is advantageously held, by its peripheral edge, between the bezel portion L and the caseband CR. In the illustrated example, the bezel portion L is screwed onto the caseband CR and is provided with at least one seal, but other types of assembly could be imagined. In the illustrated example, a first seal J1 is interposed between the bezel portion L and the caseband CR so as to ensure good sealing. Preferably, a second seal J2 is interposed between the bezel portion L and the peripheral edge of the dial CD so as to exert an elastic hold on the peripheral edge of the dial CD. If necessary, one could also imagine that an elastic support is also provided between the peripheral edge of the dial CD and the shoulder CRa of the caseband CR, axially and/or radially, so as to absorb to a certain extent the shocks likely to be transmitted to the dial CD. The transparent back LF is also preferably screwed onto the lower part of the caseband CR. The bezel-forming part L and the caseband CR could alternatively be made of a single piece, it being understood that the dial CD would be held in a different way inside the caseband CR. In any case, it is preferable for the bezel-forming part L to cover the peripheral edge of the dial CD, which has the effect of better masking the presence of the latter and giving the impression that the markings 160, 160h, 160m are floating above the rotating disk DR. It may also be noted that the dial CD also includes a notch CDe at twelve o'clock, as illustrated in particular in Figures 3, 4A and 4B, in order to ensure adequate angular positioning of the dial CD in the caseband CR. Although not illustrated, a corresponding protrusion is made at twelve o'clock on the shoulder CRa of the caseband CR so as to cooperate with this notch CDe made on the dial CD.

[0048] Figure 6 also reveals the presence of a retaining and guiding element GD of the rotating disk DR, which is fixed laterally on a plate PL of the watch movement MVT in order to grip the peripheral shoulder 120b made on the periphery of the toothed crown 120. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8A, three retaining and guiding elements GD, spaced from each other by approximately 120 degrees, are in fact distributed around the toothed crown 120 in order to hold the peripheral shoulder 120b and ensure the axial guidance of the toothed crown 120. The rotational guidance of the toothed crown 120 is ensured by the plate PL. Jewel bearings may, if necessary, be provided in order to support the toothed crown 120 and reduce friction, both axially and radially. Each GD retaining and guiding element is fixed by means of a VD screw or other suitable fixing element.

[0049] Figure 6 also shows that the rotating disk DR is arranged immediately below the dial and spaced from the latter by a relatively small distance d. Preferably, this distance does not exceed 0.5 mm and is for example approximately 0.2 mm, the objective being to ensure intimate cooperation between the rotating disk DR and the dial CD, and to reduce any possible parallax error when reading the additional time information.

[0050] Figure 7 is a perspective view, dial side, of the MVT watch movement equipping the timepiece of Figures 1A and 1B, the current time indicating organs h, m, the dial CD, as well as the rotating disk DR having been omitted, with the exception of the toothed crown 120. This Figure 7 reveals a drive mechanism ENT of the rotating disk DR, largely hidden by a first bridge PTE, as well as a rapid correction mechanism COR of the position of the rotating disk DR, also largely hidden by a second bridge PTC.

[0051] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated more specifically in Figures 8A and 8B, the drive mechanism ENT comprises a gear train RV/RB/TE meshing, on the one hand, with an hour wheel RH and, on the other hand, with the toothed crown 120. In the illustrated example, the hour wheel RH is none other than the wheel carrying the hour barrel RHa, itself made integral with the hour indicator hand h.

[0052] More specifically, in the illustrated example, the drive mechanism ENT advantageously comprises a drive idler RV in permanent mesh with the hour wheel RH, on the one hand, and a sliding idler RB, on the other hand, which sliding idler RB is also part of the drive mechanism ENT. The sliding idler RB is carried by a lever BA which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the drive idler RV. The sliding idler RB here acts as a disengageable gear wheel which can be actuated, by pivoting the lever BA, in order to selectively interrupt the driving of the drive mechanism ENT by the hour wheel RH. The engagement or disengagement of the sliding idler RB is controlled by means of the rapid correction mechanism COR as discussed below. By default, namely as long as the lever BA is not constrained in a clockwise pivoting movement, the lever BA is constrained by a spring RS to come to a stop, in a counterclockwise movement, against a pin GP arranged on the plate PL (or any other suitable stop) in order to limit the travel of the lever BA and the sliding gear RB. In this position of the lever BA, the sliding gear RB is in the clutch position and engages with the first drive mobile, designated α, of a gear train TE which ensures the driving of the toothed ring 120 in the desired direction of rotation and with the desired period. In the other position of the lever BA (as illustrated in Figure 28B or 29), the sliding gear RB is spaced from the first drive mobile α so as to interrupt the driving of the toothed ring 120, and therefore of the associated rotating disk DR.

[0053] It will be understood that the selective disengagement of the ENT drive mechanism could be ensured by any other means, for example by means of a vertical clutch, similar to what can be found in particular in certain chronograph mechanisms.

[0054] In the illustrated example, the drive mechanism ENT comprises, downstream of the sliding gear RB, a gear train TE whose arrangement and configuration determine the direction of rotation of the toothed ring 120 and its rotation period. The gear train TE here consists of an even number of drive mobiles, namely four drive mobiles designated α, β, γ and δ, which means that the last drive mobile δ which is engaged with the internal toothing 120a of the toothed ring is driven in rotation in the clockwise direction, in this example, as is the toothed ring 120, and therefore the associated rotating disk DR. In the present case, each of the drive mobiles α-δ is formed of an assembly consisting of a wheel and a pinion whose teeth are for example defined as indicated in Table 1 below, it being understood that the term "wheel" designates by convention the element of the mobile concerned which is engaged with the preceding mobile, while the term "pinion" designates by convention the element of the mobile concerned which is engaged with the following mobile. bearings used P1-P1' P2-P2' P3-P3' P4-P4' wheel 32 58 60 52 pinion 59 10 17 29

Table 1

[0055] Considering, by way of illustration, an hour wheel RH having a toothing of 45 teeth and a toothed crown 120 having an internal toothing 120a of 267 teeth, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is equivalent in this case to precisely 296'192/5'015 days, or approximately 59.0612 days, which period is close to double the average duration of a lunation. In other words, in the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is driven in rotation, here in the clockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution per period equivalent to two lunations.

[0056] The other embodiment variants described below are based substantially on the same configuration where the hour wheel RH (here with 45 teeth) drives the rotating disk DR via the drive mechanism ENT. In this respect, the teeth of the drive idler RV and the sliding idler RB remain in fact unchanged and have no direct impact on the drive speed of the rotating disk DR. Given the arrangement of the gear train RV/RB/TE constituting the drive mechanism ENT, the speed at which the first drive wheel α is driven, as well as its direction of rotation, remain unchanged, regardless of the embodiment variant concerned. The teeth of the wheel of this first drive wheel α, which is engaged, in the engaged state, with the sliding idler RB, also remain unchanged. In the example described for illustrative purposes, this toothing is more particularly 32 teeth, but it is of course understood that other configurations are perfectly conceivable. The toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 is also adapted as required according to the embodiment variant implemented, as discussed below.

[0057] As illustrated in the partially exploded view of Figure 8B, the α-δ drive mobiles are carried between lower bearings P1 to P4, jeweled, formed in the plate PL, and upper bearings P1' to P4', also jeweled, formed in the upper bridge PTE. A fifth set of bearings P5-P5' is also formed, which is not used in the context of this first embodiment variant. These five sets of bearings P1-P1', P2-P2', P3-P3', P4-P4', P5-P5' are predisposed so as to allow the formation of a set of pre-established RV/RB/TE gear trains, suitable for the implementation of multiple distinct display functions, including in particular, but not exclusively, all four α-δ drive mobiles illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B. It will be understood that the particular arrangement of the levels P1-P1', P2-P2', P3-P3', P4-P4', P5-P5', as illustrated, is not limiting.

[0058] Figure 9 illustrates a second variant embodiment of a display mechanism 100* for displaying moon phases. According to this second variant, the time indicator 150* made on the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is adapted to include the graphic representation of a single moon, and the translucent (or even opacifying) marking 160* made on the lower face CDb of the dial CD is adapted accordingly. In addition, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is halved, compared with the variant previously explained with reference to Figures 1A-B to 8A-B, so that the rotating disk DR makes a complete revolution per period equivalent to a lunation. This is achieved by using a gear train TE substantially similar to that used in the context of the first variant embodiment mentioned above, by means of a simple corresponding adaptation of the teeth of the drive mobiles β and γ, as indicated in Table 2 below. The internal toothing 120a of the crown gear 120 remains unchanged in this case at 267 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P2-P2' P3-P3' P4-P4' wheel 32 58 42 52 pinion 59 14 17 29

Table 2

[0059] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 148,096/5,015 days, or approximately 29.5306 days, which period substantially approaches the average duration of a lunation. In other words, in the example illustrated in Figure 9, the rotating disk DR is rotated, here in a clockwise direction, at a rate of one complete revolution per period equivalent to a lunation.

[0060] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate a third variant embodiment of a display mechanism 200 for displaying other information related to the lunar cycle, namely information relating to the tidal cycle. The drive of the rotating disk DR is carried out in a manner similar to the first and second variant embodiments mentioned above, but such that the rotating disk DR makes one complete revolution per period equivalent to a half-lunation. This is achieved by using a gear train TE substantially similar to that used in the context of the first variant embodiment mentioned above, again by means of a simple corresponding adaptation of the teeth of the drive mobiles β and γ, as indicated in Table 3 below. The internal toothing 120a of the toothed ring 120 likewise remains unchanged at 267 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P2-P2' P3-P3' P4-P4' wheel 32 58 42 52 pinion 59 28 17 29

Table 3

[0061] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 74,048/5,015 days, or approximately 14.7653 days, which period approaches the average duration of a half-lunation. In other words, in the example illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, the rotating disk DR is rotated, in the clockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution per period equivalent to a half-lunation.

[0062] Unlike the first and second embodiment variants, the third embodiment variant of FIGS. 10A and 10B has the particularity that the hour indicator hand h participates in the display of additional time information, namely the indication of the tide cycle. More specifically, the dial CD is here mainly provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 260h, 260m (similar to the markings 160h, 160m) so as to form hour indexes and numerals 260h as well as minute indexes 260m in order to facilitate the reading of the current time indicated by the set of indicator hands h, m. The rotating disk DR carries, on its upper face DRa, a high tide indicator 251, a low tide indicator 252, as well as a rising/falling tide indicator 255. When the hour indicator hand h is aligned with the high tide indicator 251, as illustrated in Figure 10B, the time displayed by the indicator hands h, m corresponds de facto to the time of high tide and the low tide indicator 252 points substantially towards the approximate time of the following low tide (with a delay of the order of 12 minutes). Similarly, when the hour indicator hand h is aligned with the low tide indicator (which occurs approximately 6 hours and 12 minutes later), the time displayed by the indicator hands h, m corresponds de facto to the time of low tide and the high tide indicator 251 then points substantially to the approximate time of the next high tide (again with a delay of the order of 12 minutes). Between these two states, the hour indicator hand h indicates, in combination with the rising/falling tide indicator 255, whether the tide is rising or, respectively, falling. This third embodiment variant constitutes a particularly simple and readable solution for displaying the tide cycle.

[0063] Figures 11A-B to 13 illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of a display mechanism 300 which is here configured to allow the display of the day of the week. In this case, the rotating disk DR is driven in rotation, indifferently in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution in a period of 7 days. The illustrated example shows a particular case in which the rotating disk DR is driven in the clockwise direction.

[0064] More particularly, the dial CD is here provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 360h, 360m to facilitate reading of the current time, as well as an additional opacifying marking 365, arranged substantially at twelve o'clock. This additional opacifying marking 365, the utility of which will be explained later, can alternatively be made on the lower face CDb of the dial CD. On its lower face CDb, the dial CD is provided with a translucent (or even opacifying) marking 360, which aims to obscure (or mask) a little more than the lower half of the dial, between three o'clock and nine o'clock (see also Figures 12A and 12B which show the dial CD seen from the front and the back).

[0065] In the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is provided, on its upper face DRa, with a time indicator 351/352/355 comprising in particular a subdivision of the days of the week ("Monday", "Tuesday", etc.) over 7 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/7 degrees. The marking 365 made on the dial CD (indifferently on its upper face CDa or lower face CDb) plays the role of a daily marking making it possible to determine the actual day of the week (as well as the period of the day, morning or afternoon). More specifically, the subdivision of the days of the week 351 and the daily marking 365 are arranged so that the days of the week 351 move and scroll successively opposite the daily marking 365. The marking 360 made on the lower face CDb of the dial CD partially masks the rotating disk DR so as to mainly reveal only the actual day of the week, indicated at twelve o'clock by the combination of the daily marking 365 and the corresponding indication of the day of the week 351 arranged opposite this daily marking 365. In the illustrated example, the day preceding and the day following the actual day of the week are also visible.

[0066] Preferably, the daily marking 365 includes a daily time scale covering a period of 24 consecutive hours from midnight to midnight (indicated by the "0" at each end of the daily time scale). In addition, the weekday subdivision 351 further includes, for each day of the week, an indicator 352 for determining the actual day of the week based on the passage of the indicator 352 opposite the daily time scale 365. It will be appreciated that each day of the week indication 351 runs across the upper half of the dial CD, from left to right in the illustrated example. For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 11B, the display mechanism 300 indicates that it is Sunday and just after 10:09 a.m.

[0067] In the illustrated example, it can also be noted that the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is provided with an additional indication 355 linked to the days of the week. This is a symbolic representation of stars of the solar system associated with the days of the week, namely, in this order from Monday to Sunday: the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the Sun. Beyond the display of the day of the week, the display mechanism 300 thus also offers the display of a temporal narrative symbolically illustrating (but not necessarily faithfully) the classification of the stars concerned according to their apparent speed of movement in the sky as well as their size perceived from Earth (classification which is said to have been carried out by the Chaldeans of Mesopotamia) from the slowest to the fastest, namely Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, then the Moon.

[0068] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this fourth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising only two drive mobiles α and β which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1' and P4-P4', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 4 below. The internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown is here adapted to pass to 270 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' N/A N/A wheel 32 49 N/A N/A pinion 21 32 N/A N/A

Table 4

[0069] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case exactly 7 days. In other words, in the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is rotated, clockwise, at a rate of one complete revolution per period exactly one week.

[0070] Although Figures 11A-B to 13 show an exemplary embodiment where the days of the week are reported on the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR and the associated daily marking is reported on the dial CD, it is possibly possible to invert the indications, namely to report the days of the week on the dial CD and the associated daily marking on the rotating disk DR. In this case, it is the daily marking which moves opposite the days of the week at the rate of an angular displacement of 360/7 degrees in 24 hours. It is understood in this case that the sequence of the days of the week will be reversed compared to what is illustrated in Figures 11A-B to 13, that is to say that the days will follow one another in increasing chronological order in the clockwise direction. It will also be understood in this case that, with regard to the 360 marking illustrated in Figures 11A-B to 12A-B which aims to mask or obscure certain days of the week, such marking may then be omitted.

[0071] Figures 14A and 14B illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment of a display mechanism 400 which is here configured to allow the display of the date of the month. In this case, the rotating disk DR is driven in rotation, indifferently in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution in a period of 31 days. The illustrated example shows a particular case in which the rotating disk DR is driven in the clockwise direction.

[0072] More particularly, the dial CD is here provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 460h, 460m to facilitate the reading of the current time, as well as an additional opacifying marking 461, arranged on the periphery of the dial CD, including a subdivision of the dates of the month over 31 days, distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees in an increasing manner in the clockwise direction. The dial CD is also preferably provided, also on its upper face CDa, with a subdivision of 31 indexes 462 distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees, the usefulness of which will be explained later. The subdivisions 461, 462 can alternatively be made on the lower face CDb of the dial CD, it being noted that their purpose is to allow the reading of the date of the month, in combination with a date indicator 451 made on the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR.

[0073] In the example illustrated, the rotating disk DR is provided, on its upper face DRa, with a date indicator 451 which preferably has a rectilinear portion 451a oriented towards the center of the rotating disk DR and intended to move opposite the index subdivision 462, in order to determine the passage at midnight from one date of the month to the next.

[0074] For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 14B, the display mechanism 400 indicates that it is a little after 10:09 p.m., the 2nd of the current month, noting that the straight portion 451a of the date indicator 451 shows the next passage to midnight, on the 3rd of the current month.

[0075] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this fifth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising four drive mobiles α to δ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P4-P4', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 5 below. The internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 is likewise 270 teeth in this case. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' P3-P3' P2-P2' wheel 32 60 31 49 pinion 18 32 14 35

Table 5

[0076] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case exactly 31 days. In other words, in the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is rotated, clockwise, at a rate of one complete revolution per period exactly equal to a month of 31 days.

[0077] Figures 15A and 15B illustrate a sixth alternative embodiment of a display mechanism 500 which is configured to likewise allow the display of the date of the month. In this case, the rotating disk DR is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution in a period of 31 days, but in a counterclockwise direction.

[0078] More particularly, the dial CD is here essentially provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 560h, 560m to facilitate the reading of the current time, as well as an additional opacifying marking 561, arranged at twelve o'clock, acting as a date indicator. This date indicator 561 can indifferently be produced on the upper face CDa or the lower face CDb of the dial CD.

[0079] The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR bears for its part a subdivision 551 of the dates of the month over 31 days, distributed on the periphery of the rotating disk DR, at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees, in an increasing manner in the clockwise direction. The rotating disk DR is moreover preferably provided with a subdivision of 31 indexes 552 distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees intended to allow the indication of the passage at midnight from one date of the month to the next. In this regard, the date indicator 561 advantageously has a rectilinear portion 561a oriented towards the center of the dial (like the date indicator 451 of Figures 14A and 14B) and intended to move opposite the subdivision of indexes 552, in order to determine the passage at midnight from one date of the month to the next.

[0080] For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 15B, the display mechanism 400 indicates that it is a little after 10:09 p.m., the 11th of the current month.

[0081] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this sixth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising three drive mobiles α to γ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P3-P3' and P4-P4', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 6 below. In this case also, the internal toothing 120a of the toothed ring 120 has 270 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P3-P3' P4-P4' N/A wheel 32 42 62 N/A pinion 14 18 32 N/A

Table 6

[0082] In view of the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is likewise in this case precisely 31 days. In other words, in the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is rotated, in the counterclockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution per period precisely equivalent to a month of 31 days.

[0083] Figures 16A, 16B and 17 illustrate a seventh embodiment of a display mechanism 600 which is configured to allow in particular the display of the equation of time and the approximate time of sunrise/sunset. In this case, the rotating disk DR is rotated clockwise at a rate of one complete revolution in a period substantially equivalent to the duration of a tropical/solar year, i.e. approximately 365.25 days (or more precisely still approximately 365.2425 days).

[0084] More particularly, the dial CD is here essentially provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 660h to facilitate the reading of the current time. The dial CD also comprises, preferably on its lower face CDb, two opacifying markings 661, 662 taking the form of graduations which are arranged, in the illustrated example, on the three o'clock-nine o'clock axis. Another opacifying marking 665 is also formed at twelve o'clock, also on the lower face CDb of the dial CD, which acts as a calendar indicator as explained below.

[0085] The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is for its part provided with an equation of time curve 651 occupying a central part of the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR, as well as a marking indicating the sunrise and sunset 652. On the periphery of the rotating disk DR, an annual calendar scale 655 is also provided, which preferably includes an indication of the months of the year (or even the seasons), as well as a calendar subdivision of 365 days.

[0086] As will be understood, the equation of time 651 is arranged so as to move opposite the first graduation 661 in order to indicate a difference between the mean solar time and the effective solar time, a difference which is measured in minutes and varies approximately by plus or minus a quarter of an hour during the year.

[0087] The sunrise and sunset indicative marking 652, represented by an area between two non-concentric curves, as schematically illustrated in Figures 16A and 16B, is a function of the position on the globe. This marking 652 moves opposite the second graduation 662 and indicates the approximate time of sunrise as well as the approximate time of sunset.

[0088] The annual calendar scale 655 moves during the year with respect to the fixed calendar indicator 665 and allows an approximate indication of the calendar date, it being noted however that this indication is not intended to allow a precise reading of the date. In fact, the annual calendar scale 655 and the calendar indicator 665 are mainly used to adjust the display mechanism 600.

[0089] Similar to what has been mentioned in particular regarding the mechanism 300 for displaying the days of the week, it is perfectly possible to invert the indications appearing on the dial CD and the rotating disk DR, namely to report the equation of time, the indicative marking of sunrise and sunset, and/or the annual calendar scale on the dial CD, and the calendar indicator on the rotating disk DR.

[0090] For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 16B, the display mechanism 600 indicates July 23 of the current year, an equation of time of approximately +6.5 minutes, an approximate sunrise time of just under 5:00 a.m., and an approximate sunset time of just over 8:00 p.m.

[0091] A trick is preferably operated with respect to the annual calendar scale 655 of this seventh embodiment of the invention (which is also preferably adopted in the context of the tenth embodiment discussed below with reference to Figures 20A and 20B), namely that the subdivision into 365 calendar days is not entirely uniform and includes an artificially longer transition 655A between the end of February and the beginning of March, as illustrated in Figure 17, in order to take into account the difference, over the long term, between the calendar year and the tropical/solar year. This difference is mainly intended to ensure that the rate of the display mechanism is substantially consistent with the actual duration of a tropical/solar year and takes into account leap calendar years.

[0092] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this seventh embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising four drive mobiles α to δ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P5-P5', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 7 below. In this case, the internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 has increased to 274 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P5-P5' P3-P3' P2-P2' wheel 32 50 54 65 pinion 12 10 10 39

Table 7

[0093] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 1'096/3 days (365.3333 days), which is a little more than the target period of a tropical/solar year which is approximately 365.2425 days. This results in a slight shift of less than one tenth of a day per year, or more precisely one day of shift approximately every 11 years, which is perfectly acceptable.

[0094] The alternative embodiments which will now be discussed with reference to Figures 18A-B to 20A-B are fundamentally alternatives to the display mechanisms previously discussed with reference to Figures 11A-B to 17. A notable feature of these display mechanisms 300*, 400*, 600* is that they are based on a "wandering" display where the hour indicator hand of the current time is also used to display the additional time information.

[0095] Figures 18A and 18B thus illustrate an eighth variant embodiment of a display mechanism 300* for the wandering display of the days of the week, which constitutes a possible alternative to the display mechanism 300 of Figures 11A-B to 13. For the wandering display mechanism to operate, it is necessary for the rotating disk DR to be rotated in the same direction of rotation as the hour indicator hand h, namely clockwise. It is also necessary for the rotating disk DR to be rotated at a speed such that the hour indicator member h indicates, opposite the time indicator concerned, the desired time information, namely the day of the week in this example, and undergoes an angular offset relative to the rotating disk DR equivalent to precisely one day every 24 hours, as explained below.

[0096] In Figure 18A, it can be seen that the dial CD essentially bears, preferably on its upper face CDa, indexes 360h*, 360m* to facilitate reading of the current time. The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is provided with a subdivision of the days of the week 351* over 7 days, distributed at regular intervals of 360/7 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disk DR, the days of the week being ordered chronologically in a clockwise direction. In the example illustrated, the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is also provided, on its central part, with a symbolic representation 355* (optional) of the stars associated with the days of the week, like the similar symbolic representation 355 discussed with reference to the variant embodiment of Figures 11A-B to 13.

[0097] In the illustrated example, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is selected to be precisely 168/13 hours, resulting in a shift of one-seventh of a revolution every 24 hours between the hour-indicating hand h and the rotating disk DR which rotates more slowly. Alternatively, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR could be selected to be precisely 168/15 hours, similarly resulting in a shift of one-seventh of a revolution every 24 hours between the hour-indicating hand h and the rotating disk DR which would then rotate more quickly than the hour-indicating hand h, in which case the order of the days of the week of the subdivision 351* (as well as the symbolic representation 355*) would be reversed in order to order the days of the week chronologically in a counterclockwise direction.

[0098] For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 18B, the display mechanism 300* indicates that it is Sunday (as indicated by the hour indicator hand h opposite the subdivision 351* of the days of the week) and just after 10:09 a.m.

[0099] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this eighth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising four drive mobiles α to δ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P4-P4', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 8 below. The internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 is in this case 270 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' P3-P3' P2-P2' wheel 32 35 35 14 pinion 35 48 52 35

Table 8

[0100] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 168/13 hours, thus ensuring the desired progressive shift between the hour indicator hand h and the indication of the days of the week 351*.

[0101] Figures 19A and 19B illustrate a ninth alternative embodiment of a display mechanism 400* for the wandering display of the month's date, which constitutes a possible alternative to the display mechanisms 400 and 500 of Figures 14A-B to 15A-B. For the wandering display mechanism to be operative, it is likewise necessary for the rotating disk DR to be rotated in the same direction of rotation as the hour indicator hand h, namely clockwise. It is furthermore necessary for the rotating disk DR to be rotated at a speed such that the hour indicator member h indicates, opposite the time indicator concerned, the desired time information, namely the month's date in this example, and undergoes an angular offset relative to the rotating disk DR equivalent to precisely one day every 24 hours, as explained below.

[0102] In Figure 19A, it can be seen that the dial CD essentially carries, preferably on its upper face CDa, indexes 460h*, 460m* making it easier to read the current time, the dial CD being in this respect identical to the dial CD used in the context of the eighth embodiment variant mentioned above. The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is provided with a subdivision of the dates of the month 451* over 31 days, distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disk DR, the dates of the month being ordered chronologically in the clockwise direction. In the example illustrated, the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is also preferably provided, on its central part, with a subdivision of 31 indexes 452* marking the passage at midnight from one date to another, like the indexes 462, 552 used in the context of the fifth and sixth embodiment variants previously discussed.

[0103] In the illustrated example, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is selected to be precisely 744/61 hours, resulting in a shift of one 31st of a revolution every 24 hours between the hour indicator hand h and the rotating disk DR which rotates more slowly. Alternatively, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR could be selected to be precisely 744/63 hours, similarly resulting in a shift of one 31st of a revolution every 24 hours between the hour indicator hand h and the rotating disk DR which would then rotate more quickly than the hour indicator hand h, in which case the order of the month dates of the subdivision 451* would be reversed in order to order the month dates chronologically in a counterclockwise direction.

[0104] For example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 19B, the display mechanism 400* similarly indicates that it is the 27th of the current month (as indicated by the hour indicator hand h opposite the month date subdivision 451*) and a little after 10:09 p.m.

[0105] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this ninth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising four drive mobiles α to δ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P4-P4', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 9 below. The internal toothing 120a of the toothed ring 120 is again 270 teeth in this case. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' P3-P3' P2-P2' wheel 32 35 12 31 pinion 36 61 32 35

Table 9

[0106] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 744/61 hours, thus ensuring the desired progressive shift between the hour indicator hand h and the month date indication 451*.

[0107] Figures 20A and 20B illustrate a tenth variant embodiment of a display mechanism 600* for the wandering display of the equation of time as well as the approximate sunrise time and the approximate sunset time, which constitutes a possible alternative to the display mechanism 600 of Figures 16A-B to 17. Here too, for the wandering display mechanism to be operational, it is necessary for the rotating disk DR to be rotated in the same direction of rotation as the hour indicator hand, designated here by the reference sign h* due to its shape specific to this tenth variant embodiment, explained below. According to this tenth embodiment variant, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is selected so that the rotating disk DR undergoes a shift of one complete revolution relative to the hour hand h* after a tropical/solar year, which lasts approximately 365.2425 days, as already mentioned.

[0108] In Figure 20A, it can be seen that the dial CD essentially bears, preferably on its upper face CDa, opacifying markings forming indexes 660h* making it easier to read the current time. The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is provided with an equation of time curve 651* occupying a central part of the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR, as well as a marking indicating the sunrise and sunset 652*. On the periphery of the rotating disk DR, an annual calendar scale 655* is also provided, which preferably includes an indication of the months of the year (as illustrated in Figure 20B), or even the seasons, as well as a calendar subdivision of 365 days.

[0109] It may be noted that the equation of time curve 651*, the sunrise and sunset indicative marking 652*, as well as the calendar scale 655* are arranged in a reverse direction compared to what is illustrated in Figures 16A and 16B, the months being ordered in this case in chronological order in a clockwise direction.

[0110] Similar to the annual calendar scale 655 discussed with reference to Figures 16A-B to 17, a similar trick is preferably performed with respect to the annual calendar scale 655* of this tenth embodiment of the invention, namely that the subdivision into 365 calendar days is not entirely uniform and includes an artificially longer transition 655A* between the end of February and the beginning of March in order to take into account the difference between the calendar year and the tropical/solar year and thus accommodate leap calendar years.

[0111] In the illustrated example, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is selected so as to be approximately 12.016450 hours, leading to a shift of one complete revolution between the hour indicator hand h* and the rotating disk DR at the end of a duration substantially equivalent to a tropical/solar year. In fact, the rotating disk DR rotates more slowly than the hour indicator hand h* which therefore progressively travels and sweeps the surface of the rotating disk DR over time with a periodicity which is equivalent to a tropical/solar year. Alternatively, the period of revolution of the rotating disk DR could be selected to be approximately 11.983595 hours, similarly leading to a one-complete-turn lag between the hour-indicating hand h* and the rotating disk DR after a period of time roughly equivalent to one tropical/solar year, with the difference that the rotating disk DR would then rotate more rapidly than the hour-indicating hand h* (which would require reversing the direction of the time indications 651*, 652*, 655*).

[0112] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this tenth embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising four drive mobiles α to δ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P4-P4', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 10 below. In this particular case, the internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 has increased to 281 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' P3-P3' P2-P2' wheel 32 39 27 15 pinion 48 48 38 36

Table 10

[0113] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 3,653/304 hours, or approximately 12.016447 hours, leading to a slight annual shift equivalent to one day of shift every 17 years, which constitutes a perfectly acceptable divergence.

[0114] Figures 21A and 21B illustrate an eleventh embodiment of a display mechanism 700 that is configured to allow the display of information related to the position of the stars in the sky. In this case, the rotating disk DR is rotated counterclockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per period substantially equivalent to the length of the sidereal day.

[0115] More particularly, the dial CD is here essentially provided, on its upper face CDa, with opacifying markings 760h, 760m to facilitate reading of the current time, as well as, preferably, with a translucent or opacifying marking 760 provided on its lower face CDb so as to partially mask the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR.

[0116] The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR carries for its part a graphic representation of a star map 750 visible from a given point on the globe. The opacifying or translucent marking 760 is more particularly arranged so as to partially mask the graphic representation of the star map 750 and form a transparent zone revealing only a part of the star map 750 indicative of the portion of the sky visible at a given moment.

[0117] The dial CD is optionally provided, on its upper face CDa, with indications of the cardinal points 765 in order to allow easier identification.

[0118] The representation of the star map 750 may take any suitable form, including for example the symbolic or quasi-realistic representation of constellations visible in the sky.

[0119] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to this eleventh embodiment variant can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising three drive mobiles α to γ which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1', P3-P3' and P2-P2', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 11 below. In this particular case, the internal toothing 120a of the toothed crown 120 has increased to 271 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P3-P3' P2-P2' N/A wheel 32 15 31 N/A pinion 32 39 36 N/A

Table 11

[0120] In view of the teeth involved, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case precisely 8,401/8,424 days, i.e. approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.09892 seconds, which corresponds substantially to the duration of a sidereal day. In other words, in the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is rotated, counterclockwise, at a rate of one complete revolution per period roughly equivalent to the duration of a sidereal day. This results in a slight offset of approximately 0.0036 seconds relative to the average duration of a sidereal day, or more precisely an inaccuracy equivalent to one day of offset every 65,000 years or so, which constitutes a significant improvement in accuracy over the prior art.

[0121] The three embodiments which will now be discussed with reference to Figures 22 to 25 relate to display mechanisms 800, 800', 800* where the additional time information displayed is information related to the time of at least one other time zone. In this case, the rotating disk DR is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per 24-hour period.

[0122] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR according to these twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising only two drive mobiles α and β which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1' and P3-P3', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 12 below. The internal toothing 270a of the toothed crown 120 is in this case 270 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P3-P3' N/A N/A wheel 32 15 N/A N/A pinion 32 45 N/A N/A

Table 12

[0123] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case exactly 1 day.

[0124] With regard more particularly to the display mechanism 800 according to the twelfth variant embodiment illustrated in Figures 22 and 23, it can be noted that the dial CD essentially comprises, on its upper face CDa, a 24-hour subdivision 860 at regular intervals of 15 degrees on the periphery of the dial CD, as well as opacifying markings 860h, 860m representing hour and minute indexes facilitating the reading of the current time. The dial CD is also preferably provided, on its lower face CDb, with a translucent marking 865, such as sandblasting or a semi-transparent application, intended to obscure a lower half of the dial CD and the rotating disk DR located below in order to symbolically mark a distinction between the daytime time zones (from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and the nighttime time zones (from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.).

[0125] The upper face DRa of the rotating disk is provided with a graphical representation 850 of 24 time zones, for example a world map, as illustrated in Figure 23, as seen from the North Pole. In the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is driven clockwise, but it could alternatively be driven counterclockwise, in which case the graphical representation 850 of 24 time zones as well as the 24-hour subdivision 860 would have to be reversed.

[0126] It will therefore be understood that, according to this eleventh embodiment, the angular position of the graphic representation 850 of the time zones, opposite the subdivision 860 carried by the dial CD, indicates at a glance the time of all 24 time zones. In the illustration of Figure 23, it can for example be read in particular that it is approximately 11 p.m. on the west coast of the United States.

[0127] One can easily imagine a more realistic alternative where the rotating disk DR would be rotated counterclockwise, still at the rate of one complete revolution in 24 hours, so that the movement of the rotating disk DR reflects the actual direction of rotation of the Earth and the graphic representation 850 of the world map is rendered in the correct direction, rather than inverted as illustrated in Figure 23. This would de facto require a corresponding adaptation of the gear train TE so as to reverse the direction of rotation of the rotating disk DR.

[0128] With regard to the display mechanism 800' according to the thirteenth embodiment illustrated in Figure 24, it can be noted that the dial CD is essentially identical to the dial CD of the eleventh embodiment of Figures 22 and 23 and that the difference lies essentially in the configuration of the rotating disk DR which comprises, on its upper face DRa, a second time zone indicator 850' (represented by way of example by a heart-shaped pattern) which is arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk DR so as to move opposite the 24-hour subdivision 860. In the illustrated example, the rotating disk DR is similarly driven in the clockwise direction, but it could alternatively be driven in the counterclockwise direction, in which case the 24-hour subdivision 860 would have to be reversed.

[0129] It will therefore be understood that, according to this twelfth variant embodiment, the angular position of the indicator 850', opposite the 24-hour subdivision 860 carried by the dial CD, indicates at a glance the time of a second previously selected time zone.

[0130] Finally, with regard to the display mechanism 800* according to the fourteenth embodiment illustrated in Figure 25, it can be noted that the dial CD essentially bears opacifying markings 860h*, 860m* forming hour and minute indexes in order to facilitate reading of the current time. Unlike the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments of Figures 22 to 24, a 24-hour subdivision 850* is made on the periphery of the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR. Furthermore, a visual indication 855* symbolically marking a distinction between the daytime time zones and the nighttime time zones is preferentially formed in part on the 24-hour subdivision 850*.

[0131] In this case, it is the hour indicator hand h which is used to also indicate the time of a second time zone, it being understood that, taking into account the relative speed of the rotating disk DR, which rotates half as fast as the hour indicator hand h, the rotating disk DR undergoes a progressive angular shift equivalent to 1/24<th>of a revolution for each hour that passes. It follows that, once the angular position of the rotating disk DR is set to the desired second time zone, the hour indicator hand h will also point, opposite the 24-hour subdivision 850*, to the actual time of the selected second time zone. In this case, it will be understood that the rotating disk DR must necessarily be driven in a clockwise direction.

[0132] In fact, this fourteenth variant embodiment operates according to a principle analogous to that of the wandering display of the day of the week or the date of the month as previously discussed with reference to Figures 18A-B to 19A-B.

[0133] The last two embodiments which will now be discussed with reference to Figures 26 to 27A-B relate to display mechanisms 900, 900* where the additional time information displayed is information related to a time story taking place over a period of several days, in particular three days. With regard to these embodiments, the rotation period of the rotating disk DR may however vary and correspond to any determined period, which may in particular be between twelve hours and one year. In the example illustrated, the rotating disk DR is rotated, indifferently in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, at the rate of one complete revolution per period of, for example, 3 days, this duration however being able to be adjusted as needed.

[0134] The rotational drive of the rotating disk DR, in the clockwise direction, according to these fifteenth and sixteenth embodiment variants can be achieved by means of a gear train TE comprising only two drive mobiles α and β which can be supported respectively between the sets of bearings P1-P1' and P4-P4', and whose teeth are indicated as an illustrative example in Table 13 below. In this case also, the internal toothing 270a of the toothed crown 120 is 270 teeth. bearings used P1-P1' P4-P4' N/A N/A wheel 32 35 N/A N/A pinion 35 32 N/A N/A

Table 13

[0135] Considering the teeth concerned, the resulting period of revolution of the rotating disk DR is in this case exactly 3 days.

[0136] With regard more particularly to the display mechanism 900 according to the fifteenth embodiment illustrated in Figure 26, it can be noted that the dial CD here has, on its upper face CDa, opacifying markings 960h, 960m forming hour and minute indexes for reading the current time, as well as, on its lower face CDb, an opacifying (or even translucent) marking 960 arranged so as to partially mask the rotating disk (DR) arranged below. The upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is provided with a graphic representation 950 of a temporal narrative taking place during a complete revolution of the rotating disk DR. This may be any desired graphic representation illustrating the unfolding of an event, for example historical, or any other temporal narrative that one wishes to render graphically. In this regard, the opacifying or translucent marking 960 aims to reveal only a part of the temporal narrative through a transparent area of the dial CD. Thus, the temporal narrative is gradually revealed over time as the rotating disk DR moves opposite the transparent area of the dial CD.

[0137] The display mechanism 900* according to the sixteenth embodiment illustrated in Figures 27A and 27B is based on substantially the same principle as that of the fifteenth embodiment, namely that it also implements a rotating disk DR provided on its upper face DRa with a graphic representation 950* of a time story taking place during a complete revolution of the rotating disk DR. The dial CD is also provided, beyond the hour and minute indexes 960h*, 960m*, with an opacifying or translucent marking 960* arranged so as to partially mask the rotating disk DR and reveal only part of the graphic representation 950* of the time story through the transparent area of the dial CD.

[0138] In this specific case, the opacifying or translucent marking 960* masks substantially 2/3 of the surface of the dial CD and therefore reveals only approximately 1/3 of the surface of the rotating disk DR and of the graphic representation 950* of the time story. In other words, the visible portion is limited to a sequence of 24 consecutive hours (over the 3 days of the time story).

[0139] According to this sixteenth embodiment, the dial CD is further provided, preferably on its upper face CDa, with a time scale 961* arranged in the transparent area of the dial CD and covering a period of 24 consecutive hours. In addition, the upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR is further provided with a plurality of indexes 951*, here three in number, distributed at regular intervals so as to move successively opposite the time scale 961*. This arrangement thus makes it possible, where appropriate, to indicate the time of a second time zone, once the angular position of the time disk DR has been adjusted so as to position one of the indexes 951* opposite the time of the desired second time zone, indicated on the time scale 961*. The position of the rotating disk DR can in fact also be set to the same time zone as the current time, in which case the position of the index 951* opposite the time scale 961* makes it possible to distinguish between the morning and the afternoon of the day in question.

[0140] In the illustration of Figure 27B, it can thus be noted that the display mechanism 900* indicates that it is a little after 10:09 p.m. (or 10:09 a.m. depending on the case) and that it is a little after 2:09 p.m. in the second time zone considered.

[0141] Referring again to Figures 7 to 8A-B, as well as Figures 28A-B to 29, certain aspects related to the correction of the position of the rotating disk DR, as well as the time setting by means of the rapid correction mechanism COR, will now be described.

[0142] In a relatively conventional manner, the corrector stem TC can take several axial positions and here also acts as a winding stem allowing the manual winding of the BR barrels. This manual winding is possible in the normal, unpulled position of the corrector stem TC, a position which is that illustrated in Figure 8A and in Figure 28A. In this position, a rotation of the corrector stem TC about its axis drives with it the rotation of a sliding pinion PC, mounted on the square of the stem TC, which in turn conventionally drives (depending on the direction of rotation) a winding pinion PR by means of a Breguet toothing. In this normal position of the corrector rod TC, the lever BA carrying the sliding gear RB occupies its clutch position, thus engaging the drive mechanism ENT which is driven by the hour wheel RH and in turn drives the rotation of the toothed crown 120 and the associated rotating disk DR, as mentioned above.

[0143] The rapid correction mechanism COR is notably configured so as to allow a correction of the angular position of the rotating disk DR, independently of the time indicator members h, m, respectively h*, m*. To do this, the lever BA carrying the sliding gear RB is placed in its disengaged position in order to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism ENT and at the same time bring the corrector rod TC into connection with the rotating disk DR. This disengagement is carried out by means of a slide CL, visible in FIGS. 8A and 28A-B to 29, the position of which is controlled by a pull rod TR, itself actuated by the corrector rod TC in order to occupy a first axial correction position, as illustrated in FIG. 28B. In this first axial correction position, the corrector rod TC actuates the pull rod TR which controls the slide CL in order to come to bear against the lever BA and cause the disengagement of the sliding gear RB. This movement of the corrector rod TC induces at the same time an axial movement of the sliding pinion PC in order to engage with a first corrector return RC1. This first corrector return RC1 is itself engaged with a second corrector return RC2 carried by a pivoting lever about an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the first corrector return RC1. This pivoting lever, carrying the second corrector return RC2, is guided in the pull rod TR which, due to its movement induced by the corrector rod TC, causes it to tilt so that the second corrector return RC2 is brought into engagement with a corrector wheel set MCD. This corrector wheel set MCD is itself engaged with the internal teeth 120a of the toothed crown, thus allowing a correction of the position of the rotating disk DR, independently of the time indicator members h, m.

[0144] The rapid correction mechanism COR is also configured so as to allow a correction of the position of the time indicator members h, m, respectively h*, m*, in particular with a view to setting the time. Depending on the configuration/function of the display mechanism concerned, it may be useful, or even necessary, to couple this correction of the time indicator members h, m, respectively h*, m* to that of the rotating disk DR. This is the function performed in the configuration illustrated in Figure 28C. In this configuration, the corrector rod TC is pulled into a second axial correction position, causing a corresponding movement of the pull rod TR which controls the slide CL in order to disengage it from the lever BA and allow re-engagement of the sliding gear RB. At the same time, the pivoting lever carrying the second corrective return RC2 is tilted under the action of the pull rod TR towards a corrective return MCH which is itself engaged with a timer train RI, allowing the correction of the position of the hour wheel RH and the minute wheel, and therefore of the time indicator organs h, m, resp. h*, m*. In this configuration, a joint correction of the position of the time indicator organs h, m, resp. h*, m*, and of the rotating disk DR is therefore carried out, the rotating disk DR being driven in rotation via the gear train RV/RB/TE in a ratio determined by the applicable configuration.

[0145] However, some variants of display mechanisms do not necessarily require a coupling of the correction between the time indicator members and the rotating disk. This is the case, for example, of the display mechanisms 800, 800', 800*. In this case, it is more appropriate to also disengage the sliding gear RB in the second axial correction position of the corrector rod TC. This is what is illustrated in Figure 29 where it can be seen that the slide CL is configured in this case so that it remains in the disengaged position in the second axial correction position.

[0146] It will be generally understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0147] Thus, the use of a dial as described above is in fact optional and any other support made of a transparent material capable of carrying all or part of the required opacifying or translucent marking(s) is conceivable. For example, the glass of the timepiece could perfectly well act as a support within the meaning of the invention, even if this glass is arranged above the time indicator organs. For example, regarding the first and second variant embodiments, at least part of the markings 160, respectively 160*, 160h and 160m could be offset to the inner face of the glass GL. These considerations also apply to the other variant embodiments of the invention. For example, with regard to the third variant embodiment mentioned above, allowing the display of the tidal cycle, the markings 260h, 260m could in particular be offset to the inner face of the glass GL, in which case the dial CD could simply be omitted.

List of reference signs

[0148] P timepiece (e.g. wristwatch) B watch case L bezel portion delimiting a front opening GL crystal closing the front opening CR caseband of the case B CRa shoulder on the caseband CR sized to receive the dial CD J1 seal disposed between bezel portion L and caseband CR J2 seal (or other elastic element) disposed between bezel portion L and peripheral edge of the dial CD LF transparent back delimiting a back opening GF crystal closing the back opening TC winding and correction stem CC crown of the winding and correction stem TC CD dial made of a transparent material (e.g. sapphire disk) CDa upper face of the dial CD CDb lower face of the dial CD CDe notch for angular positioning of the dial CD DR rotating disk positioned below the dial CD DRa upper face of the rotating disk DR visible at least partially through the dial CD d space separating upper face DRa of the rotating disk DR and lower face CDb of the dial CD h, h* hour indicator organ m, m* minute indicator organ MVT watch movement BR barrels BL balance wheel and its hairspring EC escapement PL plate GD retaining and guiding elements of the rotating disc DR on the plate PL of the movement MVT VD fixing element (e.g. screw) RH hour wheel RHa barrel of the hour wheel RH, , integral with the hour indicator organ h RMa barrel of the minute wheel, integral with the minute indicator organ m ENT rotary disk drive mechanism DR PTE upper bridge of the drive mechanism ENT RV drive gear RB sliding gear (disengageable gear wheel) BA clutch/disengage rocker bearing the sliding gear RB GP stop (pin) for stopping the travel of the clutch gear (in the clutch position) RS spring bringing the clutch/disengage rocker BA into the clutch position against the stop GP TE modular/reconfigurable gear train for driving the rotary disk DR α-δ rotary disk drive wheels DR constituting the gear train TE P1-P5 lower bearings, prearranged in the plate PL in order to support the drive wheels of the modular gear train of the drive mechanism ENT P1'-P5' upper bearings, prearranged in the PTE bridge in order to support the drive wheels of the modular gear train of the ENT drive mechanism COR rapid correction mechanism for the angular position of the rotating disc DR and the position of the time indicator organs h, m PTC upper bridge of the rapid correction mechanism COR PC sliding pinion PR winding pinion RC1 (first) corrective return in selective mesh with the sliding pinion PC RC2 (second) corrective return mounted on a lever in selective mesh with the corrective return wheel MCD or corrective return wheel MCH MCD corrective return wheel for the angular position of the rotating disc DR MCH corrective return wheel for the angular position of the time indicator organs h, m RI timer gear train TR correction pull-out CL clutch/disengage lever actuation slide BA 100 display mechanism (first embodiment) / moon phase display (long version, period of approximately 59 days) 100* display mechanism (second embodiment) / moon phase display (short version, period of approximately 29.5 days) 120 gear ring (in particular internally toothed gear ring 120a) 120a (internal) toothing of gear ring 120 120b peripheral guide shoulder of gear ring 120 150 time indicator / representation of two moons for displaying moon phases 150* time indicator / representation of one moon for displaying moon phases 160 translucent marking (e.g. sandblasting) on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / masking for displaying the moon phases 160* translucent marking (e.g. sandblasting) on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / masking for displaying the moon phases 160h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers/numerals 160m opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 200 display mechanism (third embodiment) / display of a tide cycle (period of approximately 14.75 days) 251 time indicator / high tide indicator 252 time indicator / low tide indicator 255 time indicator / rising/falling tide curve 260h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour indexes/numerals 260m opacifying markings (eg. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 300 display mechanism (fourth embodiment) / display of the day of the week (7-day period) 351 time indicator / indication of the days of the week 352 time indicator / indicator of the day of the week (in combination with daily marking 365 355 time indicator / symbols associated with the days of the week 360 translucent marking (e.g. sandblasting) made on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / masking of part of the days of the week 360h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers/numerals 360m opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute indexes 365 opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) on the underside CDa of the dial CD / daily marking for indicating the day of the week / daily time scale over 24 consecutive hours 400 display mechanism (fifth variant) / display of the date of the month (31-day period) 451 time indicator / date indicator 451a time indicator / indicator of the passage to midnight 460h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 460m opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 461 opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / month dates 462 opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / midnight markers 500 display mechanism (sixth variant) / display of the month date (31-day period) 551 time indicator / month dates 552 time indicator / midnight markers 560h ... of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 560m opacifying markings (eg. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 561 opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / date indicator 561a indicator of the passage to midnight 600 display mechanism (seventh variant) / display of the equation of time and the approximate time of sunrise/sunset (period approximately equivalent to the length of a tropical/solar year) 651 time indicator / equation of time curve 652 time indicator / marking indicating the time of sunrise and sunset 655 time indicator / annual calendar scale over 365 days 655A longer transition between the end of February and the beginning of March in order to take into account the difference between the calendar year and the tropical/solar year 660h markings opacifiers (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 661 opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the underside CDb of the dial CD / graduation for reading the equation of time 662 opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the underside CDb of the dial CD / graduation for reading the sunrise/sunset time 665 opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the underside CDb of the dial CD / calendar indicator 300* display mechanism (eighth variant embodiment) / wandering display of the day of the week (period of 168/15 hours or 168/13 hours) 400* display mechanism (ninth variant embodiment) / wandering display of the date of the month (period of 744/63 hours or 744/61 hours) 600* display mechanism (tenth variant embodiment) / wandering display of the equation of time and approximate sunrise/sunset time (3'653/304 hour period) 651* time indicator / equation of time curve 652* time indicator / sunrise and sunset time indicative marking 655* time indicator / 365-day annual calendar scale 655A* longer transition between late February and early March to take into account the difference between the calendar year and the tropical/solar year 660h* opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 700 display mechanism (eleventh variant embodiment) / display of a map of the stars visible in the sky (period substantially equivalent to a sidereal day, preferably 8'401/8'424 days) 750 time indicator / graphic representation of a star map 760 opacifying or translucent marking preferably made on the lower face CDb of the dial CD / partial masking of the star map 750 760h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 760m opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 765 opacifying markings (e.g. e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / indications of cardinal points 800 display mechanism (twelfth variant) / display of world time zones (24-hour period) 850 time indicator / graphic representation of the 24 time zones 860 opacifying marking made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / subdivision into 24 hours on the periphery of the dial CD 860h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 860m opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 865 translucent marking (e.g. sandblasting or semi-transparent application) made on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / symbolic marking of the day and night time zones 800' display mechanism (thirteenth variant embodiment) / display of the time of a second time zone (24-hour period) 850' time indicator / second time zone indicator 800* display mechanism (fourteenth variant embodiment) / wandering display of the time of a second time zone (24-hour period) 850* time indicator / 24-hour subdivision 855* visual indication formed on a part of the 24-hour subdivision 850* symbolically marking a distinction between daytime time zones and nighttime time zones 860h* opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 860m* opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 900 display mechanism (fifteenth variant) / display of a time story taking place over a specific period (e.g. 3 days) 950 time indicator / graphic representation of a time story taking place over the time of a complete revolution of the rotating disk DR 960 opacifying or translucent marking made on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / partial masking of the graphic representation 950 of the time story 960h opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / hour markers 960m ... e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper surface CDa of the dial CD / minute markers 900* display mechanism (sixteenth variant) / display of a time story taking place over a specific period (e.g. 3 days) and of the time in a second time zone 950* time indicator / graphic representation of a time story taking place over the course of a complete revolution of the rotating disc DR 951* time indicator / second time zone indicator 960* opacifying or translucent marking made on the lower surface CDb of the dial CD / partial masking of the graphic representation 950* of the time story 961* opacifying marking (e.g. application of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the lower face CDa of the dial CD / time scale over 24 consecutive hours for indicating the time of a second time zone 960h* opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / hour indexes 960m* opacifying markings (e.g. applications of an opacifying material, such as lacquer) made on the upper face CDa of the dial CD / minute indexes

Claims (42)

1. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) for a timepiece (P) comprising at least one time indicator member (h, m; h*, m*) of the current time driven in rotation relative to a support (CD; GL), which at least one time indicator member (h, m; h*, m*) includes an hour indicator member (h; h*) driven at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 12 or 24 hours, characterized in that the support (CD; GL) is made of a transparent material and has an upper face (CDa) and a lower face (CDb) provided with one and/or the other with an opacifying or translucent marking (160h, 160m, 160; 160h, 160m, 160*; 260h, 260m; 360, 360h, 360m, 365; 360h*, 360m*; 460h, 460m, 461, 462; 460h, 460m; 560h, 560m, 561, 561a; 660h, 661, 662, 665; 660h*; 760, 760h, 760m, 765; 860, 860h, 860m, 865; 860h*, 860m*; 960, 960h, 960m; 960*, 960h*, 960m*, 961*), in that the display mechanism (100) further comprises a rotating disk (DR) positioned below the support (CD; GL) such that an upper face (DRa) of the rotating disc (DR) is visible at least partially through the support (CD; GL), the rotating disc (DR) being driven in rotation coaxially with the hour indicator member (h; h*), in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disc (DR) is provided with at least one time indicator (150; 150*; 251, 252, 255; 351, 352, 355; 351*, 355*; 451, 451a; 451*, 452*; 551, 552; 651, 652, 655; 651*, 652*, 655*; 750; 850; 850'; 855'; 850*, 855*; 950; 950*, 951*) intended for displaying information that varies over time, and in that the display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) is configured so as to allow, in addition to displaying the current time, the display of additional time information by combining the time indicator present on the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR), on the one hand, and the hour indicator member (h; h*) and/or the opacifying or translucent marking made on the support (CD; GL), on the other hand. 2. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support is a dial (CD) opposite which said at least one time indicator member (h, m; h*, m*) of the current time is rotated, the rotating disk (DR) being positioned below the dial (CD) so that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is arranged opposite the lower face (CDb) of the dial (CD). 3. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is integral, on a lower face, with a toothed crown (120), preferably a toothed crown with internal teeth (120a), ensuring the rotational drive of the rotating disk (DR), and in that the toothed crown (120) is preferably arranged near the periphery of the lower face of the rotating disk (DR) so as to free up space in the center of the toothed crown (120) for driving the rotating disk (DR). 4. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 3, characterized in that the toothed crown (120) preferably has a peripheral shoulder (120b) used to ensure the rotational guidance and axial guidance of the toothed crown (120) and the associated rotating disk (DR), or in that the toothed crown (120) is made integral or is an integral part of a ring of a rolling bearing, such as a ball or needle bearing. 5. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rotational drive of the rotating disk (DR) is ensured by means of a drive mechanism (ENT) comprising a gear train (RV/RB/TE) meshing, on the one hand, with an hour wheel (RH) and, on the other hand, with the toothed crown (120). 6. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive mechanism (ENT) comprises a disengageable gear wheel (RB) that can be actuated in order to selectively interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH), and in that the disengageable gear wheel is preferably a sliding gear wheel (RB) mounted on a pivoting lever (BA). 7. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 6, further comprising a rapid correction mechanism (COR) of the position of the rotating disk (DR) configured to actuate the disengageable gear wheel (RB) in order to selectively interrupt the driving of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH) and establish in parallel a connection between a manual correcting member (TC) and the rotating disk (DR). 8. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to claim 7, characterized in that the manual correcting member is a correcting stem (TC) with several axial correction positions also acting as a time-setting correcting member, and in that the correcting stem (TC) also preferably acts as a winding stem. 9. Display mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the corrector rod (TC) can occupy at least first and second axial correction positions, in that, in the first axial correction position, the corrector rod (TC) actuates the disengageable gear wheel (RB) so as to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH), thus allowing a correction of the position of the rotating disc (DR) independently of the position of the one or more time indicating members (h, m), and in that, in the second axial correction position, the corrector rod (TC) also actuates the disengageable gear wheel (RB) so as to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH), thus allowing a correction of the position of the one or more time indicating members (h, m) independently of the position of the rotating disc (DR). 10. Display mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the corrector rod (TC) can occupy at least first and second axial correction positions, in that, in the first axial correction position, the corrector rod (TC) actuates the disengageable gear wheel (RB) so as to interrupt the drive of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH), thus allowing a correction of the position of the rotating disk (DR) independently of the position of the one or more time indicator members (h, m), and in that, in the second axial correction position, the corrector rod (TC) does not actuate the disengageable gear wheel (RB) so as to maintain the drive of the drive mechanism (ENT) by the hour wheel (RH), thus allowing a joint correction of the position of the one or more time indicator members (h, m; h*, m*) and the position of the rotating disk (DR). 11. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the disengageable gear wheel (RB) can be actuated via a control member (CL), in particular a slide (CL) or rocker, the position of which is controlled by the rapid correction mechanism (COR). 12. Display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the gear train (RV/RB/TE) is at least partly modular and reconfigurable so as to adapt the direction of rotation of the rotating disk (DR) and/or the period of revolution of the rotating disk (DR), and in that the display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) preferably comprises a plurality of prearranged bearings (P1-P5; P1'-P5') so as to allow the formation of a set of pre-established gear trains (RV/RB/TE), suitable for the implementation of multiple distinct display functions. 13. Display mechanism (100; 100*; 200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information varying over time is information related to the lunar cycle, in particular information relating to a tidal cycle or information relating to the phases of the moon. 14. Display mechanism (100; 100*) according to claim 13, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is driven at a rate of one complete revolution per period equivalent to one lunation or two lunations, preferably a period equivalent to 296,192/5,015 days or 148,096/5,015 days, in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a representation of the moon (150; 150*), and in that the support (CD) is provided, preferably on its lower face (CDb), with an opacifying or translucent marking (160; 160*) arranged so as to at least partially mask the representation of the moon (150; 150*) and thus provide an indication of the moon phases. 15. Display mechanism (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is driven clockwise at a rate of one complete revolution per period equivalent to a half-lunation, preferably a period equivalent to 74,048/5,015 days, and in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a high tide indicator (251), a low tide indicator (252) and a rising and falling tide indicator curve (255), the hour indicator member (h) indicating the time of high tide or low tide when it is aligned respectively with the high tide indicator (251) or with the low tide indicator (252) and, between these two states, in combination with the rising and falling tide indicator curve (255), whether the tide is rising or, respectively, descending. 16. Display mechanism (300; 300*, 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the information varying over time is information linked to the day of the week, the date of the month, or to at least one time variable whose periodicity is of the order of a year, in particular a periodicity substantially equivalent to the duration of a tropical/solar year. 17. Display mechanism (300) according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is driven at a rate of one revolution per period of 7 days, in that one of the support (CD) and the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a daily marking (365) making it possible to determine the actual day of the week, in that the other of the support (CD) and the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a subdivision of the days of the week (351) over 7 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/7 degrees so as to move opposite the daily marking (365), and in that the support (CD) is preferably provided, preferably on its lower face (CDb), with an opacifying or translucent marking (360) arranged so as to partially mask the rotating disk (DR) and mainly reveal only the actual day of the week as well as the day before and the day after the actual day of the week. 18. Display mechanism (300) according to claim 17, characterized in that the daily marking (365) includes a daily time scale (365) covering a period of 24 consecutive hours, and in that the subdivision of the days of the week (351) further includes, for each day of the week, an indicator (352) making it possible to determine the actual day of the week as a function of the passage of the indicator (352) opposite the daily time scale (365). 19. Display mechanism (400) according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is driven at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 31 days, in that the support (CD) is provided with a subdivision of the dates of the month (461) over 31 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees on the periphery of the support (CD), in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a date indicator (451, 451a) arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR) so as to move opposite the subdivision of the dates of the month (461) and indicate the actual date of the month, and in that the support (CD) is furthermore preferably provided with a subdivision of 31 indexes (462) distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees, the date indicator (451, 451a) being arranged so as to also move opposite the subdivision of 31 indexes (462) and indicate the passage at midnight from one date of the month to the next. 20. Display mechanism (500) according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotating disc (DR) is driven, in particular in the counterclockwise direction, at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 31 days, in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disc (DR) is provided with a subdivision of the dates of the month (551) over 31 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disc (DR), in that the support (CD) is provided with a date indicator (561, 561a) arranged on the periphery of the support (CD) such that the subdivision of the dates of the month (551) moves opposite the date indicator (561, 561a) and indicates the actual date of the month, and in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disc (DR) is furthermore preferably provided with a subdivision of 31 indexes (552) distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees, the subdivision of 31 indexes (552) being arranged so as to also move opposite the date indicator (561, 561a) and indicate the passage at midnight from one date of the month to the next. 21. Display mechanism (600) according to claim 16, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is driven at a rate of one complete revolution per period substantially equivalent to the duration of a tropical/solar year, preferably a period of 1'096/3 days. 22. Display mechanism (600) according to claim 21, characterized in that one of the rotating disk (DR) and the support (CD) is provided with an equation of time curve (651) and/or a sunrise and sunset indicative marking (652), and in that the other of the rotating disk (DR) and the support (CD) is provided with at least one graduation (661, 662) arranged such that the equation of time curve (651) and/or the sunrise and sunset indicative marking (652) undergoes a relative displacement opposite said at least one graduation (661, 662) and indicates a difference between the mean solar time and the actual solar time and/or, respectively, the approximate time of sunrise as well as the approximate time of sunset. 23. Display mechanism (600) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that one of the rotating disk (DR) and the support (CD) is provided with an annual calendar scale (655) arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR) or the support (CD), the annual calendar scale (655) preferably including an indication of the months of the year as well as a calendar subdivision of 365 days, and in that the other of the rotating disk (DR) and the support (CD) is provided with a calendar indicator (665) arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR) or the support (CD) so that the annual calendar scale (655) undergoes a relative movement opposite the calendar indicator (665). 24. Display mechanism (300*; 400*) according to claim 16, characterized in that the hour indicator member (h) is driven at a rate of one complete revolution per 12-hour period, in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated clockwise, and in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a speed such that the hour indicator member (h) indicates, opposite the time indicator (351*, 355*; 451*, 452*) present on the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR), the day of the week or the date of the month, and undergoes an angular offset relative to the rotating disk (DR) equivalent to one day every 24 hours. 25. Display mechanism (300*) according to claim 24, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a subdivision of the days of the week (351*) over 7 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/7 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR), and in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 168/15 hours or 168/13 hours, so as to cause an offset between the hour indicator member (h) and the rotating disk (DR) equivalent to ± 1 revolution every 7 days. 26. Display mechanism (400*) according to claim 24, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a subdivision of the dates of the month (451*) over 31 days distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR), in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per period of 744/63 hours or 744/61 hours, so as to cause an offset between the hour indicator member (h) and the rotating disk (DR) equivalent to ±1 revolution every 31 days, and in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is furthermore preferably provided with a subdivision of 31 indexes (452*) distributed at regular intervals of 360/31 degrees, the subdivision of 31 indexes (452*) being arranged so that the hour indicator organ (h) also indicates the passage at midnight from one date to another. 27. Display mechanism (600*) according to claim 16, characterized in that the hour indicator member (h*) is driven at a rate of one complete revolution per 12-hour period, in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated clockwise, in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a speed such that the hour indicator member (h*) indicates, opposite the time indicator (651*, 652*, 655*) present on the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR), information whose periodicity is substantially equivalent to the duration of a tropical/solar year, and undergoes an angular offset relative to the rotating disk (DR) substantially equivalent to ±1 revolution after a tropical/solar year, and in that the rotating disk (DR) is preferably rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per 3,653/304-hour period. 28. Display mechanism (600*) according to claim 27, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with an equation of time curve (651*) and/or a sunrise and sunset indicative marking (652*) so as to move relative to the hour indicator member (h*) over time, and in that the hour indicator member (h*) carries at least one graduation (611*, 612*) arranged so that the equation of time curve (651*) and/or the sunrise and sunset indicative marking (652*) moves opposite said at least one graduation (611*, 612*) and indicates a difference between the mean solar time and the actual solar time and/or, respectively, the approximate time of sunrise and the approximate time of sunset. 29. Display mechanism (600*) according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with an annual calendar scale (655*) arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR), the annual calendar scale (655*) preferably including an indication of the months of the year as well as a calendar subdivision of 365 days, and in that one end (610*) of the hour indicator member (h*) is arranged so as to move opposite the annual calendar scale (655*). 30. Display mechanism (600; 600*) according to claim 23 or 29, characterized in that the annual calendar scale (655; 655*) comprises a calendar subdivision of 365 days, including a longer transition (655A; 655A*) between the end of February and the beginning of March in order to take into account the difference between the calendar year and the tropical/solar year. 31. Display mechanism (800; 800'; 800*) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the information varying over time is information linked to the time of at least one other time zone, and in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per 24-hour period. 32. Display mechanism (800*) according to claim 31, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disc (DR) is provided with a 24-hour subdivision (850*) at regular intervals of 15 degrees on the periphery of the rotating disc (DR), in that the rotating disc (DR) is rotated clockwise, in that the hour indicator member (h) indicates, opposite the 24-hour subdivision (850*), the time of a second time zone, and in that the rotating disc (DR) is further preferably provided with a visual indication (855*) symbolically marking a distinction between daytime time zones and nighttime time zones. 33. Display mechanism (800) according to claim 31, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a graphic representation of 24 time zones (850) occupying essentially the entire upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR), in that the support (CD) is provided, preferably on its upper face (CDa), with a 24-hour subdivision (860) at regular intervals of 15 degrees on the periphery of the support (CD), in that the angular position of the graphic representation of 24 time zones (850), opposite the 24-hour subdivision (860), is indicative of the current time in all 24 time zones, and in that the support (CD) is furthermore preferably provided, preferably on its lower face (CDb), with a translucent marking (865) obscuring substantially half of the graphical representation of the 24 time zones (850) in order to symbolically mark a distinction between daytime time zones and nighttime time zones. 34. Display mechanism (800') according to claim 31, characterized in that the support (CD) is provided, preferably on its upper face (CDa), with a 24-hour subdivision (860) at regular intervals of 15 degrees on the periphery of the support (CD), in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a second time zone indicator (850') arranged on the periphery of the rotating disk (DR) so as to move opposite the 24-hour subdivision (860), in that the angular position of the second time zone indicator (850'), opposite the 24-hour subdivision (860), is indicative of the current time of a second time zone, and in that the support (CD) is furthermore preferably provided, preferably on its lower face (CDb), with a translucent marking (865) obscuring substantially half of the support (CD) in order to symbolically mark a distinction between daytime time zones and nighttime time zones. 35. Display mechanism (700) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the information varying over time is information linked to the position of the stars in the sky, and in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction at a rate of one complete revolution per period substantially equivalent to the duration of a sidereal day, preferably a period equivalent to 8'401/8'424 days. 36. Display mechanism (700) according to claim 35, characterized in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a graphic representation of a star map (750) visible from a given point on the globe, in that the support (CD) is preferably provided, on its lower face (CDb), with an opacifying or translucent marking (760) arranged so as to partially mask the graphic representation of the star map (750) and form a transparent zone revealing only part of the star map (750) indicative of the portion of the sky visible at a given moment, and in that the support (CD) is optionally provided, on its upper face (CDa), with indications of the cardinal points (765). 37. Display mechanism (900; 900*) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the information varying over time is a time story taking place during a complete revolution of the rotating disk (DR), in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is provided with a graphic representation (950; 950*) illustrating the time story, and in that the support (CD) is provided, preferably on its lower face (CDb), with an opacifying or translucent marking (960; 960*) arranged so as to partially mask the rotating disk (DR) and reveal only part of the graphic representation (950; 950*) of the time story through a transparent area of the support (CD). 38. Display mechanism (900*) according to claim 37, characterized in that the rotating disk (DR) is rotated at a rate of one complete revolution per period of several days, in that the support (CD) is further provided, preferably on its upper face (CDa), with a time scale (961*) arranged in the transparent area of the support (CD) and covering a period of 24 consecutive hours, and in that the upper face (DRa) of the rotating disk (DR) is further provided with a plurality of indexes (951*) distributed at regular intervals so as to move successively opposite the time scale (961*) and indicate the time of a second time zone in the transparent area of the support (CD). 39. Clock movement (MVT) comprising a display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) according to any one of the preceding claims. 40. Timepiece (P) comprising a case (B) housing a watch movement (MVT) according to claim 39, characterized in that the case (B) has a part forming a bezel (L) delimiting a front opening closed by a glass (GL), the display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) being at least partly visible through the front opening. 41. Timepiece (P) according to claim 40, characterized in that the display mechanism (100; 100*, 200; 300; 300*; 400; 400*; 500; 600; 600*, 700; 800; 800'; 800*; 900; 900*) is configured and arranged so that the rotating disk (DR) occupies substantially the entire space of the front opening. 42. Timepiece (P) according to claim 41, characterized in that the support is a dial (CD) as defined in claim 2, in that the bezel-forming part (L) covers a peripheral edge of the dial (CD), and in that the bezel-forming part (L) is preferably made integral, for example by screwing, with a caseband (CR) of the case (B) so as to receive the dial (CD) in a shoulder (CRa) made on the caseband (CR) or on the bezel-forming part (L), and hold the dial (CD) by its peripheral edge between the bezel-forming part (L) and the caseband (CR).