Abstract: The timepiece includes a chronograph mechanism with a coupling device including an operating member and a switching member which can be switched alternately between two stable positions coupled state and uncoupled state. This timepiece includes a magnetic system formed of a first bipolar magnet fixed to the switching member, a second bipolar magnet fixed to the support of the switching device in order to continually offer a magnetic interaction with the first bipolar magnet, and at least one highly magnetically permeable element forming the operating member and able to undergo a reciprocating motion between two operating positions. The switching device is arranged so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its first operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic repulsion and so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its second operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A governor includes a balance spring including a base member made of silicon, for example, and a balance wheel. The balance spring includes a coating film of DLC that is applied to a surface of the silicon base member to improve the strength of the balance spring. A spring constant of the balance spring changes in accordance with the temperature change. A moment of inertia of the balance wheel changes in accordance with the temperature change. A change in an oscillation period due to the temperature change is suppressed by the change in the spring constant of the balance spring and by the change in the moment of inertia of the balance wheel.

Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism with a pivoting weight pivoting about a virtual axis, and including a flexure pivot mechanism and a first and second fixed support to which is attached, by a first resilient assembly and respectively a second resilient assembly which together define the virtual axis, a rotary support carrying the pivoting weight, this flexure pivot mechanism is planar, the first resilient assembly includes, on either side of the virtual axis, a first outer flexible strip and a first inner flexible strip, joined to each other by a first intermediate strip stiffer than each of the latter, together defining a first direction passing through the virtual pivot axis, and the second resilient assembly includes a second flexible strip defining a second direction passing through the virtual pivot axis.

Abstract: A watch or movement including a timepiece resonator movement including two RCC flexural pivots mounted in series about an intermediate rotary support and having the same virtual pivot axis, each including two straight flexible strips of the same length, whose clamping points opposite to this pivot axis are at the same distance with respect to this axis, and which define linear directions, forming angles, in pairs, with this virtual pivot axis, whose value expressed in degrees is comprised between: 109.5+5/[(D/L)?(2/3)] and 114.5+5/[(D/L)?(2/3)], or more particularly between 107+5/((D/L)?(2/3)) and 112+5/((D/L)?(2/3)).

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application is a horologe, a timekeeping system thereof including: a winding mechanism powering the second hand, minute hand and hour hand; a mechanical transmission wheel train engaged with the winding mechanism and driving the second hand, minute hand and hour hand to operate, wherein the mechanical transmission wheel train comprises a tourbillion mechanism driving a second wheel connected with the second hand to rotate; an accuracy control device, wherein the timekeeping motor of the accuracy control device drives the rotation of the rotor and the timekeeping accuracy of the timekeeping motor is controlled by a quartz crystal oscillator; and an electronic transmission wheel train connected to the rotor. The horologe disclosed in the present application can solve the problem that the timekeeping accuracy of the mechanical horologe is poor.

Abstract: The balance wheel, particularly for a timepiece movement, provided with an adjustment device of its inertia to adjust its frequency of oscillation, comprises a rim (1) of circular shape, free from projecting portions, connected by radial arms (2) to a hub (3). At the intersection of each arm (2) with the rim (1) the latter comprises a recess (4) opening on one of its surfaces, the bottom of this recess (4) comprising a passage (6) opening on the other surface of the rim (1). Balance weights (7) having a general U shape are introduced into these recesses (4) by resilient deformation, these balance weights (7) being held in the desired angular position within corresponding recesses (4) by friction due to the resilience of these balance weights (7) themselves.

Abstract: This self-compensating spiral for a mechanical spiral balance-wheel oscillator in watchwork or other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic alloy, contains at least one of the elements Nb, V, Ta, Ti, zr, Hf and is covered with a substantially uniform oxide layer having a thickness greater than or equal to 20 nm, formed by subjecting the said spiral to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: A timepiece including a mechanical movement is disclosed and a movable system for driving the movement. The movable system includes a balance wheel formed by a pair of plates and a magnetic member mounted on each plate. The magnetic members include a magnetic north and south pole arranged to provide a magnetic field. A coil is disposed in position so that its winding may be swept with the magnetic field which induces a voltage to which a circuit is responsive to develop a feedback signal to be applied across the winding to add energy to the movable system in replacement of energy losses of friction, and so forth. A feedback signal is developed if the movable system is sweeping the coil briskly. If movement of the movable system is not brisk, or the movable system has stopped, then a start pulse is developed for self-starting. The start pulse is normally prevented by the feedback signal which also serves as a reset signal to reset a start signal counter before completion of a counting operation.