Abstract: A timepiece oscillator structure includes at least one divisible unit, which includes at least one component which includes at least one flexible blade or at least one blade with necks, joining two main units, each more rigid than the flexible blade or blade with necks, where the divisible unit includes at least one protection unit adjacent to at least one main unit to which it is connected by at least one divisible linkage which is designed in order to make possible the detachment of this protection unit from the component when the component is fixed, with at least the particular main unit which is adjacent to the protection unit, to a more rigid external element than the flexible blade or than the necks of the blade with necks.

Abstract: A mechanical isotropic harmonic oscillator including a two translational degrees of freedom linkage supporting an orbiting mass with respect to a fixed base with springs having isotropic and linear restoring force properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oscillator for a timepiece movement, comprising a staff rigidly connected to a balance carrying first and second bipolar magnets spaced apart from the staff and capable, depending on the angular position of the balance, of being positioned alternately within range of a magnetic field produced by a fixed bipolar magnet, the latter being located on the trajectory of the first and second bipolar magnets and being arranged in such a way that, when one of the bipolar magnets approaches the fixed bipolar magnet, identical polarities are located opposite each other in order to produce a repulsive force. The oscillator further comprises a pallet assembly and an escape wheel for establishing a kinematic connection between a source of energy of the timepiece movement and the balance staff, and arranged in such a way that the balance is capable of having a sustained periodic oscillating movement of an amplitude greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A torque-restoring element for an oscillator for a mechanical timepiece and having an oscillator frequency, said torque restoring element comprising a spiral spring body having a number N turnings with an inner terminal end for engagement with a rotational inertial element via a collet, and an outer terminal for engagement with a stationary cock element, and having a width, a height and a total arc length; wherein the spiral spring body includes a core formed from mono-crystalline silicon wafer oriented along the crystallographic axis <110>; and wherein the spiral spring body includes at least one peripheral coating of a material having a thermal elastic constant different from that of the core of the spiral spring body so as to maintain the oscillator frequency an oscillator including the torque-restoring element substantially insensitive to variations of ambient temperature.

Abstract: An oscillator (10) includes a spiral spring (11) made from a paramagnetic or diamagnetic material and an assembled balance wheel (12) having a shaft (13) on which the following elements are fitted: a balance wheel (14), a plate (15) and a collet (16) rigidly connected with the spiral spring (11). The maximum diameter (Dmax) of the shaft is less than 3.5, or even 2.5, or even 2 times the minimum diameter (D1) of the shaft on which one of the elements is fitted, or the maximum diameter (Dmax) of the shaft is less than 1.6, or even 1.3 times the maximum diameter (D2) of the shaft on which one of the elements is fitted.

Abstract: A method of improving pivoting of a wheel set for a scientific instrument, including an arbor pivoting or oscillating about an axis, in which: static balancing of the wheel set is performed to bring the center of gravity onto the axis; a desired value is determined for resulting unbalance moment of the wheel set about the axis, corresponding to a predetermined divergence between a first principal longitudinal axis of inertia of the wheel set, and the axis; at a predetermined speed about the axis, the resulting unbalance moment is measured with regard to the axis; and an adjustment of the resulting unbalance moment is made within a given determined tolerance with regard to the desired value, and performed by machining both sides of a median plane including the two secondary axes of inertia of the wheel set.

Abstract: A timepiece resonator including one weight connected by flexible strips to fixed attachment points of a fixed structure, this weight being subjected to a torque and/or a stress, and oscillating with at least two degrees of freedom in translation, and these flexible strips maintain the oscillations of this weight about a virtual pivot.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece balance with hairspring capable of changing the moment of inertia of the balance wheel without involving generation of a one-sidedness in weight. There is provided a balance with hairspring including a balance staff, and a balance wheel arranged around the balance staff, wherein there are provided a first rim constituting the balance wheel and having a guide portion configured to vary in the distance from the balance staff in correspondence with a peripheral direction around the balance staff, an elastic portion arranged so as to be slidable along the guide portion and capable of elastic deformation in the radial direction around the balance staff, and a second rim having a plurality of weight portions arranged in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: The balance spring stud holder has a housing in the form of a groove arranged to longitudinally receive and position the stud. The housing is at least partially laterally closed by an elastic strip which is arranged to return the stud against the bottom of the groove so that the stud can be locked, when the stud is inserted into the housing between the elastic strip and the bottom of the groove.

Abstract: A balance wheel for timepiece movement, which obeys the following condition: D5·f/I?20·10?2m3kg?1s?1 where D is the diameter of the balance wheel, f is the frequency and I is the moment of inertia.

Abstract: Timepiece wheel set (1) including a first guide surface (2) cooperating with a second guide surface (3) associated with a bridge (50), for pivotally mounting the wheel set (1) relative to the bridge (50) about an axis (D). The first guide surface (2) is a single surface, located on a median plane (P) of said wheel set (1), orthogonal to this axis (D), for holding the wheel set (1) careened or in a cantilever arrangement relative to this bridge (50), and the wheel set (1) is free of any guide arbours on either side of this guide surface (2).This wheel set (1) forms a ball bearing (10) wherein the first guide surface (2) forms an internal raceway (9) for balls (11) and wherein an external ball race (12) mounted on the bridge (50) includes the second guide surface (3) forming an external raceway for the balls (11).

Abstract: A balance spring including a first hairspring, the inner coil of which includes a collet arranged to be mounted on a staff, and a second hairspring connected to the outer coil of the first hairspring by a raised terminal curve device. The inner coil of the second hairspring includes a device for shifting the pinning point including a free end arranged to be pinned up to a stud in the plane of the second hairspring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tourbillon of a movement having: a rotatably mounted rotating carriage (6) connected to a second pinion (46), a balance (12) mounted on the rotating carriage (6) relative to a balance shaft (28) and also having an escape wheel (16) mounted on the rotating carriage (6) and operatively connected to the balance (12) via a lever, characterized by: a brake element (30) arranged on the rotating carriage (6), which can be brought into engagement with the balance (12) and is movable axially to the balance shaft (28).

Abstract: A timepiece includes a first oscillator oscillating at a first frequency and connected by a first gear train to an energy source to display the time. The timepiece also includes a chronograph system including a second gear train connected to the first gear train via a coupling device for selectively measuring a time. The chronograph system further includes a second oscillator, which is connected to the second gear train and oscillates at a second frequency. Moreover, the second gear train is connected to the first gear train by an elastic coupling, in order to synchronize the rate of the two oscillators using the same energy source when the coupling device is in a coupled position.

Abstract: An oscillator spring material comprising a mixture of a host material with an additive in proportions which permit the thermal evolution of the material's elastic modulus to be tuned, e.g. to correct or compensate for other thermal changes in an oscillator system. The additive comprises a crystalline material having an abnormal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The host material has a normal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The additive is mixed with the host material before the host material undergoes a phase transformation into its final form. The additive has a phase transformation temperature higher than the host material, so that additive remains in the same state while the host material phase transformation takes place.

Abstract: A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part.

Abstract: A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part.

Abstract: An oscillator system (30) of a mechanical timepiece, comprising: at least one balance wheel (35) that is free to rotate about an axis; and at least one hairspring (31) connecting the at least one balance wheel (35) to a fixed point or to another balance wheel (36), the hairspring (31) including: a first coil (32) connected to the at least one balance wheel (35); and a second coil (33) connected to the fixed point or to the another balance wheel (36); and a transition section (34) connecting the first coil (32) to the second coil (33), wherein an approximately linear restoring torque for the at least one balance wheel (35) is primarily provided by elastic deformation of the transition section (34) and the coils (32, 33), in order to generate an oscillatory motion for the at least one balance wheel (35).

Abstract: There is provided a balance which includes a balance staff which is pivotally supported rotatably; and a balance wheel which is arranged around the balance staff and in which one end portion is a fixed end portion fixed to a connection arm which is radially connected to the balance staff and the other end portion is a free end portion which can be radially deformed. The balance wheel has a first rim which is connected to the connection arm and a second rim which is arranged to be overlapped with the first rim and formed of a material having a linear expansion coefficient different from the first rim, and the first rim and the second rim are bonded together by using a melting portion in which respective materials thereof are melted.

Abstract: A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part.

Abstract: This spiral-spring and balance wheel regulating member includes a shaft mounted pivotably on the frame of a timepiece. The spiral spring includes at least one blade, whose inner end is designed to be fixed to the pivot shaft and whose outer end is made in one piece with a member (2) for connection to the frame, the rigidity of this connecting member being substantially greater than that of the spiral. The connecting member (2), on one hand, and the frame (9) or a member (6) for the angular positioning of the regulating member on the frame, on the other hand, both have respective bearing surfaces which are at least partially complementary, and these complementary bearing surfaces are joined.

Abstract: A regulating organ adapted to be integrated into a mechanical watch, comprising a first balance and a first spiral fastened to an axle, and-at least one second balance, wherein the second balance is fastened on the axle of said first balance.

Abstract: A timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, having a structure made according to a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The component has at least one member formed in or at the periphery of the structure and made of a material different from that of the structure. This member is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity of the structure as a mold.

Abstract: Device for protecting a timepiece balance spring (1) against interfering magnetic fields comprising a balance (2) made of amorphous ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite balance (45, 45?) formed in a layer of silicon-based material (21) and including a hub (39, 39?) connected to a felloe (37, 37?) by at least one arm (40, 41, 42, 43). According to the invention, the felloe (37, 37?) includes at least one additional part approximately in the shape of a notched ring (23, 23?) of higher the than the silicon-based material, which increases the inertia of the balance. The invention also relates to a method 1 of manufacturing this type of balance. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece regulating member including a balance cooperating with a hairspring made in a layer of silicon-based material and including a balance spring coaxially mounted on a collet. According to the invention, the collet includes one extending part that projects from the balance spring and which is made in a second layer of silicon-based material and is secured to the balance.

Abstract: An oscillating mechanism for a timepiece movement, including a first rigid element and a second rigid element, each one fixed on a different element of the movement and at least one of which is mobile relative to the other and pivots about an axis. The mechanism is monobloc and flexible with a variable geometry, and includes a first elastic restoring mechanism producing an elastic connection between the first rigid element and an intermediate rigid element, and a second elastic restoring mechanism producing an elastic connection between the intermediate element and the second rigid element, which all are coplanar according to one plane and configured to be deformed according to the plane.

Abstract: Tourbillon mechanism for a watch having a turning cage mounted in pivoting manner in a first and second cage bearing lodged in fixed elements of the watch; an escapement mobile integral with the cage; and a regulating element in the form of a spiral balance capable of oscillating around a balance staff according to pulses received from the escapement mobile. The balance staff is mounted in pivoting manner in the balance bearings lodged outside the cage. The outer extremity of the spiral hairspring is fastened to the cage through a hairspring stud.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece balance (1), with inertia adjustment including a hub (2) pivoting about a balance staff (3) and a felloe (5), connected to said hub (2) by a joining surface (6). It is wherein said felloe (5) is made in a single piece with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy obtained by the “LIGA” method, and in that it includes at least a first resilient arm (40) including coupling means (41) arranged for cooperating, in various coupling positions, with complementary coupling means (42) comprised in said felloe (5) to form, in the coupling position, a closed loop, the inertia of which relative to said balance staff (3) is variable according to said coupling positions. The invention also concerns a sprung balance or a timepiece incorporating a balance of this type.

Abstract: A balance wheel for timepiece movement, which obeys the following condition: D5·f/I?20?2m3kg?1s?1 where D is the diameter of the balance wheel, f is the frequency and I is the moment of inertia.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a chronograph whose hands are driven by a first gear train (4), which in turn drives a first resonator (5) and a watch whose hands are driven by a second gear train (8) independent of the first gear train, wherein the second gear train in turn drives a second resonator (9). The first (4) and second (8) gear trains are driven from a single energy source (10).

Abstract: The timepiece movement comprises an instantaneous actuator controlled by the movement and arranged to actuate a mechanism of the movement by pushing away one element (126) of the mechanism against a return force. The actuator includes a trailing wheel (205) driven by the movement, an eccentric (207) free to rotate coaxially to the trailing wheel and arranged to abut against and therefore be driven by the trailing wheel, a small wheel (219) returned by a spring against the periphery of the eccentric, a pivoting wheel set comprising a projecting portion (213) free to rotate coaxially to the trailing wheel and arranged to abut against and therefore be driven by the eccentric, the projecting portion (213) of the pivoting wheel set being arranged to push said element of a mechanism away in passing against a return force.

Abstract: Mechanical oscillator for a timepiece including a balance (10) and a hairspring (12). The balance (10) and the hairspring (12) are produced from the same material. This material is non-magnetic and has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Oscillating body for mechanical oscillating systems of wristwatches, having several mass weights arranged at regular angle distances around an oscillating body middle axis that respectively can rotate or swivel on the oscillating body on an axis parallel to the oscillating body axis and have a mass center of gravity that is radially offset to their axis.

Abstract: A device comprises a basic clock movement MB whose time indicators are driven by a first barrel connected to a first wheelwork and a first regulator organ, and an autonomous chronograph module MCA whose indicators are driven by a second barrel independent from the first, connected to a second wheelwork and a second regulator organ. The chronograph module is exclusively composed of mechanical elements. The frequency of oscillation supplied by its regulator is equal N times the frequency of oscillation supplied by the regulator of the base movement, with the coefficient N being definable according to a specific application of the chronograph, so that any chronograph module thus previously defined can work with the same base movement. The chronograph regulator remains constantly engaged with the corresponding wheelwork. The chronograph module allows a time interval to be read with a minimum precision of a hundredth of second.

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: The resonator (1) for a timepiece results from coupling a first, low frequency resonator (2) with a second, higher frequency resonator (3). The first resonator (2) has a first balance (4) associated with a first balance spring (5). The second resonator (3) has a second balance (6) associated with a second balance spring (7). A third balance spring is arranged between the first (4) and second (6) balances to couple said first (2) and second (3) resonators.

Abstract: The invention concerns a base module comprising a barrel device, a display device, and a power reserve indicator, all the components of the module being placed vertically relative to the flanks of the case, and the adjusting member being arranged visibly and directly accessible on the flank of the case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite balance (45, 45?) formed in a layer of silicon-based material (21) and including a hub (39, 39?) connected to a felloe (37, 37?) by at least one arm (40, 41, 42, 43). According to the invention, the felloe (37, 37?) includes at least one additional part approximately in the shape of a notched ring (23, 23?) of higher the than the silicon-based material, which increases the inertia of the balance. The invention also relates to a method 1 of manufacturing this type of balance. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

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: The invention concerns an escapement (1) for a timepiece comprising an anchor (2) articulated on a stem (3) and co-operating with an escapement mobile (4) articulated on an axis (5), said mobile comprising a plurality of teeth (8; 15, 16) uniformly spaced around said mobile, said anchor including an entry pallet (6) and an exit pallet (7) arranged to receive alternately an impulse from one of the teeth borne by the mobile and for acting as rest plane for said tooth. The invention is characterized in that the escapement mobile (4) comprises first and second integral and coaxial wheels (13, 14) including each the same number of teeth (15, 16), in that the entry and exit pallets (6, 7) co-operate respectively with the first and second wheels (13, 14) and in that the peripheral radius (R1) of the first wheel (13) is greater than the peripheral radius (R2) of the second wheel (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to mechanical watch oscillators comprising an assembly consisting of a spiral and a temperature compensated balance. The spiral is embodied in a quartz substrate whose section is selected in such a way that the drifts of the spiral and of the balance associated therewith are thermally compensated. The substrate section can be embodied in the form of a section of single or double rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece component, such as a balance (1), an oscillating mass (12) or a wheel (20), that comprises a structure (2) made according to a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The component is characterised in that it further comprises at least one member (3) formed in or at the periphery of the structure (2) and made of a material different from that of the structure (2). This member (3) is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity (7) of the structure (2) as a mould.

Abstract: The resonator (1) for a timepiece results from coupling a first, low frequency resonator (2) with a second, higher frequency resonator (3). The first resonator (2) has a first balance (4) associated with a first balance spring (5). The second resonator (3) has a second balance (6) associated with a second balance spring (7). A third balance spring is arranged between the first (4) and second (6) balances to couple said first (2) and second (3) resonators.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator system comprising a balance wheel and a spiral or helicoidal balance spring for use in horological mechanisms or other precision instruments. The balance spring is made of a non-magnetic composite, polymer, carbon or ceramic material, preferably a composite material of carbon fibres in a polymer, carbon or ceramic matrix, and the balance wheel is made from a non-magnetic ceramic. The values of the thermal expansion coefficients for the balance spring and balance wheel are similar, very small and stable over a wide temperature range. The expansion coefficients in the axial sense of the spring and of the balance wheel are of opposite sign and they compensate one another. The density of these materials is smaller than that of the currently used metals. Through this combination of materials it is possible to obtain significant advantages and a higher level of accuracy and stability compared with metal oscillator systems.

Abstract: The anti-trip device for a timepiece escapement essentially includes a sprung balance (1), this device preventing the angular extension of said balance beyond a normal angle of rotation. The device is characterized in that the arbour (2) fitted to the balance (1) is provided with a pinion (3) meshing with means (4) preventing said balance from rotating beyond said normal angle of rotation, whatever the direction of said rotation.

Abstract: The balance-spring is structured by photolithography and etching in a strip pre-cut from a quartz monocrystal such that the height h of the coils form, with the crystallographic axis z, an angle ? for adapting the thermal behaviour of the balance-spring to that of the balance, thereby reducing the variation of rate due to temperature variations.

Abstract: Regulating element for wristwatch comprising: a balance, a magnetic return member for returning the balance to at least one stable equilibrium position, and an escapement for maintaining the oscillation of the balance around the equilibrium position.

Abstract: The timepiece includes means for adjusting the shake of a rotating part or wheel set, in particular a balance one bearing of which is arranged in a bar (4). This bar comprises a base (18) associated with a adjusting screw (34) one end (36) of which rests on the bottom plate. Rotating this adjusting screw varies the distance between the base and the bottom plate (14). The center of the adjusting screw is pierced for the passage of a tightening screw (32) for fixing the bar to the bottom plate. This adjusting screw is arranged in a hole (42) passing through the base (18) and can be rotated through the hole from the top face (46) of the bar in order to adjust the balance shake.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tourbillon (1) comprising a main bearing (22). A first bearing (18) of the balance axle (19) rotates with the platform (2) of the tourbillon (1), and a second bearing (26) of the balance axle (19) is arranged in a fixed manner.