Abstract: A decorative body driving mechanism having a decorative body therein and at least one openable and closable door arranged in front of the decorative body, the mechanism includes a door open and close mechanism and a decorative body operating mechanism. The door open and close mechanism includes a first gear rotatable in both directions with a motor, and a second gear being engaged with the first gear only within a given range to rotate intermittently and open and close the door. The decorative body operating mechanism transmits a driving force of the motor to the decorative body to make the decorative body move. It is possible to open and close the door and operate the decorative body with the single motor, and the door can be opened and closed intermittently by the door open and close mechanism. The decorative body can be worked without transmitting the driving force to the door.

Abstract: A timepiece having an openable and closable dial plate, includes a stationary segment included in the dial plate, and a movable segment included in the dial plate and reciprocating between an open position and a closed position, the movable segment being positioned at the closed position by abutting with the stationary segment.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece has an ornamental portion and a plurality of movable units operable to expose and hide the ornamental portion. Each of the movable units includes a divisional segment for exposing and hiding the ornamental portion by inward and outward movement, a holding plate configured to hold the divisional segment in a movable manner so as to move the divisional segment in inward and outward directions, and an attachment structure for attaching the divisional segment to the holding plate. The attachment structure is formed integrally with at least one of the holding plate and the divisional segment. The attachment structure includes engagement portions projecting from both sides of the holding plate and a pair of holder members formed on a surface of the divisional segment so as to have an L-shaped cross-section with their tip portions being opposed to each other.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece has an ornamental portion and a plurality of movable units operable to expose and hide the ornamental portion. Each of the movable units includes a divisional segment for exposing and hiding the ornamental portion by inward and outward movement, a holding plate configured to hold the divisional segment in a movable manner so as to move the divisional segment in inward and outward directions, and an attachment structure for attaching the divisional segment to the holding plate. The attachment structure is formed integrally with at least one of the holding plate and the divisional segment. The attachment structure includes engagement portions projecting from both sides of the holding plate and a pair of holder members formed on a surface of the divisional segment so as to have an L-shaped cross-section with their tip portions being opposed to each other.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece has a plurality of divisional segments divided in a movable manner, a driving source operable to produce a driving rotation for moving the divisional segments, an ornamental portion to be exposed by outward movement of the divisional segments, and a plurality of driving mechanisms operable to move the divisional segments and rotate them about their axes so as to change an exposure state of the ornamental portion by using the driving rotation transmitted from the driving source.

Abstract: A decorative body driving mechanism having a decorative body therein and at least one openable and closable door arranged in front of the decorative body, the mechanism includes a door open and close mechanism and a decorative body operating mechanism. The door open and close mechanism includes a first gear rotatable in both directions with a motor, and a second gear being engaged with the first gear only within a given range to rotate intermittently and open and close the door. The decorative body operating mechanism transmits a driving force of the motor to the decorative body to make the decorative body move. It is possible to open and close the door and operate the decorative body with the single motor, and the door can be opened and closed intermittently by the door open and close mechanism. The decorative body can be worked without transmitting the driving force to the door.

Abstract: A timepiece movement comprises a first luminous element for emitting light, a second luminous element for emitting light, and a light-receiving element for receiving the light emitted by the first and second luminous elements. A second wheel has an aperture through which light from the first luminous element may pass and a reflecting portion. A first transmitting wheel transmits a rotational drive to the second wheel as a function of second time and has an aperture through which light from the first luminous element may pass and which is positioned to become aligned with the aperture of the second wheel. A rotational minute wheel has apertures disposed at equal angular intervals and through which light from the second luminous element may pass. A rotational hour wheel has apertures through which light from the second luminous element may pass.

Abstract: A timepiece movement comprises a light-emitting device for emitting light and a light-receiving device for receiving the light emitted from the light-emitting device. An hour wheel has a plurality of apertures through which light from the light-emitting device may pass. A minute wheel has an aperture through which light from the light-emitting device may pass, the aperture being positioned to become aligned with respective ones of the apertures of the hour wheel during rotation of the minute and hour wheels. Minute and hour wheel gear trains respectively rotate the minute wheel and the hour wheel as a function of minute and hour time.

Abstract: A pendulum device comprises a pendulum rod, a support member for rockably supporting the pendulum rod to permit the pendulum rod to swing freely within a normal swinging angle, and a locking mechanism mounted on the support member for relative movement between first and second positions. The locking mechanism is operative in the first position to lock the pendulum rod from swinging freely and is operative in the second position to enable the pendulum rod to swing freely within the normal swinging angle.

Abstract: A viscous coupling gear device has a first case having a protrusion extending from a surface thereof, and a second case having a surface facing the surface of the first case and a protrusion extending from the surface of the second case. A gear has a driving portion for driving engagement with a first rotary member undergoing intermittent rotation and for transmitting intermittent rotation to the gear, a tubular portion extending from the gear and mounted on the protrusion of the first case for relative rotation therewith, and a tubular wall portion extending from the gear and disposed coaxially with and spaced from the tubular portion to define a cavity therebetween, the protrusion of the second case extending into the cavity and defining, together with the cavity and the tubular wall portion, a clearance. A driving member engages with a second rotary member for transmitting rotation of the gear to the second rotary member.

Abstract: A rotary decoration driving device comprises a case, a first rotary shaft having a first end portion rotatably supported by the case and a second end portion supporting a first decoration for rotation therewith. A second rotary shaft is mounted on the first rotary shaft for rotation therewith and has an end portion supporting a second decoration for rotation therewith. A first gear is mounted on the first rotating shaft for rotation therewith, and a second gear is mounted on the second rotating shaft for rotation therewith. At least one intermediate gear is driven to undergo intermittent rotation. A transmitting device transmits the intermittent rotation of the intermediate gear to the first and second gears. A smoothing device smoothens the intermittent rotation of the intermediate gear to thereby transmit a smooth and continuous rotary motion to the first and second gears.

Abstract: An improved electroluminescent indicator hand which is capable of emitting light from its entire surface area consists of an annular support member mounted on the hand shaft of a timepiece, an electroluminescent indicator hand secured on the support member, and a metal contact for supplying a drive signal to the electroluminescent indicator hand. The electroluminescent indicator hand is formed by sequentially laminating a transparent electrode layer, a luminescent layer, an insulating layer and a rear electrode layer on the rear surface of a light transmissive substrate, which has sufficient rigidity, and has at one end an annular section overlapping the support member. The metal contact has plural conductors resiliently contacting the transparent electrode layer and the rear electrode layer of the electroluminescent hand, and is welded to the support member so as to secure the electroluminescent member therebetween.

Abstract: A timepiece movement comprises a rotor driven for intermittent rotation by a stepping motor, a speed-reducing wheel train and a second stop device. The speed-reducing wheel train has a movement conversion mechanism for transmitting intermittent rotary movement of the rotor to continuous rotary movement of a second hand wheel in a smooth manner. The second stop device is moveable between a first position, for immediately stopping the second hand wheel, and a second position, for immediately moving the second hand wheel at a predetermined speed.