Abstract: This self-compensating spiral for a mechanical spiral balance-wheel oscillator in watchwork or other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic alloy, contains at least one of the elements Nb, V, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf and is covered with a substantially uniform oxide layer having a thickness greater than or equal to 20 nm, formed by subjecting the said spiral to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wristwatch type of watch. More specifically, the watch comprises a display (11), an electronic circuit (12) controlling the display, a time set stem (13), and at least two electrical contact elements (14, 14″). The time set stem (13) can be placed in different axial positions and the stem comprises a crown (16) accessible from outside the watch and a helicoidal zone (19) which may have three helicoidal elements (20, 20′, 20″). When the time set stem is placed in a position such that the contact elements (14, 14″) are facing the helicoidal zone (19), rotating the time set stem causes an electrical connection on the electronic circuit (12) to alternately open and close. This generates at least two electrical impulse signals which are transmitted to the electronic control circuit. These signals are used to regulate different watch functions, such as time correction or controlling the time belt or the date.

Abstract: A self-winding watch includes a self-winding mass having a central part surrounded by raceways of a ball bearing. One raceway is integral with the central part. Another raceway is integral with means for positioning and means for removably fastening to watch frame. A reduction gear train for connects the self-winding mass to a barrel arbor. A reversing mechanism converts the two-directional rotational movement of said self-winding mass into a one-directional rotational movement. Two first pinions of the reversing mechanism freely pivot, concentrically, with said central part. Each of the first pinions meshes with a planet pinion. The pivot pin is integral with the central part and the toothing is shaped so as to allow only unidirectional rotations of said first pinions in two opposed respective directions of rotation. The first pinions are integral with two second respective moving parts of the gear train, the directions of rotation of which are opposite, one with respect to the other.

Abstract: The invention concerns an unfolding bracelet clasp, in particular a watch bracelet, formed of two strands (A) and (B), comprising a metal plate (10) whereof one end is coupled with an articulation (11) at the bracelet strand (A) free end and a lever (12) whereof the pin (13) is mounted at the plate (10)other end. Said lever (12) comprises a U-shaped part whereof the legs extend on each side of the bracelet forming at their ends hooks (18) designed to be urged in engagement, when the bracelet is closed, with the ends of a spring box axle (20) transversely housed in the bracelet strand (A) at some distance from the articulation (11)substantially equal to the plate (10) length. The length of the bracelet is adjusted by a dog point (19) engaged in a suitable hole of the bracelet strand (B).

Abstract: This self-compensating spiral for a mechanical spiral balance-wheel oscillator in watchwork or other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic alloy, contains at least one of the elements Nb, V, Ta, Ti, zr, Hf and is covered with a substantially uniform oxide layer having a thickness greater than or equal to 20 nm, formed by subjecting the said spiral to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bracelet comprising mutually connected links articulated through invisible pivot pins, the links are produced by moulding and the bracelet is mounted by mutually connecting the links by interlocking the pivot pins arranged on one of the links directly into the next link corresponding openings.

Abstract: A device comprising an annular seal having an annular projection engaged into a groove in the edge of the watch glass is disclosed. The lower part of the seal, said lower part having a bulge, engages onto a surface of the housing and is compressed radially by the bezel. The inner lateral surface of the bezel, said surface being fitted around this seal, comprises two concentric cylindrical surfaces of different cross sections, the surface of larger cross section being that which is adjacent to the base of the bezel, these cross sections being slightly smaller than the cross sections of the outer lateral face of the seal and of the bulge in the non-compressed state. The base of the outer lateral surface of the upper part of the housing has a groove in order to receive a portion of the seal, said portion being deformed by the bezel, thus ensuring the axial blocking of this seal.

Abstract: The folding fastener for closing a strap contains a lockable, two-part folding clasp. A first strap half (7) is fixed to a first clasp part (1) and a second strap half (9) to a closure cover (5). A second clasp part (2) connects in rotary manner the first clasp part (1) to the closure cover (5). The clasp parts (1, 2) are substantially rigid with respect to longitudinal extension and/or bending. The locking mechanism comprises two claws (4.1, 4.2), which are fixed to the second clasp part (2) and two corresponding shapes (1.1, 1.2) on the first clasp part (1). In the locked state the claws (4.1, 4.2) engage over the shapes (1.1, 1.2) and consequently form the positive, reversible connection between the first clasp part (1) and the second clasp part (2). The folding fastener combines security with esthetics and requires no soldered joints.

Abstract: A clasp fastener having a clasp (1) is designed to be snapped into engagement by exerting a closing force. A locking device (4) for locking the clasp (1) is placed by the closing force in an engaged position in which it is in a first snap engagement with a locking projection (6), and a closing member (5) for closing the clasp (1) is fixed by the closing force in a safety position in which it is in a second snap engagement with the locking device (4) so that the snapping force of the first engagement of the clasp (1) with the locking projection (6) is increased. At least one variable-diameter pin (17,18) that is flexible and/or has different diameters allows some movement of the locking device (4), so that the effective closing force exerted on the locking projection (6) is reduced.

Abstract: Wristlet comprising at least three rows of links side by side, the links of two lateral rows with the links of the center row forming modular units articulated between them around transverse axles. The two lateral opposed sides of the center link on the one hand and the internal lateral die of the lateral links of each modular unit on the other hand are interdependent with means to fit these links laterally one in each other in a defined position. The organs for articulating the contiguous modular units are associated to locking organs, elements joining these locking organs to the fitting means to maintain the links of each modular unit fitted one in each other.

Abstract: A self-compensating spring for a balance-spring for a balance-spring/balance assembly of a mechanical oscillator of a horological movement or of any other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic Nb--Zr alloy containing between 5% and 25% by weight of Zr, obtained by cold rolling or cold drawing, and having a Young's modulus whose temperature coefficient (TCY) is adjustable by precipitation of Zr-rich phases in the Nb--Zr solid-solution. It contains at least 500 ppm by weight of an interstitial doping agent at least partly formed of oxygen.

Abstract: A chronograph mechanism comprises a coupling member (17) engaging, on the one hand, with a pinion (15") solid with the seconds wheel and, on the other hand, with the chronograph's seconds wheel (18). This coupling member (17) also carries a retractable finger (27) adapted to drive, each turn, the first rotatable member (35) of a cinematic transmission connecting together a rotatable member (38) of the minutes wheel to that of the hours counter (41). This transmission is indexed, between two drives by the retractable finger (27), by a jumper (51) engaged in an intermediate wheel (37) of this transmission. The coupling member (17) is controlled by two levers (44, 45), one lever (44) carrying a pin (44c) which, in the uncoupled position, locks the jumper (51) in the intermediate wheel (37)'s toothing. The minutes and hours counter rotatable members (38, 41), solid with zero setting cams (42, 43), are friction fitted on their respective axles.

Abstract: The wrist watch comprises essentially a battery (10), two electric motors (11, 12) which moves the hands (13, 14, 15) on the one hand and a disk of dates (16) on the other hand, an electronic circuit (23) and a watch-type microprocessor (22). When there is a determination by the electronic circuit (23) of the end of the life of the battery, the microprocessor powers the motor (12) in such a manner that the date displayed in the window (17) of the watch is displaced with respect to its normal position.

Abstract: This adjustment device comprises an adjustment link (6) provided with two parallel articulation axes (5,7) transverse to a bracelet, each serving to connect this adjustment link to two elements of the bracelet forming an endless attachment. This adjustment link is able to pivot about one of its axes (5) to that their respective positions are inverted, these two positions thus corresponding to two determined lengths of the bracelet. In the shorter adjusted position, the adjustment link (6) elastically engages in a recess (8c) of one of the articulated elements (8) of the adjustment link (6) by pressing this element (8) in the direction of the arrow (F.sub.7) so that the adjusted position is maintained as long as the adjustment link (6) has not moved out of the recess (8c) in which it is elastically held by the locking means (8d) of the recess (8c).

Abstract: A rotating bezel (18) is hooked on a fixed ring (17) intended to be fixed to the frame of the casing. This bezel (18) comprises a toothed rack (21) in which is engaged the free end (22b) of a positioning spring-wire (22) whose other end (22a) is elbowed and engaged in a hole (23) of the fixed ring (17). This spring-wire (22) comprises three segments, two end segments (22c, 22d) practically straight and tangential to a circle concentric with the bezel (18) and an intermediate curved segment (22e) with its center of curvature inside the bezel (18) but of radius substantially smaller than that of the bezel. The shape of the spring (22) permits the forces necessary to rotate the bezel (18) in the two directions to be made practically equal.

Abstract: An electronic watch having an electronic circuit to perform advanced features that is able to distinguish between a first case in which an access code for entry into a programming mode has been correctly entered and the programming operation has been correctly done, from a second case in which the access code has not been correctly entered and/or the programming has not been done correctly. Access to a programming mode of a perpetual calendar feature built into the watch is controlled by requiring at least one manipulation of a time-setting rod in view of its attribution to at least one function other than the functions of correction of the date and day, and to control the watch in the manner of an ordinary watch in the second case and to attribute, in this case to at least one manipulation of the rod, the functions of correction of date and day.

Abstract: A watch control device comprises a crown with a central cavity surrounded by an annular cavity in the bottom of which is formed a groove. The lateral external face of the annular cavity has a thread adapted to be screwed onto a thread formed on the lateral external face of an external part of a tube screwed into a watch casing. An injected thermoplastic elastomer seal is disposed in the annular cavity. This seal comprises two parts of the same external diameter, but of different internal diameter, the portion of greater diameter engaging in the groove and the portion of smaller diameter being that on which the tube acts in the screwed up position of the crown.

Abstract: The wristwatch displays the date through a window in the dial. To achieve this, the watch comprises a rotatable disc (13) bearing a first series of numbers corresponding to some of the days of the month, and a second series of numbers corresponding to the remaining days, said series being arranged in two concentric circles. To ensure that the date numbers pass the hatch in chronological order, the disc is rotatably driven by a motor (70) combined with an endless screw (71), and translatably driven by a motor (72) combined with an endless screw (73) to pivot a circle sector (74) about a spindle (75). Both said motors are controlled by an electronic circuit (76).

Abstract: The device for implementing the method for the automatic initialisation of the date display of a perpetual calendar electronic watch comprising a face fitted with a window and a date disk permits, every time the watch stops, at the moment the electronic circuit is reconnected, the automatic identification of the date appearing in the window, by optically analysing a code attributed to this date and by memorizing this data by means of the electronic circuit. This optical device (10) comprises a source (11) emitting a beam of light (12), reflective surfaces (13) fixed onto the date disk (15) and a receiver (14). The beam (16) reflected by a surface (13) is intercepted by the receiver (14) which supplies a signal to the electronic circuit (17) which controls an electronic motor (18) driving the disk (15) by a system of reduction gears (19, 20).

Abstract: A wristwatch with analogue time display comprises a dial with a hatch (19), and a rotatable disc or hoop (10) bearing non-time indications. The disc is arranged in such a way that the indications provided thereon appear in the hatch via an opening provided in said disc and having a size which is equal to the size of each indication. Said opening reveals additional indications provided by an electro-optical display device (30) when said opening (21) coincides with said hatch (19).