Patents Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20220390899
    Abstract: Provided is a watch glass configured to be disposed on a watch dial with indications. This watch dial comprises at least one indication, a first chamber configured to let a first mobile element circulate, a second chamber configured to comprise a second mobile element and a separation wall separating the chambers and large enough to obtain from the indications of the dial an enlarged image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Damien GOYET
  • Publication number: 20220390900
    Abstract: Provided is a timepiece including, in addition to a crystal, the following external elements: a back (2), a middle part (1), a dial (3), and two bracelet strands (30), at least one of these external elements includes a body formed of a first portion made of a first opaque material and of a second portion made of a second partially transparent or translucent material. The first material being integral with the second material and the timepiece also includes at least one light source (10) producing light which passes through the second portion made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material comprising zirconia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel WILLEMIN, Loïc CURCHOD, Pierpasquale TORTORA, Simon SPRINGER, Cédric FAURE
  • Publication number: 20220382221
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for verifying the state of a watch and resetting it to the correct time. In a case of the device, a watch can be disposed on a watch support, which can be moved from a position without measurement to a measurement position in a vision system, or vice versa. In a position without measurement, the watch on its support can be observed from the outside of the case of the device through at least one electronic shutter activated or an optical valve activated to be in a transparent state, whereas in the measurement position, the electronic shutter or the optical valve is deactivated to be made opaque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Cédric NICOLAS, Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques BORN, Hicham FARAH
  • Patent number: 11507023
    Abstract: An arrangement for the holding and vibration transmission of an acoustic radiating membrane (10) in a striking or musical watch (1) case (2). The case includes at least one crystal (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle. The acoustic radiating membrane is held in a portion of the watch case, such as the middle by at least one connection part (12) disposed between a peripheral rim of the membrane or an edge element (11) of the membrane and the middle by acting for the holding of the membrane in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch. The connection part may be a screw screwed into a threaded opening (14) of the middle and coming into contact with the edge element of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Nicolas Livat
  • Patent number: 11504907
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an external component for horology or jewellery made of a composite material including a reinforcement formed of a preferably perforated structure and a matrix composed of a synthetic material, the method including the successive steps consisting in: a) making a 3D file of the reinforcement, b) forming the reinforcement by additive manufacturing, c) embedding all or part of the reinforcement in the synthetic material. An external component for horology or jewellery can be made of a composite material including a matrix composed of a synthetic material and a reinforcement having a perforated structure obtained by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Cedric Kaltenrieder, Gilles Vuilleumier
  • Publication number: 20220365486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for displaying the moon for a timepiece on demand. The display device (100) comprises a first movable indicator member (110) and having a representation of the moon (111). This representation of the moon (111) is completely or partially occulted by an occulting element (121) that is located on a second movable indicator member (120) when the user so requests and in particular via a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel WILLEMIN, Simon SPRINGER, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Patent number: 11499060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule comprising a shell containing a transparent and thermally conducting liquid, particles having a thermochromic coating and particles having a photochromic coating, the thermochromic particles being bulkier than photochromic particles, the liquid being such that, within a first range of temperatures, its density is greater than the density of the thermochromic particles and than the density of the photochromic particles, and such that, within a second range of temperatures greater than those of the first range, the density of the photochromic particles is less than the density of the liquid, which is itself less than the density of the thermochromic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas Francois
  • Patent number: 11499242
    Abstract: A method for producing metal decorations on a curved dial made of insulating material includes forming, by a method of the LIGA-UV type, a mould made of photosensitive resin and of galvanically depositing a layer of at least one metal from the conductive layer in order to form a block substantially reaching the upper surface of the photosensitive resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Elias Laforge, Simon Springer
  • Publication number: 20220357705
    Abstract: Provided is a watch case (10) that includes a middle (11) to which are attached a crystal (12) and a back (13) delimiting an internal volume in which is arranged a horological movement (14) intended to drive indicating members. The case (10) also includes a mechanism for actuating an indicator (16) capable of moving in rotation and housed inside the internal volume of the case (10), the actuation mechanism including a bezel (15) capable of moving in rotation and intended to be handled by a user, and a transmission pinion (17) arranged such that it meshes with the bezel (15) and the indicator (16), the respective axes of rotation of the bezel (15), the transmission pinion (17) and the indicator (16) being parallel to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François MAIRE, Philipp TSCHUMI
  • Patent number: 11493886
    Abstract: A watch including a control member that is able to manage at least one first function of the watch and at the same time to control one or more additional electronic functions. The control member, for example a crown or a push-piece head, is mounted on the elongate element defining a central axis and passing through a wall of the watch middle. At least one strain gauge is mounted around the elongate element and arranged so as to produce an electrical signal representing a radial force exerted by the elongate element on the strain gauge when a user laterally exerts a force on the control member. A processor generates at least one command on the basis of the electrical signal, for example to enable the user to navigate in a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François Gueissaz, Yvan Ferri, Simon Bourquin
  • Publication number: 20220350190
    Abstract: An object includes an electro-optic display device provided with an optically active element, the optical properties thereof can be modified by applying an electric voltage or current between at least one electrode and one corresponding auxiliary electrode, between which the optically active element is disposed. The object further includes a middle part which delimits an opening closed by a crystal including a bottom surface beneath which the electro-optic display device is arranged. The crystal is provided with an opaque frame which is made remotely from the edges of the opening and which covers the contour of the electro-optic display device so as to conceal electrical connection elements. The electro-optic display device defines an active display area which is confined by the opaque frame, such that, when the electro-optic display device is activated and displaying information, a transparent area remains between the opaque frame and the edges of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Axel SCHINDLER, Alain HAMM
  • Patent number: 11487379
    Abstract: A portable object including a case formed of a frame closed by a glass forming a housing, in which an electronic module is placed, the electronic module cooperating with a controller including at least one plurality of touch pads for interacting with the electronic module, each touch pad being located on an inner/outer surface of the case, the electronic module being programmed to operate in a first operating mode in which at least the touch pads are activated and to operate in a second operating mode in which at least the touch pads are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Guanter, Pascal Heck, Jean-Nicolas Pfeuti
  • Publication number: 20220338601
    Abstract: A bracelet clasp (1) including a strip (2), a first end (20) whereof is hinged to a first end (30) of a first bracelet strand (3), and the second end (21) of the strip (2) is free, said strip (2) having a cut-out (5) forming at least a rigid portion (22) and two opposing deformable portions (23, 24), each including a hook (6, 6?) arranged to engage with a hole (40) in a second bracelet strand (4) and to lock the clasp on said second strand (4), simultaneous pressures exerted on the deformable portions (23, 24) resulting in the unlocking of the clasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Paulo Bravo
  • Patent number: 11480925
    Abstract: The mechanical timepiece is equipped with a movement which includes an indicator mechanism of at least one time data item, a mechanical resonator forming a slave oscillator which paces the running of the indicator mechanism, and a mechanical correction device to prevent a possible time drift in the running of the indicator mechanism. The mechanical correction device is formed by a master mechanical oscillator and a mechanical braking device of the mechanical resonator, this braking device arranged to apply periodically to the mechanical resonator mechanical braking pulses at a braking frequency determined by the master mechanical oscillator. Then, the mechanical system, formed by the mechanical resonator and the braking device, is configured to enable the braking device to be able to start the braking pulses preferably at any position of the mechanical resonator. Preferably, the braking pulses have a duration of less than one quarter of a set-point period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11470925
    Abstract: A watch case (2) for wristwatches including: a middle part (4) including a side wall (10) having two sides (12A, 12B); two separate side members (6A, 6B) arranged on either side of the middle part (4), each side member (6A, 6B) extending beyond the space occupied by the middle part (4) in the longitudinal direction of the watch band and having a median portion of complementary shape to the corresponding side (12A, 12B) of the middle part (4), each side member (6A, 6B) being slidably and removably attached to the middle part (4); a bezel (8) secured to the middle part (4) on an upper face of the middle part (4); a back cover (20) fixed on a lower face of the middle part (4); characterized in that each side member (6A, 6B) is blocked in translation in the direction of sliding on the middle part (4) by the bezel (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Jeker, Philipp Tschumi, Francois Maziarz
  • Patent number: 11467540
    Abstract: An external element made from a first material for a wearable object, the first material being an insulating ceramic, wherein a surface of the external element is at least partially treated to include at least one conversion with an electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Loic Curchod, Simon Springer
  • Publication number: 20220308527
    Abstract: A timepiece (2) includes an actuator, which applies braking pulses to the balance, which has an electromechanical device (6) and an electric control circuit (8). The device (6) includes a flexible member (16), formed by an elastic blade (20) and a mechanical element (22) defining a braking pad, and an electromagnetic system (10) formed by a coil carried by the flexible member and by a permanent magnet rigidly connected to a support (18) of the electromechanical device. When an electric pulse is provided to the coil, an electromagnetic force of repulsion is engendered between the coil and the permanent magnet so the mechanical element moves to a position of contact with the balance. To stabilise the rest position of the flexible member, a magnetic element (26) is rigidly connected to the coil to exert a magnetic return force complementary to the force of the elastic blade is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre Mignot
  • Patent number: 11454933
    Abstract: A timepiece regulating mechanism including primary resonators each with an inertial weight suspended by flexible strips to a fixed structure with respect to which this weight pivots, and mechanical device of synchronizing the primary resonators which include, between the inertial weights, an articulated connection which, under normal conditions, allows pivoting of the inertial weights in opposite directions of rotation and with close rotation angles, and during a shock, prevents pivoting thereof in the same direction of rotation, the mechanism including an oscillator with a frictional rest escapement mechanism arranged to cooperate alternately with the primary resonators, on pallet stones of the inertial weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Pascal Winkler, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Patent number: 11454934
    Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism including a structure and an inertia element oscillating about an axis, subjected to return forces exerted by a RCC flexure pivot with elastic resonator strips, which are each fixed to the structure and to the inertia element and essentially deformable in a plane perpendicular to the axis, straight and extending in parallel or coincident planes, the crossing, in projection onto a plane perpendicular to the axis, of their directions defining this axis, these strips are fixed on the inertia element side to a stiff element, comprised in an anti-shock element and on which are fixed the strips and which is integral with anti-shock flexible elements arranged to keep suspended the inertia element, the anti-shock element providing shock protection for the strips of the flexure pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Born
  • Patent number: 11454932
    Abstract: A method for making a flexure bearing for an oscillator with an inertial element oscillating in a plane supported by flexible strips fixed to a stationary support returning it to a rest position includes: forming the bearing with basic strips in superposed levels, each having an aspect ratio of less than 10; breaking down the number of basic levels into a plurality of sub-units, each including one or two strips joining a basic support and a basic inertial element, which are made by etching substrates; assembling the sub-units by joining their basic inertial elements; and fixing the basic supports to the support, directly or via translational tables along one or two in-plane translational degrees of freedom, of lower translational stiffness than that of the sub-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Pierre Cusin, Jean-Luc Helfer, Alex Gandelhman, Pascal Winkler, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Olivier Matthey, Laurent Klinger, Jerome Favre