Abstract: A skeleton watch includes a horological movement housed in a watch case, the horological movement being arranged to rotate at least one hand, the horological movement being covered by a dial, and the dial being disposed between the horological movement and the at least one hand. The dial includes a photochromic plate so that the horological movement is visible when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation below a first threshold value and the horological movement is masked when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation above a second threshold value.

Abstract: A skeleton watch includes a horological movement housed in a watch case, the horological movement being arranged to rotate at least one hand, the horological movement being covered by a dial, and the dial being disposed between the horological movement and the at least one hand. The dial includes a photochromic plate so that the horological movement is visible when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation below a first threshold value and the horological movement is masked when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation above a second threshold value.

Abstract: A transparent substrate made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures higher than 500° C., such as sapphire, includes recesses in at least one of its faces and/or a groove machined into its thickness, that are covered with opaque, translucent or transparent enamel depositions that may or may not be colored, depending upon the pigments used in the enamel composition.

Abstract: A transparent substrate (10) made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures higher than 500° C., such as sapphire, includes recesses (13, 14) in at least one of its faces (11, 12) and/or a groove (15) machined into its thickness, that are covered with opaque, translucent or transparent enamel depositions (23 to 30) that may or may not be coloured, depending upon the pigments used in the enamel composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an inlaid ceramic element for a timepiece comprising the following steps: a) forming a ceramic body; b) etching at least one recess in one face of the ceramic body, each at least one recess forming the pattern cavity for a decoration; c) changing the surface state of the bottom of said at least one recess in order to increase the contact surface thereof; d) depositing, by thermal spraying, a second ceramic material above said at least one recess in order to totally fill said at least one recess; e) flattening said second ceramic material so that said second ceramic material remains only in the hollow of said at least one recess.

Abstract: A transparent substrate (10) made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures higher than 500° C., such as sapphire, includes recesses (13, 14) in at least one of its faces (11, 12) and/or a groove (15) machined into its thickness, that are covered with opaque, translucent or transparent enamel depositions (23 to 30) that may or may not be colored, depending upon the pigments used in the enamel composition. The invention is applicable to a dial of a timepiece.

Abstract: Housing insert for a spacer of a ceramic link for a bracelet, including a housing for receiving a spacer having one end. It includes an external machined portion arranged to cooperate with this housing and an internal machined portion including a substantially cylindrical bearing area, arranged to closely receive this end and having a smaller diameter than that of this end. An equipped link includes such a link and such an insert of this type fixed in this housing. A bracelet including includes a plurality of equipped lateral links into which removably mounted spacers are driven. This bracelet includes intermediate links assembled to pivot freely relative to these spacers or relative to pins pivotably mounted in these equipped links.

Abstract: The case includes a middle part (3) and a back cover (5) delimiting a compartment (7) closed by a glass (10), made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures above 500° C., said glass being bonded or welded at joint zones (15) at least partially covering the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3). It is characterized in that the inner face (11) of the glass (10) includes an enamel deposition (20) formed on the zones of the joints (15) with the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3), either in a hollow (14), or on the surface of said inner face (11).

Abstract: Housing insert (2) for a spacer (3) of a ceramic link (1) for a bracelet (1000), including a housing (4) for receiving a spacer (3) having one end (9). It includes an external machined portion (6) arranged to cooperate with said housing (4) and an internal machined portion (7) including a substantially cylindrical bearing area (8), arranged to closely receive said end (9) and having a smaller diameter than that of said end (9). Equipped link (10) including a link (1) of this type and an insert (2) of this type fixed in said housing (4). Bracelet (1000) including a plurality of equipped lateral (13) links (10) into which removably mounted spacers (3) are driven. Bracelet (1000) including intermediate links (14) assembled to pivot freely relative to said spacers (3) or relative to pins (12) pivotably mounted in said equipped links (10).

Abstract: The display unit (2) equips a portable instrument, such as a wristwatch (1) with hands (13, 14, 15) for indicating the time. The unit comprises at least one display cell (4) which comprises a transparent front substrate (41) having first transparent electrodes (45) on an interior face, a transparent rear substrate (42) having at least one transparent second electrode (46) on an interior face and a fixing frame (43) for the two substrates in order to define a closed space between the substrates. A substance (44), the optical or physical properties of which can be modified between the electrodes which are activated by a difference of potentials applied via control means, occupies the closed space between the first and second electrodes. Via the action of the control means, the display cell (4) makes it possible to display information, for example temporal information.

Abstract: The crystal (10), in the inner surface of which contact zones (17) are structured, includes close to its edge a hollow (14) machined in one of its faces (11, 12) or a groove (25) machined in its thickness and provided with an enamel deposition (20) for concealing said contact zones (17) after bonding.

Abstract: A transparent substrate (10) made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures higher than 500° C., such as sapphire, includes recesses (13, 14) in at least one of its faces (11, 12) and/or a groove (15) machined into its thickness, that are covered with opaque, translucent or transparent enamel depositions (23 to 30) that may or may not be coloured, depending upon the pigments used in the enamel composition.

Abstract: The display unit (2) equips a portable instrument, such as a wristwatch (1) with hands (13, 14, 15) for indicating the time. The unit comprises at least one display cell (4) which comprises a transparent front substrate (41) having first transparent electrodes (45) on an interior face, a transparent rear substrate (42) having at least one transparent second electrode (46) on an interior face and a fixing frame (43) for the two substrates in order to define a closed space between the substrates. A substance (44), the optical or physical properties of which can be modified between the electrodes which are activated by a difference of potentials applied via control means, occupies the closed space between the first and second electrodes. Via the action of the control means, the display cell (4) makes it possible to display information, for example temporal information.

Abstract: The case includes a middle part (3) and a back cover (5) delimiting a compartment (7) closed by a glass (10), made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures above 500° C., said glass being bonded or welded at joint zones (15) at least partially covering the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3). It is characterized in that the inner face (11) of the glass (10) includes an enamel deposition (20) formed on the zones of the joints (15) with the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3), either in a hollow (14), or on the surface of said inner face (11).

Abstract: The crystal (10), in the inner surface of which contact zones (17) are structured, includes close to its edge a hollow (14) machined in one of its faces (11, 12) or a groove (25) machined in its thickness and provided with an enamel deposition (20) for concealing said contact zones (17) after bonding.

Abstract: The bracelet (1) is formed of several juxtaposed links (2) made of rigid material and a flexible core (3) onto which the links are threaded. The flexible core (3) is formed over a part of its length of flexible elements (4) removably assembled one after the other. Each flexible element comprises on two opposite sides a first assembling portion (7) and a second assembling portion (6) complementary to the first assembling portion. The elements can be assembled one after the other by fitting the first and second assembling portions together to form a flexible strip. The links (2) are positioned on the flexible core to hold the flexible elements in their assembled position.

Abstract: The bracelet (1) is formed of several juxtaposed links (2) made of rigid material and a flexible core (3) onto which the links are threaded. The flexible core (3) is formed over a part of its length of flexible elements (4) removably assembled one after the other. Each flexible element comprises on two opposite sides a first assembling portion (7) and a second assembling portion (6) complementary to the first assembling portion. The elements can be assembled one after the other by fitting the first and second assembling portions together to form a flexible strip. The links (2) are positioned on the flexible core to hold the flexible elements in their assembled position.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished zirconia-based article having a gold metallic external appearance, the method including the steps of: providing at least one zirconia article previously shaped into its finished or semi-finished shape; partially reducing the zirconia forming said article; placing said article in a reaction vessel in which a plasma is generated from ammonia, or a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, or a combination of this gas and this mixture; and maintaining the article in the plasma for a period of at least 5 minutes, while adjusting the conditions so that the average temperature of the article is settled between 500 and 900° C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished zirconia-based article, the article having a gold metallic external appearance, characterised in that it includes the steps of: