Abstract: A holding member for fixing a timepiece component on support elements of different cross section includes an opening into which each support element can be inserted, the holding member having structural elements together forming a body configured to ensure mounting of each support element in the opening. Each of the structural elements includes a first structural sub-element and a second structural sub-element, the first structural sub-element including a volume of material greater than a volume of material constituting the second structural sub-element. The holding member includes a connecting portion ensuring the mounting of each of the support elements in the holding member, the portion being defined on an inner face of the first structural sub-element.

Abstract: A spiral spring for a timepiece resonator mechanism, the spiral spring extending substantially in a plane and including a flexible blade wound on itself in several turns and a setting device for modifying the effective length of the wound blade, the setting device including a clamp movable along at least one ending portion of the spiral spring, the clamp extending substantially in the plane of the spiral spring, the clamp including two bearing faces arranged on either side of the wound blade in a multiplicity of positions so as to define a variable effective length of the spiral spring, the clamp and the wound blade being linked to each other by a flexible element allowing the clamp and the bearing faces to be displaced along the wound blade.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metallic timepiece component, wherein the method includes the steps of forming, via a UV-LIGA type process combined with hot stamping, a multi-level photosensitive resin mould and electroplating a layer of at least one metal from at least two conductive layers to form a block that substantially reaches the upper surface of the photosensitive resin.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing metal horological components, includes the steps of forming a multilevel mould made of a photosensitive resin, with a UV-LIGA method, and galvanically depositing a layer of at least one metal starting from a conductive layer in order to form a block that substantially reaches the upper surface of the photosensitive resin.

Abstract: An elastic retaining member is for attaching a horological component to a support element. The retaining includes an opening into which the support element is capable of being inserted. The retaining member also includes rigid arms and elastic arms defined between the connection zones of the retaining member. The arms contribute to procuring elastic gripping of the support element in the opening, each rigid arm being provided with a single convex contact zone of the retaining member capable of engaging with a corresponding convex contact portion of the support element.

Abstract: An elastic securing organ for fastening a horological component on a support element including an outer peripheral wall capable of being connected to said horological component and an inner peripheral wall defining a triangular-shaped opening wherein the support element is capable of being inserted, the elastic securing organ includes elastic arms each forming one side of the triangular opening and helping ensure the gripping of the support element in the opening, each arm including: at least one cut-out defined completely or partially along the body of said arm, an elastic contact zone with the support element, and elastic peripheral zones which extend between this contact zone and the ends of this elastic arm, the contact zone having a greater quantity of material than the quantity of material forming each of the peripheral zones thereof.

Abstract: A balance-spring, in particular for a horological resonator mechanism, the balance-spring including a flexible strip coiled on itself into several coils, the strip having a predefined flexibility, the balance-spring including a device for adjusting its flexibility, the adjustment device including an elastic element in direct contact with the strip, the elastic element preferably having a flexibility less than that of the strip, the adjustment device including a prestressing device to apply a variable force or torque to the elastic element, so as to vary the flexibility of the elastic element, the elastic element and the strip being separate and assembled with each other. An horological resonator mechanism including such a balance-spring is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rigid horological component (6, 7, 8) for an oscillator mechanism or for an escapement mechanism of a horological movement, the component extending along a principal plane (P) and including at least a part made of a composite material (1), the composite material (1) including a matrix (2) and a multitude of nanotubes or nanowires (3) distributed in the matrix (2), the nanotubes or nanowires (3) being juxtaposed and disposed substantially parallel with an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the plane (P) of the component, the matrix (2) includes a rigid material (4) to fill the interstices and join the nanotubes or nanowires (3) to one another, the material (4) having rigid mechanical properties to block the elastic deformation of the component, the rigid material (4) comprised in the component having a Young's modulus greater than 2 GPa.

Abstract: A horological component including a first part having a body provided with a first and a second cavity, the second cavity receiving a second part by engagement therewith, the first and second cavities being connected to each other by a capillary channel configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity to the second.

Abstract: A flexible timepiece component, in particular for an oscillator mechanism or for a barrel of a horological movement, the component extending along a main plane (P) and including at least a part made of a composite material (1), the composite material (1) including a matrix (2) and a multitude of nanowires (3) distributed in the matrix (2), the nanowires (3) being juxtaposed, the matrix (2) including a material (4) for filling the interstices between the nanowires (3) to join them to each other, each nanowire (3) forming a solid one-piece tube, the nanowires (3) being disposed substantially parallel to an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the main plane (P) of the component (6, 7).

Abstract: A disengageable winding device (1) for a barrel (2) provided with a spring, comprising a ratchet (3) mounted on a winding arbor such that it is rigidly connected thereto, the winding arbor being an arbor for winding the barrel (2), the rotation of which winds up the barrel (2), and a winding gear train (40) meshing with the ratchet (3), the rotation of the winding gear train (40) driving the rotation of the ratchet (3) and that of the winding arbor.

Abstract: A winding device, in particular for a barrel provided with a spring, including a ratchet fixedly mounted on a rotary winding shaft, the rotary winding shaft being, for example, a winding shaft of the barrel, the rotation of which winds the barrel, and a winding gear train meshing with the ratchet, the rotation of the winding gear train causing the ratchet to rotate and the rotary winding shaft to rotate by applying a torque to the ratchet, the winding gear train being movable between a coupled position wherein it drives the ratchet and a disconnected position wherein it does not drive the ratchet, the winding gear train being mounted on a spring exerting a return force on the winding gear train to keep it in the coupled position. A horological movement can include such a winding device.

Abstract: A winding device (1), in particular for a barrel (2) provided with a spring, including a ratchet (3) mounted on a rotary winding shaft (5), the rotary winding shaft (5) being, for example, a winding shaft of the barrel (2), the rotation of which coils the barrel (2), and a winding gear train (4) meshing with the ratchet (3), the rotation of the winding gear train (4) causing the rotation of the ratchet (3) and that of the rotary winding shaft (5) by applying a torque to the ratchet (3), the winding device (1) being provided with means (10) for disconnecting the ratchet (3) and the rotary winding shaft (5), wherein the disconnection means (10) are arranged on the ratchet (3) and on the rotary winding shaft (5), and are configured to disconnect the ratchet (3) and the rotary winding shaft (5) when the torque applied to the ratchet (3) substantially exceeds a threshold value, in particular when the barrel (2) is fully coiled.

Abstract: A winding device (1), in particular of a barrel (2) provided with a spring, including a ratchet (3) mounted integrally on a rotary winding shaft, the rotary winding shaft being, for example, a winding shaft of the barrel (2), the rotation of which winds the barrel (2), and a winding gear train (4) meshing with the ratchet (3), the rotation of the winding gear train (4) causing the rotation of the ratchet (3) and that of the rotary winding shaft by application of a torque to the ratchet (3), wherein the ratchet is deformable in order to be able to disconnect the ratchet (3) from the winding gear train (4). Also, a horological movement comprising such a winding device (1).

Abstract: A spiral spring for a horological resonator mechanism, including a flexible strip (2) coiled on itself into several turns, the strip (2) having a predefined stiffness. The spring (1) include an element for adjusting its stiffness, including a unique elongate flexible element (5) arranged in series with the strip (2), and connecting one end (4) of said strip (2) to a fixed support (11), to add additional stiffness. The flexible element (5) has a stiffness higher than that of the strip (2). A prestressing element (6) applies two different efforts on the element (5), and includes a first lever (8) attached to the end (4) of the strip (2) to allow adjusting a first effort, and a second lever (8) also attached to the end (4) of the strip (2) to adjust a second effort independently of the first effort.

Abstract: A spiral spring for a horological resonator mechanism, including a flexible strip (2) coiled on itself into several turns The spring (1) including an element for adjusting its stiffness, which includes a first elongate flexible element (5), and a second elongate flexible element (15) arranged in series with the strip (2), each elongate flexible element (5) connecting the same end (4) of the strip (2) to a fixed support (11), so as to add an additional stiffness to the strip (2), each elongate flexible element (5) preferably having a stiffness higher than that of the strip (2). A prestressing element (6) applies at least two different adjustable efforts, the two efforts being applied on the first elongate flexible element (5) so as to make the stiffness of the first elongate flexible element (5) vary according to the prestress level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic retaining member (1) for fixing a timepiece component (2) on a support element (3), comprising an opening (5) into which said support element (3) can be inserted, the retaining member (1) comprising rigid arms (6) and elastic arms (7) defined between connection areas (9) contributing to ensure elastic clamping of the support element (3) in the opening (5) each rigid arm (6) being provided with two flat contact areas (8) of the retaining member (1) able to cooperate with corresponding convex contact portions (10) of the support element (3).

Abstract: An elastic retaining member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element includes an opening into which the support element can be inserted, and rigid arms and elastic arms defined between connection areas of the member. The rigid arms and the elastic arms are configured to ensure elastic clamping of the support element in the opening, each of the rigid arms being provided with a single flat contact area and configured to cooperate with a corresponding convex contact portion of the support element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silicon timepiece component (1) with a functional external profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabrication of a one-piece, metal-based component of simple shape offering the illusion of faceting and/or chamfering for forming all or part of the exterior part of a timepiece.