EP3114534B1 - Watch with decorative element - Google Patents

Description

Introduction

The present invention relates to a decorative element for a watch, as well as a watch as such incorporating such a decorative element. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a decorative element and to a method of manufacturing a watch incorporating such a decorative element. Finally, the invention relates to a series of watches with decorative elements, and to a method of manufacturing such a series of watches.

State of the art

In the state of the art, there are several approaches to decorate a watch. First, it is possible to decorate a watch accessory, i.e. a part like a bracelet or a bracelet clasp. Then, it is possible to decorate the watch itself, like the watch case or the display area, for example by a particular dial whose aesthetic is worked. Finally, other indirect approaches consisting in making part of the watch mechanism visible, such as a tourbillon for example, make it possible to obtain an attractive appearance of the watch. To this end, the document CH699165 describes a skeleton watch giving great transparency to the watch movement.

In all these solutions, a decoration can possibly be unique when it is a question of very small series entirely manufactured manually. In this case, such decoration is generally sophisticated, and incompatible with industrial mass production. On the contrary, in the case of a series of watches produced by an industrial process, less partially automated, the same decoration is reproduced identically on all the watches in the series, which are identical. Very small series are generally very expensive and not accessible to a large audience, who must restrict themselves to a choice of a watch among the industrial series, in which case they lose the satisfaction of owning a unique watch.

This is why the general object of the invention is a decoration solution for watches which provides an answer to this situation.

More specifically, a first object of the invention consists in proposing a decoration solution for watches making it possible to offer a multitude of possible decoration variants to make compatible the varied decoration of watches, and preferably unique, with industrial mass production. Watches.

A second object of the invention consists in proposing an attractive and easy to implement watch decoration solution.

Brief description of the invention

To this end, the invention is based on a wrist watch, a method of manufacturing a wrist watch, a series of wrist watches and a method of manufacturing a series of wrist watches. as defined by the claims.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'une montre intégrant un élément de décoration selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention.
• La figure 2 représente une vue en coupe au niveau d'une zone de fixation d'un composant de décoration d'une montre intégrant un élément de décoration selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention.
• Les figures 3 et 4 représentent des vues en perspective droite et gauche et en coupe au niveau d'une zone de fixation d'un composant de décoration d'une montre intégrant un élément de décoration selon le mode de réalisation de la présente invention.
• La figure 5 représente une vue schématique d'une montre intégrant un élément de décoration selon un autre mode de réalisation de la présente invention.

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made without implied limitation in relation to the attached figures, among which:

• The figure 1 shows a schematic view of a watch incorporating a decorative element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• The figure 2 shows a sectional view at a fixing area of a decoration component of a watch incorporating a decoration element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• The figures 3 and 4 represent views in right and left perspective and in section at a fixing area of a decoration component of a watch incorporating a decoration element according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• The figure 5 shows a schematic view of a watch incorporating a decorative element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

To simplify the following description, we will call horizontal orientation any direction in a plane parallel to the plane of the watch face and vertical orientation any direction perpendicular to this plane of the watch face. We will call the upper side of the watch the side above the watch movement, where the dial is located, and on the bottom side the side below the watch movement, where the back of the watch is located.

The figure 1 illustrates by way of example a watch according to an embodiment of the invention. This watch comprises a case 1 integrating a clockwork mechanism putting the hands in movement, not shown to simplify the view, around a central axis 3, as is known from the state of the art. This watch also incorporates a decorative element which occupies the entire surface of the dial, is arranged in a horizontal plane arranged between the hands and the clock mechanism, on the upper side of the watch and visible to the user when he reads the hour. This decorative element here forms the watch face. Alternatively, it could form only part of the dial, or even be a complementary element to a dial, being for example at least partially above the dial. In all cases, the decorative element is visible from the outside, preferably through a protective glass disposed in a known manner at the top of the watch.

The decorative element comprises a skeleton, in the form of a metal frame, which comprises a substantially circular peripheral portion 11 corresponding to the inside diameter of the watch case, and which comprises rather thin arms, little or no visible, which extend across the surface of the dial, cutting this surface of the watch into several decoration zones Zi, ten zones Z1 to Z10 in this embodiment. As a note, the peripheral part 11 can completely or partially make the outline of the watch. Each of these decoration zones Zi is surrounded, totally or partially, by arms 12 and / or peripheral part 11 of the skeleton forming a support for receiving a decoration component 20, preferably in the form of a thin plate, fixed on the skeleton. Naturally, this element of decoration can be adapted to any watch format, not necessarily circular, for example rectangular, square, elliptical, etc., in which case the peripheral part will have a shape substantially identical to all or part of the interior contour of the watch.

As an example of realization, the figures 2 to 4 represent the cooperation of the decorative element with the rest of the watch at the level of a fixing element of a decorative component 20. In this example, the skeleton of the decorative element is directly formed within the plate 4 of the watch, by perforating a standard plate for example and by forming support elements at the level of the resulting arms. As a variant, the skeleton can be formed in a watch bridge, a dial, or even in an oscillating mass.

As it appears on the figures 2 to 4 , the skeleton comprises parts forming support elements and / or forming a housing for a decoration component. In these figures, a peripheral part 11 of the skeleton (the plate 4) has a section in the shape of a coated U, forming a groove oriented in a substantially horizontal direction to receive the end of the decoration component. On the cup of the figure 2 , the upper surface 15 of the groove has been truncated, as appears particularly on the figure 4 , for the introduction of a fixing pin 25. Thus, the U-shaped section is reduced to a square shape, comprising a first support surface 13, substantially planar and horizontal (lower surface of the groove), intended for the reception of a decoration component 20, and a second surface 14 substantially perpendicular forming a lateral stop for the end 21 of the decoration component 20 (and also a connection between the two horizontal surfaces of the coated U, lower support 13 and upper 15). This second surface 14 advantageously has a height substantially equal, preferably slightly greater, than the thickness of the decoration component 20, for best guarantee its protection and allow it to be housed with sufficient play in the vertical direction.

In addition, sufficient lateral play 19 is provided between the lateral end 21 of the decoration component 20 and the edge of the skeleton housing (surface 14), to tolerate expansion of the decoration component without generating any force on the latter, who could break or chip it. The skeleton therefore has a shape allowing the reception of a decoration component, to ensure the support and positioning of a decoration component.

The arms 12 of the skeleton, arranged in the central part of the watch, can receive two decoration components on either side. For this, they have two support surfaces 13 belonging to two opposite horizontal grooves, arranged around a common vertical central portion. This skeleton support function is preferably present over the entire length of the arms 12 and of the peripheral parts 11, but as a variant could be present over only a part of this length, an arm 12 having for example a simplified section (in particular without the groove) on the other parts. As a variant, the support function of the skeleton can be provided by any other geometry, such as a simple support surface on which the decoration component comes to rest.

The skeleton can be made of metal or, as a variant, any relatively rigid structure, such as a composite plastic material, for example loaded with reinforcing fibers, such as carbon fibers, etc.

As has been explained, the decoration component 20 according to the embodiment is in the form of a thin plate, the lower surface of which therefore comes to bear on the support surfaces of the skeleton. Then, its maintenance is ensured by pins 25 driven in the skeleton (the plate 4 in the example illustrated), exerting a pressure on the upper surface of the decoration component 20, by means of seals 26 dampers. These seals 26 can be made of flexible material such as rubber, silicone, synthetic material, or even a soft metal. Their function is to maintain the vertical and horizontal decoration components 20, allowing the force of the pins 25 to be transmitted while eliminating any play, without risking damaging the decoration components, which are fragile.

As a variant, any other fixing mechanism, mechanical or otherwise, may be used, such as the use of screws or of bonding. Preferably, at least three fixing points are used per decoration component, obtained for example by three pins according to the embodiment, to obtain its reliable and play-free maintenance. On the other hand, these different fixing points are preferably uniformly distributed over the entire periphery of the decoration component 20, for example every 120 degrees in the case where three fixing points are provided.

As a note, this device for fixing a decoration component is thus removable, allowing disassembly and replacement if necessary of a decoration component.

• Un élément en céramique coloré, par exemple une plaquette en verre coloré par l'intégration de particules métalliques, le laissant translucide ou transparent, pour obtenir un effet esthétique intéressant lorsqu'il est éclairé par une lumière extérieure, et/ou voire intérieure. Cela permet avantageusement de regrouper des céramiques/verres de couleurs différentes sur des zones de décoration adjacentes, pour former un ensemble semblable à un vitrail. En variante, cette solution peut être combinée avec une source de lumière interne à la montre, disposée sous l'élément de décoration, et/ou par une surface interne réfléchissant la lumière ;
• Un élément opaque, serti de pierre précieuse ou semi-précieuse, et/ou en nacre, en métal, sous forme de plaquettes de différents cristaux, en céramique de couleur, en pierres semi-précieuses comme le jade, la tourmaline, l'améthyste, de la citrine, ainsi qu'en pierres fines, type aigue-marine, mais aussi sous forme de plaquettes de météorites, etc. ;
• Un élément en matériau polymère ;
• Un élément minéral, végétal, ou animal ;
• Un élément en matériau phosphorescent ou luminescent, éventuellement couplé à une source de lumière interne à la montre ;
• Un élément dynamique, c'est-à-dire pouvant changer d'aspect avec le temps, par exemple sous la forme d'un écran LCD alimenté par une source de puissance interne à la montre. Une telle approche permet de modifier l'aspect vitrail avec le temps. Elle permet aussi d'animer l'élément de décoration.

The decoration component 20 represents the element which is particularly visible from the outside of the watch. It can come in a multitude of variations, including:

• A colored ceramic element, for example a glass plate colored by the integration of metallic particles, leaving it translucent or transparent, in order to obtain an attractive aesthetic effect when it is lit by external light, and / or even internal light. This advantageously makes it possible to group ceramics / glasses of different colors on areas of adjacent decoration, to form a set similar to a stained glass window. As a variant, this solution can be combined with a light source internal to the watch, arranged under the decorative element, and / or by an internal surface reflecting the light;
• An opaque element, set with precious or semi-precious stone, and / or mother-of-pearl, in metal, in the form of platelets of different crystals, in colored ceramic, in semi-precious stones such as jade, tourmaline, amethyst , citrine, as well as in fine stones, aquamarine type, but also in the form of meteorite plates, etc. ;
• A polymer material element;
• A mineral, vegetable, or animal element;
• An element made of phosphorescent or luminescent material, possibly coupled to a light source internal to the watch;
• A dynamic element, that is to say one that can change its appearance over time, for example in the form of an LCD screen powered by a power source internal to the watch. Such an approach makes it possible to modify the stained glass appearance over time. It also makes it possible to animate the decorative element.

Naturally, the invention does not relate to the aesthetic aspect itself but to the solution for decorating a watch. Thus, the skeleton, the decoration zones and the decoration components can take any shape and / or be of any other material. To this end, the figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which the skeleton, and therefore the decoration areas, has a different shape.

On the other hand, the skeleton can be made invisible or not, can form an inseparable, monolithic whole, with the plate, a bridge, a dial, or an oscillating weight of the watch or be a separate piece, under the shape of any attached plate, fixed for example on the plate or a bridge. It can also be presented in several separate pieces. It can be in the form of a continuous, substantially planar, or curved, or discontinuous surface, by the union of several parts in different planes, forming steps between them for example.

The decoration components may alternatively take a form other than a plate, and present, for example, a non-planar upper and / or lower surface, curved, for example to induce special optical effects. Thus, the housings arranged on the skeleton to support a decorative component, and / or more simply support surfaces, can be flat, inclined, curved, etc.

Alternatively, a similar decorative structure may appear on the side of the watch. It can therefore be oriented in a substantially perpendicular direction.

• Fabrication d'un squelette, soit sur une plaque indépendante, soit directement au sein d'une platine, d'un pont, d'un cadran ou d'une masse oscillante d'une montre. Dans ces derniers cas, cette étape peut comprendre une sous-étape consistant à ajourer ledit composant de la montre pour former des bras de faible épaisseur avec des moyens supports ;
• Fixation de plusieurs composants de décoration sur le squelette.

In addition, several decorative elements can be arranged within the same watch, in particular one on the upper side and one on the lower side, for example visible from the underside of the watch. Such a construction can have the advantage of making it possible to create additional aesthetic effects, by combining transparent or translucent decoration components with other reflective decoration components. In particular, an upper decoration element can be transparent and / or translucent and a reflective lower decoration element, comprising “mirror” decoration components. Thus, light enters the watch through its upper surface, is reflected by the lower decorative element, and returns to the upper decorative element, on which a stained glass effect can thus be ideally highlighted. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a watch with decorative element, which comprises the following steps:

• Manufacture of a skeleton, either on an independent plate, or directly within a plate, a bridge, a dial or an oscillating weight of a watch. In these latter cases, this step may include a sub-step consisting of perforating said component of the watch to form thin arms with support means;
• Fixing of several decoration components on the skeleton.

The decoration solution described above naturally makes it possible to differentiate the appearance of the different watches of the same industrial series. Indeed, it is possible to manufacture a multitude of watches in series, all integrating the same clockwork mechanism, the same skeleton of decoration, but differentiating only by the decoration components used.

Advantageously, this principle is used for the manufacture of a series of watches by an industrial process, by choosing decorative components so that each watch in the series is unique. For this, the decoration process includes a decoration coding step, based on the decoration components chosen, in order to guarantee the uniqueness of each watch, which receives a specific decoration code.

To illustrate this principle, consider the example of the watch from the figure 1 , and suppose that we have available for each decoration zone defined by the skeleton ten different colors of decoration components in colored glass. As the skeleton chosen forms ten decoration zones on the surface of the watch, this offers 10 ¹⁰ combinations possible. It thus appears that the decoration principle makes it possible to form a multitude of different watches by their decoration according to the invention.

To guarantee the uniqueness of each watch in the series, the following coding is chosen according to the embodiment. First, a unique number between 0 and 9 is associated with each of the ten possible colors. Then, the decoration zones Z1 to Z10 are considered in an order chosen by convention. For each decoration zone Zi, a color code is associated, to form the decoration code for the watch.

• 0 = jaune
• 1 = violet
• 2 = bleu
• 3 = vert
• 9 = rouge

As an example, let's choose the following color coding:

• 0 = yellow
• 1 = purple
• 2 = blue
• 3 = green
• 9 = red

• Zone Z1 : rouge (code 9)
• Zone Z2 : violet (code 1)
• Zone Z3 : rouge (code 9)
• Zone Z4 : bleu (code 2)
• Zone Z5 : vert (code 3)
• Zone Z6 : rouge (code 9)
• Zone Z7 : jaune (code 0)
• Zone Z8 : bleu (code 2)
• Zone Z9 : rouge (code 9)
• Zone Z10 : jaune (code 0)

If the decorative element includes the following composition:

• Zone Z1: red (code 9)
• Zone Z2: purple (code 1)
• Zone Z3: red (code 9)
• Zone Z4: blue (code 2)
• Zone Z5: green (code 3)
• Zone Z6: red (code 9)
• Zone Z7: yellow (code 0)
• Zone Z8: blue (code 2)
• Zone Z9: red (code 9)
• Zone Z10: yellow (code 0)

Then the decoration code of this decoration element can be written by using the color codes in the order of the decoration zones Zi, to obtain the code: 9192390290
Such a code therefore uniquely represents a particular decoration.

This codification ensures that each watch is unique, by using each decoration code only once. For this, the method of manufacturing a series of watches comprises a step of assigning a decoration code available to the watch, that is to say not yet used, to manufacture the watch corresponding to this code. decoration. It then includes a step consisting in memorizing this decoration code as no longer available, before assigning a separate decoration code to the next watches. This process makes it possible to manufacture any series of at most p ⁿ all different watches, taking care to use each decoration code only once, in the case where p possibilities of decoration components are used for each zone of decoration in a watch comprising n decoration zones.

The management of this codification is automatic, performed by any computer associated with the manufacturing device, on which a software code is executed, associated with an electronic memory containing at least one file of available and / or unavailable decoration codes.

In the case where the watches of a series include several decorative elements, each of these elements will be defined by a decoration code. The uniqueness of the watch will be achieved by comparing the decorative elements of each watch positioned in the same place within the watch. A global decoration code for each watch will thus be able to combine the decoration codes for each decoration element, keeping the order appearance of these codes: for example first that of the upper decoration element, then that of the lower decoration element.

Naturally, the coding chosen previously has been detailed by way of example. Any other convention making it possible to uniquely identify each watch decoration may alternatively be suitable. Thus, the decoration defined above achieves the surprising effect of being able to manufacture unique pieces in series in the field of fine watchmaking.

As a variant, the method for manufacturing a series of watches may include a step of eliminating certain decoration codes on the basis of aesthetic criteria, in order to avoid manufacturing watches with decorations corresponding to combinations which would not be sufficiently attractive. For this, this elimination consists in memorizing these codes as not available, prior to the allocation of the decoration codes to the watches to be manufactured.

On the other hand, the invention does not relate to the shape of the decorative skeleton itself: however, in order to obtain an attractive aesthetic, in the form of stained glass, or even patchwork of stained glass, of art deco style, or more generally of patchwork of different decoration components, it is advantageous to choose at least five decoration zones, or at least seven. This number of decoration components can be distributed over the same decoration element to over several decoration elements of the same watch . In addition, the decorative element does not necessarily extend over the entire surface of the watch, or of the dial, but does extend over at least 60% of this surface.

As explained above, the decoration components can be diverse. According to a variant, one (or more) zone of decoration can remain blank of any decoration component, or even be occupied by a transparent glass, to reveal parts of the clock mechanism, for example a tourbillon. In addition, the decorative components can be any, but it is advantageous to use several different components, in particular at least five, or even seven, by their material and / or their color, to form a particularly attractive artistic aspect. These different decoration components mentioned are preferably on the same decoration element. In all cases, the decorative element forms a stained glass effect.

The decoration element described above is particularly suitable for decorating a watch, as has been seen, in particular a wristwatch. It is alternatively implementable on all kinds of watches.

Claims (16)

1. A wrist watch comprising a case (1) incorporating a mainplate (4) and/or bridges and a clock mechanism, said watch integrating a decorative element comprising a skeleton comprising arms (12) delimiting several decorative zones (Zi) and forming support elements on which decorative components (20) are fixed, each decorative component occupying one decorative zone, the watch comprising hands and the decorative element being in a horizontal plane arranged between the hands and the clock mechanism, on the upper side of the watch, and visible to a user when he looks at the time, the surface area of the decorative element being greater than or equal to 60% of the surface area of a watch dial, characterized in that the decorative element comprise transparent or translucent decorative components of different colors in adjacent decorative zones to form an assembly similar to a stained-glass window.
2. A wrist watch as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the arms of the skeleton of the decorative element comprise a housing, notably a support surface (13) and/or a groove, to support a decorative component (20), notably in the form of a platelet.
3. A wrist watch as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that each decorative component (20) adopts the form of a decorative zone (Zi) delimited by arms (12) and/or a peripheral part (11) of the skeleton so as to occupy the entire surface of said decorative zone (Zi).
4. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative element comprises several decorative components made from a material chosen from ceramic, glass, a polymer, mother of pearl, a metal, a mineral, such as a precious or semi-precious stone, a plant structure, an animal structure, a phosphorescent or luminescent material, or taking the form of a screen of the LCD type.
5. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative element comprises several different decorative components (20) fixed to the skeleton, made of a colored transparent or translucent material so as to form a stained-glass window effect and/or in that it comprises several decorative components (20) that are reflective so as to reflect light.
6. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least five, or even at least seven, decorative zones each accepting a distinct decorative component, and/or in that it comprises at least five different decorative components.
7. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a second decorative element, arranged on the lower side of the wrist watch.
8. A wrist watch as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a first decorative element on a first side of the watch comprising decorative components that are transparent or translucent and a second decorative element on the opposite, second, side of the watch, comprising decorative components that are reflective.
9. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mainplate (4) and/or a bridge and/or a dial and/or an oscillating mass of the watch form a skeleton for at least one decorative element and/or in that a skeleton for at least one decorative element of the watch takes the form of an attached plate separate from the watch movement.
10. A wrist watch as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a decorative element the skeleton of which takes the form of an attached plate which comprises elements for fixing the skeleton to the mainplate and/or the bridges of the watch.
11. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skeleton forms at least three support points for a decorative component on a decorative zone, and comprises at least three fixing elements for this decorative component.
12. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fixing element for fixing a decorative component (20), such as a pin (25) or a screw, resting against the decorative component via the intermediary of at least one flexible seal (26).
13. A wrist watch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a surface that reveals part of a clock mechanism such a tourbillon, and/or in that it comprises an internal light source.
14. A series of watches, characterized in that it comprises several wrist watches as claimed in one of previous claims, each wrist watch differing from the other wrist watches of the series by a decorative element which, across the entire series, is unique.
15. A method of manufacturing a decorative element for wrist watches as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

    - manufacturing a skeleton;

    - fixing several decorative components (20) onto the skeleton.
16. A method of manufacturing a series of wrist watches, each being manufactured according to the method of the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a step of assigning a unique decoration code to each wrist watch so as to produce a series in which each wrist watch comprises at least one decorative element that differs from the decorative elements of the other watches in the series.

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