Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-compensating toothed moving part, for a precision gear assembly, particularly in clock-making, in which the backlash-compensating teeth each have a section extending symmetrically to both sides of the radius of said mobile passing the tip of said teeth with an elastic connection to said mobile to give said teeth a freedom of movement in the plane of the mobile, at least one tooth in two being a backlash-compensating tooth comprising stop means arranged to limit the freedom of movement as a function of the backlash in the gear assembly to be compensated for.

Abstract: This Swiss lever escapement comprises an escape wheel having teeth, and a lever having on the one hand an entry pallet and an exit pallet that engage alternately with the teeth of the escape wheel, and on the other hand a fork that engages periodically with an impulse pin on a roller mounted on the staff of a regulator balance wheel. The relative width Lpl of each of said pallets, expressed as a percentage of the sum of the lengths of arc of one of said teeth and one of said pallets, measured at the circumference of the escape wheel is: Lpl = Ls Ls + d ? ? or ? ? Le Le + d ? 60 ? % where Ls and Le are the lengths of arc of the exit pallet and entry pallet, respectively, and d is the length of arc of one escape wheel tooth.

Abstract: This escapement comprises a balance wheel fastened to an impulse element (7a), an escape wheel (1), a detent swing-arm (2) having a stop element (2a) and a disengagement element (2b), a disengagement finger (11d), constrained to rotate with the balance wheel, to come into engagement with the disengagement element (2b) of the detent swing-arm (2) once per oscillation period of the balance wheel. The disengagement finger (11d) is fastened to an inertial member (11) mounted to move freely between two extreme positions in one of which the trajectory of the disengagement finger (11d) passes through the disengagement element (2b) of the swing-arm (2) and in the other of which this trajectory does not pass through this disengagement element (11b), the passage of the inertial member (11) from one position to the other resulting from the inertia force caused by the variations of speed of the balance wheel in each alternation of oscillation of the balance wheel.

Abstract: This micromechanical part is intended to be fastened to a spindle and has at least one opening (10, 20, 30) whose edges comprise an alternating arrangement of rigid areas (11) and elastic areas (12, 22, 32). It is possible for those ends (13) of the rigid areas (11) closest to the center C of the opening (10, 20, 30) to be connected by a first circle C1 having a diameter greater than the diameter of a second circle C2 connecting those ends (15, 25, 27) of the elastic areas (12, 22, 32) closest to the center of the opening. In this micromechanical part, each rigid area (11) is formed by a convex portion projecting into the opening (10, 20, 30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping a barrel spring made of a unitary ribbon of metallic glass that comprises calculating the theoretical shape to be given to said unitary ribbon of metallic glass so that each segment, once the spring is fitted in the barrel, is subjected to the maximum bending momentum, shaping said ribbon by imparting bends thereto characteristic of said free theoretical shape in order to take into account a potential reduction of the bends once the ribbon is released, relaxing the ribbon in order to set the shape thereof by heating the same, and cooling down said ribbon.

Abstract: This flat balance spring for a horological balance comprises a wound strip shaped to ensure an approximately concentric development of the balance spring and almost zero force on the pivots and on the fixing point, during a rotation of less than 360° of its inner end relative to its outer end in both directions from its rest position. The stiffness of its strip decreases gradually and through more than 360° from each of its two ends, the lowest stiffness being situated in the median part of said strip.

Abstract: This watch case comprises a protective casing surrounded by a middle (5) and a bezel (9). The protective casing includes a glass (3), a side wall (2) and a bottom (1). A planar peripheral surface extending along the entire edge of the inner face of the glass is in contact with a similar bearing surface on the side wall (2), at least part of which forms the width of the cross section of a pressure resistant structure having parallel lateral faces (SR) perpendicular to the bearing surface, and which extends without a gap as far as the bottom (1) of the casing. The components of the casing are secured and sealed with at least one annular seal (4) surrounding the lateral face of the glass (3) and the outer lateral face of the side wall (2) of the casing, and this seal is clamped.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piece comprised in part or in full of a pigmented ceramic in which the pigment is comprised of nanoparticles based on a metal from column IB of the periodic table of the elements or of an alkaline metal, or an alloy of both, coated with a layer of silica, the silica being crystalline silica, particularly cristobalite or tridymite. The ceramic is preferably zirconia or alumina. The nanoparticle silica is crystallized, for example, by a thermal treatment in air or under inert gas at temperatures of between 900° C. and 1400° C. The piece is made by sintering a nanoparticle/ceramic mixture in air or under inert gas at temperatures of between 900° C. and 1250° C.

Abstract: This timepiece comprises a case (8) enclosing a horological movement (10), and a transmission mechanism for transmitting constant-velocity rotary movements between two stems (1a, 1b) on parallel axes, connecting the outside of the case (8) to the horological movement (10) through a hole in the case (8). The adjacent ends of these two stems (1a, 1b) are connected to two respective sliding elements (3, 6) having defined cross sections engaged with two respective slide-ways (4, 7) having cross sections complementary to those of said sliding elements, having sliding planes perpendicular to said axes, the two slide-ways (4, 7) being connected to a common linking member (5) and being oriented at an angle of 90° to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a translucent or transparent, coloured enamel that contains metal nanoparticles that lost their natural tendency to aggregate with each other, and having a colour essentially provided by the reflection of light. The nanoparticles have lost their natural capability to aggregate with each other due to the application of a coating, or because they have been functionalised electrostatically or using highly sterically hindered entities or using hydrophilic entities located at the surface thereof. The nanoparticles may be gold nanoparticles that impart an intense and deep red to said enamel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the connection and the locking of two parts (30a, 30b), comprising: a female part (10) comprising two bars (12); a male part (21) cooperating with this female part (10); and a hinged flap (17); and being characterized in that each bar (12) contains two balls (2a, 2b); at least one movable inner stop (5) arranged between the balls (2a, 2b); the axial length of the movable stop (5) plus the diameters of the two balls (2a, 2b) being greater than the distance between the two lateral faces of the branch (11a, 11b) in which the ball bar (12) is situated. The invention also relates to a method for the connection and the locking of two parts, to a ball bar, to a method for producing the latter and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: This escapement comprises a balance wheel (3), an escape wheel (1), a detent rocker (4) having an arresting element (4a) and an elastic clearance element (4c), means for inserting the arresting element into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1), and a clearance pin (7) rotating integrally with the balance wheel (3) in order to engage with the elastic clearance element (4c) of the rocker (4) once per period of oscillation of the balance wheel. The means for inserting the arresting element (4a) into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1) comprise a sliding surface (4b) integral with the detent rocker (4) and arranged so as to move into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1) when the arresting element (4a) leaves it, this sliding surface being shaped so as to return the arresting element (4a) to the locking position.

Abstract: This escapement comprises a balance wheel fastened to an impulse element (7a), an escape wheel (1), a detent swing-arm (2) having a stop element (2a) and a disengagement element (2b), a disengagement finger (11d), constrained to rotate with the balance wheel, to come into engagement with the disengagement element (2b) of the detent swing-arm (2) once per oscillation period of the balance wheel. The disengagement finger (11d) is fastened to an inertial member (11) mounted to move freely between two extreme positions in one of which the trajectory of the disengagement finger (11d) passes through the disengagement element (2b) of the swing-arm (2) and in the other of which this trajectory does not pass through this disengagement element (11b), the passage of the inertial member (11) from one position to the other resulting from the inertia force caused by the variations of speed of the balance wheel in each alternation of oscillation of the balance wheel.

Abstract: Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163).

Abstract: According to this process for manufacturing a ceramic element intended to be fitted onto a watch case, the visible surface of which has features, a soluble layer (2) is selectively deposited on said visible surface, the thickness of said soluble layer being at least equal to the height of said features, a first tie layer (3) of the Ti, Ta, Cr or Th type is vacuum-deposited by magnetron sputtering with a thickness of at least 100 nm by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on said surface thus selectively coated, followed, without venting atmosphere, by PVD deposition of said second layer (4) made of Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Pd, TiN, CrN, ZrN or alloys thereof with a thickness of at least 100 nm, and then said soluble layer (2) is dissolved.

Abstract: An escapement for a mechanical watch comprising: an escapement wheel (10) kinematically connected to a power source, a roller (14) mounted on a balance (16) including, on two different levels, a pin (23) and an impulse pallet (24) co-operating with said wheel (10); a limiting member (26) performing a periodic movement during which it co-operates with the pin (23) to limit the travel of said roller (14); a control member (30) provided with a rest lift (32) performing, from a stable position wherein said wheel (10) is pressed on the rest lift (23), a periodic movement during which the wheel is released and provides an impulse to the impulse pallet (24). The periods of the limiting member (26) and of the control member (30) correspond, respectively, to an alternation and an oscillation of the balance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ultra-thin hydrophobic and oleophobic layer, formed by self-assembly on a solid substrate surface, of compounds of the general formula A-B in which A represents a group of the formula in which Z represents C or N+, X represents C—H or C-L, L being an electron-attracting group selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, NO2 and N(CH3)3+, Y represents H or CH3, or Y forms a 5- or 6-atom heterocycle with X, T represents NH, CO, CONH or NH2?U?, U? being a soluble anion such as e.g. F?, Cl?, Br?, I, OH?, NO3?, HSO4?, SO42?, CO32?, HCO3? or SCN?, and B represents an unsubstituted C1-C20 linear aliphatic alkyl group, and a method of preparing this layer and its use as an epilame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ultra-thin hydrophobic and oleophobic layer, formed by self-assembly on a solid substrate surface, of compounds of the general formula A-B in which A represents a group of the formula in which Z represents C or N+, X represents C—H or C-L, L being an electron-attracting group selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, NO2 and N(CH3)3+, Y represents H or CH3, or Y forms a 5- or 6-atom heterocycle with X, T represents NH, CO, CONH or NH2+U?, U? being a soluble anion such as e.g. F?, Cl?, Br?, I, OH?, NO3?, HSO4?, SO42?, CO32?, HCO3? or SCN?, and B represents a C1-C20 linear aliphatic alkyl group partially or completely substituted with F, and a method of preparing this layer and its use as an epilame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-compensating toothed moving part, for a precision gear assembly, particularly in clock-making, in which the backlash-compensating teeth each have a section extending symmetrically to both sides of the radius of said mobile passing the tip of said teeth with an elastic connection to said mobile to give said teeth a freedom of movement in the plane of the mobile, at least one tooth in two being a backlash-compensating tooth comprising stop means arranged to limit the freedom of movement as a function of the backlash in the gear assembly to be compensated for.

Abstract: Hairspring for a balance wheel/hairspring resonator, comprising n blades, where n?2, which are fastened via at least one of their respective homologous ends and wound in spirals with an angular offset capable of neutralizing the lateral forces liable to be exerted on its central arbor when one of the ends of each blade is moved angularly around said central arbor relative to its other end.