Abstract: In some examples, a multi-device removal and installation tool may include a device removal tool including catch members engageable with an engagement face of a device to attach, upon engagement of the catch members with the engagement face, the device removal tool to the device. The catch members may engage the engagement face with a removal force that is sufficient to remove, upon engagement of the catch members with the engagement face, the device from an instrument. The multi-device removal and installation tool may further include a torque limit tool including a retainer having at least one protrusion, and a drive member having an inside surface and an outside surface. The torque limit tool may further include at least one detent positioned on the inside surface.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a message between a first electronic device of a first user and a second electronic device of a second user via a timepiece includes: creating the message to be transmitted by the first electronic device; storing the created message on a remote server and/or in the first electronic device as digital message data; generating a digital graphic representation for the transmission of the message by the remote server and/or by the first electronic device; building a figurative representation pertaining to the digital graphic representation for the transmission of the message on all or a portion of the timepiece by a visual element building device controlled by the server; and transmitting the message by the second electronic device from a digital figurative representation emanating from the capture of the figurative representation included on all or a portion of the timepiece, by this second electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing powder hole removal are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus for inserting powder removal features may identify what powder removal features are optimal for a given AM component, as well as the optimal location and physical characteristics of these features. The features are automatedly added to the component, and an FEA test is run. In the event of failure, the offending feature is removed and the process is repeated. If successful then the loose powder may be removed in a post-processing step following AM.

Abstract: A replaceable decoration unit for an accessory has an accommodating element, an outer cover and an outer decorating element. The decoration unit can be used in accessories such as earrings, watches, pendants, necklaces, waistlets, bracelets or key chains. When the outer cover is covered on the accommodating element, the outer decorating element is clamped and positioned between the outer cover and the accommodating element. The user can change the outer decorating element depending on usage demand. To change the outer decorating element, the user can open the outer cover and then remove the outer decorating element for replacement, thereby varying the look and style of the accessory. Besides, the outer decorating element can be made of solid materials such as metal or plastic, or soft materials such as fabric or leather, or the combination of the solid materials and the soft materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an external part of a timepiece, including: providing a metallic base made of a first material including titanium and/or a first titanium alloy; providing at least one metallic cover plate made of a second material, the second material including a second metal chosen from among gold or platinum, and/or a second alloy including at least gold or platinum, the at least one cover plate being of a thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 millimeters; brazing the cover plate onto the base with a braze material chosen for brazing titanium with gold or respectively platinum to form a bimetallic blank; and shaping the bimetallic blank to give the external part its final form.

Abstract: A method of placing under a protective atmosphere a watch case fitted with its movement, includes: installing the watch case in the housing of a support including a unit for holding the watch and a unit for guiding an actuator acting on a part of the case; introducing the support into a flexible pouch; installing the support in the open pouch in a device for imposing a protective atmosphere; reducing the pressure within such device; closing the pouch containing the support; extracting the support from the sealed pouch of the device for imposing a protective atmosphere; closing the watch case by acting on the actuator via the outside of the pouch in order that it displaces a part of the watch according to the guide unit in order to close the watch; opening the pouch and separation of the actuator from the part of the case on which it acts.

Abstract: A method for producing a watch case middle having reduced weight is disclosed. A 3-D data set is generated for the case middle, the model comprising at least one internal cavity within the case middle. The 3-D data set is converted into a plurality of layers, each layer representing a cross-sectional layer of the middle, and then the case middle is formed layer-by-layer from powdered material using an additive manufacturing process such as DMLS in order to provide the case middle with a unitary construction. Loose powder is removed from each cavity via one or more powder evacuation holes formed between the cavity and an external surface of the case middle, and a through hole formed through the middle is machined to a desired finish and/or precision, the through hole being designed to receive a control member stem when a watch movement is mounted inside the middle.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a first and at least one second removable accessory, a locking system that is activated to rigidly connect the accessories to the timepiece and deactivated to detach the accessories from the timepiece, the locking system including a locking member that is movable between an operative position and an inoperative position for locking and unlocking the first accessory, respectively, a safety element which is automatically activated upon the unlocking of the first accessory, and which prevents the complete removal of the first accessory from the timepiece, and a blocking member for preventing the separation of at least one second accessory from the timepiece, the blocking member consisting of a functional portion of the first accessory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watch with a rigid casing-up, comprising: a middle (1); a bottom (2); a movement (3, 3bis, 3ter, 3quater, 41); and a casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) in contact with the middle (1). The casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) has an inner peripheral face (8, 17) and the movement (3, 3bis, 3ter, 3quater, 41) is secured to an outer peripheral face (7, 13, 18, 18bis), said inner (8, 17) and outer (7, 13, 1, 18bis) peripheral faces being in contact with each other in the Z and Z? regions thereof. Said watch is characterized in that it also comprises a tightening element (5, 5bis) provided for exerting pressure on the casing-up ring (4, 4bis, 4ter, 42) or the movement (3quater). The invention also relates to a method for casing-up such a watch.

Abstract: Method for forming an assembly of elementary timepiece components, each available in different coloured variants, wherein at least some of said different elementary components are the same colour as each other, characterized in that a random selection of each said elementary component is made until said complete assembly is obtained, so that at least two elementary components are of different colours.

Abstract: A method for producing a watch case middle having reduced weight is disclosed. A 3-D data set is generated for the case middle, the model comprising at least one internal cavity within the case middle. The 3-D data set is converted into a plurality of layers, each layer representing a cross-sectional layer of the middle, and then the case middle is formed layer-by-layer from powdered material using an additive manufacturing process such as DMLS in order to provide the case middle with a unitary construction. Loose powder is removed from each cavity via one or more powder evacuation holes formed between the cavity and an external surface of the case middle, and a through hole formed through the middle is machined to a desired finish and/or precision, the through hole being designed to receive a control member stem when a watch movement is mounted inside the middle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interchangeable movement includes assembling parts into a movement subassembly, such that the subassembly is a complete working mechanism; enclosing the subassembly in a body; integrating a glass with the body, wherein the body comprises a single shell with only an opening that receives the glass, sealing the glass and the single shell to enclose the body, thereby creating a water resistant modular movement; and wherein the modular movement is insertable into a case of a portable device having a receptacle for removably receiving the modular movement without tools and in a manner where the glass of the modular movement is visible through the case when the modular movement is inserted.

Abstract: A watch band construction in which the watch band itself forms at least a part of a watch casing. The watch band includes an integral casing portion that forms at least a part of a casing assembly for the watch. The casing portion of the watch band can then be securely affixed to a mating casing portion using any desired fastening technique.

Abstract: One-piece and two-piece watchbands may be quickly and easily installed on a watch of the wearer's choice and may just as easily be removed and replaced with another watchband to provide color and style coordination with other items of the wearer's chosen wardrobe.

Abstract: One wristwatch case, wherein a pipe is fixedly connected thereto and a connection interface between the wristwatch case and the pipe is not present substantially; the method of fixing the wristwatch, comprising the steps of providing a through-hole in the wristwatch case, press fitting the pipe of 0 mm or larger in press fitting tolerance (pipe outer diameter—through-hole diameter) between the through-hole and the pipe, and heating the wristwatch case after the press fitting step; the other wristwatch case, wherein a pipe is fixedly connected thereto through a diffusion layer; the method of fixing the pipe of the wristwatch case, comprising the steps of forming a through-hole in the wristwatch case, press fitting the pipe of 0 mm or larger in press fitting tolerance (outer diameter of pipe having a metal film formed on the surface thereof—diameter of through-hole) between the through-hole and the pipe having a metal film formed on the surface thereof, and heating the wristwatch case in vacuum or reducing gas

Abstract: Several watches (1.1-1.4) are placed in an arrangement and interconnected by connecting means (2.1-2.3). The watches (1.1-1.4) have cover glasses (11.1-11.4), dials (12.1-12.4), cases (13.1-13.4), winders (14.1-14.4) and time indicating means (15.1-15.4). The connecting means (2.1-2.3) are e.g. located on a carrier element (20) containing the dials (12.1-12.4) of all the watches (1.1-1.4). The carrier element (20) has preset breaking lines (3.1-3.3) in the form of perforations and cross-sectional reductions between the watches (1.1-1.4), so that said watches (1.1-1.4) can be separated from one another. The arrangement or watches (1.1-1.4) separated therefrom can be used as fashion accessories jewellery, pendants, etc. There are no practical limits to the design of the arrangement and its watches (1.1-1.4). The arrangement can be manufactured in a simple, advantageous manner, so that it is in particular possible to take account of rapidly changing fashions.