Abstract: The time base includes an oscillator generating a periodic signal, a frequency divider circuit formed by a division chain defining several division stages and a circuit for adjusting the divided frequency by inhibiting, in each inhibition period of a plurality of successive inhibition periods, an integer number of clocking pulses at the input of a given stage of the division chain. The time base is arranged to produce, in each inhibition period, a first real number corresponding to the real number of clocking pulses that must be removed to be precise and the adjustment circuit is arranged to calculate, in each inhibition period, a second real number equal to the addition of the first real number and the fractional part of the second real number obtained in the preceding inhibition period, the integer part of this second real number defining the number of clocking pulses to be inhibited in each inhibition period.

Abstract: A device which is suitable for integration into a timepiece, in particular in the form of a timepiece module, another type of watch module or a basic watch movement. The device includes at least one opening, in each of which an associated image guide is mounted, and for each of these image guides the device including means for fastening the image guide in the associated opening, such that the image guide allows display information displayed on a representation plane to be reproduced on a display plane.

Abstract: A method of increasing concentricity in use of a spiral hairspring mechanical timepiece; the hairspring having an inner terminal end portion for engagement with a collet, an outer terminal end portion for engagement with a stud, a first limb portion extending from the inner terminal end portion towards the outer terminal end portion, and a stiffening portion positioned at the outer turn of the hairspring and having a cross-sectional second moment of area different to that of the first limb portion such that bending stiffness of the stiffening portion has a greater bending stiffness than the single limb portion. The method includes modifying cross-sectional second moments of an area of the first limb portion and the stiffening portion by minimizing a cost function throughout the amplitude of the rotation of hairspring in use, the cost function being correlated to the net concentricity of the hairspring.

Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a pair of components with a first component including a material taken from a first group including solid monocrystalline, natural diamond, micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond, solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon “DLC”, and having a first friction surface arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface included in a second opposing component and the second component includes, at least in its second friction surface, a material with a high concentration of boron, greater than 10 atomic percent, and, in a particular embodiment, this second opposing component includes at least one ceramic containing boron. Method for manufacturing such a mechanism. Method for transforming such a mechanism.

Abstract: A timepiece includes: a plurality of pins mounted along a circumferential direction on a face of the timepiece, each of the pins having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a pin mover configured to rotate along the circumferential direction of the timepiece, the pin mover being configured to engage the second ends of the pins to move the first ends of the pins away from the face of the timepiece.

Abstract: A minute hand of a timepiece has a central arbor, on which, for driving around the same: a gearwheel is fixed in a first accommodating region, a flyback device is fixed in a second accommodating region, and a snail cam is arranged with an interference fit in a third accommodating region. The snail cam has an opening for accommodating the head of an eccentric and the flyback device has an opening for accommodating the finger of the eccentric, and therefore rotation of the eccentric head, via the flyback device fixed on the central arbor, makes it possible to rotate the snail cam by an angle about the central arbor relative to the gearwheel for setting the triggering point of the advancement operation by the minute control level.

Abstract: A timepiece part, includes a frame having a power source, a housing including a first pivotal movement system and a second pivotal movement system; an escapement set up on a mounting, a first kinematic linkage including a first wheel borne by a first half-shaft from the first pivotal movement system and a second wheel borne by a first half-shaft from the second pivotal movement system, and a second kinematic linkage including a first wheel borne by the second half-shaft from the first pivotal movement system and a second wheel borne by the first or second half-shaft of the second pivotal movement system. One of the wheels borne by the second pivotal movement system is kinematically linked to the power source, and the other wheel borne by the pivotal movement system is stationary relative to the frame. Both wheels borne by the first system are kinematically linked to a differential.

Abstract: A time validation indicator is disclosed comprising at least a receiving layer and an activating layer. The receiving layer comprises at least one or more masking colorants and one or more deactivators that cause and maintain the one or more masking colorants in an initial colored state. The activating layer comprises at least one or more migratory activators that migrate into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period. The migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer causes at least a portion of the one or more masking colorants to advance to a final colorless state resulting in a visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates the predetermined time period has elapsed. Also disclosed are methods for creating and using the inventive time validation indicator.

Abstract: A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.

Abstract: A timepiece escapement mechanism with improved tribology includes at least one pair of components including a first component and a second component respectively including a first friction surface and a second friction surface which are arranged to cooperate in contact with each other. The second friction surface includes at least one silicon-based material taken from a group including silicon, silicon dioxide, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, porous silicon, or a mixture of silicon and silicon oxide. The first friction surface is formed by a surface of a solid element which is made of solid silicon nitride in a stoichiometric formulation Si3N4. A method for making the escapement mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A tourbillon mechanism for a timepiece movement includes a balance mechanism, an escapement mechanism and a carriage mounted in a structure of the timepiece movement in rotation about a tourbillon axis. The balance mechanism includes a spring and a balance wheel mounted in the carriage to pivot about the tourbillon axis. The escapement mechanism includes an escape wheel with teeth and a pallet-lever including pallet-stones configured to engage the teeth, the pallet-lever being mounted in the carriage and coupled in rotation to the carriage by a pivot device. The escape wheel encircles the tourbillon axis and is attached to or integral with the structure of the timepiece movement.

Abstract: A pallet lever including a head arranged to cooperate with an escape wheel and a fork arranged to cooperate with a balance. The angular position of the fork is variable relative to the head. A flexible strip provides the only permanent, mechanical connection between the head and the fork. An escape mechanism includes a plate, an escape wheel and a balance, cooperating with the pallet lever. The flexible strip is mounted pre-stressed buckled between the head and the fork, the pallet lever forming a bi-stable system including at least two stable states and two metastable states.

Abstract: A control method is provided for an electronic device that has a receiver to receive a satellite signal, and a time display unit to display time. The method includes selecting, by manual operation using a crown or a button, a first time correction processing or a second time correction processing. When the first time correction processing is selected, the control method further includes receiving a satellite signal, acquiring time information based on the received satellite signal, and correcting the displayed time based on the acquired time information. When the second time correction processing is selected, the control method further includes receiving a satellite signal, calculating the position of the electronic device based on satellite orbit information contained in the received satellite signal, and correcting the displayed time based on the calculated position.

Abstract: A holding and indexing device for integration in a setting device of timepieces, including a fixedly-attached bushing, an axially-displaceable and rotatable shaft mounted within the bushing, a transmission element attached to the shaft end directed into the interior of the timepiece and allowing the drive of a timepiece part in the interior, and a resilient element exerting a preload force in the axial direction of the shaft. The device additionally includes an indexing ring attached to the shaft in an axially-sliding manner and having an indexing toothing. The transmission element, on a side face directed towards the ring, includes a side toothing engaged with the indexing toothing due to the force of the resilient element. In at least one direction of rotation of the shaft, applying force onto the indexing ring causes disengagement of the indexing and side toothings, thus allowing a position indexing of the timepiece part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid in combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof. The lid comprises a body, a device for assisting a user in consumption of a substance at a correct time interval, and an arrangement for securing the body on the open side of the container in a semi-permanent manner. The body defines a substantially planar exterior surface disposed normal to a length of the container when the body is attached to the open end of the container. Additionally, the body defines a peripheral flange depending from the exterior surface. The peripheral flange defines a generally hollow interior of the body. The device for assisting the user in consumption of the substance at a correct time interval is operable and viewable from the exterior surface.

Abstract: A sleeve keeper watch bracket for use with a wristwatch worn by a user, comprises a first member having a shape and size generally corresponding to a case of the wristwatch, the first member generally lying in a first plane, a second member generally lying in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, a third member coupling the first member and second member, and wherein the first member is affixed to the wristwatch case and the second member extends away from the user's hand and is adapted to hold back a long sleeve of a garment worn by the user.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.

Abstract: An elapsed timer device includes a timer element comprising a timer chamber, a timer chamber conditioning material disposed within the timer chamber, and a sensor arranged to sense a timer chemical within the timer chamber. The sensor indicates elapsed time in response to a threshold level of the chemical being present within the timer chamber. The timer chamber, timer chemical adsorption/desorption characteristics of the timer chamber conditioning material, and the sensor are configured so that an amount of the timer chemical within the timer chamber reaches the threshold level within a predetermined time after initialization of the timer element.

Abstract: A mechanism (3) for indicating and storing time information, the mechanism including a member (H) for displaying the hours, and/or a member (M) for displaying the minutes, and/or a member (S) for displaying the seconds, and a member (H?) for displaying the stored hours, and/or a member (M?) for displaying the stored minutes, and a member (S?) for displaying the stored seconds.