Abstract: An external part element or component for a timepiece or piece of jewellery made with a fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composite material, this external part element including on at least one of the faces thereof at least one cavity wherein an insert made of metallic glass is housed. A method for manufacturing such an external part element is also described.

Abstract: A device (1) for displaying a succession of indications of a time variable for a timepiece, this display device (1) including an indicator which carries the succession of indications of the time variable to be displayed, and is arranged to be driven by a horological movement to move from an initial position to a final position through a succession of intermediate positions in which the display of the time variable passes from one indication to the next indication at a required frequency. Also included is a mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in a reference position and an actuating device, the mechanism including a cam on which acts, when actuated, the actuating device such that the mechanism brings the indicator back to its predetermined reference position.

Abstract: A method for frequency tuning a set of plates of a watch. The plates are disposed one above the other forming a watch dial with a space defined between the plates. A mechanical shock to the set of plates is generated, and the vibration frequency of each plate is checked. The vibration frequency of at least one of the plates is matched if different from the other plate so as to obtain an identical vibration frequency for each plate in order to tune the plates at least according to the first vibration eigenmode so as to avoid any contact between the plates as a result of any mechanical shock.

Abstract: A micromechanical mechanism (1), in particular for an horological movement (3), the mechanism including a micromechanical device including a mobile element (8) needing to be moved mechanically to trigger its operation. Included is a system for actuating the device, the actuation system including a mobile striker (16, 17, 18) configured to go from a release position (19) to a percussion position (21) in which it transmits to the mobile element (8) a momentum necessary for the release of the device, the actuation system further including a magnet (15) configured to attract the mobile striker (16, 17, 18) in a percussion position (21). Also a horological movement (3) including such a mechanism (1).

Abstract: An impact striking mechanism (1), in particular for a horological movement (3), the mechanism (1) including at least one resonant element (5) enabling a sound to be emitted when it is struck, and a hammer (8) capable of moving between a rest position (9) and a strike position (11) in which it strikes the resonant element (5) in order to cause it to vibrate, characterised in that it comprises a system for actuating the hammer (8) including a movable impactor (16, 17, 18) configured to move from a release position (19) to an impact position (21), in which it at least partially transmits the momentum thereof to the hammer (8) to move it from the rest position (9) thereof to the strike position (11) thereof in order to cause the resonant element (5) to vibrate.

Abstract: A method for tuning a gong of a striking watch. The gong is fastened at one end to a gong holder, which can be mounted in a watch case. The gong is struck by a hammer to be vibrated on a support of the measuring instrument to determine by a fast Fourier transform frequency peaks in a band of audible frequencies. A comparison in a first natural mode of a vibration frequency in the plane XY with a vibration frequency outside the plane Z is performed and a ratio calculation r=|f1p?f1h|/f1p, where f1p is the vibration frequency in the plane XY, and f1h is the vibration frequency outside the plane Z. If the ratio r is less than or equal to a desired value of 0.006, the gong is tuned. If it is greater, the method is repeated until the ratio value is achieved.

Abstract: A vertical clutch device for a timepiece includes along a vertical axis a first wheel rotatably mounted about the vertical axis, a clutch disc, a spring, and a second wheel rotatably mounted about the vertical axis. The vertical clutch device is able to assume a clutched position where the second wheel is rotated by the first wheel under the action of the spring exerting a vertical force Fe to press the clutch disc against the first wheel and a disengaged position where the clutch disc is subjected against the action of the spring to a vertical force Fd separating it from the first wheel so that the second wheel is not rotated by the first wheel. The spring of the vertical clutch device is made of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: An adjustment member for a watch including a fixed structure extending substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction, the adjustment member including a regulating member with a balance arranged to pivot about a balance axis, this balance is pivoted by magnetic pivots in a carriage, arranged to pivot about a carriage axis, and comprised in a device for annulling variations in rate in the vertical positions, formed by a tourbillon or a carrousel, comprised in the adjustment member, and the carriage carrying magnets defining the balance axis which is perpendicular or oblique to the carriage axis.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a tourbillon including a carriage that bears a sprung balance and a magnetic escapement device, the latter including an escape wheel set, formed of an annular magnetic structure, and a magnetic element coupled with the magnetic structure and having an oscillating movement that is synchronous with the oscillation of the mechanical resonator. The mechanical escapement is arranged so as to have alternately energy accumulation phases, from a conversion of mechanical energy supplied by the barrel into magnetic potential energy in the magnetic escapement, and transfer phases of energy accumulated in the magnetic escapement to the magnetic resonator. During the energy transfer phases, the magnetic element is subjected to a magnetic force such that the magnetic escapement then converts into mechanical energy magnetic potential energy accumulated in the preceding energy accumulation phase to be able to maintain the oscillation of the mechanical resonator.

Abstract: A musical comb for a striking mechanism of a timepiece includes several tines connected to a heel for securing the comb inside the timepiece. The musical comb further includes grooves in the heel each extending into the extension of each space between the adjacent tines in order to eliminate any dissonance during actuation of the tines.

Abstract: A grey gold alloy which is nickel-free, cobalt-free, iron-free, silver-free, zirconium-free, niobium-free, chromium-free, indium-free, gallium-free and manganese-free and includes, expressed in weight percent, from 75.0 to 76.5% of Au, from 15 to 23% of Pd, from 1 to 7% of Cu, and from 0 to 5% of at least one of the alloying elements Ir, Ru, B and Re, the respective percentages of all the elements of the alloy adding up to 100%.

Abstract: Sub-assembly for watches, including an arbor including a magnetized or electrically charged surface pivoting inside a housing, and a pole piece subjecting this surface to a magnetic or electrostatic field about an axis, one pole piece cooperating axially with this surface to absorb a shock and then return the arbor to an operating position, and creating, in proximity to this surface, a magnetic or electrostatic field, which radially attracts the arbor towards a wall of the housing.

Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement includes an escapement having a pallet-lever arranged to move alternately into abutment with two banking elements in locking periods. The pallet-lever carries at least a first permanent magnet and the timepiece movement further includes a first element and a second element of high magnetic permeability and a second magnet and a third magnet respectively integral with first and second elements of high magnetic permeability and each arranged on an opposite side to a first magnet relative to the respective elements of high magnetic permeability. This magnetic system generates, in a first part of a first half vibration of any vibration of the pallet-lever, an overall force of magnetic attraction, defining a magnetic draw additional to the mechanical draw generated by the escape wheel, and, in a second part of this first half vibration, an overall force of magnetic repulsion.

Abstract: A timepiece balance spring made of micromachinable material including a plurality of stages, each forming a spiral wound spring, parallel to each other and all attached to a common axial collet or to the same balance staff, each stage including, at its respective outer end, its own attachment to a balance spring stud which are independent of those of the other stages, the attachment including a position adjustment with respect to a balance spring stud which are also independent of those of the other stages, the attachment and the position adjustment together forming built-in isochronism correction mechanism for the balance spring, and the position adjustment including a plurality of discrete position adjustment positions including housings each arranged to retain a stud.

Abstract: A striking mechanism is for a watch or music box that includes a vibration plate with optimised actuation energy. The striking mechanism includes a plurality of cantilevered strips. These strips are each made of a material of Young's modulus E and of density p satisfying the inequality: E ? 3 < 0.25 ? ? m ? / ? s . All of the strips (2) each satisfy the relation: ? f , b , 20 ? ? ? ? W ? ( L ) = ( 8 ? U b ) 1 2 ? ( 3.515 4 ? ? ? ? f ) 3 2 ? [ E ( 3 ? ? ) 3 ? ] 1 4 ? L - 3 2 , where b is the width, L the length, ? the travel, f the frequency and U the actuation energy of the strip, U being greater than or equal to 20 microwatts, and the strips (2) are arranged to vibrate between 800 Hz and 4000 Hz.

Abstract: Balance spring stud including, around a housing receiving a balance spring of reference thickness, a one-piece component made of a shape memory alloy and including two lugs, each arranged to rest on one of the surfaces of the balance spring, and wherein, in the free state, the minimum width of the air gap of the lugs is greater than the maximum value of the reference thickness when the component is in an open position corresponding to a martensitic structure, and wherein the maximum width of the air gap is less than the minimum value of the reference thickness when the component is in a closed position corresponding to an austenitic structure, and the balance spring includes an area of lesser thickness having a minimum thickness equal to the reference thickness, surrounded by areas of large thickness having a minimum thickness greater than the reference thickness.

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic radiating membrane arrangement for a striking or musical watch. The arrangement includes a first membrane arranged superposed on a second membrane. Peripheral edge portions of the two membranes are intended to hold the membranes inside a watch case. The first acoustic radiating membrane is configured to radiate efficiently the frequencies in a first frequency band. The second acoustic radiating membrane is configured to radiate efficiently the frequencies in a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band. A spacer ring is also disposed between the peripheral edge portions of the first membrane and of the second membrane to define an acoustic cavity.

Abstract: A method for improving sound output level of a musical or striking timepiece including at least one vibration generator and vibrating at specific natural frequencies of the generator. The timepiece includes external parts which are modified by integration or addition of at least one acoustic radiator including at least one element vibrating-radiating at a natural frequency of the radiator tuned to at least one of the natural frequencies of the generator. The external parts include at least one acoustic radiator including at least one element vibrating at a natural frequency of the radiator tuned to at least one of the natural frequencies of the generator.

Abstract: Watch bezel for a musical watch, directly carrying a gong or forming a gong, this watch bezel including a toroid receiving a watch crystal, and a thin lug perpendicular to the plane of the toroid including an internal thread for securing to a structure, a case of the musical watch includes a case middle and carries this watch bezel indirectly bearing on a main surface of the case middle with a first O-ring sealing gasket, the case middle and the watch bezel are held securely to each other in a position where, in the free state of the watch bezel and with no excess pressure, the watch bezel is at a distance from the main surface having a value corresponding to a predetermined and non-zero play.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration plate for a striking mechanism of musical watches or music boxes. According to the invention, the vibration plate includes at least two parts, joined to each other, manufactured in at least two materials, a first part forming a first set of strips made of a first material so as to produce sounds in a first frequency range, and at least a second part forming a second set of strips made of a second material so as to produce sounds in a second frequency range.