Abstract: A timepiece includes a case (2), a crystal (10) fixedly mounted on the case (2) and a rotatable bezel (16) guided in rotation relative to the crystal (10) and said case (2), said bezel (16) furthermore being associated with a ratchet mechanism (M) and is characterized in that said bezel (16) includes sealing means (36, 40) against solid impurities, such means being intended to isolate at least the ratchet mechanism (M) from the exterior and to prevent solid impurities from becoming embedded at least between said bezel (16) and the crystal (10) and in that it additionally includes means (24, 44) enabling the driving of such impurities towards the exterior of the timepiece.

Abstract: This invention provides a structure of an apparatus case with a rotation member which can selectively restrict the rotation of a rotation bezel, rotatably mounted on a case body, in one or both of the forward and reverse directions. First and second rotation bezels are rotatably mounted on the case body, and a plate spring for restricting the rotation of the first rotation bezel is provided below the second rotation bezel. The plate spring is partly bent to rise it, thereby forming a hook. A rugged portion is formed on the lower surface of the first rotation bezel and an opening into which the hook is inserted is formed in the second rotation bezel. When the hook does not engage with the rugged portion, the first rotation bezel is freely rotatable. When the hook is inserted into the opening and is engaged with the rugged portion by rotating the second rotation bezel, the first rotation bezel is rotatable only in one of the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: This watch case includes an assembly (3) capable of being rotatively driven relative to a caseband (8), said assembly including a bezel (1) exhibiting an interior shoulder (20), a crystal (2) and an annular element forming a flange (5). A packing (9) is interposed between the bezel and the caseband. A casing ring (10, 11) is arranged within the caseband so as to receive a movement (7). The ring exhibits an annular rib (21) resting on the bezel shoulder (20) so as to retain said assembly (3) on said caseband (8).

Abstract: A wristwatch case includes a caseband (12) which receives a movement (2) surmounted by a dial (3). A crystal (5) and a back cover (6) are secured to the caseband as well as first (7) and second (8) bracelet strands. The back cover entirely covers over the underside of the caseband and includes first (9) and second (10) integrally formed wings. Such wings cover over entirely the outer sides (11) exhibited by the caseband and which are found situated between the bracelet strands. The back cover is preferably made of ceramic material.

Abstract: A crown seal cap blank (22) (when a crown seal cap blank is swaged on a bottle it is commonly called a bottle cap), which may have a trademark (30) thereon, is provided for the face of a timepiece (100) and, in particular, a wrist watch (20). A timepiece (100) utilizing the crown seal cap blank (22) as a face is provided in which colors of other timepiece elements may be used to augment and enhance the appearance of the crown seal cap blank (22) and its trademark (30).

Abstract: The portion of the rim (1) situated between the flanges (2) presents a clearance (3) in the form of an arc of a circle provided between the lateral exterior side and concentric with the center of the case. Another clearance (4), also in the form of an arc of a circle, is provided in the surface of the rim (1) adjacent to the crystal (5) and extends at an angle from the first clearance (3) and on both sides thereof. The edge of the second clearance (4) is located at a distance from the outside edge of the rim (1), thus providing two retaining eyes (4a). The clearances (3, 4) receive a decorative element (6), the upper side of which is adjacent to the lower side of the crystal (5), which prevents it from falling out through the clearance (4).

Abstract: The watch bezel is mounted on the middle part of the case by means of a wave-shaped inclined spring wire. Between the middle part of the case and the bezel is located a flat spring having inclined tongues forming pawls engaging into the toothing of a toothed ring. This ring is freely located between the middle part of the case and the bezel, and its angular position relatively to the bezel is determined by pins engaging into holes of the bezel. The indexing system of the bezel composed of the toothed ring and of the flat spring with its pawls is thus freely disposed between the bezel and the middle part of the case, and all constituents are maintained in place only by spring force of springs. The elements of the system and its assemblage are particularly simple and inexpensive.

Abstract: The watch case comprises a middle cum bezel unit (14,16), a glass (18) secured to the unit and a bell-shaped cap (20). The glass (18) is formed with a heel (28) extending radially towards the periphery of the case. The glass (18) further defines with the bezel-forming portion (16) of the unit a groove (30) by means of which the cap (20) is secured and positioned.

Abstract: The watch case comprises a middle cum bezel unit (14,16), a glass (18) secured to the unit and a bell-shaped cap (20). The glass (18) is formed with a heel (28) extending radially towards the periphery of the case. The glass (18) further defines with the bezel-forming portion (16) of the unit a groove (30) by means of which the cap (20) is secured and positioned.

Abstract: The watch has a housing, composed of a metal center part (1) having a molded-on glass collar (1a), a watch glass (2), over whose rim (2a) the glass collar engages, and a metal base (3) fixed to the center part by screws (8). A movement retaining ring (6) made from plastic is inserted in the center part (1). A first seal (4) lies between the movement retaining ring (6) and the rim (2a) of the watch glass (2) and a second seal (5) between the movement retaining ring (6) and the base (3). The screws (8), which pass through apertures (9) in the edge region (3a) of the base (3) and are screwed into axial threaded openings (10) in the center part (1) not only serve to secure the base but also simultaneously compress both seals (4, 5) when tightened.

Abstract: The wrist watch of this invention includes a caseband (18) and a baseplate (20) formed as a single piece to give a baseplate-caseband (10). The baseplate-caseband is entirely coated by a thin protective layer (60) of substantially constant thickness. In order to protect the portions of the caseband exposed to exterior stresses (shocks etc.) the baseplate-casband is borne by two longitudinal struts (1) fastened on either side of the caseband. These struts are provided in a manner such that they exhibit a greater resistance to said exterior stresses than does the baseplate-caseband. In particular the longitudinal struts (1) are coated with a protective layer (61) of greater thickness than the layer (60) which coats the baseplate-caseband.

Abstract: The watch case (1) of this invention includes a caseband-bezel (2) of plastic material overlaid with a metal cap (5). The cap is a metallic leaf formed to match the relief of the bezel (15) and caseband (16) which it overlays. The cap is secured to the caseband-bezel by glue preferably located in a receptacle (33) provided within the thickness of the caseband and extending at least partially along the periphery of said caseband.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating time featuring a face having a stationary helical member positioned about a central point so that the distance between any point upon the helical member and a horizontal base plane increases in a clockwise direction around the circumference of the helical member. The face also includes a step member connecting the ends of the helical member along two radially extending common edges to form a continuous surface. At least one of these edges corresponds to the 12 o'clock position of the face thereby defining an indicia from which elapsed time is measured. Also, the face can include a plurality of members mounted upon a horizontal base plane and positioned about a central point. Each member is made of first and second planes of different areas which are angled with respect to the base plane and which intersect to form a common edge therebetween. The edges of the members extend toward the central point or terminate prior to that point to form a central face opening.

Abstract: The watch case of this invention includes a caseband-back of plastic material, a metallic bezel and a packing to assure impermeability between the caseband-back and the bezel. A first annular seat extending radially into the bezel receives an annular protuberance integrally formed with the caseband in a manner such that the caseband-back and bezel become inseparable. At the same time a packing is compressed into a second seat to render impermeable the discontinuity between the caseband-back and the bezel. Assembly of the caseband-back to the bezel is effected by ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A cap (2) is made of sintered hard metal and has on the inside a cylindrical surface (20) and a frusto-conical surface (21) that are true ground. The cap's cylindrical surface (20) is fitted with radial play around an outer cylindrical surface (9) of an underlying middle (1) and the cap's frusto-conical surface (21) has the same inclination as a subjacent frusto-conical surface (14) on the outside of the middle. The cap (2) and the middle (1) are secured to one another by a ring of deformable material sandwiched between their cylindrical surfaces (9, 20). On the outside the cap (2) is formed over its thicker main portion (18) with a trued and polished surface (22) having the same inclination as its inside frusto-conical surface (21) such as to provide the thicker portion (18) with a parallelogrammatic cross-section.

Abstract: The rotating metal rim (19) is equipped with a toothed ring made of synthetic material (23) catch-fastened to the rotatating rim and catch-mounted on the frame (1) or by means of a band. The toothing of the ring (23) cooperates with at least one pawl (9) mounted in a recess of the frame and held in place on the one hand by a foot (11) and on the other hand by the rotating rim itself. The mounting of the unit and the after-sales service are facilitated.

Abstract: A watch casing has a back and a body or middle part made in one piece, and a glass engaged in the middle part. A strap is provided with an annular central portion bearing on the glass and with diametral arms secured to hinge lugs of the casing serving for the attachment of the bracelet. Thus, the glass is retained in place even when it is only engaged frictionally in a sealing gasket located in the casing body. The removal of the glass can be effected easily by engaging a blade into a lip of the casing body and into an annular groove provided for this purpose in the lateral face of the glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating time featuring a face having members positioned around a central point in five minute time intervals thereby forming a continuous surface, a pair of hands which rotate relative to the members and a means for mounting to a watchband, a wall or other such surface. These members may form a variety of different size and shape perimeters for the face. Also, the members may converge to the central point or terminate prior to that point to form a closed area.

Abstract: The rotating bezel of synthetic material forms, together with a ring of synthetic material provided with clicks formed integrally with said ring, and together with a metallic tension ring, a subassembly constituting a constructional unit which is easily fitted to or removed from the case. If the case is of synthetic material, the click carrier ring can be dispensed with by complete integration into the case.

Abstract: The piece of jewelry protected by a hard metal shielding may consist of a metallic watchband composed of elements jointed to each other. In this case each one of said elements comprises a body member 61 of a material suitable for machining, such as stainless steel, and a plate 64 of sintered hard metal which is secured to body member 61 by means of plugs 65 welded against the back side of plate 64 and riveted to body member 61. The upper surface of the watchband elements is thus protected against injuries which contacts with foreign bodies could produce. Since that face of the watchband elements is practically the only one which is visible, when the watch is carried, the watchband will keep its original appearance during all the time it will be carried.

Abstract: The watch case including a back cover, a caseband, a crystal, the peripheral zone of which entirely covers the caseband, a casing ring including at least one packing, a pair of supports facing one another fixed to the caseband and forming therewith a slot in which the crystal may be engaged and means for displacing the casing ring in order to compress the packing against the internal surface of the crystal and block said crystal against the supports. The crystal exhibits at least in its peripheral zone a spherical form of constant thickness. The upper surface of the caseband has the form of a part of a sphere the radius of which is substantially equal to that of the internal surface of the crystal. During assembly the internal surface of the crystal is made to slide over the upper surface of the caseband with a rotational motion resulting from the sliding of a spherical surface over part of a sphere.

Abstract: The watch case of this inveniton includes means for fixing the crystal to the case having surfaces exposed at the exterior of the watch thus susceptible to being scratched. Such visible surfaces are protected by an armour formed essentially of a substrate made from a metallic carbide and a material covering the substrate such material having a hardness greater than 5000 HV.sub.0.25.

Abstract: An improvement in a water resistant seal for a watch case with a bezel having a peripheral wall and a lens having a peripheral edge. The wall has an inwardly protruding flange and the lens edge has an outwardly protruding flange, the flanges being diagonally offset from one another. An elastomeric gasket of L-shaped cross section is clamped between the lens and the bezel. The gasket has an upstanding leg deformed in opposite lateral directions, by the flanges with a shearing force across the gasket leg, and is dimensioned to provide clearances which allow for manufacturing variations in size of the lens and bezel, while still maintaining a water resistant seal.

Abstract: To simplify fitting and sealing the crystal (4) to the casing (2, 6, 8), assembly is effected by means of ultrasonic welding. The casing (2, 6, 8) and the crystal (4) are made of synthetic materials which are thermo-weldable to each other. The mating faces (8a, 4b) of the peripheral wall (8) of the casing and the crystal (4) are formed for reducing the contact area between the two parts to permit thermo-welding by subjecting the assembly to high-frequency mechanical vibrations imparted by a tool (15).

Abstract: A case for a wrist watch includes a crystal, in particular, formed from a mineral material in the shape of a spherical cap which extends over the entire upper surface of the caseband and the edge of which descends to a level below that of the dial.

Abstract: A timepiece containing, primarily, a first transparent element (1) visible from the outside of the piece, characterized in that this element has an adherent lining (2, 4) applied to at least part of its surface and assuring the attachment to that element of a decorative outer coating of hard material (3) and/or of a layer of high-temperature soldering material (5).

Abstract: A watch case is described comprising a middle, a front plate and a back. The middle includes two concentric rings, an outer ring and an inner ring, with both being sandwiched between the front plate and the back. The inner ring provides support for the movement and the dial. The outer ring protects the watch and helps to enhance its appearance. The front plate and the outer ring are best made of hard material.

Abstract: A wrist watch case comprising a crystal bezel provided, on the depending walls covering the strap fixing sides, with diametrally opposed recesses. A first recess is adapted to receive a projection formed on the case periphery and a releasable locking member in the form of a U-shaped clamp is located in the other recess, the side legs of this clamp being adapted to be inserted into corresponding holes formed in the case periphery. The projection and the locking member, in the assembled watch condition, bear on the corresponding wall sections of the relevant depending crystal bezel walls which limit said recesses on their lower sides, thus effecting a perfect compression of the gasket clamped between the crystal bezel and the upper edge of the middle of the watch case and ensuring a reliable watertightness even in case of large tolerances of the cooperating parts. The releasable locking member may also consist of a small plate or a spring blade.

Abstract: A watch case is described made of metal or metal compound, comprising a back, a middle and a bezel. The case is made up of a stack of plates with one plate forming the back cover and the others being formed with openings and forming the middle and the bezel.

Abstract: The watchcase has the upper face of its caseband wholly covered by the glass composed of: an outer plate of transparent material; a smaller transparent plate centrally glued to the inner face of the outer plate for securing the glass to the caseband by its insertion in the caseband opening, and an ornamental opaque fitting in the form of a frame also glued to the outer plate, radially some distance apart from the smaller transparent plate. This fitting may consist either wholly of a transparent body opacified by a vaporized layer or partly of a transparent body, under which a precious or semi-precious stone is glued, or of a metallic or ceramic body. Like a bezel, it determines the aspect of the visible watchcase face while the watch is worn.Every piece of a series of identical watchcases can be given an original appearance simply by gluing a particular fitting to the glass.

Abstract: The watch has at the top edge of its case, on opposite sides, flanges which project radially inwards and the underside of which is at a distance from the watch-glass edge. To close the watch and press the watch glass against a packing resting on an inner case shoulder, there are two shackle-shaped clamping slides which each have two legs and which can be pushed from the two opposite flange-free case sides into the slits located between each of the flanges and the watch-glass edge. When the clamping slides are pushed in, the packing is compressed strongly enough by the watch glass pressing against it, in order to achieve perfect water-tightness. The invention relates in particular to a watch which has a molded case produced from plastic and or rectangular or even oval shape.

Abstract: To simplify fitting and sealing the crystal (4) to the casing (2, 6, 8), assembly is effected by means of ultrasonic welding. The casing (2, 6, 8) and the crystal (4) are made of synthetic materials which are thermo-weldable to each other. The mating faces (8a, 4b) of the peripheral wall (8) of the casing and the crystal (4) are formed for reducing the contact area between the two parts to permit thermo-welding by subjecting the assembly to high-frequency mechanical vibrations imparted by a tool (15).

Abstract: A wrist watch in which only a lower case portion is provided, onto which a watch glass is pressed. The watch glass is formed of two discs, one positioned on the other. Two discs are glued to each other and are assembled to form steps therebetween. The watch strap has two end portions provided with projections engaged in the above steps of the watch glass.

Abstract: The watch case comprising a middle (2) containing a lining (4) and a back (9) detachably mounted in a lower opening of the middle by means of a pressure device. A band (12) of synthetic material constituting a seal is formed on the periphery of the opening, that band being made in one piece with the lining and connected to it by portions of synthetic material crossing appropriate passages (15) of the middle. The side walls (16) of the opening are at least partially devoid of lining and they work together with opposite surfaces (17) of the back in order to assure pressure coupling of the latter and compression of the band (12).

Abstract: A wrist-watch case includes a back that is screwed onto a spacer ring and an assembly of two caps and a crystal that forms one piece attached to the case-band by screws fastened into the caps from the underside of the case-band. This construction makes it possible to integrate a bracelet perfectly with the case through the caps, each cap forming an end link having the same appearance as the articulated links of the bracelet and adjoining the beveled edge of the crystal. This construction is particularly well adapted to the use of caps and links made entirely of hard metal.

Abstract: The bezel of the watchcase is made up of an annular zone supporting the glass and of four pillars extending radially outward at 45.degree. angles relative to the 3 o'clock-9 o'clock and 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axes. At the same positions the caseband has four indentations into which the pillars are fitted so as to come in contact with the inside face of the back. Screws fix the back to the bezel, thereby compressing two gaskets and securing the caseband between those two parts. At the location of 3 o'clock, the caseband is pierced by a radial passage provided for a control stem.

Abstract: A watch case is described comprising a glass soldered to a metal part. The area of the glass having to be soldered to the metal part is provided with a coating which includes at least an outer layer made of the same material as the metal part.

Abstract: The clock comprises a usual clockwork, as well as a first annular component provided with a ring of pin-like projections parallel to one another; a second component which is also annular and can be coupled with the first component and provided with a ring of openings which can be aligned with and passed through by the pin-like projections and located on an inner flange thereof; a substantially flat dial to rest on the inner flange and provided with a ring of openings which can be aligned with those of the second component and passed through the pin-like projections thus forming the time references; and a third transparent component provided with contour side insertable in the second component.

Abstract: A case body is fixed to a glass by means of an interposed ring of a vulcanizable elastomer, this ring being bonded by vulcanization either directly to the glass or to a metallized coating applied to the glass, as well as to the upper surface of the case body. The metallic coating is applied to an annular zone at the periphery of the underside of the glass. Instead of this coating, the inside surface of the glass may be frosted in that zone.

Abstract: A structure of a watch case, which comprises a watchglass, a case band member composed of a cemented carbide alloy and having a flange formed at an upper portion thereof and an annular surface formed at a lower portion of the flange, a watchglass supporting ring brazed to the case band member and having an upper surface for supporting a bottom surface of the watchglass, a packing for providing a waterproof and a back cover secured to the case band member. The packing is provided between the outer periphery of the watchglass and an annular groove. The annular groove is formed by the flange and annular surface of the case band member and the upper surface of the watchglass supporting ring.

Abstract: A watch-case comprises, superposed onto the case-band (1), a sealing gasket (4), a ring forming a flange (2) and a watch-glass (3).The thus-formed assembly is fixed to the case-band by means of claws (10) which grip the watch-glass and which are arranged on the periphery of the case-band. The claws are provided with an internally threaded portion (11) which fits into an opening (7) provided on the periphery of the watch-glass and which receives a screw (12) the head of which is supported by a cut-out provided on the underside of the case-band.

Abstract: A watchcase (1) comprising essentially a body (15) to the top surface of which is held a flat crystal (2) by means of fixation members (4) providing grooves in which the edges of the crystal are secured after having been laterally engaged therein, and a sealing strip against the perimeter of the bottom face (11) of the crystal. The grooves of the fixation members (4) are bounded by two facing surfaces between which the crystal is engaged, the top groove surface (6) bearing against the top face (8) of the crystal. The case further comprises means (12) for applying the sealing strip (10) against the bottom face (11) of the crystal only after the crystal has been engaged in the grooves.

Abstract: A watch case structure including a plate member fixed on the inner periphery of the upper part of a caseband and provided with an opening; a bezel fixed along the rim of the opening in the plate member; and an upper glass fixed on the inner periphery of the upper part of said bezel. The plate member can be made from metal or glass and if made from glass, part of the display can be provided thereunder.

Abstract: A watchcase essentially comprises a crystal 1 engaged in a recess 2 of a bezel or body 3. A material 6 capable of assuming a liquid or pasty consistency at the time of assembly, then solidifying and adhering to the wall 4 of the recess 2 is inserted in the space formed by the walls 4 and 5 of part 3 and crystal 1. The crystal 1 has a configuration such that the material 6, after setting, will exert a geometrical locking effect upon it.

Abstract: A watchcase (1) comprises a flat crystal (3) of hard material held by pressure between elastically deformable opposite side walls (4) of a recess (5) formed at the top of the body (2) of the watchcase. The bottom face (8) of the crystal (3) compresses a seal (9) arranged around the opening of the body. The restoring force exerted on the bevel of the crystal by the facing surface of the walls (4) as well as the rigidity of the crystal make it possible to make tightly sealed watchcases in which the crystal is held on the body over a portion of its margins only.

Abstract: A crystal (1) of a wristwatch case contains a sapphire base plate (2) which, in front view, entirely covers the body (3) of the case. That plate (2) is in turn entirely covered by a second sapphire plate (4) which is glued (5) to plate (2) very rigidly. The crystal (1) is fastened to the body (3) by screws engaged from the back side of the body (3) in sockets (7), a head (9) of which is captured between the two plates (2, 4) of the crystal (1). The position of the sockets (7) is exactly determined by a conical seat (10) of housings hollowed out in plate (2), at the bottom of which rests the conical head (9) of the sockets (7). Flats (14) are formed on the heads (9), so that the glue forms packings (15) preventing the sockets (7) from turning while screwing the crystal (1). The upper face (6) of the square (3) and the heads (9) of the sockets (7) are masked by a metal coating (12) deposited by vacuum spraying on the other side of plate (4).

Abstract: The watch case contains a crystal (1) and a casing (3), on an upper peripheral surface (2) of which the crystal (1) is detachably mounted by means of connecting members or straps (10). These connecting members may consist of a U-shaped clamps (10) having arms (11, 12) to which the edges of the crystal (1) and the casing (3) are tightened and which are capable of being set in place by being laterally engaged on the edges of the case.

Abstract: A plastic strap and bezel are molded from plastic material to provide a bezel section and integrated flexible strap sections. The bazel is adapted to retain a bell-shaped crystal of transparent plastic with a central viewing portion. The crystal has a depending wall portion arranged to receive a caseback of metal or plastic with a water-resistant seal. The crystal wall portion includes an integral pendant for the stem or push button, and has ears or lugs, which are molded into the bezel or, which snap into bezel recesses.

Abstract: The protecting device comprises a transparent sapphire plate. The trade-mark of the watch and a digital indication are applied on the reverse side of that plate. These indications are applied by vaporization under vacuum. The digital indication is introduced in an index by the watch manufacturer and forms part of a code permitting the individualization of the watches produced and to identify them at all time. Said plate is indissolubly glued onto the sapphire glass of the watch so that said indications are sandwiched between these two pieces. The individualization of the product, that this protecting device permits, constitutes for the purchaser of the watch the guarantee that the indication designating the origin of the watch is genuine.

Abstract: A watch (1) comprising essentially a body (15) to the top surface of which is held a flat crystal (2) by means of fixation members (4) providing grooves in which the edges of the crystal are secured after having been laterally engaged therein, and a sealing strip against the perimeter of the bottom face (11) of the crystal. The grooves of the fixation members (4) are bounded by two facing surfaces between which the crystal is engaged, the top groove surface (6) bearing against the top face (8) of the crystal. The case further comprises means (12) for applying the sealing strip (1) against the bottom face (11) of the crystal only after the crystal has been engaged in the grooves.