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EP0168010B1 - Watch case - Google Patents

Watch case Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0168010B1
EP0168010B1 EP85108438A EP85108438A EP0168010B1 EP 0168010 B1 EP0168010 B1 EP 0168010B1 EP 85108438 A EP85108438 A EP 85108438A EP 85108438 A EP85108438 A EP 85108438A EP 0168010 B1 EP0168010 B1 EP 0168010B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crystal
caseband
watch case
watch
case according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP85108438A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0168010A1 (en
Inventor
Paul Gogniat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rado Uhren AG
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Rado Uhren AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rado Uhren AG filed Critical Rado Uhren AG
Publication of EP0168010A1 publication Critical patent/EP0168010A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0168010B1 publication Critical patent/EP0168010B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G04HOROLOGY
    • G04BMECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B39/00Watch crystals; Fastening or sealing of crystals; Clock glasses
    • G04B39/02Sealing crystals or glasses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch case comprising a middle part, a mineral glass crystal whose periphery rests on the middle part and which completely covers it, and a bottom, these three elements defining a housing intended to receive a movement surmounted by a dial, and means for fixing the crystal to the middle part.
  • the elegance of the watch has always been largely a function of its thickness, since ultra-thin watches are generally high-end watches. In addition to their elegance, these very flat watches are also more comfortable to wear as they integrate better on the arm.
  • the thickness of a watch is not a completely objective criterion, given that it is not only a function of a measurable dimension generally at the center of the watch, but also of its line, that is to say the impression of thickness which it gives, an impression which is strongly conditioned by the thickness of the lateral face of the middle part.
  • the most important criterion is not the measurable thickness, but the impression of thickness that the buyer perceives, and in particular the impression of thickness that the watch gives to wear.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to give a watch case the appearance of being substantially thinner than its actual thickness, in particular when worn, while offering more solidity and making it less vulnerable to attacks to which it is subjected daily to the wearer's arm.
  • the crystal has the shape of a substantially spherical cap, at least part of the periphery of which is situated at a level below that of the dial.
  • the glass is made of an easily scratched material.
  • beveling is limited.
  • the watch case according to the invention may have a lateral surface of the middle part reduced to a thickness just sufficient to prevent it from being sharp. Therefore, since the crystal will preferably be made of a hard monocrystalline material, practically the only part of the watch case liable to be subjected to impact and scratching is made of a scratch-resistant material.
  • the glass thanks to its spherical cap shape, the glass allows better absorption of the shocks that it can undergo, by transmission to its seat located on the middle part on which it is fixed (implementation of the arch effect) . So, in addition to the aesthetic effect that the object of the invention solution gives to the watch case, it offers excellent protection against shocks and pressures to which a watch is exposed.
  • Another advantage to take into consideration in the shape of a spherical cap of the ice resides in the method of manufacturing this ice when it is made of a mineral material with a monocrystalline structure which we know is not capable of be simply molded, like plastic glasses for example, but must, on the contrary, be cut.
  • a simple geometric shape like a spherical cap is more easy to realize that traditional curved glass, with curvatures of various radii, of the type intended to be fixed in a notch of bezel or middle part for example.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show a wristwatch case comprising a middle part 1 whose axial opening receives a clockwork movement 2 carrying a dial 3 and indicator hands 4.
  • a base 5 is fixed to this middle part 1 with interposition of 'a seal 6.
  • the upper face 7 of this middle part has the shape of a spherical surface portion whose center is located on the central axis of the box.
  • This upper face 7 has two housings 8, diametrically opposite and only one of which is visible in the drawing. These housings each have an annular segment shape.
  • Each housing 8 has two openings 9 (only one of which is visible in the drawing) located in the vicinity of the respective ends of the annular segment.
  • openings 9 each communicate with a clearance 10 located under the middle part 1 and intended to receive the head of a screw 11 screwed into a fixing part 12, in the form of an annular segment, which part takes place in the housing 8 and whose upper face is in the form of a portion of a sphere and is welded to the internal face of a lens 13.
  • the welding of the lens 13 to the fixing piece 12 is carried out first of all by forming a first masking layer by metallization against a peripheral annular zone of the internal face of the crystal, obtained by physical deposition of a metal in vapor phase in particular, better known by the abbreviation of the corresponding expression in English "PVD •.
  • the crystal 13 is made of a hard and transparent mineral substance such as a material with a monocrystalline structure, in particular sapphire. In the drawing, the edge of this crystal extends to the periphery of the middle part 1.
  • the edge ice Given its shape of spherical cap, which is concentric and of the same radius as that of the upper surface of the middle part 1, the edge ice completely covers the upper face of this middle part and descends to a level which is situated below the lower surface of the dial 3, so that the thickness of the lateral face of the middle part thus becomes particularly reduced.
  • the crystal 13 covers the watch over more than half of its thickness.
  • the lateral face of the middle part is re-entrant, it is practically sheltered from scratching.
  • the watch thus has a general shape of a convex lens.
  • This watch also includes a time setting crown 23 (fig. 1 and 3) housed in a recess 24 made in the middle part 1 and the crystal 13.
  • This crown 23 is advantageously made or covered with a hard material, which makes it less sensitive to scratching.
  • this watch may advantageously include a time setting linked to the movement through the back 5, which makes it possible to simplify the external shape of the watch.
  • a seal seal 15 is arranged around this ring 14 and serves to seal between the crystal 13 and the middle part 1.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the previous one essentially by the fact that the glass 13 is not fixed to the middle part 1 by means of fixing parts welded to the glass and screwed to the middle, but by tightening .
  • the watch case shown comprises clamping members 16 of which only one is visible in the drawing.
  • Each clamping member 16 has in particular two tabs 17 each provided with a blind hole 18 for fixing a fastening bar d: a strap, and comprises a base 19, fixed under the middle by two screws 20 of which only the 'appears on the drawing.
  • Each clamping member 16 also has claws 21 which bear against the periphery of the external face of the crystal 13 and thus apply its internal face against part of the upper face of the middle part 1, this middle face having the shape of a portion of a sphere of the same radius and the same center as the internal face of the glass 13.
  • the crystal is not welded, the peripheral zone of its internal face situated outside the ring 14 could advantageously be metallized in order to hide this part of the middle part.
  • the watch case described is not necessarily round.
  • the middle and the glass could be cut along a cord represented by a dashed line 22, a symmetrical section (not visible in the drawing) being made parallel to the line 22 on the diametrically opposite edge of the box.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Or Mechanical Vibrators, Or Delay Or Filter Circuits (AREA)

Abstract

A case for a wrist watch includes a crystal, in particular, formed from a mineral material in the shape of a spherical cap which extends over the entire upper surface of the caseband and the edge of which descends to a level below that of the dial.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à une boîte de montre comprenant une carrure, une glace en verre minéral dont la périphérie repose sur la carrure et qui la recouvre entièrement, et un fond, ces trois éléments définissant un logement destiné à recevoir un mouvement surmonté d'un cadran, et des moyens de fixation de la glace à la carrure.The present invention relates to a watch case comprising a middle part, a mineral glass crystal whose periphery rests on the middle part and which completely covers it, and a bottom, these three elements defining a housing intended to receive a movement surmounted by a dial, and means for fixing the crystal to the middle part.

On connaît déjà de telles boîtes de montres, dans lesquelles la glace est directement fixée à la carrure. C'est ainsi que l'on a déjà proposé, dans la demande de brevet EP 0 066 538, de fixer par soudage une glace, notamment en un matériau dur à structure mono-cristalline, tel que le saphir, la périphérie de cette glace pouvant correspondre à celle de la carrure, de sorte qu'aucune lunette ni aucun cran de fixation de la glace dans la carrure ne sont nécessaires. Selon ce document, des couches de métallisation recouvrent une portion de la face interne de la glace pour cacher la soudure et assurer son adhérence sur le verre. Ce mode de fixation de la glace confère à la boite une esthétique nouvelle et ektrêmement élégante - dans la mesure où la carrure (ou la lunette) n'entoure plus la glace. Etant donné que la glace est de préférence réalisée en un matériau dur tel que le saphir, les parties les plus exposées de la boite de montre sont ainsi protégées contre un rayage éventuel.Already known such watch cases, in which the crystal is directly attached to the middle. Thus, it has already been proposed, in patent application EP 0 066 538, to fix by welding a crystal, in particular in a hard material with a monocrystalline structure, such as sapphire, the periphery of this crystal. which can correspond to that of the middle part, so that no glasses or notches for fixing the glass in the middle part are necessary. According to this document, metallization layers cover a portion of the internal face of the glass to hide the weld and ensure its adhesion to the glass. This method of fixing the crystal gives the box a new and extremely elegant aesthetic - insofar as the middle (or the bezel) no longer surrounds the crystal. Since the crystal is preferably made of a hard material such as sapphire, the most exposed parts of the watch case are thus protected against possible scratching.

On sait que depuis toujours, l'élégance de 1a montre est en bonne partie fonction de son épaisseur, les montres extra-plates étant généralement des montres de haut de gamme. Outre leur élégance, ces montres très plates sont également plus agréables à porter dans la mesure où elles s'intègrent mieux au bras. Or l'épaisseur d'une montre n'est pas un critère totalement objectif, étant donné qu'elle n'est pas seulement fonction d'une dimension mesurable généralement au centre de la montre, mais aussi de sa ligne, c'est-à-dire de l'impression d'épaisseur qu'elle donne, impression qui est fortement conditionnée par l'épaisseur de la face latérale de la carrure. En fait, lors de l'achat d'une montre, en ce qui concerne l'épaisseur, le critère qui compte le plus n'est pas l'épaisseur mesurable, mais l'impression d'épaisseur que perçoit l'acheteur, et notamment l'impression d'épaisseur que donne la montre au porter. A ce titre, on peut remarquer que nombre de boîtes présentent un fond saillant sous le niveau de la carrure en vue de réduire l'épaisseur de la face latérale de cette dernière. Toutefois, si cet artifice est exagéré, cette mesure a pour effet d'éloigner la carrure du poignet lorsque la montre y est portée, étant donné que la surface du poignet sur laquelle appuie le fond de la montre est très légèrement bombée. Ceci ne conduit donc pas à une meilleure intégration de la montre au bras.We know that the elegance of the watch has always been largely a function of its thickness, since ultra-thin watches are generally high-end watches. In addition to their elegance, these very flat watches are also more comfortable to wear as they integrate better on the arm. However, the thickness of a watch is not a completely objective criterion, given that it is not only a function of a measurable dimension generally at the center of the watch, but also of its line, that is to say the impression of thickness which it gives, an impression which is strongly conditioned by the thickness of the lateral face of the middle part. In fact, when buying a watch, with regard to thickness, the most important criterion is not the measurable thickness, but the impression of thickness that the buyer perceives, and in particular the impression of thickness that the watch gives to wear. As such, it can be noted that many boxes have a projecting bottom below the level of the middle part in order to reduce the thickness of the lateral face of the latter. However, if this device is exaggerated, this measure has the effect of moving away from the middle of the wrist when the watch is worn there, since the surface of the wrist on which the back of the watch rests is very slightly curved. This therefore does not lead to better integration of the watch on the arm.

Le but de la présente invention est d'apporter une solution qui permette de conférer à une boîte de montre l'apparence d'être sensiblement plus mince que son épaisseur réelle, notamment au porter, tout en offrant davantage de solidité et en le rendant moins vulnérable vis-à-vis des agressions auxquelles il est soumis quotidiennement au bras du porteur.The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to give a watch case the appearance of being substantially thinner than its actual thickness, in particular when worn, while offering more solidity and making it less vulnerable to attacks to which it is subjected daily to the wearer's arm.

Pour atteindre ce but, la glace a la forme d'une calotte sensiblement sphérique dont au moins une partie de la périphérie est située à un niveau inférieur à celui du cadran.To achieve this goal, the crystal has the shape of a substantially spherical cap, at least part of the periphery of which is situated at a level below that of the dial.

On connaît certes des documents décrivant une boîte dans laquelle la glace comporte une face sphérique ou tout au moins bombée, dont la périphérie est au moins en partie à un niveau inférieur au cadran. C'est le cas notamment du certificat d'utilité FR 2 077 642 et du brevet FR 1 398 410. Dans les boîtes qui y sont décrites, la glace est en matériau organique et il pourrait difficilement en être autrement du fait que la périphérie doit être formée pour garantir la fixation de la glace à la carrure. Ceci nécessite en outre une surépaisseur de la périphérie pour garantir une bonne tenue de la glace.Certainly documents are known which describe a box in which the crystal has a spherical or at least curved face, the periphery of which is at least partly at a level below the dial. This is particularly the case with the utility certificate FR 2 077 642 and the patent FR 1 398 410. In the boxes described therein, the glass is made of organic material and it could hardly be otherwise because the periphery must be formed to guarantee the fixing of the crystal to the middle. This also requires an extra thickness of the periphery to guarantee good resistance of the glass.

De la sorte,-la glace est faite d'un matériau facilement rayable. De plus, le biseautage est limité.In this way, the glass is made of an easily scratched material. In addition, beveling is limited.

A l'inverse, la boîte de montre selon l'invention peut présenter une surface latérale de carrure réduite à une épaisseur juste suffisante pour l'empêcher d'être coupante. De ce fait, étant donné que la glace sera de préférence en un matériau dur monocristallin, pratiquement la seule partie de la boîte de montre susceptible d'être soumise aux chocs et au rayage est réalisée en un matériau inrayable. De plus, grâce à sa forme de calotte sphérique, la glace permet une meilleure absorption des chocs qu'elle peut subir, par transmission à son assise située sur la carrure sur laquelle elle est fixée (mise en oeuvre de l'effet de voûte). Donc, en plus de l'effet esthétique que la solution objet de l'invention confère à la boîte de montre, elle offre une excellente protection vis-à-vis des chocs et des pressions auxquels une montre est exposée. Alors que les montres extra-plates étaient généralement des montres de luxe relativement fragiles, la solution proposée permet d'allier la robustesse à une grande élégance. C'est ainsi qu'une telle montre, résistant bien aux pressions et agressions externes peut être portée sans crainte d'être détériorée dans toutes les circonstances de la vie moderne et même dans des conditions aussi sévères qu'on peut rencontrer en plongée sous-marine, quand bien même elle ne soit pas spécialement conçue à cet effet.Conversely, the watch case according to the invention may have a lateral surface of the middle part reduced to a thickness just sufficient to prevent it from being sharp. Therefore, since the crystal will preferably be made of a hard monocrystalline material, practically the only part of the watch case liable to be subjected to impact and scratching is made of a scratch-resistant material. In addition, thanks to its spherical cap shape, the glass allows better absorption of the shocks that it can undergo, by transmission to its seat located on the middle part on which it is fixed (implementation of the arch effect) . So, in addition to the aesthetic effect that the object of the invention solution gives to the watch case, it offers excellent protection against shocks and pressures to which a watch is exposed. While ultra-thin watches were generally relatively fragile luxury watches, the proposed solution combines robustness with great elegance. This is how such a watch, resistant to external pressures and aggressions, can be worn without fear of deterioration in all the circumstances of modern life and even under conditions as severe as one can meet in scuba diving. marine, even if it is not specially designed for this purpose.

Un autre avantage à prendre en considération dans la forme de calotte sphérique de la glace réside dans le mode de fabrication de cette glace lorsque celle-ci est en un matériau minéral à structure monocristalline dont on sait qu'il n'est pas susceptible d'être simplement moulé, comme les verres en plastique par exemple, mais doit, au contraire, être taillé. Or une forme géométrique simple comme l'est une calotte sphérique est plus aisée à réaliser que les glaces bombées traditionnelles, à courbures de divers rayons, du type destiné à être fixé dans un cran de lunette ou de carrure par exemple.Another advantage to take into consideration in the shape of a spherical cap of the ice resides in the method of manufacturing this ice when it is made of a mineral material with a monocrystalline structure which we know is not capable of be simply molded, like plastic glasses for example, but must, on the contrary, be cut. Now a simple geometric shape like a spherical cap is more easy to realize that traditional curved glass, with curvatures of various radii, of the type intended to be fixed in a notch of bezel or middle part for example.

Le dessin annexé illustre, schématiquement et à titre d'exemple, deux variantes d'exécution de la boîte de montre-bracelet objet de la présente invention.The accompanying drawing illustrates, schematically and by way of example, two alternative embodiments of the wristwatch case which is the subject of the present invention.

  • La figure 1 est une vue partielle de dessus de la première variante ;Figure 1 is a partial top view of the first variant;
  • La figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1;
  • La figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 1;
  • La figure 4 est une vue partielle de dessus de la seconde variante ;Figure 4 is a partial top view of the second variant;
  • La figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4 ;Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4;

Les figures 1 à 3 représentent une boite de montre-bracelet comprenant une carrure 1 dont l'ouverture axiale reçoit un mouvement d'horlogerie 2 portant un cadran 3 et des aiguilles indicatrices 4. Un fond 5 est fixé à cette carrure 1 avec interposition d'un joint d'étanchéité 6. La face supérieure 7 de cette carrure présente la forme d'une portion de surface sphérique dont le centre est situé sur l'axe central de la boîte. Cette face supérieure 7 présente deux logements 8, diamétralement opposés et dont l'un seulement est visible au dessin. Ces logements ont chacun une forme de segment annulaire. Chaque logement 8 présente deux ouvertures 9 (dont seule l'une est visible sur le dessin) situées au voisinage des extrémités respectives du segment annulaire. Ces ouvertures 9 communiquent chacune avec un dégagement 10 situé sous la carrure 1 et destiné à recevoir la tête d'une vis 11 vissée dans une pièce de fixation 12, en forme de segment annulaire, laquelle pièce prend place dans le logement 8 et dont la face supérieure est en forme de portion de sphère et est soudée à la face interne d'une glace 13. Avantageusement, le soudage de la glace 13 à la pièce de fixation 12 est réalisé tout d'abord en formant une première couche de masquage par métallisation contre une zone annulaire périphérique de la face interne de la glace, obtenue par dépôt physique d'un métal en phase vapeur notamment, plus connu sous l'abréviation de l'expression correspondante en anglais « PVD •. Puis on dépose une seconde couche, de chrome, sur la première couche en vue d'arrêter la diffusion de la soudure et une troisième couche d'accrochage de la soudure telle qu'une couche de cuivre ou d'or, l'ensemble de ces opérations étant par exemple mis en oeuvre comme décrit en détail dans la demande de brevet EP 0 066 538. De préférence, la glace 13 est réalisée en une substance minérale dure et transparente telle qu'un matériau à structure monocristalline, notamment en saphir. Au dessin, le bord de cette glace s'étend jusqu'à la périphérie de la carrure 1. Compte tenu de sa forme de calotte sphérique, qui est concentrique et de même rayon que celui de la surface supérieure de la carrure 1, le bord de la glace couvre complètement la face supérieure de cette carrure et descend jusqu'à un niveau qui se situe au-dessous de la surface inférieure du cadran 3, de sorte que l'épaisseur de la face latérale de la carrure devient ainsi particulièrement réduite.Figures 1 to 3 show a wristwatch case comprising a middle part 1 whose axial opening receives a clockwork movement 2 carrying a dial 3 and indicator hands 4. A base 5 is fixed to this middle part 1 with interposition of 'a seal 6. The upper face 7 of this middle part has the shape of a spherical surface portion whose center is located on the central axis of the box. This upper face 7 has two housings 8, diametrically opposite and only one of which is visible in the drawing. These housings each have an annular segment shape. Each housing 8 has two openings 9 (only one of which is visible in the drawing) located in the vicinity of the respective ends of the annular segment. These openings 9 each communicate with a clearance 10 located under the middle part 1 and intended to receive the head of a screw 11 screwed into a fixing part 12, in the form of an annular segment, which part takes place in the housing 8 and whose upper face is in the form of a portion of a sphere and is welded to the internal face of a lens 13. Advantageously, the welding of the lens 13 to the fixing piece 12 is carried out first of all by forming a first masking layer by metallization against a peripheral annular zone of the internal face of the crystal, obtained by physical deposition of a metal in vapor phase in particular, better known by the abbreviation of the corresponding expression in English "PVD •. Then a second layer of chromium is deposited on the first layer in order to stop the diffusion of the solder and a third bonding layer of the solder such as a layer of copper or gold, the assembly of these operations being for example implemented as described in detail in patent application EP 0 066 538. Preferably, the crystal 13 is made of a hard and transparent mineral substance such as a material with a monocrystalline structure, in particular sapphire. In the drawing, the edge of this crystal extends to the periphery of the middle part 1. Given its shape of spherical cap, which is concentric and of the same radius as that of the upper surface of the middle part 1, the edge ice completely covers the upper face of this middle part and descends to a level which is situated below the lower surface of the dial 3, so that the thickness of the lateral face of the middle part thus becomes particularly reduced.

Ainsi qu'il ressort plus particulièrement de la figure 3, la glace 13 recouvre la montre sur plus de la moitié de son épaisseur. Comme de plus, la face latérale de la carrure est rentrante, elle est pratiquement à l'abri du rayage. La montre a ainsi une forme générale de lentille convexe.As can be seen more particularly from FIG. 3, the crystal 13 covers the watch over more than half of its thickness. As in addition, the lateral face of the middle part is re-entrant, it is practically sheltered from scratching. The watch thus has a general shape of a convex lens.

Cette montre comporte en outre une couronne de mise à l'heure 23 (fig. 1 et 3) logée dans un dégagement 24 pratiqué dans la carrure 1 et la glace 13. Cette couronne 23 est avantageusement faite ou recouverte d'un matériau dur, ce qui la rend moins sensible au rayage.This watch also includes a time setting crown 23 (fig. 1 and 3) housed in a recess 24 made in the middle part 1 and the crystal 13. This crown 23 is advantageously made or covered with a hard material, which makes it less sensitive to scratching.

En variante, non représentée au dessin, cette montre peut avantageusement comporter une mise à l'heure reliée au mouvement au travers du fond 5, ce qui permet de simplifier la forme extérieure de la montre.As a variant, not shown in the drawing, this watch may advantageously include a time setting linked to the movement through the back 5, which makes it possible to simplify the external shape of the watch.

La surface interne de la glace 13, en forme de calotte sphérique, presse contre la carrure 1 une -baguè métallique 14 qui présente un dégagement annulaire recevant le bord du cadran 3 et servant ainsi à maintenir le mouvement 2 dans la carrure 1. Un joint d'étanchéité 15 est disposé autour de cette bague 14 et sert à assurer l'étanchéité entre la glace 13 et la carrure 1.The internal surface of the crystal 13, in the form of a spherical cap, presses against the middle part 1 a metal ring 14 which has an annular clearance receiving the edge of the dial 3 and thus serving to maintain the movement 2 in the middle part 1. A seal seal 15 is arranged around this ring 14 and serves to seal between the crystal 13 and the middle part 1.

La variante illustrée par les figures 4 et 5 se distingue de la précédente essentiellement par le fait que la glace 13 n'est pas fixée à la carrure 1 au moyen de pièces de fixation soudées à la glace et vissées sur la carrure, mais par serrage. A cet effet, la boîte de montre représentée comprend des organes de serrage 16 dont seul l'un est visible sur le dessin. Chaque organe de serrage 16 présente notamment deux pattes 17 munies chacune d'un trou borgne 18 pour la fixation d'une barrette d'accrochage d:un bracelet, et comporte une embase 19, fixée sous la carrure par deux vis 20 dont seule l'une apparaît sur le dessin. Chaque organe de serrage 16 présente de plus des griffes 21 qui prennent appui contre la périphérie de la face externe de la glace 13 et appliquent ainsi sa face interne contre une partie de la face supérieure de la carrure 1, cette face de carrure présentant la forme d'une portion de sphère de même rayon et de même centre que la face interne de la glace 13.The variant illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the previous one essentially by the fact that the glass 13 is not fixed to the middle part 1 by means of fixing parts welded to the glass and screwed to the middle, but by tightening . To this end, the watch case shown comprises clamping members 16 of which only one is visible in the drawing. Each clamping member 16 has in particular two tabs 17 each provided with a blind hole 18 for fixing a fastening bar d: a strap, and comprises a base 19, fixed under the middle by two screws 20 of which only the 'appears on the drawing. Each clamping member 16 also has claws 21 which bear against the periphery of the external face of the crystal 13 and thus apply its internal face against part of the upper face of the middle part 1, this middle face having the shape of a portion of a sphere of the same radius and the same center as the internal face of the glass 13.

Le reste de la boite et de la fixation du mouvement sont identiques à la variante de la figure 1 et ne seront donc pas décrits à nouveau.The rest of the box and the movement attachment are identical to the variant in Figure 1 and will therefore not be described again.

Bien que dans cette variante la glace ne soit pas soudée, la zone périphérique de sa face interne située à l'extérieur de la bague 14 pourrait être avantageusement métallisée afin de cacher cette partie de la carrure.Although in this variant the crystal is not welded, the peripheral zone of its internal face situated outside the ring 14 could advantageously be metallized in order to hide this part of the middle part.

Bien que munie d'une glace en forme de calotte sphérique, la boîte de montre décrite n'est pas nécessairement ronde. C'est ainsi que, comme illustré à titre de variante sur la figure 1, la carrure et la glace pourraient être coupées selon une corde représentée par un trait mixte 22, une coupe symétrique (non visible sur le dessin) étant réalisée parallèlement au trait 22 sur le bord diamétralement opposé de la boîte.Although provided with a glass in the shape of a spherical cap, the watch case described is not necessarily round. Thus, as illustrated by way of a variant in FIG. 1, the middle and the glass could be cut along a cord represented by a dashed line 22, a symmetrical section (not visible in the drawing) being made parallel to the line 22 on the diametrically opposite edge of the box.

Claims (6)

1. A watch case comprising a caseband (1), a crystal (13) of mineral material the peripheral part of which rests on the caseband (1) and entirely covers it, and a back cover (5), each of these three elements comprising an outer surface and an inner surface which defines a receptacle intended to accommodate a movement (2) surmounted by a dial (3) and means (11, 12 ; 16, 20, 21) for fastening the crystal (13) to the caseband (1), characterized in that the crystal (13) has the form of a substantially spherical cap of which at least a part of the periphery is located at a level below that of the dial (3).
2. A watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means comprise threaded feet (12) soldered to the inner surface of the crystal (13) and lodged in openings (8) arranged in the upper surface of the caseband (1) and tightening screws (11) respectively engaged with said feet (12) and through passages (9) connecting the bottom of said openings to the lower surface of the caseband.
3. A watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means are each formed by a shoulder (16) fixed to the lower surface of the caseband (1) and by claws (21) projecting over said shoulder and engaging the periphery of the outer surface of the crystal (13).
4. A watch case according to claim 3, characterized in that said fastening means comprise two shoulders (21) symmetrically arranged on either side of the caseband,-each of said shoulders being furthermore fixed to elements (17) for attaching a bracelet.
5. A watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that said mineral material is a monocrys- taline sapphire.
6. A watch case according to any one of claims 1 to 5 the thickness of which is defined by the maximum distance between the outer surface of the crystal (13) and the back cover (15), characterized in that at least half of such thickness is occupied by said crystal (13).
EP85108438A 1984-07-12 1985-07-08 Watch case Expired EP0168010B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH3383/84 1984-07-12
CH338384A CH657246GA3 (en) 1984-07-12 1984-07-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0168010A1 EP0168010A1 (en) 1986-01-15
EP0168010B1 true EP0168010B1 (en) 1988-05-25

Family

ID=4254770

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85108438A Expired EP0168010B1 (en) 1984-07-12 1985-07-08 Watch case

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4637734A (en)
EP (1) EP0168010B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6138485A (en)
CH (1) CH657246GA3 (en)
DE (1) DE3562957D1 (en)
HK (1) HK55890A (en)
SG (1) SG38890G (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH660277GA3 (en) * 1985-04-09 1987-04-15
JPH0648447B2 (en) * 1987-10-21 1994-06-22 株式会社東芝 Temperature control device
CH671494B5 (en) * 1988-02-09 1990-03-15 Phare Jean D Eve Sa Le
CH678254B5 (en) * 1990-02-16 1992-02-28 Rado Montres Sa
CH678909B5 (en) * 1990-03-06 1992-05-29 Rolex Montres
JPH0747161Y2 (en) * 1992-05-15 1995-11-01 ショーボンド建設株式会社 Rivet removal jig
WO1994008482A2 (en) * 1992-10-05 1994-04-28 Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Pervy Wrist watch casing
JPH0747162Y2 (en) * 1993-04-28 1995-11-01 ショーボンド建設株式会社 Rivet removal jig
JP5493527B2 (en) * 2009-07-14 2014-05-14 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Clock with wireless function
EP2500134A1 (en) * 2011-03-16 2012-09-19 Comadur S.A. Cover part for a timepiece and system for the manufacturing thereof

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH581A (en) * 1889-03-12 1889-10-26 J H Landis & Cie Sharpening and setting machine
CH206230A (en) * 1938-03-10 1939-07-31 Solvil Des Montres Paul Ditish Timepiece.
CH335158A (en) * 1957-10-04 1958-12-31 Gisiger Staehli Josef Watch box
US3257795A (en) * 1964-06-09 1966-06-28 Jonell Watch Case Inc Watch case
FR1398410A (en) * 1964-06-11 1965-05-07 Weber & Baral K G Watch case, in particular for wristwatches
FR2077642A7 (en) * 1970-02-02 1971-11-05 Solidor Ets
CH563611A (en) * 1972-09-08 1975-06-30 Non circular form watch casing - with narrow watch glass enclosing rim
FR2320589A1 (en) * 1975-08-05 1977-03-04 Le Gal Pierre Hermetically sealed watch case - has watch glass with peripheral depending skirt fitting round upstanding sidewall on watch back
CH622151B (en) * 1977-07-15 Hans Ulrich Klingenberg WATCH BOX.
CH649435GA3 (en) * 1981-05-22 1985-05-31
CH643425B (en) * 1981-06-01 Rado Montres Sa WATCH BOX.
CH650634GA3 (en) * 1982-12-14 1985-08-15

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS6138485A (en) 1986-02-24
SG38890G (en) 1990-08-17
DE3562957D1 (en) 1988-06-30
US4637734A (en) 1987-01-20
CH657246GA3 (en) 1986-08-29
JPH0435036B2 (en) 1992-06-09
HK55890A (en) 1990-08-03
EP0168010A1 (en) 1986-01-15

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