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EP0626625B1 - Watch case made of precious metal - Google Patents

Watch case made of precious metal Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0626625B1
EP0626625B1 EP94107499A EP94107499A EP0626625B1 EP 0626625 B1 EP0626625 B1 EP 0626625B1 EP 94107499 A EP94107499 A EP 94107499A EP 94107499 A EP94107499 A EP 94107499A EP 0626625 B1 EP0626625 B1 EP 0626625B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch case
frame
case according
cavity
horns
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94107499A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0626625A1 (en
Inventor
Claude-André Marthe
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0626625A1 publication Critical patent/EP0626625A1/en
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Publication of EP0626625B1 publication Critical patent/EP0626625B1/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/22—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/0008—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch case made of a noble metal, said to be also precious, such as for example gold, silver or platinum. It relates more particularly to a watch case comprising a middle part, a case back and a crystal, and whose massive parts of the middle part are hollowed out in order to reduce the precious metal weight of the box, and therefore its price.
  • the recess of the massive parts of the middle part is obtained by machining from the housing intended to receive the clockwork movement, the hollow parts thus produced being concealed by the casing circle, fixed on the middle and supporting the movement.
  • the gain in weight of the precious metal is of course all the greater the deeper the recess.
  • the larger the recess the thinner the wall of the middle part becomes, and the fragile box, mainly vis-à-vis the shocks on its outer face and constraints, often significant, which may appear for example at the passage of the winding stem and horns.
  • reinforcing pieces are welded at critical points, and the horns have no recesses.
  • any piece added to a noble metal watch box must also be made of noble metal if it is permanently fixed to the box, or be easily separable from the box without special tools if the piece is made of metal or an alloy. ordinary.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a watch case made of noble metal which does not have these drawbacks.
  • the watch case according to the invention is mainly remarkable in that it further comprises a frame which is removably disposed in the recess of the middle part.
  • An advantage of the invention comes from the fact that the frame, being removable, can be made of an ordinary cheap material.
  • Another advantage results from the fact that a part of the frame, if it is made of metal, for example, can be arranged in recesses made in the horns which are thereby reinforced while having a lower precious metal weight.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the watch case according to the invention.
  • This box essentially comprises a middle part 1, a bottom 2 and a crystal 3.
  • the bottom and the crystal are fixed to the middle in a known manner, possibly using seals 4 in order to make the box waterproof.
  • the middle part 1, of round shape and comprising horns 5 for fixing a bracelet, not shown, is formed in the present example from two parts made of precious metal which fit into each other.
  • One of the parts is constituted by a central body 10 of cylindrical shape.
  • This body which has an inner face 11 and an outer face 12, supports the bottom 2, held in place by a notch fixing device, and the glass 3.
  • a casing circle 13 In the space delimited by the face 11, the bottom and the glass, there is a casing circle 13 in which is disposed a clockwork movement 14 driving hands 15 in front of a dial 16.
  • the casing circle 13 can be fixed on the middle part 1, or else, as in the present case example, be held in place by the bottom 2.
  • the other part of the middle part is a peripheral body 20 of annular shape, fixed on the outer face 12 of the central body 10 and comprising the horns 5.
  • the body 20 has a recess 21 which extends to the ends of the horns 5 and opens to the outside through an opening going around the body 10 opposite the outside face 12. This arrangement appears clearly on the left side of FIG. 2, which is an exploded sectional view of the box by a plane II - II passing through its center.
  • the peripheral body 20 can also be considered to be formed of a thin wall 22, folded back on itself so that its edges come into contact, near the bottom 2 and the glass 3, of the outer face 12 of the central body 10.
  • the wall 22 of the peripheral body 20 must be thin.
  • the body 20 being however subjected to stresses which may be significant, it must have sufficient solidity not to undergo deformation. This is obtained by placing in the recess 21 a frame 25 made of a resistant but common and inexpensive material.
  • the frame 25 has a shape complementary to that of the recess 21, and its face not covered by the wall 22 comes into contact with the outer face 12 of the central body 10. It therefore completely fills the recess 21 and penetrates up to ends of the horns 5. Under these conditions, if the frame 25 is for example in brass, the resistance of the body 20 and the horns 5, mainly at the level of the fixing holes of the bars, will be high and even greater than that of an identical piece made of solid noble metal, such as gold or silver .
  • the frame 25 has been divided into four independent sectors of substantially equal length, referenced respectively 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d.
  • the sectors 25a and 25c have projecting parts intended to take place in the horns 5, and they are for this reason introduced first in the recess 21, respectively at 12 and 6 o'clock. Then it is sectors 25b and 25d, the latter sector comprising a passage for the time-setting rod, which are slid into the recess 21 at 9 and 3 hours between sectors 25a and 25c.
  • the opposite ends of any two adjacent sectors come into contact with one another in a plane oriented substantially parallel to the axis 3-9 hours. By slightly tilting the plane with respect to this axis, it is possible to create between the sectors a constraint by wedging effect, resulting in an even firmer maintenance of the sectors in their housing.
  • peripheral body 20 with the frame 25 are slid over the central body 10 along its outer face 12 so to give the watch case its final shape.
  • face 12 further comprises a peripheral groove 26, and the frame 25 a bulge 27 disposed opposite the groove and forming therewith a notch fixing device requiring no special tools as well for assembly than for disassembly of the box and the frame 25.
  • the sectors 25b and 25d are mainly subjected to local pressures resulting from the shocks undergone by the middle part 1, they could be made of a synthetic material having good resistance to compression.
  • the sectors 25a and 24c could also be made of synthetic material if, the bracelet being connected to the box in a different way, the latter did not include horns 5.
  • the middle part comprises a central body which is identical to the central body 10 already described, and a peripheral body 20' provided with horns 5 '.
  • the body 20 ′ similar in shape to the peripheral body 20, comprises a lower part 20 ′ a surrounding the bottom 2, and an upper part 20 ′ b surrounding the glass 3.
  • the opposite side faces of the two parts join in a plane parallel to the main plane of the box and passing substantially through the middle of the body 20 'and the horns 5'.
  • Inside the body 20 ′ is provided a recess 21 ′, similar to the recess 21 and whose lateral internal face is cylindrical and perpendicular to the plane of the box.
  • the watch case which has just been described may undergo further other modifications and come in other variants, obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the box instead of being round, could have a different shape, for example oval or rectangular, and the lens 3 include a bezel.
  • the bracelet could be connected to the case by a fastening device which does not require the presence of the horns 5, 5 '.
  • the bottom 2 could be part of the central body 10, as well as one of the parts of the peripheral body 20 '.
  • Other fixing means than the notch device could be used to hold the different parts of the box together, for example screws.
  • the control and / or correction members of the watch could for example be pushers, instead of the time-setting rod.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une boîte de montre réalisée en un métal noble, dit aussi précieux, comme par exemple l'or, l'argent ou le platine. Elle concerne plus particulièrement une boîte de montre comportant une carrure, un fond et une glace, et dont les parties massives de la carrure sont évidées afin de diminuer le poids en métal précieux de la boîte, et donc son prix.The present invention relates to a watch case made of a noble metal, said to be also precious, such as for example gold, silver or platinum. It relates more particularly to a watch case comprising a middle part, a case back and a crystal, and whose massive parts of the middle part are hollowed out in order to reduce the precious metal weight of the box, and therefore its price.

De telles boîtes sont bien connues. Dans les réalisations existantes l'évidement des parties massives de la carrure sont obtenues par usinage depuis le logement destiné à recevoir le mouvement d'horlogerie, les parties creuses ainsi produites étant dissimulées par le cercle d'emboîtage, fixé sur la carrure et supportant le mouvement.Such boxes are well known. In the existing embodiments, the recess of the massive parts of the middle part is obtained by machining from the housing intended to receive the clockwork movement, the hollow parts thus produced being concealed by the casing circle, fixed on the middle and supporting the movement.

Le gain en poids du métal précieux est bien entendu d'autant plus grand que l'évidement est profond. Cependant plus l'évidement est important plus la paroi de la carrure devient mince, et la boîte fragile, principalement vis-à-vis des chocs sur sa face extérieure et des contraintes, souvent importantes, pouvant apparaître par exemple au niveau du passage de la tige de remontoir et des cornes.The gain in weight of the precious metal is of course all the greater the deeper the recess. However, the larger the recess, the thinner the wall of the middle part becomes, and the fragile box, mainly vis-à-vis the shocks on its outer face and constraints, often significant, which may appear for example at the passage of the winding stem and horns.

Afin que la boîte garde une solidité suffisante, des pièces de renforcement sont soudées aux endroits critiques, et les cornes ne comportent aucun évidement.To keep the box strong enough, reinforcing pieces are welded at critical points, and the horns have no recesses.

Or selon la loi, toute pièce ajoutée à une boîte de montre en métal noble doit également être en métal noble si elle est fixée définitivement sur la boîte, ou être facilement séparable de la boîte sans outillage spécial si la pièce est en métal ou en alliage ordinaire.However, by law, any piece added to a noble metal watch box must also be made of noble metal if it is permanently fixed to the box, or be easily separable from the box without special tools if the piece is made of metal or an alloy. ordinary.

Dans ces conditions, étant donné que les pièces de renforcement sont soudées sur la carrure, elles doivent également être en métal noble. Ceci constitue un inconvénient important puisque ces pièces augmentent le poids de la boîte, et leur fixation son prix de fabrication. La nécessité de garder des cornes massives constitue un autre inconvénient, car le poids des cornes représente une part importante du poids total de la boîte.Under these conditions, since the reinforcing parts are welded to the middle part, they must also be made of noble metal. This constitutes an important drawback since these parts increase the weight of the box, and their fixing its manufacturing price. The need to keep massive horns is another drawback, since the weight of the horns represents a significant part of the total weight of the box.

Le but de l'invention est de proposer une boîte de montre en métal noble ne présentant pas ces inconvénients.The object of the invention is to propose a watch case made of noble metal which does not have these drawbacks.

Pour atteindre cet objectif, la boîte de montre selon l'invention est principalement remarquable en ce qu'elle comporte en outre un cadre qui est disposé de manière amovible dans l'évidement de la carrure.To achieve this objective, the watch case according to the invention is mainly remarkable in that it further comprises a frame which is removably disposed in the recess of the middle part.

Un avantage de l'invention provient du fait que le cadre, étant amovible, peut être réalisé en un matériau ordinaire bon marché.An advantage of the invention comes from the fact that the frame, being removable, can be made of an ordinary cheap material.

Un autre avantage résulte de ce qu'une partie du cadre, s'il est par exemple en métal, peut être disposée dans des évidements pratiqués dans les cornes qui s'en trouvent renforcées tout en présentant un poids en métal précieux plus faible.Another advantage results from the fact that a part of the frame, if it is made of metal, for example, can be arranged in recesses made in the horns which are thereby reinforced while having a lower precious metal weight.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre, faite en regard du dessin annexé et donnant, à titre explicatif mais nullement limitatif, un exemple d'une telle boîte de montre. Sur ce dessin, où les mêmes références se rapportent à des éléments analogues :

  • la fig. 1 est une vue en plan, dont une partie est représentée en coupe, d'une forme de réalisation de la boîte de montre selon l'invention;
  • la fig. 2 montre la boîte de montre représentée sur la fig. 1, de profil et en coupe par un plan II - II passant par son centre; et
  • la fig. 3 est une vue de profil et en coupe d'une autre forme de réalisation de la boîte de montre selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing and giving, by way of explanation but in no way limiting, an example of such a watch case. In this drawing, where the same references relate to similar elements:
  • fig. 1 is a plan view, part of which is shown in section, of an embodiment of the watch case according to the invention;
  • fig. 2 shows the watch case shown in FIG. 1, in profile and in section through a plane II - II passing through its center; and
  • fig. 3 is a side view in section of another embodiment of the watch case according to the invention.

Les fig. 1 et 2 représentent un mode de réalisation de la boîte de montre selon l'invention. Cette boîte comporte essentiellement une carrure 1, un fond 2 et une glace 3. Le fond et la glace sont fixés sur la carrure de manière connue, en utilisant éventuellement des joints d'étanchéité 4 afin de rendre la boîte imperméable. La carrure 1, de forme ronde et comportant des cornes 5 pour la fixation d'un bracelet non représenté, est formée dans le présent exemple de deux parties en métal précieux s'emboîtant l'une dans l'autre.Figs. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the watch case according to the invention. This box essentially comprises a middle part 1, a bottom 2 and a crystal 3. The bottom and the crystal are fixed to the middle in a known manner, possibly using seals 4 in order to make the box waterproof. The middle part 1, of round shape and comprising horns 5 for fixing a bracelet, not shown, is formed in the present example from two parts made of precious metal which fit into each other.

Une des parties est constituée par un corps central 10 de forme cylindrique. Ce corps, qui présente une face intérieure 11 et une face extérieure 12, supporte le fond 2, maintenu en place par un dispositif de fixation à cran, et la glace 3. Dans l'espace délimité par la face 11, le fond et la glace, se trouve un cercle d'emboîtage 13 dans lequel est disposé un mouvement d'horlogerie 14 entraînant des aiguilles 15 devant un cadran 16. Le cercle d'emboîtage 13 peut être fixé sur la carrure 1, ou bien, comme dans le présent exemple, être maintenu en place par le fond 2.One of the parts is constituted by a central body 10 of cylindrical shape. This body, which has an inner face 11 and an outer face 12, supports the bottom 2, held in place by a notch fixing device, and the glass 3. In the space delimited by the face 11, the bottom and the glass, there is a casing circle 13 in which is disposed a clockwork movement 14 driving hands 15 in front of a dial 16. The casing circle 13 can be fixed on the middle part 1, or else, as in the present case example, be held in place by the bottom 2.

L'autre partie de la carrure est un corps périphérique 20 de forme annulaire, fixé sur la face extérieure 12 du corps central 10 et comprenant les cornes 5. Le corps 20 comporte un évidement 21 qui se prolonge jusqu'aux extrémités des cornes 5 et débouche à l'extérieur par une ouverture faisant le tour du corps 10 en regard de la face extérieure 12. Cette disposition apparaît nettement sur la partie gauche de la fig. 2, qui est une vue en coupe éclatée de la boîte par un plan II - II passant par son centre. Le corps périphérique 20 peut aussi être considéré comme étant formé d'une paroi mince 22, repliée sur elle-même de manière que ses bords viennent en contact, près du fond 2 et de la glace 3, de la face extérieure 12 du corps central 10.The other part of the middle part is a peripheral body 20 of annular shape, fixed on the outer face 12 of the central body 10 and comprising the horns 5. The body 20 has a recess 21 which extends to the ends of the horns 5 and opens to the outside through an opening going around the body 10 opposite the outside face 12. This arrangement appears clearly on the left side of FIG. 2, which is an exploded sectional view of the box by a plane II - II passing through its center. The peripheral body 20 can also be considered to be formed of a thin wall 22, folded back on itself so that its edges come into contact, near the bottom 2 and the glass 3, of the outer face 12 of the central body 10.

Le corps central 10, avec le fond 2 et la glace 3, confère à la boîte sa rigidité, tandis que le corps périphérique 20 est un élément de caractère esthétique, soumis cependant aux chocs et aux efforts de traction du bracelet. Le corps 20, dont la forme est généralement complexe, peut être avantageusement obtenu par étampage, par moulage, ou par électroformage.The central body 10, with the bottom 2 and the crystal 3, gives the box its rigidity, while the peripheral body 20 is an element of an aesthetic nature, however subject to shocks and to the tensile stresses of the bracelet. The body 20, the shape of which is generally complex, can advantageously be obtained by stamping, by molding, or by electroforming.

Afin d'obtenir une boîte de montre dont le poids en métal noble soit faible, la paroi 22 du corps périphérique 20 doit être mince. Le corps 20 étant cependant soumis à des contraintes pouvant être importantes, il doit présenter une solidité suffisante pour ne pas subir de déformation. Ceci est obtenu en disposant dans l'évidement 21 un cadre 25 réalisé en un matériau résistant mais commun et bon marché.In order to obtain a watch case whose noble metal weight is low, the wall 22 of the peripheral body 20 must be thin. The body 20 being however subjected to stresses which may be significant, it must have sufficient solidity not to undergo deformation. This is obtained by placing in the recess 21 a frame 25 made of a resistant but common and inexpensive material.

Le cadre 25 a une forme complémentaire de celle de l'évidement 21, et sa face non recouverte par la paroi 22 vient en contact de la face extérieure 12 du corps central 10. Il remplit donc entièrement l'évidement 21 et pénètre jusqu'aux extrémités des cornes 5. Dans ces conditions, si le cadre 25 est par exemple en laiton, la résistance du corps 20 et des cornes 5, principalement au niveau des trous de fixation des barrettes, sera élevée et même supérieure à celle d'une pièce identique réalisée en métal noble massif, tel que l'or ou l'argent.The frame 25 has a shape complementary to that of the recess 21, and its face not covered by the wall 22 comes into contact with the outer face 12 of the central body 10. It therefore completely fills the recess 21 and penetrates up to ends of the horns 5. Under these conditions, if the frame 25 is for example in brass, the resistance of the body 20 and the horns 5, mainly at the level of the fixing holes of the bars, will be high and even greater than that of an identical piece made of solid noble metal, such as gold or silver .

La forme en anneau ouvert latéralement vers le centre de la boîte de l'évidement 21, empêche d'y placer un cadre rigide formant une seule et même pièce. Pour surmonter cette difficulté, le cadre 25 a été divisé en quatre secteurs indépendants de longueur sensiblement égales, référencés respectivement 25a, 25b, 25c et 25d.The ring shape open laterally towards the center of the box of the recess 21, prevents the placing of a rigid frame forming a single piece therein. To overcome this difficulty, the frame 25 has been divided into four independent sectors of substantially equal length, referenced respectively 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d.

Les secteurs 25a et 25c comportent des parties saillantes destinées à prendre place dans les cornes 5, et ils sont pour cette raison introduits les premiers dans l'évidement 21, respectivement à 12 et 6 heures. Ensuite ce sont les secteurs 25b et 25d, ce dernier secteur comportant un passage pour la tige de mise à l'heure, qui sont glissés dans l'évidement 21 à 9 et 3 heures entre les secteurs 25a et 25c. Pour permettre une mise en place facile et sans jeu des secteurs dans l'évidement 21, les extrémités en regard de deux secteurs adjacents quelconques viennent en contact l'une de l'autre suivant un plan orienté sensiblement parallèlement à l'axe 3-9 heures. En inclinant légèrement le plan par rapport à cet axe, il est possible de créer entre les secteurs une contrainte par effet de coincement, entraînant un maintien encore plus ferme des secteurs dans leur logement.The sectors 25a and 25c have projecting parts intended to take place in the horns 5, and they are for this reason introduced first in the recess 21, respectively at 12 and 6 o'clock. Then it is sectors 25b and 25d, the latter sector comprising a passage for the time-setting rod, which are slid into the recess 21 at 9 and 3 hours between sectors 25a and 25c. To allow easy installation and without play of the sectors in the recess 21, the opposite ends of any two adjacent sectors come into contact with one another in a plane oriented substantially parallel to the axis 3-9 hours. By slightly tilting the plane with respect to this axis, it is possible to create between the sectors a constraint by wedging effect, resulting in an even firmer maintenance of the sectors in their housing.

Enfin le corps périphérique 20 avec le cadre 25 sont glissés sur le corps central 10 le long de sa face extérieure 12 afin de donner à la boîte de montre sa forme définitive. Pour maintenir les deux corps ensemble, la face 12 comporte en outre une gorge périphérique 26, et le cadre 25 un renflement 27 disposé en regard de la gorge et formant avec celle-ci un dispositif de fixation à cran ne nécessitant aucun outillage spécial aussi bien pour l'assemblage que pour le démontage de la boîte et du cadre 25.Finally the peripheral body 20 with the frame 25 are slid over the central body 10 along its outer face 12 so to give the watch case its final shape. To hold the two bodies together, the face 12 further comprises a peripheral groove 26, and the frame 25 a bulge 27 disposed opposite the groove and forming therewith a notch fixing device requiring no special tools as well for assembly than for disassembly of the box and the frame 25.

Etant donné que les secteurs 25b et 25d sont principalement soumis à des pressions locales résultant des chocs que subit la carrure 1, ils pourraient être réalisés en une matière synthétique présentant une bonne résistance à la compression. Les secteurs 25a et 24c pourraient également être en matière synthétique si, le bracelet étant relié à la boîte de manière différente, celle-ci ne comportait pas de cornes 5.Since the sectors 25b and 25d are mainly subjected to local pressures resulting from the shocks undergone by the middle part 1, they could be made of a synthetic material having good resistance to compression. The sectors 25a and 24c could also be made of synthetic material if, the bracelet being connected to the box in a different way, the latter did not include horns 5.

Une autre forme de réalisation de la boîte de montre selon l'invention est représentée de profil et en coupe sur la fig. 3. Dans cette exécution, la carrure, référencée 1', comprend un corps central qui est identique au corps central 10 déjà décrit, et un corps périphérique 20' pourvu de cornes 5'. Le corps 20', de forme similaire au corps périphérique 20, comporte une partie inférieure 20'a entourant le fond 2, et une partie supérieure 20'b entourant la glace 3. Les faces latérales en regard des deux parties se joignent suivant un plan parallèle au plan principal de la boîte et passant sensiblement par le milieu du corps 20' et des cornes 5'. A l'intérieur du corps 20' est ménagé un évidement 21', semblable à l'évidement 21 et dont la face intérieure latérale est cylindrique et perpendiculaire au plan de la boîte.Another embodiment of the watch case according to the invention is shown in profile and in section in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the middle part, referenced 1 ', comprises a central body which is identical to the central body 10 already described, and a peripheral body 20' provided with horns 5 '. The body 20 ′, similar in shape to the peripheral body 20, comprises a lower part 20 ′ a surrounding the bottom 2, and an upper part 20 ′ b surrounding the glass 3. The opposite side faces of the two parts join in a plane parallel to the main plane of the box and passing substantially through the middle of the body 20 'and the horns 5'. Inside the body 20 ′ is provided a recess 21 ′, similar to the recess 21 and whose lateral internal face is cylindrical and perpendicular to the plane of the box.

Dans ces conditions, lorsque les parties 20'a et 20'b sont séparées, il est possible d'introduire dans l'une des parties un cadre 25', qui peut être en une seule pièce dans ces conditions, puis d'appliquer l'autre partie sur le cadre pour l'enfermer dans l'évidement 21' du corps périphérique 20' et des cornes 5'. Le maintien des deux parties 20'a et 20'b sur le cadre 25' est obtenu au moyen d'une fixation à cran comportant des renflements 31a, 31b sur le corps 20' et une gorge 30 sur la face latérale extérieure du cadre. Le corps périphérique 20' peut ensuite être disposé et fixé sur le corps central 10 de la même manière que le corps périphérique 20, le cadre 25' comportant à cet effet un renflement 27'.Under these conditions, when the parts 20'a and 20'b are separated, it is possible to introduce into one of the parts a frame 25 ', which can be in one piece under these conditions, then to apply the 'other part on the frame to enclose it in the recess 21' of the peripheral body 20 'and the horns 5'. The retention of the two parts 20'a and 20'b on the frame 25 'is obtained by means of a notch fixing comprising bulges 31a, 31b on the body 20' and a groove 30 on the outer lateral face of the frame. The peripheral body 20 'can then be arranged and fixed on the central body 10 in the same way as the peripheral body 20, the frame 25' comprising for this purpose a bulge 27 '.

Il est bien entendu que la boîte de montre qui vient d'être décrite peut subir encore d'autres modifications et se présenter sous d'autres variantes, évidentes pour l'homme du métier, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention. En particulier la boîte, au lieu d'être ronde, pourrait avoir une forme différente, par exemple ovale ou rectangulaire, et la glace 3 comporter une lunette. Le bracelet pourrait être relié à la boîte par un dispositif d'attache ne nécessitant pas la présence des cornes 5, 5'. Le fond 2 pourrait faire partie du corps central 10, de même que l'une des parties du corps périphérique 20'. D'autres moyens de fixation que le dispositif à cran pourraient être utilisés pour maintenir ensemble les différentes parties de la boîte, par exemple des vis. Enfin les organes de commande ou/et de correction de la montre pourraient être par exemple des poussoirs, au lieu de la tige de mise à l'heure.It is understood that the watch case which has just been described may undergo further other modifications and come in other variants, obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the box, instead of being round, could have a different shape, for example oval or rectangular, and the lens 3 include a bezel. The bracelet could be connected to the case by a fastening device which does not require the presence of the horns 5, 5 '. The bottom 2 could be part of the central body 10, as well as one of the parts of the peripheral body 20 '. Other fixing means than the notch device could be used to hold the different parts of the box together, for example screws. Finally, the control and / or correction members of the watch could for example be pushers, instead of the time-setting rod.

Claims (7)

  1. Watch case made in noble metal, comprising a caseband (1; 1') supporting attaching means for a bracelet and including a cavity (21; 21') a back cover (2) and a crystal (3), characterized in that the cavity also extends into said attaching means and in that said watch case further includes a frame (25; 25') arranged in a removable manner in the totality of said cavity (21; 21').
  2. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of said frame (25; 25') is formed either in a base metal or base metal alloy, or of synthetic material.
  3. Watch case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said attaching means are constituted by two pairs of horns (5; 5').
  4. Watch case according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said caseband (1, 1') comprises a central body (10) supporting the back cover (2) and the crystal (3), and a peripheral body (20, 20'), a part at least of which is secured in a removable manner on said central body, said bodies bounding said cavity (21; 21') between them.
  5. Watch case according to claim 4, characterized in that said peripheral body (20) forms one and the same piece and in that said frame (25) includes several portions (25a, 25b ...) which are arranged one after the other within said cavity (21) when said bodies (10, 20) are separated from one another.
  6. Watch case according to claim 4, characterized in that said peripheral body (20') includes a lower portion (20'a) arranged facing the back cover (2) and an upper portion (20'b) arranged facing the crystal (3), and in that at least one of said portions is secured in a removable manner on said central body (10), and in that said frame (25') forms one and the same piece.
  7. Watch case according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said back cover (2) forms a part of said caseband (1, 1').
EP94107499A 1993-05-28 1994-05-13 Watch case made of precious metal Expired - Lifetime EP0626625B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1610/93 1993-05-28
CH161093A CH685465B5 (en) 1993-05-28 1993-05-28 watch case in noble metal.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0626625A1 EP0626625A1 (en) 1994-11-30
EP0626625B1 true EP0626625B1 (en) 1997-03-19

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94107499A Expired - Lifetime EP0626625B1 (en) 1993-05-28 1994-05-13 Watch case made of precious metal

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US (1) US5493544A (en)
EP (1) EP0626625B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH06347565A (en)
CH (1) CH685465B5 (en)
DE (1) DE69402104T2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8689446B2 (en) 2011-02-02 2014-04-08 Richemont International S.A. Method for producing a watch case middle of reduced weight

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0716360B1 (en) 1995-08-30 2001-09-26 Isa Swiss Sa Watch case with a recessed case and fitting means and watch provided with such a case
EP0762240A1 (en) 1995-08-30 1997-03-12 Fabrique D'ebauches De Sonceboz S.A. Watch case with a recessed case and fitting means and watch provided with such a case
EP1065576B1 (en) * 1999-06-29 2008-04-16 The Swatch Group Management Services AG Chronograph watch made of precious metal and with a hollow bezel middle
US20020136096A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2002-09-26 Locman S.P.A. Wristwatch case with improved wearing comfort
CH712210B1 (en) * 2016-03-14 2020-02-14 Nivarox Sa Method of manufacturing a clock display component.

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE335459C (en) * 1921-04-05 Boites La Centrale Fab De Watch case
CH68695A (en) * 1914-05-09 1915-04-16 Co Tavannes Watch Wrist watch box
CH79203A (en) * 1918-10-03 1918-10-16 Boites La Centrale Fab De Watch box
CH352965A (en) * 1958-03-13 1961-03-15 Emir S A Process for manufacturing a middle part of a wristwatch case and middle part obtained by this process
CH667966GA3 (en) * 1987-02-18 1988-11-30 Sealed wrist watch casing - has plastic body and precious metal surround with e.g. gold restricted to part of watch thickness
CH675663B5 (en) * 1989-01-23 1991-04-30 Omega Sa
CH681414B5 (en) * 1991-10-10 1993-09-30 Bonnet Design & Tech Gold watch with box plastiquecomposite material reinforcing structure.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8689446B2 (en) 2011-02-02 2014-04-08 Richemont International S.A. Method for producing a watch case middle of reduced weight

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH685465GA3 (en) 1995-07-31
CH685465B5 (en) 1996-01-31
US5493544A (en) 1996-02-20
DE69402104T2 (en) 1997-06-26
DE69402104D1 (en) 1997-04-24
JPH06347565A (en) 1994-12-22
EP0626625A1 (en) 1994-11-30

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