EP4102309A1 - Timepiece including a trim component provided with a part made of zirconia - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece comprising, in addition to a crystal, the following covering elements: a back (2), a middle part (1), a dial (3), and two strands (30) of bracelet, at least one of these covering elements comprising a body formed of at least a first part made of a first opaque material and of at least a second part made of a second partially transparent or translucent material, said first material being integral with said second material and the timepiece further comprising at least one light source (10) producing light which passes through said at least a second part made of a partially transparent ceramic material or translucent comprising zirconia.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one casing element comprising at least one part made of a ceramic material. More specifically, the present invention relates to a timepiece exhibiting original play of light, for a functional, aesthetic and/or playful purpose. The present invention also relates to a use of such a timepiece to obtain original functional applications of illuminations on the timepiece.

Technology background

Creating timepieces such as wristwatches having an improved aesthetic appearance is a constant concern among watch manufacturers and in particular among those responsible for designing the various exterior elements. It would take too long to list here all the solutions that have been considered to give a timepiece as neat and aesthetic as possible. By way of example only, we can cite the technique of guillochage of the dials, the shape and/or the color of the appliques of the dial or of the hands or even the addition of precious or semi-precious stones.

The present invention is part of the quest which aims to offer customers watches whose appearance is at the same time aesthetic, surprising and functional.

In this context it is known, for example from the patent document WO 2010/146162 A1 , to illuminate a timepiece of which at least one casing element comprises a part made of an at least partially transparent or translucent material, in particular of a material ceramic. The timepiece, typically a watch, comprises one or more light sources which make it possible to illuminate the ceramic material from inside the case, under the dial, by producing light which passes through the transparent or translucent part of this ceramic material. The ceramic material part of the covering element can be a piece attached to the latter. The lateral periphery of the middle part of the watch, the zones around the winding crown and/or the push-buttons, or even the optical elements towards the bracelet strands can thus be illuminated. The dial can also be illuminated via selectively semi-transparent zones (appliques) provided on the latter.

However, a drawback of this type of timepiece is that it does not offer an optimum light transmission coefficient. In addition, when the ceramic material part of the trim element is an added part, the assembly of such a part on the trim element does not make it possible to guarantee sealing and stability over time. of the timepiece.

Summary of the invention

The invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a timepiece that is sealed and stable over time, and allows light to escape from the inside of a covering element of the part with transmission optimal light, while presenting original plays of light, for a functional, aesthetic and/or playful purpose.

To this end, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising, in addition to a crystal, the following covering elements: a back, a middle part, a dial, and two bracelet strands, one at least of these covering elements comprising a body formed of at least a first part made up of a first opaque material and of at least a second part made up of a second partially transparent or translucent material, the said first material being formed in one piece with said second material and the timepiece further comprising at least one light source producing light which passes through said at least one second part made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material comprising zirconia.

The use of zirconia as a ceramic material that is at least partially transparent or translucent makes it possible to provide a surprising illumination for the timepiece, giving it a precious and more or less diffuse, discreet, soft and pleasant appearance, these characteristics being able to be varied practically to infinity depending on the desired aesthetic rendering, which increases the final aesthetic quality of the timepiece. In addition, zirconia stabilized in the tetragonal phase by the addition of yttria (Y-TZP for "yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals") is the technical ceramic that offers both the best mechanical toughness and one of the best transmission coefficients. bright. Its use in a timepiece to allow light to escape from the inside of a trim element of the part therefore makes it possible to give the latter very good light transmission, while allowing plays of light original, for a functional, aesthetic and/or playful purpose. The timepiece according to the invention may for example be an electronic, electromechanical and/or mechanical watch, and in particular a sports watch or a so-called “luxury” watch.

In addition, the extraction of light through the second zirconia part of the covering element does not require the assembly of various transparent components attached to the covering element. Indeed, the second material having been made in one piece with the first material together form the entire one-piece body of the trim element, which makes it possible to guarantee the tightness and the stability over time of this element of covering and therefore of the timepiece. Thanks to the invention, there is therefore no need to provide specific light paths, machined in the part, and which would have to be sealed. We therefore understands that in this configuration the covering element comprises a ceramic material such as zirconia. This covering element is preferably a one-piece piece comprising the ceramic material of the zirconia type.

Preferably, the composition and the thickness of the second zirconia part are chosen so that the average light transmission coefficient in the visible spectrum has a value of at least 30%, preferably 40% or more.

Particular shapes of the timepiece are defined in dependent claims 2 to 23.

Preferably, the zirconia is white zirconia. More preferably, the zirconia is tetragonal zirconia. The zirconia is advantageously doped with alumina pigments, preferably doped with 5% by weight of alumina pigments. This allows the level of translucency of the zirconia to be adjusted to different values depending on the wishes of the manufacturer.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, said at least one light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

According to another particular technical characteristic of the invention, said at least one light source is an extended light source, configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the zirconia part of the covering element.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting diode is an organic light-emitting diode evaporated or printed on the trim element to be illuminated or on a substrate inserted into or under the trim element to be illuminated, said diode electroluminescent organic forming the extended light source. This makes it possible to give a predetermined shape to the extended light source, typically, without this being exhaustive or limiting, a form of number, letter, logo or even text.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the extended light source comprises, in addition to the light-emitting diode, a light guide, said light guide being coupled to the light-emitting diode and being capable of diffusing the injected light over its entire length by the light-emitting diode. This makes it possible to obtain continuous illumination at the places where it is desired on the covering element, thus providing in particular functional, aesthetic and/or playful applications which are original and circumscribed at these places.

Advantageously, the timepiece further comprises a shutter or an optical valve mounted on a moving part of the timepiece, the shutter or the optical valve being arranged facing said at least one extended light source and being configured to have only one position at which the light emitted by the light source escapes from the inside of the timepiece to the outside of the latter. This thus gives the illusion of a point of light which moves continuously on the covering element, such an effect being advantageously able to be used in applications aimed for example at displaying a countdown or a luminous chronometer.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the second zirconia part of the covering element to be illuminated comprises at least one inscription intended to be illuminated by the light issuing from the light source.

Preferably, said at least one inscription is made in the second zirconia part via a method chosen from the group consisting of: selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of the zirconia; a variation in the thickness of the zirconia by mechanical or laser engraving; a variation in the density of the zirconia; an opaque or semi-transparent impression on the surface of the zirconia; physical deposition in phase PVD vapor structured on the zirconia surface or inside the zirconia part; and a combination of two or more of these methods.

Advantageously, when said at least one inscription is made in the zirconia part via selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of the zirconia, the inscription forms an active conductive structure, of the electrical conduction track or antenna type. Such structures can be highlighted by illumination of the zirconia around these structures, but also be advantageously used to bring the current necessary to the light source to produce the illumination.

Advantageously, said at least one inscription is configured to be invisible to natural light and only to become visible once illuminated by the light coming from the light source. The inscription can for example become visible by appearing in negative on the surface of the zirconia.

Advantageously, said at least one light source is mounted on a moving part of the timepiece, under the casing element to be illuminated, for example mounted on a pseudo-hand configured to rotate around the axis of the hands . This makes it possible to obtain a dynamic and particularly aesthetic rendering of lighting, in particular when the trim element to be illuminated is the middle part or the bezel of the watch.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a timepiece as described above, in which the timepiece comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in or under the covering element comprising the said at least a second part consisting of a second partially transparent or translucent material, and in that the switching on and off of the light sources are configured in such a way that the timepiece has, on the element of casing illuminated by the light sources, at least one visual indication of a function specific to the timepiece and/or relating to a measurement of a external parameter or a parameter concerning the user of the timepiece.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the switching on and off of the light sources are configured in such a way that the timepiece has, on the covering element illuminated by the light sources, one or several visual indications relating to one or more of the following functions: indication of the hour, minutes and/or date; indication of a stopwatch or a countdown with luminous areas of the trim element which light up, respectively go out, as the time elapses; indication of a magnitude measured by the timepiece by illumination modulated in color, rhythm, frequency and/or intensity on the covering element, for example indication of a heart rate, of a temperature, a running pace, a number of steps or even a decibel level; indication of alarm or notification receipt; indication of an active function for the timepiece; help in adjusting the timepiece.

According to another particular technical characteristic of the invention, the switching on and/or the switching off of the light sources is controlled simultaneously and/or in sequence.

Brief description of figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'une boîte de montre selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, la boîte de montre étant équipée d'une carrure comportant une partie en zircone éclairée par une source de lumière ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'une carrure de montre en zircone le long du côté intérieur de laquelle est fixée une fibre optique diffusante dans laquelle est injectée de la lumière ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus d'une montre-bracelet comprenant un cadran et/ou une lunette en zircone à travers lequel passe de la lumière ; et
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'une montre-bracelet comprenant deux brins de bracelet dans lesquels la lumière diffuse au moyen de deux parties en zircone ménagées dans la carrure.

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a watchcase according to one embodiment of the invention, the watchcase being equipped with a middle part comprising a zirconia part illuminated by a light source;
• the picture 2 is a top view of a zirconia watch middle along the inner side of which is attached a diffusing optical fiber into which light is injected;
• the picture 3 is a top view of a wristwatch comprising a zirconia dial and/or bezel through which light passes; and
• the figure 4 is a top view of a wristwatch comprising two bracelet strands in which the light diffuses by means of two zirconia parts formed in the caseband.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in housing at least one light source in or under at least one trim element of a timepiece. This covering element comprises a body formed of at least a first part made of a first non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque material, and of at least a second part made of a second transparent or translucent material. or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent. In this body, the first matter came from matter with the second matter. The second material consists essentially or exclusively or entirely of a ceramic material such as zirconia. In this configuration, the trim element is preferably a one-piece piece. It will be understood that the one-piece body of this covering element preferably consists solely of this said at least one first part and of this said at least one second part. In addition, said at least one second part extends in the thickness of the body of the trim element defined between external and internal surfaces of this body. By thus extending into this thickness, this second part connects these outer and inner surfaces together.

The first material is preferably present in the body of this trim element in a greater proportion than the second material. In this context, this first subject can also be called main subject and the second subject, secondary subject. By way of example, the first material can constitute between 60 and 90% of the body of the trim element, preferably 75%. It will be noted that the second material is visually identifiable in the trim element because it corresponds to said at least one second part or transparent or translucent zone of the body of this trim element.

It is understood in this context that the total area occupied on the external or visible surface of the body of the trim element by the second part(s) is less than the total area occupied on this same face by the first part(s).

However, in other alternatives, this first material may be in a smaller proportion than the second material in the body of this trim element. By way of example, the first material can then constitute between 20 and 30% of the body of the trim element, preferably 25%. It is understood that in this context the total area occupied on the visible face of the body of the trim element by the first part(s) is less than the total area occupied on this same face by the second part(s).

The first material constituting the first part of the body of this covering element is preferably devoid of zirconia. The second material constituting the second part of the body of the covering element which is transparent or translucent comprises the ceramic material comprising zirconia.

However, in an alternative, the first material of the body of this covering element can consist partly or entirely of zirconia non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque. In this alternative, the second material then consists essentially or exclusively of transparent or translucent zirconia. In this configuration, the body of the trim element is entirely made of zirconia.

It will be noted that the second part is the only portion of the body of the trim element which is transparent or translucent. As we have already mentioned, the body of the trim element comprises at least a second transparent or translucent part. This second part constitutes a portion of the casing element through which the light produced by the light source can escape to the outside of the timepiece.

As we have seen, in the covering element, the first material came from material with the second material. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the tightness and the stability over time of the casing element and therefore of the timepiece. Moreover, thanks to the invention, there is no need to provide specific light paths, machined in the part, and which would have to be sealed. This provides a timepiece that is watertight and stable over time, with original light effects providing surprising illumination for the timepiece, for functional, aesthetic and/or playful purposes. This makes it possible to give the timepiece a precious and more or less diffuse, discreet, soft and pleasant aspect, these characteristics being able to be varied practically infinitely according to the desired aesthetic rendering, and this without requiring the assembly of components. transparencies attached to the trim element.

In the following description, all the parts of the timepiece which are well known to those skilled in the art will only be explained in a simplified manner.

The figure 1 is a sectional view of a middle part 1 delimiting with a back 2 and a dial 3 an interior volume 4 of a watch case 6. The watch case 6 is closed at the top by a crystal 34. For the purposes of the present description, it will be imagined that the watch is an electronic watch and that its movement M is arranged in the bottom of the watch case 6. In this way, a support plate 8 of the printed circuit board or flexible PCB type can be placed above the movement M on which are mounted a light source 10, for example of the light-emitting diode or LED type, and its electronic control circuit 12. In the particular embodiment of the figure 1 , the light source 10 is arranged in the caseband 1 to be illuminated. According to a variant not shown, the light source 10 is arranged under the trim element to be illuminated. More precisely, the light source 10 is arranged directly under an internal surface of the body of the trim element to be illuminated while being pressed against this internal surface. This light source can be pressed against a portion of the internal surface comprised in said at least one second part. Provision can also be made, according to a variant not shown, for the light source 10 to be mounted on a moving part of the timepiece, under the body of the trim element to be illuminated. For example, when the covering element to be illuminated is a bezel 26 mounted on the caseband 1, the light source 10 can be mounted on a pseudo-hand configured to rotate around the axis of the hands 29.

Any type of light source 10 can be used, whether point or extended. When the light source 10 is an extended light source, it produces continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the second part in transparent or translucent zirconia of the trim element in question through which the light will escape from the interior volume. 4 of the watch case 6. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figure 1 , a light-emitting diode is used for the light source 10. The light-emitting diode emits, for example, ultraviolet, violet, blue, white or infrared light in combination with a covering element charged with fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles. The trim element to be lit, in this case the caseband 1 in zirconia in the particular embodiment of the figure 1 , is charged at the place or places where it is desired that the light escapes from the inside of the watchcase 6. In this way, the fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles absorb the radiation emitted by the diode and re-emit homogeneous visible light. Depending on the type of particles chosen, fluorescent and/or phosphorescent, the luminous effect ceases immediately after the light source has been switched off or, on the contrary, continues through the afterglow effect.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figure 2 , the light source 10 is an extended light source which comprises a light emitting diode 18 and a light guide 22. The light emitting diode 18 is connected to an electronic control circuit 12. The light guide 22 is coupled to the light emitting diode 18 and is fixed along the inner side of the middle part 1 in zirconia. The light guide 22 thus makes it possible to bring the light from the point where it is injected into the guide 22 up to the level of the second part or parts in transparent or translucent zirconia of the covering element or elements considered by which the light will escape from the interior volume 4 of the watch case 6. According to a variant, the light guide 22 is an optical fiber which makes it possible to circumvent any obstacles which may arise between the light-emitting diode 18 and the second transparent part or translucent zirconia of the covering element considered through which the light will escape from the interior volume 4 of the watch case 6. As illustrated in the figure 2 , the optical fiber 22 can be an optical fiber which diffuses the injected light over its entire length. The fact that the optical fiber 22 is coupled to a single light-emitting diode 18 saves costs and energy used to achieve the illumination of the second zirconia part.

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the light source 10 is an extended light source consisting of a organic light-emitting diode evaporated or printed on the trim element to be illuminated or on a substrate inserted in or under the trim element to be illuminated. By way of example, the organic light-emitting diode is evaporated or printed on the portion of the internal surface of the body of the trim element which is included in the second part to be illuminated or on a substrate inserted in or directly under this portion .

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the light source 10 is an extended light source having the shape of a number, letter, logo or text.

The light source 10 is powered for example by a rechargeable or interchangeable battery 14 and conventionally arranged under the clock movement M on the side of the bottom 2 of the watch case 6. It will be understood that the watch according to the invention can be electronic , electromechanical or even purely mechanical. In the latter case, it will suffice to provide a housing to receive a battery which will be intended to power only the light source 10 and its electronic control circuit 12. Thus, the present invention can be applied to any type of wristwatch, the only constraint to be observed being that there is no obstacle to the propagation of light between the light source and the covering element through which said light must exit.

Until now, the present invention has been described in connection with the caseband 1 as the only covering element made up of the first material made in one piece with the second material comprising at least partially transparent or translucent zirconia. The present invention is however applicable to any other trim element of a timepiece whose body is made of the second zirconia material at least partially transparent or translucent, such as for example the dial 3 (visible on the picture 3 ), the back 2, the bezel 26, a flange (not shown in the figures), or even bracelet strands 30 (visible on the figure 4 ). According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the second zirconia material constituting the second part or parts of this body of the covering element intended to be illuminated, is included in an upper part of the middle part 1 or of the bezel 26. According to another particular embodiment, the second zirconia material constituting this body of the trim element intended to be illuminated is a second part of a control member of the watch such as a push-button 16, or a second part of a winding crown, possibly fitted with a crown cap. In this case, the winding crown and/or the crown cap comprises at least a second part made of this second material which is at least partially transparent or translucent.

Another particular embodiment is illustrated in the picture 3 , where the timepiece is a wristwatch. In this embodiment, it is possible, for example, to illuminate appliques 24 at the level of the bezel 26 and of the dial 3. To this end, the bezel 26 and the dial 3 can each be provided with a first totally opaque part and not let any the light only at the level of the appliques 24, the latter being the second parts of the body of this trim element made of the second transparent or translucent zirconia material. In this configuration, the body of each of these trim elements is proportionally made up of a greater quantity of first material than of second material. Conversely, the appliques 24 of the bezel 26 and/or the dial 3 can be made from the first opaque material and the rest of the body of each of these covering elements from the second material, transparent or translucent zirconia. In this configuration, the body of each of these trim elements comprises proportionally more second material than first material. In this particular embodiment illustrated in the picture 3 , the wristwatch can for example comprise several point light sources, more precisely as many point light sources as there are appliques 24 (twelve in the example illustrated). Each point light source is then provided to directly or indirectly illuminate one of the sconces 24. The wristwatch may alternatively comprise a single extended light source, typically an extended light source similar to that illustrated on the figure 2 , comprising a light-emitting diode and a light guide coupled to the diode. The light guide can then be provided to extend under the dial 3 to be illuminated, substantially opposite the periphery of the dial 3 and therefore of the appliques 24.

In another particular embodiment illustrated in the figure 4 , the light produced by the light source 10 is injected into the strands 30 of a transparent or translucent bracelet. To this end, provision is made for a middle part 1 which has two second parts made of a second material in transparent or translucent zirconia 32a and 32b substantially at noon and at six o'clock, that is to say at the places where the strands 30 of the bracelet are fixed to said caseband 1. On the inside of watchcase 6, two light sources 10 can each be provided facing one of the two second zirconia parts 32a, 32b of caseband 1. The light produced by the two light sources 10 emerges from the watch case 6 by said two second parts in second material 32a, 32b and is injected into the two transparent or translucent strands 30 of the bracelet in which it diffuses.

The trim element(s) of the watch which allow all or part of the light produced by the light source to pass can be illuminated directly by this light source. These trim elements can nevertheless also be illuminated indirectly by the light source.

Preferably, the second part of the covering element to be illuminated consists of the second material in white zirconia. Alternatively, the zirconia may be colored zirconia. Preferably, the zirconia is tetragonal zirconia. The zirconia is advantageously doped with alumina pigments, preferably doped with 5% by weight of alumina pigments.

Preferably, the composition and the thickness of the second material of the second part extending in the body of the covering element, are chosen so that the average light transmission coefficient in the visible spectrum has a value d at least 30%, preferably 40% or more. It will be noted that when the first material of the first part consists partially or exclusively of non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque zirconia, the composition and the thickness of the body comprising this material are chosen so that the coefficient of light transmission average in the visible spectrum is zero.

Provision can also be made, when the first material is not integral with the second material, for this second material of at least partially transparent or translucent zirconia to constitute an insert. The zirconia used in this insert is typically white zirconia. The insert is provided at the place or places where it is desired that the light escapes from the inside of the watch case 6. The rest of the covering element is then for example made up of the first material.

According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, when the light source 10 is an extended light source, the timepiece further comprises a shutter or an optical valve mounted on a moving part of the timepiece. The moving part is for example a hand or a pseudo-hand of the timepiece. The shutter or the optical valve is arranged facing the extended light source 10 and is configured to have only one position for which the light emitted by the light source 10 escapes from the inside of the timepiece towards the outside of the latter.

• soit par carburation et/ou nitruration sélective de la surface de la zircone,
• soit par variation d'épaisseur de la zircone par gravure mécanique ou laser (par exemple un retrait de quelques 0.1 mm dans la céramique),
• soit par variation de densité de la zircone,
• soit par une impression opaque ou semi-transparente à l'intérieur ou à la surface de l'élément d'habillage en zircone,
• ou encore par un dépôt physique en phase vapeur PVD (de l'anglais Physical Vapor Déposition) ou autre, structuré à l'intérieur ou à la surface de la partie en zircone,
• ou par une combinaison de ces méthodes.

According to another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the second part of the covering element to be illuminated, consisting of the second zirconia material, comprises at least one inscription intended to be illuminated by the light coming from the light source 10. This inscription is for example made in this second part in zirconia:

• either by selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of the zirconia,
• either by varying the thickness of the zirconia by mechanical or laser engraving (for example a shrinkage of some 0.1 mm in the ceramic),
• either by variation in the density of the zirconia,
• either by an opaque or semi-transparent print inside or on the surface of the zirconia trim element,
• or by physical vapor deposition PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) or other, structured inside or on the surface of the zirconia part,
• or by a combination of these methods.

When the light emission from the light source 10 is switched on, the normally invisible inscription appears in negative on the surface of the second zirconia part.

Preferably, when the inscription is made in the second zirconia part by selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of this second zirconia part, the inscription forms an active conductive structure, of the electrical conduction track or antenna type.

The timepiece according to the present invention can advantageously be used to provide various functional applications to a user of the timepiece. To this end, the timepiece comprises several light sources 10. Each light source 10 is placed in or under the covering element comprising the second zirconia part to be illuminated. In particular, each light source 10 can be arranged directly under the portion of the surface interior of the covering element included in the second zirconia part to be illuminated. The light source is then positioned by plating, gluing or by any other type of means on this portion of the internal surface of this covering element. The switching on and off of the light sources 10 are configured so that the timepiece has, on the covering element illuminated by the light sources 10, at least one visual indication of a function specific to the timepiece and/or relating to a measurement of an external parameter or of a parameter relating to the user of the timepiece. The switching on and/or the switching off of the light sources 10 can be controlled by the electronic control circuit 12 simultaneously and/or in sequence. It will be noted that each light source 10 is switched on and off separately by this electronic control circuit 12.

• indication d'une grandeur mesurée par la pièce d'horlogerie par illumination modulée en couleur, en rythme, en fréquence, et/ou en intensité sur l'élément d'habillage. Par exemple :
  • indication du rythme cardiaque de l'utilisateur par une illumination pulsée à la même fréquence. On peut aussi varier la couleur de l'illumination en fonction de la fréquence, typiquement verte pour un rythme bas, puis de plus en plus rouge plus la fréquence cardiaque s'élève ;
  • indication de la température ambiante par illumination des chiffres ou appliques 24 sur le cadran 3 en séquences (voir figure 3), en adaptant la couleur à la température (typiquement bleue pour des températures basses, et de plus en plus rouge pour des températures de plus en plus élevées) ;
  • indication (absolue ou relative) du rythme de course pour une montre sportive ;
  • indication du nombre de pas ou de toute autre mesure de l'activité sportive de l'utilisateur ;
  • indication d'un niveau de décibels (par exemple sur un chantier, en discothèque, etc.) ;
• indication de tout type d'alarme et utilisation de différentes combinaisons de rythmes / intensités / couleurs pour les différentes alarmes. Dans ce cas, de nombreux éléments d'habillage de la pièce d'horlogerie peuvent s'illuminer simultanément ou en séquence, y compris le bracelet. Exemples d'alarmes :
  • réveil matin ;
  • réception d'un message ou d'un courrier électronique (ou accusé de réception d'un message envoyé) ou toute autre notification de toute autre application pour une montre connectée à un dispositif mobile de type téléphone mobile ;
  • accusé de réception pour un paiement pour une montre disposant d'une fonctionnalité de paiement sans contact ;
• indication de la fonction active pour une montre multitâches, notamment la fonction « Heure », « Chrono », « Baro » (pour le baromètre »), « Podo » (pour le podomètre), etc. :
  • par illumination d'un chiffre ou applique 24 sur le cadran 3 correspondant à la fonction (1 = Chrono, 2 = Baromètre, etc...) ;
  • par illumination en transmission d'une ou plusieurs inscription(s) (par exemple des petits textes ou logos) imprimée(s) ou gravée(s) à l'intérieur de la montre
  (typiquement dans la carrure 1 et/ou la lunette 26), juste sous la surface, et qui sont invisibles en absence d'illumination ;
• aide au réglage de la montre, notamment pour les montres tactiles dont le réglage se fait sans bouton / couronne, ce qui peut rendre les opérations moins intuitives :
  • indication du niveau de réglage (ou menu) actif lors du réglage de la montre par illumination des chiffres ou appliques 24 sur le cadran 3 et/ou de petits textes et/ou logos cachés ;
  • éclairage de la couronne en zircone lorsqu'elle est tirée pour effectuer le réglage de la montre ;
  • guide lumineux indiquant quel(s) bouton(s) et/ou partie(s) de la montre l'utilisateur peut/doit toucher lors de la prochaine étape de réglage. Les boutons eux-mêmes et/ou une zone autour des boutons peuvent être illuminés ;
  • confirmation lumineuse (par exemple via deux ou trois impulsions de lumière) pour indiquer à l'utilisateur que son réglage a bien été accepté par la montre.

Among the possible functional applications for the timepiece, we can cite for example:

• indication of a quantity measured by the timepiece by illumination modulated in color, in rhythm, in frequency, and/or in intensity on the covering element. For instance :
  • indication of the user's heart rate by pulsed illumination at the same frequency. You can also vary the color of the illumination depending on the frequency, typically green for a low rhythm, then increasingly red the higher the heart rate;
  • indication of the ambient temperature by illumination of the figures or appliques 24 on the dial 3 in sequences (see picture 3 ), by adapting the color to the temperature (typically blue for low temperatures, and increasingly red for increasingly high temperatures);
  • indication (absolute or relative) of running pace for a sports watch;
  • indication of the number of steps or any other measure of the sporting activity of the user;
  • indication of a decibel level (for example on a construction site, in a discotheque, etc.);
• indication of any type of alarm and use of different combinations of rhythms / intensities / colors for the different alarms. In this case, many exterior elements of the timepiece can light up simultaneously or in sequence, including the bracelet. Examples of alarms:
  • alarm clock ;
  • receipt of a message or an electronic mail (or acknowledgment of receipt of a message sent) or any other notification from any other application for a watch connected to a mobile device of the mobile telephone type;
  • acknowledgment of receipt for payment for a watch with contactless payment functionality;
• indication of the active function for a multitasking watch, in particular the function “Time”, “Chrono”, “Baro” (for the barometer), “Podo” (for the pedometer), etc. :
  • by illumination of a number or applique 24 on dial 3 corresponding to the function (1=Chrono, 2=Barometer, etc.);
  • by illumination in transmission of one or more inscription(s) (for example small texts or logos) printed or engraved inside the watch
  (typically in caseband 1 and/or bezel 26), just under the surface, and which are invisible in the absence of illumination;
• assistance with setting the watch, in particular for touch-sensitive watches whose setting is done without a button/crown, which can make operations less intuitive:
  • indication of the setting level (or menu) active when setting the watch by illumination of the numbers or appliques 24 on dial 3 and/or small texts and/or hidden logos;
  • illumination of the zirconia crown when it is pulled out to adjust the watch;
  • luminous guide indicating which button(s) and/or part(s) of the watch the user can/should touch during the next setting step. The buttons themselves and/or an area around the buttons can be illuminated;
  • luminous confirmation (for example via two or three pulses of light) to indicate to the user that his setting has been accepted by the watch.

Of course, the above list of functional applications made possible by the timepiece according to the invention is not exhaustive and those skilled in the art will be able to identify other functional applications.

Claims (23)

Timepiece comprising, in addition to a crystal, the following covering elements: a back (2), a middle part (1), a dial (3), and two bracelet strands (30), one at least of these covering elements comprising a body formed of at least a first part made of a first opaque material and of at least a second part made of a second partially transparent or translucent material, said first material having come of material with said second material and the timepiece further comprising at least one light source (10) producing light which passes through said at least one second part made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material comprising zirconia. Timepiece according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least one light source (10) is arranged in or under the body of the trim element. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement of said at least one light source (10) relative to said body of the trim element is configured so that most or all light produced by said at least one light source passes through said at least one second part of this body. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zirconia is white zirconia. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zirconia is tetragonal zirconia. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zirconia is doped with alumina pigments, preferably doped with 5% by weight of alumina pigments. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one light source (10) comprises a light-emitting diode (18). Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one light source (10) is an extended light source, configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the said at least one second part of the body of the trim element. Timepiece according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the light-emitting diode is an organic light-emitting diode evaporated or printed on the body of the casing element to be illuminated or on a substrate inserted in or under the trim element to be illuminated, said organic light-emitting diode forming the extended light source. Timepiece according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the extended light source (10) comprises, in addition to the light-emitting diode (18), a light guide (22), the said light guide ( 22) being coupled to the light-emitting diode (18) and being capable of diffusing over its entire length the light injected by the light-emitting diode (18). Timepiece according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the timepiece also comprises a shutter or an optical valve mounted on a moving part of the timepiece, the shutter or the optical valve being arranged facing said at least one extended light source (10) and being configured to have only one position at which the light emitted by the light source (10) escapes from inside the room clockwork towards the outside of the latter through said at least one second part. Timepiece according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the said at least one extended light source (10) has the form of a number, letter, logo or text. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one second part of the body of the casing element to be illuminated comprises at least one inscription intended to be illuminated by the light issuing from the source of light (10). Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said at least one inscription is produced in the said at least one second zirconia part via a method chosen from the group consisting of: selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of zirconia; a variation in the thickness of the zirconia by mechanical or laser engraving; a variation in the density of the zirconia; an opaque or semi-transparent impression on the surface of the zirconia; a structured PVD physical vapor deposition on the surface of the zirconia or inside the zirconia part; and a combination of two or more of these methods. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said at least one inscription is made in the said at least one second part via selective carburization and/or nitriding of the surface of this second part, and in that the said at least one inscription forms an active conductive structure, of the electrical conduction track or antenna type. Timepiece according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the said at least one inscription is configured to be invisible to natural light and only to become visible once illuminated by the light coming from the source of light (10). Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one light source (10) is mounted on a moving part of the timepiece, under the body of the covering element to be illuminated, for example mounted on a pseudo-needle configured to rotate around the axis of the needles (29). Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bezel (26) and/or a push-button (16) and/or a winding crown provided with a crown cap, characterized in that the bezel (26) and/or the winding crown and/or the crown cap and/or the push-button (16) is a trim element comprising said at least one second part. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one light source (10) emits ultraviolet, violet, blue, white or infrared light and in that the covering element to be illuminated is loaded with phosphorescent and/or fluorescent particles at the place or places where it is desired that the light escapes from the inside of the timepiece. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partially transparent or translucent ceramic material consists essentially or entirely of zirconia. Use of a timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the timepiece comprises a plurality of light sources (10) arranged in or under the covering element comprising the said at least a second part consisting of a second partially transparent or translucent material, and in that the ignition and extinction of the light sources (10) are configured in such a way that the timepiece has, on the trim element illuminated by the light sources (10), at least one visual indication of a proper function to the timepiece and/or relating to a measurement of an external parameter or of a parameter relating to the user of the timepiece. Use of a timepiece according to Claim 21, characterized in that the switching on and off of the light sources (10) are configured in such a way that the timepiece has, on the casing illuminated by the light sources (10), one or more visual indications relating to one or more of the following functionalities: indication of the hour, minutes and/or date; indication of a stopwatch or a countdown with luminous areas of the trim element which light up, respectively go out, as the time elapses; indication of a magnitude measured by the timepiece by illumination modulated in color, rhythm, frequency and/or intensity on the covering element, for example indication of a heart rate, of a temperature, a running pace, a number of steps or even a decibel level; indication of alarm or notification receipt; indication of an active function for the timepiece; assistance in setting the timepiece. Use of a timepiece according to Claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the switching on and/or the switching off of the light sources (10) is controlled simultaneously and/or in sequence.

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