Abstract: A watch case includes a middle (2, 24, 34), one opening of which is closed by a bezel (8, 18, 28) and/or a crystal (1, 11, 21), or by a back (40). An element for closing the opening is connected to the middle by a resilient metal member (3, 23, 33) having a recessed cross-section defined by the profile of a non-rectilinear wall having a constant thickness, whose ends (3a, 3b) are connected to the periphery of the closing element (1, 11, 21, 18), respectively. The profile of the non-rectilinear wall defines at least one annular fold having an orientation parallel to the plane of the opening, the fold being formed by a curvature whose arc defines an angle of between >90° and 180°, so as to impart to the closing member (1, 11, 21, 18) a freedom of movement relative to the plane of the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watch case including a middle (2, 24, 34), one opening of which is closed by a bezel (8, 18, 28) and/or a crystal (1, 11, 21), or by a back (40). At least one of the elements for closing the opening is connected to the middle by a resilient metal member (3, 23, 33) having a recessed cross-section defined by the profile of a non-rectilinear wall having a constant thickness and the ends (3a, 3b) of which are connected to the periphery of said closing element (1, 11, 21, 18) of said middle (2, 24, 34), respectively. The profile of said non-rectilinear wall defines at least one annular fold having an orientation parallel to the plane of said opening, said fold being formed by a curvature, the arc of which defines an angle of between >90° and 180°, so as to impart to said closing member (1, 11, 21, 18) a freedom of movement relative to the plane of the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an installation for identifying an object. An identification mark (12) is made on the actual object using electrical discharges (28) between a metal tip (21), such as that of a local-probe microscope, and the substrate (22) formed by the object. The discharges (28) are produced through a composite dielectric medium (25) and produce an impression (23) which can be identified by read means, such as a microprobe, and has a particular physical nature and/or a particular chemical composition. Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to obtain a very secure identification and authentication mark that can be applied directly to the actual object to be identified or authenticated.