Abstract: The present application relates to a mechanism for selecting and actuating n functions of a clock movement, where n is an integer no lower than 1, preferably no lower than 2, more preferably no lower than 3, including a winding mechanism rod ending in a crown, a device for actuating a function, said device being kinematically connected to the crown and arranged such as to move and assume n selection positions and n actuation positions in which the actuation device is kinematically connected to an actuation member of the selected function, and a selecting device arranged such as to move the actuation device into a selection position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a frame, at least one driving gear (2), and at least one tourbillon mechanism including: a first cage (4) which can rotate about a first axis (A) and on which a balance (6) and an escapement gear are pivotably mounted, said escapement gear being formed by an escape wheel and an escape pinion; a second cage (8) rotatably movable about a second axis (B) and supporting the first cage (4); and a third cage (10) rotatably movable about a third axis (C), said third cage (10) supporting the first and second cages (4, 8) and kinematically driving same. Two of the first, second and third axes (A, B, C) are perpendicular to one another, with the remaining first, second or third axis (A, B, C) forming an angle other than 0° and 90° with one of the other two axes (A, B, C).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a frame, at least one driving gear (2), and at least one tourbillon mechanism including: a first cage (4) which can rotate about a first axis (A) and on which a balance (6) and an escapement gear are pivotably mounted, said escapement gear being formed by an escape wheel and an escape pinion; a second cage (8) rotatably movable about a second axis (B) and supporting the first cage (4); and a third cage (10) rotatably movable about a third axis (C), said third cage (10) supporting the first and second cages (4, 8) and kinematically driving same. Two of the first, second and third axes (A, B, C) are perpendicular to one another, with the remaining first, second or third axis (A, B, C) forming an angle other than 0° and 90° with one of the other two axes (A, B, C).

Abstract: A timepiece includes a chime mechanism (1) having an hours component (2), a quarters component (4) and a minutes component (6), the hours (2), quarters (4) and minutes (6) components being pivot-mounted about one and the same spindle (3), the quarters component (4) and the minutes component (6) being kinematically linked by a first driving member collaborating with a first driving toothset (34). Out of the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4), one includes a second driving toothset (21) and the other includes a second driving member designed to be capable of collaborating with the second driving toothset (21) and of kinematically linking the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4), thereby eliminating the dead time between the chimes for the hours and those for the quarters, or between those for the hours and those for the minutes when there isn't a quarter to chime.

Abstract: Timepiece including a back and display element, the timepiece being inscribed between first and second mutually parallel reference planes, the first plane being tangential to the back, and the second plane lying on the same side as the display element. The timepiece contains a movement which includes a framework. The framework includes at least two components positioned one on each side of a reference axis perpendicular to the first and second planes, on each of which components there are mounted a balance and an escapement, which together respectively form a platform escapement, each balance being mounted to pivot about an axis of rotation in the corresponding component. The framework further includes at least one support element having at least one bearing surface on which at least one of the platform escapements is positioned so that the axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the reference planes and intersects them.

Abstract: Mechanism for driving an information indicator connected to a timepiece movement and varies according to a plurality of periods, during each of which the information changes, step by step, to a maximum value that varies between n and n?m. The mechanism includes a drive wheel including a first set of gear teeth arranged to advance by n steps per period, m retractable teeth borne by the wheel, encoding cams corresponding to the retractable teeth, each cam corresponding to one maximum value n?x of the information, x being between 1 and m, for a period, and a drive unit to provide adequate rotation speed to the cams relative to the wheel such that, when the information reaches a maximum value n?x for a period, x retractable teeth pass in an operative position and then return to an inoperative position, the wheel advancing by x additional steps for the period.

Abstract: A timepiece includes: a frame; a mobile body of a finishing gear train; and a tourbillon mechanism including a holder supporting a balance and at least one escapement. The tourbillon mechanism includes: an outer ring rotatably mounted onto the frame about a first axis; at least one inner ring inside the outer ring and rotatable relative to the outer ring about a second axis, the holder being pivotably mounted in the inner ring and secured to a shaft around which the inner ring is freely and rotatably mounted about a third axis; a first toothed member mounted onto the frame; a first pinion secured to the shaft of the holder to engage with the first toothed member to rotate the holder; and a unit driving the inner ring, engaging with the movable body of the finishing gear train and arranged to move the inner ring and, consequently, the outer ring.

Abstract: Mechanism for driving an information indicator connected to a timepiece movement and varies according to a plurality of periods, during each of which the information changes, step by step, to a maximum value that varies between n and n?m. The mechanism includes a drive wheel including a first set of gear teeth arranged to advance by n steps per period, m retractable teeth borne by the wheel, encoding cams corresponding to the retractable teeth, each cam corresponding to one maximum value n?x of the information, x being between 1 and m, for a period, and a drive unit to provide adequate rotation speed to the cams relative to the wheel such that, when the information reaches a maximum value n?x for a period, x retractable teeth pass in an operative position and then return to an inoperative position, the wheel advancing by x additional steps for the period.

Abstract: A timepiece includes: a frame; a mobile body of a finishing gear train; and a tourbillon mechanism including a holder supporting a balance and at least one escapement. The tourbillon mechanism includes: an outer ring rotatably mounted onto the frame about a first axis; at least one inner ring inside the outer ring and rotatable relative to the outer ring about a second axis, the holder being pivotably mounted in the inner ring and secured to a shaft around which the inner ring is freely and rotatably mounted about a third axis; a first toothed member mounted onto the frame; a first pinion secured to the shaft of the holder to engage with the first toothed member to rotate the holder; and a unit driving the inner ring, engaging with the movable body of the finishing gear train and arranged to move the inner ring and, consequently, the outer ring.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a frame (1a, 1b) and a gear pivotably mounted on the frame (1a, 1b) via at least one pivoting member (5a, 5b) which includes a bearing and a pivot inserted in the bearing, at least the contact surfaces of the bearing and the pivot being made from at least one material with an intrinsically low friction coefficient and a low wear rate, the gear including at least one plate (2a, 2b) provided with a first hole (3a, 3b). The pivoting member includes a first plate (6a, 6b) provided with a second hole (8a, 8b) and forming the bearing, and a second plate (7a, 7b) provided with a small rod (9a, 9b) inserted in the first and second holes and forming the pivot, one of the first (6a, 6b) and second (7a, 7b) plates being rigidly connected to the gear and the other to the frame (1a, 1b).

Abstract: Timepiece including a back and display element, the timepiece being inscribed between first and second mutually parallel reference planes, the first plane being tangential to the back, and the second plane lying on the same side as the display element. The timepiece contains a movement which includes a framework. The framework includes at least two components positioned one on each side of a reference axis perpendicular to the first and second planes, on each of which components there are mounted a balance and an escapement, which together respectively form a platform escapement, each balance being mounted to pivot about an axis of rotation in the corresponding component. The framework further includes at least one support element having at least one bearing surface on which at least one of the platform escapements is positioned so that the axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the reference planes and intersects them.

Abstract: A timepiece having a mechanical clock movement and separate first and second cases (2, 3), the movement including first and second portions housed in the first and second cases (2, 3), respectively, the cases (2, 3) being mutually connected in a rotatably hinged manner via a hinge (4) defining a pivot axis so as to be capable of forming a variable angle between the cases, the part further including a controller arranged to transmit information from one portion of the movement to the other. The controller includes at least one rod (15) slidably mounted in the hinge along an axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis and engaging with the first and second portions of the clock movement for transmitting information from one portion of the movement to the other, by a linear, alternating movement, regardless of the relative position of the two cases (2, 3).

Abstract: A timepiece includes a chime mechanism (1) having an hours component (2), a quarters component (4) and a minutes component (6), the hours (2), quarters (4) and minutes (6) components being pivot-mounted about one and the same spindle (3), the quarters component (4) and the minutes component (6) being kinematically linked by a first driving member collaborating with a first driving toothset (34). Out of the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4), one includes a second driving toothset (21) and the other includes a second driving member designed to be capable of collaborating with the second driving toothset (21) and of kinematically linking the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4), thereby eliminating the dead time between the chimes for the hours and those for the quarters, or between those for the hours and those for the minutes when there isn't a quarter to chime.

Abstract: Mechanical oscillator for a timepiece including a balance (10) and a hairspring (12). The balance (10) and the hairspring (12) are produced from the same material. This material is non-magnetic and has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A movement for a timepiece, that includes: a housing (10, 12); an energy source; a gear driven by the energy source (14); a frame (26) for a tourbillon (18) rotatingly mounted on the housing (10, 12) about a first axis (AA) and driven by the gear (14); a balance (32) mounted so as to oscillate in bearings on the frame (26); and an escapement (16, 34) including a fixed wheel (16) and a control member (34) interacting with the balance (32), the fixed wheel (16) sustaining the balance (32). In this movement, the bearings are arranged so that the balance (32) oscillates about a second axis (BB) inclined relative to the first axis (AA).

Abstract: A watch bracelet includes two straps (12, 14; 46, 48), designed to be fixed to a watch case (24, 44) at one of the ends thereof, characterized in being provided with a lentiform loop (18, 40, 58) fixed thereto.