Abstract: A linear clock and method of indicating the time includes twelve linearly arranged regions wherein each region includes an indicator termed a “marker,” which is capable of representing a unique hour with a twelve hour cycle or a block of time equal to a five minute increment. Interspersed with the twelve linearly arranged regions is a group of four indicators that are capable of representing a one-minute increment and collectively, up to four minutes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multifunction display device for a watch including a rotating assembly having time indicators and function indicators, said rotating assembly being moved in rotation by a directional means, said display device being characterized in that the function indicators appear at least two times so that the rotating assembly presents the time indicators once and the function indicators at least twice.

Abstract: presenting A timepiece faceplate includes a plate-shaped member provided on one surface with a ridge having a function for reflecting and scattering incident light, which is made of a material having optical transmission properties; and a layer in which numerous powder particles having a function for reflecting light are dispersed and which faces a surface opposite from the surface on which the ridge of the plate-shaped member is provided. The plate-shaped member and the layer of the timepiece faceplate are superimposed when viewed from above.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece dial that presents a rich stereoscopic effect, and to provide a timepiece comprising the timepiece dial, the timepiece dial of the invention comprises a microlens layer composed of a plurality of microlenses arranged in an orderly fashion as viewed in a planar view, and a decorative layer composed of a repeating design having a plurality of constituent units. As viewed in a planar view, the microlens layer and the decorative layer are superimposed, and the decorative layer has regions where pitches of the constituent units that are adjacent are different from each other.

Abstract: To offer a timepiece faceplate having exceptional transmission of light as well as exceptional aesthetic appearance, and to offer a timepiece provided with the timepiece faceplate, a timepiece faceplate of the invention is provided with a first plate member including a material having an optical transmission property, and a second plate member including a material having an optical transmission property.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece faceplate having appropriate light permeability with excellent aesthetic appearance having glittering property, and an electrical timepiece equipped with a solar battery, a timepiece faceplate of the invention includes a faceplate main body that has light permeability, and a glittering layer that is provided on either one of a front surface side and a back surface side of the faceplate main body and is configured by dispersing a glittering powder into a light permeable resin. The glittering powder is configured by laminating a metallic oxide film above one surface side of a plate shaped base material, which has light permeability, and the glittering powder is a lamination powder that an average grain diameter is more than 10 ?m and less than 90 ?m.

Abstract: A watch, in particular a wristwatch, having a watch case that has a viewing opening oriented towards an observer, a movement, and one or more components with light-receiving regions on their surfaces. The movement and the components with regions of light-receiving surface are arranged in the watch case and are covered by a light-transmissive covering part in the direction of the observer. The covering part is transmissive for ultraviolet light and is at least largely opaque for light in the visible spectrum.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece dial that presents an appearance with a rich stereoscopic effect, and to provide a timepiece including the timepiece dial, a timepiece dial of the present invention includes a microlens layer formed with a plurality of microlenses which are arranged in an orderly fashion in a planar view; and a decorative layer formed with a design having a plurality of lines. The microlens layer and the decorative layer are superimposed as viewed in a planar view of the timepiece dial. A pitch of adjacent lines of the design changes along a longitudinal direction of a linear reference line.

Abstract: A timepiece dial has excellent transparency to electromagnetic waves (radio and light), and an excellent appearance, a timepiece dial manufacturing method enables manufacturing the timepiece dial, and a timepiece has the timepiece dial. The timepiece dial 1 has a substrate 2 that is electromagnetically transparent, and a dispersion film 3 containing a dispersion of metal powder 31 with an average particle diameter of 5 ?m?20 ?m and an average particle thickness of 30 nm?50 nm. The average thickness of the dispersion film 3 is 0.5 ?m?3.0 ?m. The metal powder 31 is disposed with a specific gap therebetween in the through-thickness direction of the dispersion film 3.

Abstract: A timepiece dial which is transmissive to electromagnetic waves (radio waves, light) and is superior in terms of aesthetic appearance and durability, and to provide a timepiece equipped with this timepiece dial. The timepiece dial of the present invention has a glass fiber sheet primarily composed of glass fibers, a first film disposed on the side of a first face constituting one of the principal faces of the glass fiber sheet, and a second film disposed on the side of a second face constituting the other principal face of the glass fiber sheet.

Abstract: Dial (2) designed to equip a watch piece provided with luminous marks (32) lodged under a mother-of-pearl semi-transparent layer (20) inside blind hollows (35) made in the semi-transparent layer (20) and filled with a phosphorescent pigment (32). The luminous marks (32) form an image (61) visible in darkness and essentially invisible in daylight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watchcase comprising: (a) a lower case characterized by a first annular recess for receiving an optically transparent cylinder and a timepiece support for receiving a timepiece mechanism; (b) an upper case characterized by (i) on the bottom surface thereof, a second upper annular recess for receiving an optically transparent cylinder; (ii) on the upper surface thereof, a track for removably receiving and securing an ornamental top; (c) an optically transparent cylinder placed in said first and second annular recesses and between the lower and upper cases wherein the lower case, upper case and optically transparent cylinder are fixedly connected. The invention also relates to a watch that comprises the watchcase and a cylindrical timepiece, with or without one or more ornamental tops and watch bands.

Abstract: A timepiece, such as a watch, has a plurality of concentric rotating bands, viewable from both above and from the side so that a viewer may read the time without changing the orientation of the timepiece. The timepiece has an attachment mechanism that permits the removable attachment of objects, such as sculptures or other ornamental pieces to the surface of the timepiece.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a liquid crystal display panel (10) capable of displaying at least either of time information and calendar information, and comprising a liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer sealed in between a pair of transparent substrates, having an electrode on each of the inner surfaces thereof, facing each other, an absorption-type polarizing film disposed on the visible side of the liquid crystal cell, for absorbing the light linearly polarized in the direction orthogonal to the transmission axis thereof, a reflection-type polarizing film disposed on the side of the liquid crystal cell opposite from the visible side thereof for reflecting the light linearly polarized in the direction orthogonal to the transmission axis thereof, and a color filter disposed on the visible side of the absorption-type polarizing film, or between the absorption-type polarizing film and the reflection-type polarizing film.

Abstract: A display device and an electronic watch permit various information to be clearly distinguished from a background when a solar battery is placed within a display area for displaying the information. A display device and the like include a polarizer, a liquid crystal layer, a polarization separating film, and a solar battery. The polarization separating film operates to transmit linearly polarized light polarized in one direction and to reflect other linearly polarized light. Since the surface of the solar battery has a dark color, such as black, a dark-colored background is displayed by light traveling along an optical path. Information, such as numbers, is displayed in a light reflection color by light that is reflected by the polarization separating film and travels along an optical path. The information, such as numbers, is displayed in a light reflection color.

Abstract: The dial plate according to the present invention comprises a substrate formed of a ceramic material and a colored coating layer formed on the substrate. And, the colored coating layer is characterized by having a colored layer formed of a ceramic paint containing a metal compound as a principal component. The substrate formed of a ceramic material is porous; and hence, diffuses incident light to conceal a solar battery placed on the backside from view. Since the colored layer is formed of a ceramic paint containing a metal compound as a principal component, it is easy to firmly attach it to the substrate formed of a ceramic material and it is capable of forming various colors corresponding to the types of metal compounds applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a time display apparatus consisting of at least two partly transparent discs (A, B, C) which are arranged concentrically and axially displaced with respect to one another, with each of the discs (A, B, C) being rotationally driven about the central axle with separately preselectable period duration and being provided with a visible marking for the display of hours, minutes and seconds, with one freely rotating disc (D, E) which carries a graphical representation being concentrically arranged axially adjacent to at least one of the rotationally driven discs (C). The invention is based on the object of displaying not only the time by means of the time display apparatus, but also of enabling special optical effects. This is achieved in such a way that the rotationally driven disc (C) is provided with a (first) entrainment means (X.sub.1) on its side facing the freely rotatable disc, which means cooperates with a (first) actuating means (X.sub.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass watch dial made of "murrino" glass, said method comprising a phase for the axial drilling of the "murrina" disc, the hole resulting therefrom having a diameter to allow the passage of the watch-hand supporting shaft therethrough, one or more honing phases whereby the two surfaces of the "murrina" disc aare made to become parallel to each other, while the disc itself acquires a thickness which is compatible with its use as a watch dial, a phase for trimming of the outer edge of the "murrina" disc and a phase for polishing at least one of the two visible surfaces of the "murrina". The method achieves the manufacturing of watch dials by using "murrinas", i.e., objects constituted by a plurality of small glass cylinders melted together to form desired patterns.

Abstract: An indicating mechanism is described. The mechanism is ideally suited for the indication of time but is also applicable to other indicating functions where changing information must be displayed. The mechanism is composed of a flexible belt bearing indicia and three supportive discs. As the discs are caused to rotate, the belt and any indicia on it will rotate. This rotation will be apparent to users who see or touch the indicia on the belt, thus providing an indicating function. The unique geometry of the belt gives two full circular discoidal surfaces for decoration. Typically only one of these surfaces will be visible to users as the other is disposed directly below it. This arrangement allows times within each 12 hour period in the 24 hour day cycle to be indicated uniquely while maintaining the conventional location of each AM and PM hour's representation of the clock face.

Abstract: Movement for a wrist watch, having at least one rotatable minute disc, a drive connection between the toothed disc edge and a drive pinion, being reliably and positively maintained in that the disc is mounted with clearance and capable of tilting, in that simple guide pins for the disc edge are provided on both sides of the disc in the region of the drive connection between the pinion and the disc. For example, one guide pin may be provided on each side of the minute disc. Alternatively, one pin is provided on one side of the disc and two additional guide pins lie opposite to this first pin on the other side of the disc.

Abstract: A thin electronic wrist-watch the thickness of which is constituted by the uperposition of a first crystal, at least two time indicating discs and a case back, the latter including a second crystal. The gears are supported on specially designed studs and means are provided to limit axial gear play.

Abstract: Instead of conventional hands, an hour disc and a minute disc are provided. The hands are represented by markers vaporized upon the undersides of the discs. The discs are pivoted on an arbor anchored in the watch glass. This arbor is hollow, and inserted in the free end thereof is a rivet-shaped retaining part which keeps the discs from slipping off the arbor. Each disc is toothed at its circumference. The teeth of the minute disc engage a gear wheel having a pinion which meshes with the teeth of the hour disc. This wheel and pinion are mounted on an arbor, one end of which is anchored in the watch glass. A retaining ring prevents the wheel from becoming detached from the arbor. This gear wheel likewise engages a pinion of another gear wheel mounted on an arbor. One end of this arbor is also anchored in the watch glass. A pinion of a stepping motor meshes with the teeth of the further gear wheel.

Abstract: A backlight for an electrooptic display, such as a liquid crystal display, serves to diffuse and distribute light from a point source, such as an incandescent bulb, over a broad, flat thin area providing backlighting for the display. The backlight employs a transparent light transmitting member with a slot or recess for the light source, wrapped in a thin transluscent sheet which covers both front and back surfaces and the edges to serve as a transflector.