Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism (100), including a structure (1) carrying, by a flexible suspension (300), an anchoring block (30) from which is suspended an inertial element (2) oscillating about a pivot axis (D) extending in a first direction Z, according to a first rotational degree of freedom RZ, under the action of return forces of a flexible pivot (200) including elastic longitudinal strips (3) each fixed to said inertial element (2) and to said anchoring block (30), the resonator mechanism including a viscous substance (10) arranged at least partly around the flexible suspension (300), the viscous substance (10) being configured to at least partly dissipate the energy due to a shock.

Abstract: A Watch (500) including a movement (200) with a tourbillon (100) including a carriage (1) pivotally mounted about a tourbillon axis (DT) with respect to a structure (300) and carrying a balance (2) pivoting about a balance axis (DB) and arranged to cooperate in a reciprocating motion with a stop device (3) pivotally mounted on this carriage (1), and wherein this tourbillon (100) includes a fixed magnet wheel (50) fixed to this structure (300) and comprising at least one continuous magnetic track and/or comprising a series of magnets, this magnetic track being arranged to cooperate by magnetic repulsion and/or attraction with at least one magnet (33) comprised in this stop device (3) in a reciprocating motion of this stop device (3) with respect to this fixed magnetic wheel (50).

Abstract: A bimetallic device, the difference in expansion coefficient of which is between 10 and 30 10?6 K?1, for providing a resonator with thermal compensation via the balance wheel.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece oscillator includes, between a support and an inertial element, a flexure bearing with flexible strips crossed in projection, including, superposed, an upper level that includes, between an upper support and an upper inertial element, an upper primary strip in a first direction and an upper secondary strip in a second direction, and a lower level that includes, between a lower support and a lower inertial element, a lower primary strip in the first direction and a lower secondary strip in the second direction. The upper level and lower level include, between the support and the upper or respectively lower support, a translational table with an elastic connection along one or two axes of freedom in the oscillation plane, of lower stiffness than that of each flexible strip.

Abstract: A mechanical horological movement includes at least one energy storage to drive a gear train of which an output mobile component pivots about a drive axis and including a rotary resonator which has at least one central mobile component to pivot about a central axis and including an input mobile component to collaborate with the output mobile component, this rotary resonator includes a plurality of inertial elements that each pivot with respect to the central mobile component about a secondary axis perpendicular to the central axis and each returned towards a rest position, relative with respect to the central mobile component, by at least one elastic return element, and each secondary axis passes through the centre of mass of the inertial element associated with it.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece oscillator including, between a first element and a second inertial element, more than two distinct flexible strips returning the inertial element to a rest position in an oscillation plane, wherein the projections of these strips cross each other, at a point, through which passes the axis of pivoting of the second solid inertial element, and the height to thickness aspect ratio is less than 10 for each strip.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece oscillator includes, between a first element and a second inertial element, two distinct flexible strips returning the inertial element to a rest position in an oscillation plane, the projections of these strips crossing each other, in the rest position, at a point, through which passes the pivoting axis of the second solid inertial element, the embedding points of the strips in the first element and the second inertial element defining two directions in which each strip has a free length between its embedding points, and an axial distance between the pivoting axis and the farthest of its embedding points, and, for each strip, the embedding point ratio is comprised between 0 and 1, and the vertex angle at the crossing point of the directions of the strips is less than 70°.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible strip, including forming a plate of the required thickness with one or more micromachinable substrate wafers; affixing, on either side of the plate, an upper mask with an upper window and a lower mask with a lower window, of identical geometry; etching the plate, at least to mid-thickness, from the upper side of each upper etching window, and from the side of each lower etching window; removing the upper mask and the lower mask, to delimit a flexible strip having a height equal to the thickness of the plate, and whose edges are as-etched. A flexible strip made of micromachinable material, including, between two parallel upper and lower surfaces, two peripheral, tapered and reverse-tapered edge surfaces, for a flexible pivot, a resonator, a movement or a watch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a mechanical clock movement with a tuning fork resonator. The oscillator preferably comprises a material A with a low internal friction. In the oscillator of the invention, the unwanted symmetrical oscillations are avoided, for example, by the choice of the materials from which the tuning fork is manufactured. According to preferred embodiments, the rod and/or fastening of the oscillator comprises a material having greater internal friction than that of said material A, such that the quality factor Q2 of the symmetrical oscillations is reduced, in contrast to the quality factor Q1 of the anti symmetrical oscillation mode.

Abstract: A device for elastic guidance in rotation for a timepiece mechanism allows rotation of one element relative to another element about an axis of rotation Z defining an axial direction. The device includes construction blades that each includes an assembly fixing part having a body and a functional part extending from the body as far as one end. The assembly fixing part and the functional part are separated by at least one slot in at least two extensions which are elastically connected and extend in a radial direction transverse to the axial direction. The device also includes anchorage zones which are disposed at opposite axial ends of the flexible guidance device, and configured to be fixed to the elements.

Abstract: Spring (30) for clock mechanism, the spring comprising a body (31) extending between a first end (32) of the spring and a second end (33) of the spring, the spring being intended to be mechanically connected to a housing at each of the first and second ends, the spring comprising, between the first and the second end, at least one member (37) intended to act by contact on an element of the clock mechanism.

Abstract: Timepiece resonator oscillating at a natural frequency, comprising one oscillating member and oscillation maintenance means, this oscillating member carrying a regulator oscillating at a regulation frequency comprised between 0.9 times and 1.1 times the value of an integer multiple greater than or equal to 2 of the natural frequency, this resonator is included in a timepiece movement for a timepiece, particularly a watch, and this regulator imposes a periodic modulation of the resonant frequency and/or quality factor and/or point of rest of this resonator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermocompensated resonator comprising a body used in deformation, the core of the body being formed by a first material. According to the invention, at least one part of the body comprises at least one coating made of shape-memory metal, the variations in the Young's modulus of which as a function of the temperature (CTE) are of opposite sign to those (CTE) of the first material used for the core so as to allow said resonator to have a frequency variation as a function of the temperature which is substantially zero at least to the first order (?, ?).

Abstract: A timepiece having at least one quartz oscillator and/or at least one transducer. A method for authenticating a timepiece includes measuring acoustic vibrations emitted by the timepiece to obtain an electrical signal, performing a transform of said electrical signal into at least one domain, extracting identification information from the transformed electrical signal, comparing the extracted information with at least one reference information, and determining an authenticity of said timepiece based on the comparing.

Abstract: In a rotor manufacturing method of the present invention, firstly, a rectangular magnet element whose magnetic pole direction is recognizable is formed by a magnetic material being sintered while a magnetic field is being applied thereto, and subjected to a demagnetization process, and position regulating sections are formed on the magnet element symmetrically relative to the magnetic poles. Accordingly, a magnet can be easily formed. Secondly, the demagnetized magnets are individually transported without being attracted to each other. Accordingly, the direction of each magnetic pole of the demagnetized magnets can be aligned to one direction and successively arranged. Thirdly, when a gear section is to be formed on the magnet, it is positionally adjusted by the position regulating sections so as to have a fixed positional relationship relative to the magnetic poles of the demagnetized magnet. Accordingly, the gear section can be precisely formed relative to the magnetic poles.

Abstract: Spring (10) for clock mechanism, the spring comprising a body (11) extending between a first end (12) of the spring and a second end (13) of the spring, the spring being intended to be connected mechanically to a housing at each of the first and second ends, the spring comprising, between the first and the second end, at least one member (17) intended to act by contact on an element (42) of the clock mechanism, characterized in that the body comprises a deformable zone (14) extending in a curve (18) and in that the curve comprises a first part (18a) that is concave when viewed from the first end.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a first resonator oscillator oscillating at a first frequency and connected by a first gear train to an energy source and a second oscillator oscillating at a second frequency and connected to a second gear train. The second gear train is connected to the first gear train by an elastic coupling device, in order to synchronize the rate of the two oscillators using the same energy source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermocompensated resonator comprising a body used in deformation, the core of the body being formed by a first material. According to the invention, at least one part of the body comprises at least one coating made of shape-memory metal, the variations in the Young's modulus of which as a function of the temperature (CTE) are of opposite sign to those (CTE) of the first material used for the core so as to allow said resonator to have a frequency variation as a function of the temperature which is substantially zero at least to the first order (?, ?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece, including the following steps: (a) forming a body using first and second metallic materials secured to each other; (b) decreasing the section of the body; and winding the body to form the spring. The invention also relates to the spring obtained via the method. The invention concerns the field of regulating members for timepieces.

Abstract: The electronic module (1) includes a quartz or MEMS resonator (3), which is confined within a resonator case (5), which is provided with electrical contact pads (15) over at least one external surface for the electrical connection of the resonator. A printed circuit board (6) is also provided for carrying the resonator case (5) and it includes electrical connection terminals (18) for connection to the electrical connection pads (15) of the resonator case. The resonator case (5) is fixedly held inside a case structure (6, 9) of the electronic module (1), via at least one mechanical shock damping element (7). The damping element 7) may be an elastomer element, which includes metal wires (17) for the electrical connection of the resonator case (5) across the printed circuit board (6).

Abstract: In a quartz crystal unit, the unit comprising a quartz crystal resonator having a base portion, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms, a length of the base portion being less than 0.5 mm and an overall length of the quartz crystal resonator being less than 2.1 mm, at least one mounting arm protruding from the base portion and being formed between the first and second vibrational arms, the at least one mounting arm extending in a common direction with the first and second vibrational arms.

Abstract: A quartz crystal unit comprising: a quartz crystal resonator having an overall length less than 2.1 mm and a base portion including a length L1 less than 0.5 mm, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in a central linear portion of at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms so that a width of the at least one groove is less than a spaced-apart distance between the first and second vibrational arms, the at least one groove being formed continuously in the central linear portion along the length of the corresponding one of the first and second vibrational arms, the quartz crystal resonator being housed in a case, a lid being connected to the case to cover an open end of the case.

Abstract: In a quartz crystal unit, the unit comprising a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having a quartz crystal tuning fork base, and first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms, each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms having a length, and a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, at least one groove being formed in a central linear portion of at least one of the first and second main surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms and formed continuously in the central linear portion along the length of the corresponding one of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms, an overall length of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator being less than 2.1 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical oscillator, in particular for watchmaking, comprising a spiral spring (1) having a number N of turns, a central end (2), an eccentric end (3) and a rotary collet (4), connected to the central end (2), comprising an orifice intended to receive an arbor for rotation about an axis (A), and a balance (7), the axis of rotation of which coincides with the rotation arbor (A), the eccentric end (3) being intended to be integral with a stationary element of the “balance-cock” type, said spiral spring (1) being made up of a single-crystal silicon (Si) core (1a) and at least one peripheral coating (1b) based on a material having a thermoelastic coefficient different from that of silicon, the single-crystal silicon (Si) being oriented along the crystallographic axis {1,1,1} to optimize the temperature coefficient of the mechanical oscillator as a whole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising a first resonator (15) oscillating at a first frequency (f1) and connected by a first gear train (5) to an energy source (9) and a second oscillator (35) oscillating at a second frequency (f2) and connected to a second gear train (25). According to the invention, the second gear train (25) is connected to the first gear train (5) by an elastic coupling means (41), in order to synchronise the rate of the two oscillators (15, 35) using the same energy source (9). The invention concerns the field of precision mechanical timepieces.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mechanical oscillator, comprising an oscillating system comprising a balance (1) and its return spring (3). This oscillator also comprises two elastic strips (9, 10) fixed by one end and acting in opposition intermittently by their other end on a connecting organ (8) secured to the oscillating system.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator isochronism corrector includes: a frame (12), a flexible blade (14) integral with the frame to act on the mechanical oscillator at a contact portion (14a) presented by the blade, first element for adjusting the pre-stress of the flexible blade including a pre-stress finger (22) acting on the flexible blade, the first adjustment element being integral with the frame.

Abstract: The coupled resonator comprises a first low frequency resonator, such as a balance spring (1) and a second higher frequency resonator, such as a tuning fork (2), the two resonators (1 and 2) including permanent mechanical coupling means. Application to the regulating system of a timepiece.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical part made of insulating material, such as a silicon balance spring (1) for a timepiece movement, tends to adhere to a neighboring part when it is in movement, such as the balance cock (9). This drawback is removed by carrying out, over all or part of the surface, a thin deposition of a layer of conductive material, such as a metal, which is preferably non-oxidizing and non-magnetic, such as gold, platinum, rhodium or silicon.

Abstract: A timepiece movement having at least two regulating members with their escapement and elements for alternately stopping and releasing the operation of the regulating members, such that a single regulating member is thus driven at any one time by means of the energy source of the timepiece.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer that excites longitudinal vibration has a piezoelectric element, and a reinforcing member that is laminated with and affixed to the piezoelectric element and has a first void part. The first void part includes the center part of a location where strain produced by longitudinal vibration in the piezoelectric transducer or the reinforcing member or piezoelectric element is greatest.

Abstract: A circuit for selectively driving n motor coils associated with a plurality of stepping motors, wherein only (n+1) motor coil drivers are needed. A timepiece that utilizes such a circuit is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device has a battery for storing electric power, an electronic circuit driven by electric power from the battery, and a coil block for generating a magnetic field in accordance with a signal from the electric circuit. A protective film is connected to the battery and is disposed over the coil block for protecting the coil block.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oscillating winding weight for a timepiece including a heavy portion secured to a connecting element connecting said heavy portion to an arbour fixed to the movement, said weight being intended to be rotatably mounted on said arbour, characterised in that said connecting element is made of a transparent or translucent material.

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 includes a hairspring for storing the energy provided by a step motor driving circuit and a rotor immersed in a viscous fluid controls the energy released by the hairspring to provide a constant driving force for turning the display hands of the timepiece. A frequency divider circuit counts the number of clock signals produced by an oscillator. During time correction when the hands are prevented from being driven by the energy stored in the hairspring the frequency divider retains at least a portion of the count. A recoil torque provided by the hairspring and a load torque provided by the rotor are substantially balanced at all times including immediately after the time correction activities. Time delay especially immediately following the time correction activities is avoided.

Abstract: A microminiature oscillator that uses the movement of a mechanical structure placed on an etched silicon chip to control the frequency of a pulse used as a time base in electronic applications.

Abstract: A combination linear bearing and force-generating mechanism comprising an outer frame attached to a first set of cams and an inner shaft attached to a second set of cams. Flexible pendulums connect and wrap around the first and second set of cams, the flexible pendulum being formed and constrained thereby to produce non-arcuate, linear mobility to the inner shaft.

Abstract: An electrical swing mechanism having a drive device with a rotor and a stator. The drive device carries out self-returning reciprocation with a rotation angle of the rotor. An intermittent drive transmission device transmits the rotation of the drive device to a utilization mechanism. An electric source unit is used for exciting the stator with a pulse current. The drive device has a rotor which is magnetized so that the same poles are formed on a diametral line intersecting the rotation axis thereof and a magnetization angle between different poles is 2 .alpha., and a stator whose magnetic pole angle .beta. is larger than said magnetization angle 2 .alpha.. The intermittent drive transmission device comprises a cut disk member having a ratchet pawl and is reciprocated by the drive device. A ratchet plate member having ratchet teeth are moved one pitch by one pitch by the ratchet pawl.

Abstract: A mechanical watch movement of the type wherein a balance-cock supports a balance arranged to pivot in bearings about a fixed axis, and a balance-spring is fixed at its inner end to the balance and at its outer end to a bent arm of a thin, blanked plate constituting a support member detachable from the remainder of the movement.