Abstract: A display assembly includes two superposed, respectively upper (24) and lower (26) display devices, characterized in that the upper display device (24) includes a display cell (28) arranged above an optical valve (30), said double structure being arranged so as to be transparent in a first state to make the lower display device visible (26), and so as to display item of data in a second state, control circuits supplying a control voltage to the cell (28) to cause it to switch from the first state to the second state and vice versa, characterized in that the cell (28) is a display cell of the type including a diffusing or reflective liquid crystal in the second state.

Abstract: The invention concerns a portable object, in particular a wristwatch (1), including a case (2) with which are associated at least two different electronic modules, each module allowing access to a particular service, the portable object also including means (22) for selecting and activating one of said electronic modules as a function of the service desired by the user.

Abstract: A moon-phase dial mechanism comprising two overlapping, rotatable discs behind a substantially circular window capable of exhibiting a representation of the phases of the moon in a lunar cycle.

Abstract: An alarm clock has a snooze feature, whereby the snooze feature has a wing-like shape. When the alarm goes off, the wing-like shape extends outwards from the alarm clock housing. By pushing the wing-shaped snooze feature back into the housing, the alarm goes off, and the snooze mode is entered. The extended wings may signify “time flies”, at least while sleeping.

Abstract: A power reserve mechanism has a ratchet wheel having a winding stem, a first winding stem train wheel connected to the winding stem of the ratchet wheel and having a first power reserve wheel, and a barrel member having a winding stem. A spring member is mounted in the barrel member. A second winding stem train wheel independent from the first winding stem train wheel is connected to the winding stem of the barrel member and has a second power reserve wheel. A first indicator is disposed on the first power reserve wheel. A second indicator is disposed on the second power reserve wheel. An amount of spring power stored by the spring member is indicated utilizing a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators.

Abstract: A watch main-body mounting seat 16, which is part of a watchband 14 of a watch 10 that can serve as either a wristwatch or a clock, has a circular hole 20 at the center. A notch-1 22 and a notch-2 24 are formed oppositely along the circumference of the seat hole 20. The back face of the watch main-body mounting seat 16 is provided with a guide groove-1 26 and a guide groove-2 28 extending counterclockwise from the notch-1 22 and the notch-2 24, respectively. An engaging projection 30 and an engaging projection 32 are formed to protrude on the back face of the watch main body 12. An engaging tab-1 30A and an engaging tab-2 32A extend laterally from the end of the engaging projections 30 and the engaging projections 32, respectively. The watch main body 12 is provided with bases 44 and 46 and a ring 48.

Abstract: A structural component made of hard material for a wristwatch, characterized in that it includes a hole fitted with an inner threading which is integral with said component, said threading being directly obtained by injection and thus without removing any material of said component for example by machining.

Abstract: A time-to-digital converter records the arrival times of successive signals—which are separated from one another by more than one period of a reference clock signal—by recording the number of nodes disposed within a plurality of fine delay paths—each coupled to a different one of a plurality of coarse delay stages in a first coarse delay path—through which the signals propagate. The delay across each fine delay path is substantially the same as the delay across a coarse delay stage in the coarse delay path. A phase detector maintains the clock signal and its delayed replica in phase by adjusting the delay through each of the coarse delay stages in a second coarse delay path. The time delay between the clock signal and its delayed replica is equal to one period of the clock signal.

Abstract: This timepiece has a winding stem (1) with three axial positions and two first connecting wheels (9, 10) which are superposed and pivoted about two respective stationary axes, and mesh with the winding pinion (2), two second connecting wheels (11, 14) meshing respectively with the said first connecting wheels (9, 10), two bars, namely a winding bar (8) and a connecting bar (15), which are pivoted coaxially to the respective axes of pivoting (8b, 15a) of the said second connecting wheels (11, 14), one carrying a reverser pinion (12) and the other a correcting pinion (16), meshing with the said respective second connecting wheels (11, 14), means (7, 17, 15′c, 15′d) of connection between each of the two bars (8, 15) and the said pull-out piece (6) to act on the said bars (8, 15) according to the axial position of the said winding stem (1) so as selectively to place the said reverser pinion (12) in engagement with a winding ratchet wheel (13) and the said correcting pinion (16) in engagement with the

Abstract: Looseness in the fit of a wristwatch to the wrist of a user is taken up by affixing a thin spacer to the back of the watch. The spacer is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a pressure sensitive adhesive on a surface thereof, and is affixed to the watch, after cleaning of the watch if necessary, by pressing the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the spacer against the watch. Spacers are packaged in spaced apart multiples on a display card, with a removable transparent film covering the spacers on the display card.

Abstract: A timer circuit that utilizes the thermal runaway effect, and includes a switch, a resistor, a transistor and a protective device. The temperature of the transistor rises due to a phenomenon known as the thermal runaway effect, which causes the temperature of the transistor to rise while increasing current flow. This will eventually cause the protective device to activate. The time it takes to activate the protective device is predictable for a given transistor, therefore the circuit operates as a timer. In an alternate embodiment, a heat source is used. This heat source rises in temperature as current flows in the circuit. A heat sensor located near the heat source rises in temperature along with the heat source. A comparator compares the temperature from this heat sensor with the temperature of a heat sensor located further from the heat source. When there is a user-definable difference in temperature due to thermal diffusion between the two heat sensors, power to the transistor is disconnected.

Abstract: A control device with a snap function includes a support (10), a push-button (12) mounted so as to move in translation along an axis on the support, and a spring element (14) which is not secured to the support or to the push-button. The spring element (14) is formed of an elongated sheet made of resilient material, inserted between the push-button (12) and the support (10), and includes a pair of support zones (36) located at its ends and at least a median support zone arranged in its central portion. These support zones cooperate respectively with the head (28) of the push-button and with a raised surface (24c) of the support. In the rest position, the sheet has a bent or V-shaped cross section, which can deform to create a snap action during the travel of the push-button which tends to bend the spring element longitudinally. Such a device can be applied to control a mechanical or electrical function of a watch or another apparatus of small size.

Abstract: Digital time displays which include a display of remaining minutes, on the left side, and before commencement of a displayed next hour, such as quadribalanced or enhanced quadribalanced displays, are provided with improved systems and methods of graphics for tracking and portraying the diminishing period of the last 59 seconds before commencement of the next hour.

Abstract: A timepiece, such as a watch, having a protective cover with a gem set therein. The protective cover may be crystal, plastic or any other transparent and durable material. The protective cover has an aperture having concentric cuts. The setting is seated in the aperture and secured to the protective cover. The setting is configured to be of a similar size and shape as the aperture so that it may be securely affixed to the protective cover. A gasket may be inserted between the setting and the aperture to create a watertight seal in the watch cover. The timepiece may also have a hinged, hidden compartment on the backside of the watch frame. Engravings may be made in the hidden compartment, and small, thin objects may be stored therein.

Abstract: A wristband (1) with articulated links preferably made of injected ceramics includes per assembly pitch two lateral links (3, 5) each including a threaded hole (11, 12) and a smooth hole (8, 9), a central link (16) pierced with two smooth through holes (13, 27), a bar (15) threaded at least at its ends and a spring bar (14).

Abstract: An electronic watch with a meter function, capable of a multifunctional display, wherein the dial of the watch is divided into a data display region and a mode display region and the area for displaying the mode, and the area for displaying functional quantities are increased to make the graduations easier to read, with one hand indicating a data display region for data corresponding to physical quantities, and one hand indicating the mode region.

Abstract: A movement 100 of a self-winding watch has a main plate 102, a train wheel bridge 104, a center wheel bridge 106, a third wheel bridge 107 and a transmission bridge 108. An oscillating weight 160 is rotatably attached to a third bridge 107. A first transmission intermediate gear 178a is structured to mesh with a first transmission gear 180a and oscillation weight pinion 176. An eccentric shaft-part 180d is provided on the first transmission wheel 180. A pawl lever 182 is assembled between the third wheel bridge 107 and the center wheel bridge 106. The pawl lever 182 has a guide hole 182a rotatably assembled on the eccentric shaft part 180d. The eccentric motion of pawl lever 182 winds up a spiral spring.

Abstract: A time interval and event display device depicting a displayed event and a continuous time display informing the viewer of continuous time intervals from the unchanging event to the present time or the remaining time to a future unchanging event.

Abstract: Electrical timer modules that interact with one another so as to effect random operation of a plurality of electrical devices, creating the appearance that the devices are not operated automatically. The timer modules include circuitry that allows them to wake up from a sleep state or mode within a random time interval. Upon waking from the sleep state or mode, each modular timer initially senses for the presence of a transmitted signal. Upon receipt of a transmitted signal each module returns to its sleep state or mode. If no transmitted signal is received, the first timer module that wakes up transmits a signal to the other modules and activates an electrical device connected thereto.

Abstract: A multifunction electronic watch 10 having a large variety of added functions, and providing an electronic watch and drive method therefor that have a high value as a product and a configuration enabling separate use of an energy-saving mode and a function information operating mode, this electronic watch 10 having a reference signal generation means 1, a time information generation means 2, which generates time information TJ based on a reference signal S3R from the reference signal generation means 1, a function information generation means for generating function information FJ, a display drive means 4, which outputs drive signals DRT and DRF for the purpose of displaying the function information FJ and the time information TJ on an appropriate display means, and a display means 5, which displays the function information FJ and the time information TJ based on the drive signals DRT and DRF from the display drive means 4, this electronic watch having an energy-saving operating condition with a power consump