Abstract: A radio controlled timepiece includes a radio receiver for demodulating a transmitted signal on which time and date information has been encoded. A pulse sequence is derived from the transmitted radio signal which is used to drive the stepping motor which advances the hands of a standard display timepiece. If unfavorable reception conditions exist, then the stepping motor will not be driven smoothly and the poor reception will be readily apparent from the irregular movement of the clock hand. A switch is provided to allow the stepping motor to be normally driven by a pulse sequence output of a standard time keeping circuit. A comparator compares the time displayed on the face of the timepiece with the time information encoded on the radio signal and, if the displayed time deviates from the actual time, the frequency of the pulse sequence from the time keeping circuit is adjusted to correct the displayed time.

Abstract: A timepiece receives an externally transmitted radio signal corresponding to an accurate time of day. Disposed within the timepiece is a detecting mechanism for detecting the time of day being displayed by the timepiece. The signals are compared to determine the accuracy of the timepiece. The detection mechanism comprises an optoelectrical system which includes an emitter for directing a beam of radiation toward the sensor. The wheels of the gearworks intersect the beam ahead of the sensor to normally block the beam from the sensor. The wheels include orifices which, when aligned with the beam, permit the beam to reach the sensor, thereby providing an indication of the position of the wheels, and thus of the time being displayed.

Abstract: A wristwatch comprises an outer case having a longitudinal retaining bore. A hollow, generally cylindrical plastic seal is disposed in the bore. The seal includes upper and lower portions, the lower portion being of reduced diameter. The upper portion includes a radial notch and an upper recess disposed above the notch. The lower portion includes a radially inwardly projecting flange and a lower recess disposed below the flange. A watch movement includes a collar which is seated on the flange so as to be radially and longitudinally positioned within the seal. A watch face is disposed above the movement and is mounted in the notch. The watch face engages the watch movement to longitudinally retain the watch movement. A crystal is mounted in the upper recess, and a bottom cover is mounted in the lower recess.

Abstract: A wristwatch includes an assembly comprising a hard plastic seal in the form of a hollow tube in which are mounted a crystal, a movement and face, and a bottom cover. That assembly is inserted as a unit into the bottom end of an opening of a clamping ring. A portion of the opening overlies a portion of the tube to limit the extent of upward movement of the tube in the opening. The opening of the clamping ring includes an inwardly facing groove into which a portion of the tube may project to axially secure the tube. A setting shaft projects through the clamping ring and tube and is surrounded by an O-ring mounted in a recess of the tube. The clamping ring comprises a case and a bezel mounted thereon. Different bezels can be employed to change the appearance of the wristwatch.

Abstract: An electromechanical short interval timer has an actuating dial which can be manually rotated from a rest position to establish a time-elapse period. An electric motor returns the dial to its rest position. A timing circuit delivers electric pulses to drive the motor. A frequency selector switch is connected to or within the timing circuit whereby the pulse frequency can be varied. In this way, the time elapse period which is set by a given amount of dial rotation can be varied in a simplified manner. The dial activates a signal emitter before reaching its rest position, and simultaneously activates a timer circuit to continue returning the dial to its rest position. The dial engages a movable stop at both ends of its 360 degree travel stroke which assumes that the dial travels exactly 360 degrees.

Abstract: In an electronic wristwatch a hands mechanism is adjusted manually by a pull-out stem. When the stem is pulled out, it displaces a correction wheel to operatively connect the stem with the hands mechanism. The correction wheel is moved tiltingly so that only a force-transmission side thereof (adjacent the hands mechanism) is raised and lowered. The opposite side of the correction wheel serves as a fulcrum for such tilting motion. The force-transmission side thus moves within a chamber conventionally provided in the hands mechanism and thus minimizes the height of the watch.

Abstract: A watch with a calendar display and a hand setting device actuated by a setting shaft for correction measures as a function of the instantaneous position of the setting shaft is disclosed. For this purpose, a coupling element is rotatably coupled with the setting shaft. The coupling element is displaceable from an intermediate position into one of two preparatory positions dependent upon the direction of rotation of the setting shaft in a first axial position. By moving the setting shaft into a second axial position, the coupling element is transferred by a reversing lever and a slotted link from the preselected preparatory position into a corresponding one of two stable working positions. In the working positions, a rotatable connection is established between the setting shaft and one of the calendar display disks.

Abstract: An electronic wristwatch has electrical contact terminals accessible on the bottom side of the watch housing. The contact terminals are set in the bottom side of the housing in an electrically insulated matter and are supported elastically inside against a clock module contact surface. The contact terminals are accessible from the outside by means of a connector cap having counter contacts for engaging the terminals and connectors for engaging an auxiliary instrument which may be of the type which supplies data or power to the watch or which receives data from the watch. Instead of employing an auxiliary instrument separate from the connector cap, the connector cap itself may contain detection or measuring sensors so as to itself constitute the auxiliary instrument.

Abstract: A watch comprises an electronically controlled digital display of the month, day of the month, day of the week, or other information, in addition to a time-indicating analog display system. A single control circuit, using integrated circuit technology, controls the operation of the two display systems. A synchronizing arrangement for the synchronous control of the two display systems and a battery-condition control circuit to monitor the state of the watch battery are also included. The combination of these features provides the user with a watch which can be set and corrected in a simple manner, which insures a synchronous link between all of the data being displayed, and which provides a timely warning when a battery change is necessary.

Abstract: A watch includes a quartz-controlled electronic drive circuit for the control of the clockwork mechanism of a pointer-driving system for analog display of the time of day, and a digital read-out unit and control circuit for the display of additional data such as month, day of the month, day of the week, and the like. A synchronizing unit is located between the analog and digital systems to provide a synchronous link between the time of the day and the digitally displayed data. This synchronizing unit is coupled with the pointer-driving clockwork mechanism and generates a synchronizing pulse which is derived from the clockwork, preferably at a rate of one pulse per 24 hours. The synchronizing pulse is fed into the display control circuit to synchronously advance the digital read-out of the month, day of the month and day of the week, for example.

Abstract: A watch contains a date indicator ring and a day of week indicator ring. A switching wheel is displaceable selectively into meshing engagement with the indicator rings to effect adjustment thereof. The switching wheel is actuated by a shaft which is axially displaceable between selection and working positions. In its selection position, the shaft can be rotated in either direction to selectively place the switching wheel in one of two preliminary locations corresponding to a date ring adjustment location and a day of week ring adjustment position. By then axially displacing the shaft to its working position, the switching wheel is displaced to a final location to effect the previously selected mode of adjustment. Such adjustment is effected by rotating the shaft in either direction to rotate the respective indicator ring in either direction.

Abstract: An electronic watch, particularly a quartz-controlled wristwatch including an electronic circuit for the control of an indicator device. The watch includes an indicator setting arrangement having a setting shaft arrestable in different positions, and a support plate therefor. A stop or arresting spring for the setting shaft concurrently constitutes a switch element for controlling a conductor path in the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A battery operated watch includes an actuator mechanism adapted to actuating indicator hands of the watch. The actuating mechanism includes a gear train adapted to drive indicator hands, a motor for driving the gear train, and an electronic block unit. The electronic block unit includes an oscillator and electronic circuit for operating the motor. A mechanism plate and bridge are provided. A carrier plate of insulative material is disposed between the mechanism plate and bridge. The carrier plate has pockets, including indentations, bores and openings, for receiving and retaining in position at least some components of the actuating mechanism. Means is provided for securing the mechanism plate, bridge, and carrier plate together, including a plurality of pillars extending between the mechanism plate and the bridge.

Abstract: A clock module for use with a separate power source comprises an electrical operating assembly contained within a rod-shaped housing. The operating assembly includes a digital recorder and an adjusting member therefor, a time keeping oscillator, integrated electrical circuitry and an electrical contact. The housing, preferably in the form of a circular cylinder, includes a longitudinal side portion and opposite end portions. The digital recorder is situated along the side portion of the housing. The electrical contact is situated at one end portion of the housing. The adjusting member is situated at the longitudinal side portion of the housing or at the other end portion of the housing.

Abstract: A watch of the watertight type has a housing including a downwardly apertured housing portion for transmitting sound. A diaphragm is attached to the housing in a manner effecting a watertight seal. The diaphragm is capable of flexure toward and away from the apertured housing portion. A piezo electric buzzer element is secured internally of the diaphragm and is responsive to electrical excitation for producing a buzzing sound. An electrical circuit is connected to the piezo element for electrically exciting the piezo element. A safety mechanism is provided for preventing an excessive amount of flexure of the diaphragm in response to pressure acting thereon. A first safety element is secured to the diaphragm. A second safety element is secured to the housing. The first safety element is movable, with the diaphragm, relative to the second safety element in an inward direction away from the apertured housing portion.

Abstract: A date adjusting mechanism for a timepiece includes a date ring and an operating shaft mounted for axial and rotational displacement. The shaft is axially shiftable into and from a date control position. A date control gear is mounted on the shaft. A correcting gear is continuously connected to the date control gear. The correcting gear is shiftable toward and away from driving engagement with the date ring. A stop lever is rotatably mounted to the frame of the time piece. Linkage is provided for connecting the stop lever to the operating shaft to rotate the stop member into a position blocking movement of the correcting gear into driving engagement with the date ring when the operating shaft is axially displaced from its date control position.

Abstract: A watch includes a housing including an apertured sound transmitting housing portion. A diaphragm is carried by the housing. A piezo electric element is carried by one surface of the diaphragm and is oscillatable in response to electrical excitation. Excitation circuitry is connected between the piezo electrical element and a power source of a watch in producing an excitation signal to oscillate the piezo electric element. The diaphragm comprises an electrically insulative material. The excitation circuit is carried by the one surface of the diaphragm, thereby eliminating the need for additional components to carry the excitation circuit.