Abstract: A barrel spring (10) for a mechanism driven by a mainspring, in particular for a timepiece, includes a unitary ribbon of metallic glass. The object is to integrate at least one additional function to the spring function, implemented by a functional portion integrated in the spring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of electro-optic cells is disclosed, in particular for manufacturing liquid crystal display cells (2) or photovoltaic cells, each cell including a cavity (5) filled with a liquid and defined by sealed partitions (8, 9) between two plates (3, 4), in particular made of glass, provided with electrodes within the cavity. In a first step, a batch of cells (2) is manufactured, whose cavities are filled with the desired liquid and sealed. In a second step, the external contour (20) of each cell is cut, and if necessary a hole (10) passing through the cell, by means of a very high pressure water jet (30), the water either being loaded or not with an abrasive agent. Thus, the external layers (25, 26) such as a polarizer and a reflector may be applied onto the batch prior to the cutting step.

Abstract: The device comprises a keyboard wherein each key is associated with an underlying sensor sensitive pad which controls the input of data associated with said key in response to an application of a finger on such key, such sensitive pads being closely set together within a closed contour (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 ; V'.sub.1, V'.sub.2) having, for a user, an upper part (V.sub.1) and a lower part (V.sub.2) respectively adjacent to first and second series of pads, such device being characterized in that the areas of the pads (10, 11, 12, 13; 7, 8, 9, .div.) of the first series are on the whole greater than the areas of the pads (3 to 9; 0, ., =, +) of the second series.

Abstract: Device producing an aesthetic effect by means of a field-effect or charge-effect optical shutter (5), allowing, by the switching of a power source (8), a colored decorative design (11) printed onto a non Lambertian optimized diffuse reflector (12), placed against the back face (5a) of the optical shutter, to be uncovered or masked; timepiece wherein the dial is formed wholly or partly by such a device.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a mobile display (2) consisting of a motif (5) composed of n discrete elements P.sub.j that can be selectively activated by a microprocessor or a logic circuit receiving at least one base time signal, and making it possible both to impose the rhythm of increase of the number of activated elements P.sub.j and to effect a random selection of said activated elements, to progressively reveal or mask the motif (5) during the passage of a period of time T and/or the approach of an event E in relation to the functions or the operation of said timepiece.

Abstract: This watch (1) includes a case (2), a glass (3) and at least one manual control device (22), which comprises a capacitive sensor (20) with a first electrode (5) arranged on the internal face (6) of the glass (3). The selective positioning of a finger (10) of a wearer of the watch (1) on the external face of the glass (3) enables a first capacity (C.sub.d) to be formed between the first electrode (5) and earth (11) constituted by the case (2). A parasitic capacity (C.sub.p) is present between the first electrode and the case.The manual control device (22) also includes a voltage-frequency converter (22) whose oscillation frequency is determined by the first capacity (C.sub.d), when the latter is formed by the presence of the finger, in combination with the parasitic capacity (C.sub.