Abstract: A transparent substrate (10) made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures higher than 500° C., such as sapphire, includes recesses (13, 14) in at least one of its faces (11, 12) and/or a groove (15) machined into its thickness, that are covered with opaque, translucent or transparent enamel depositions (23 to 30) that may or may not be colored, depending upon the pigments used in the enamel composition. The invention is applicable to a dial of a timepiece.

Abstract: A timepiece cover glass used in a timepiece with a solar battery is provided. The timepiece cover glass covers the solar battery. The timepiece cover glass includes an antireflective layer is formed on at least both sides of the timepiece cover glass. A formula (1) is satisfied. f(x, y, z)?40 (1), where (f(x, y, z) expresses the absolute value of the difference between the maximum value and minimum value among x, y, and z, where z=550.), xnm represents a wavelength exhibiting a minimum reflectance in a reflectance curve based on the antireflective layer, ynm represents a maximum sensitivity wavelength of the solar battery, and znm represents a maximum visible sensitivity wavelength, and the luminous reflectance is 0.6% or less.

Abstract: A wristwatch includes a case and a corresponding crystal, and an integrated circuit sized to be received with the case. The wristwatch has a first, second, third, and fourth capacitive touch sensor adapted to be located beneath the crystal and within the case when the wristwatch is assembled. The capacitive touch sensors are in electrical communication with the integrated circuit to control operation of the wristwatch. The capacitive touch sensors are located adjacent to the periphery of the crystal and are spaced apart.

Abstract: A case unit includes a resin case main body including an outer peripheral surface and an opening forming surface enclosed by the outer peripheral surface and being formed with an opening. A step is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the opening to face an entrance of the opening. An elastic member is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the opening and mounted on the step. A light transmission member is press-fitted in the opening via the elastic member and covers the opening. And, a fitting part of a frame member is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the resin case main body to make an elastic member pressing part extending from the fitting part toward the entrance of the frame member cover at least a part of the elastic member at the entrance of the opening.

Abstract: Method of fastening a glass to a watch bezel, wherein the glass has a plurality of studs or a plurality of holes or a plurality of studs and holes and the bezel has a plurality of studs or a plurality of holes or a plurality of studs and holes. The method is characterized in that it comprises a step of pressing the studs into the holes.

Abstract: An external piece for a time piece and a method of manufacturing the same, including a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the faces includes a longitudinal curvature and a transverse curvature that are different.

Abstract: The case includes a middle part (3) and a back cover (5) delimiting a compartment (7) closed by a glass (10), made of a transparent material resistant to temperatures above 500° C., said glass being bonded or welded at joint zones (15) at least partially covering the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3). It is characterized in that the inner face (11) of the glass (10) includes an enamel deposition (20) formed on the zones of the joints (15) with the shoulder (4) of the middle part (3), either in a hollow (14), or on the surface of said inner face (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for assembly of a crystal and a bezel for use of the crystal as vibrating and radiating element, according to which unconnected junction zones are determined and form the only mechanical link for transmission of vibrations of the bezel to the crystal, on which zones the crystal is secured on the bezel to transmit to the crystal any vibration communicated to the bezel. Outside these zones the crystal is held without direct contact with the bezel. The invention also relates to a crystal-bezel assembly unit for a timepiece comprising junction zones that form the only mechanical link for transmission of vibrations from the bezel to the crystal to cause the crystal to resonate under the action of the vibrations, and outside said junction zones the crystal has no direct contact with the bezel. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a unit.

Abstract: To provide a cover glass that is easy to manufacture and a timepiece equipped with the cover glass, a cover glass is a member used by being attached to a body of a timepiece. This cover glass has a plate-like form and includes a cover glass main body and a spacer. The cover glass main body has a transparent quality, and the spacer has a transparent quality, is joined to a back surface of the cover glass main body, and has a ring shape that follows along an edge portion of the cover glass main body. In this cover glass, the cover glass main body and the spacer can be made of the same material or of different materials.

Abstract: A timepiece cover glass used in a timepiece with a solar battery is provided. The timepiece cover glass covers the solar battery. The timepiece cover glass includes an antireflective layer is formed on at least both sides of the timepiece cover glass. A formula (1) is satisfied. f(x, y, z)?40 (1), where (f(x, y, z) expresses the absolute value of the difference between the maximum value and minimum value among x, y, and z, where z=550.), xnm represents a wavelength exhibiting a minimum reflectance in a reflectance curve based on the antireflective layer, ynm represents a maximum sensitivity wavelength of the solar battery, and znm represents a maximum visible sensitivity wavelength, and the luminous reflectance is 0.6% or less.

Abstract: A timepiece includes: a housing (10), a movement (12) provided in the housing, a piece of glass (14) closing the housing, a dial (60) provided between the movement and the glass, wherein the dial can assume a first state in which the elements located behind the dial opposite the glass are visible from the glass side and a second state in which the elements are hidden, a mobile part capable of movement between at least one first position and at least one second position respectively corresponding to the first and second states of the dial, and display members (16) provided between the dial and the glass. The timepiece further includes a lid movably mounted relative to the housing and kinematically connected to the mobile part for urging the same from the first to the second position.

Abstract: Method of fastening a glass (2) to a watch bezel (1), wherein the glass (2) has at least one protruding part (3) and/or a recess (4) and the bezel (1) has at least one protruding part (3) and/or a recess (4). The method is characterised in that it comprises a step of pressing the protruding part (3) into the recess (4).

Abstract: A timepiece (40) includes optical means for forming a decorative pattern, in the form of a figurative image, in response to user action. The optical means forming a figurative image include an optical guide (1, 51) having two large faces (10, 11) and at least one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (19), each having at least one light reflective surface (20), are arranged in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (20), via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to form in a well defined direction, and the set of light beams forms a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be selected as the normal with respect to the mid-plane of the watch.

Abstract: The crystal (10), in the inner surface of which contact zones (17) are structured, includes close to its edge a hollow (14) machined in one of its faces (11, 12) or a groove (25) machined in its thickness and provided with an enamel deposition (20) for concealing said contact zones (17) after bonding.

Abstract: The invention concerns a watch including a case fitted with a glass and containing display means able to be observed through the glass, characterised in that said glass is made from a plate formed of a fiber optic group.

Abstract: The invention proposes a watch comprising a case which includes a middle part, a crystal and a display dial. The crystal includes an outer radial collar which abuts axially against the middle part and which is held axially against the middle part by means of a bezel. The bezel includes a lower annular radial surface which abuts axially against the top face of the collar. According to one feature of the invention, the collar includes a convex outer peripheral surface which is generally complementary to a concave inner surface of the bezel arranged opposite, underneath the radial abutment surface of the bezel and which abuts radially against said inner surface in the event of an axial shock applied to the crystal.

Abstract: A watch assembly includes a case, a movement provided at an inner side of the case, hands coupled to the movement for indicating hours, minutes, and seconds, and a watch-glass provided at the case, the watch-glass having a dial so that the hands indicate a character thereon to thereby display the time. The watch assembly provides the dial which is integrally provided at the watch-glass, and various designs including photographic portraits, natural photographs, artistic photographs, sketches, and the like or characters are displayed on the dial, thereby embodying an appearance having a refined design.

Abstract: The telephone watch includes a crystal (1) including a keyboard (2) formed in particular of a plurality of capacitive sensors (3) disposed under the crystal. This crystal includes a thick zone (4) at its center and a thinned zone (5) at its periphery. The keyboard (2) is deposited under the thinned zone (5).

Abstract: An adjustable watch crystal apparatus includes a watch body, a flexible lens having a changeable amount of curvature, and means for adjusting the amount of curvature of the flexible lens. The flexible lens is positioned upwardly adjacent a watch face for adjustably refracting light to make the watch face legible for a user with farsighted vision. The flexible lens includes top and bottom sides having convex configurations, an outer edge, and a center. The adjusting means includes a collar member attached to the watch body for retaining the flexible lens outer edge. In one embodiment, an adjustment screw controls the curvature of the flexible lens by moving the flexible lens center between adjacent-center and displaced-center configurations. In another embodiment, the collar member moves perpendicularly to the watch face to control the curvature of the flexible lens by moving the flexible lens outer edge between displaced-edge and adjacent-edge configurations.

Abstract: A light source (15) is housed in a housing (6) of a case, underneath the dial (10) opposite a guide (17) directing the light onto a reflector (20), formed in a hollow in the internal or external face of a crystal (1) the thickness of which decreases regularly from the center to the periphery thereof for reorienting the light by total internal reflection into the crystal (1) until it emerges towards the dial (10) when the maximum refractive index is exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable object such as, in particular, a timepiece (1), including means (16) for displaying at least one data item and a case (2) formed of a top portion including a crystal (14) covering the display means (16) and a bottom portion delimited by a back cover (6) located below said display means (16), this object including a piezoelectric transducer (32) generating an electric voltage when mechanical pressure is exerted on said top portion, the voltage generated by the piezoelectric transducer (32) being applied to a first electronic circuit which will generate a logic signal in response to the pressure exerted, this electronic circuit being arranged inside said case (2), characterized in that said piezoelectric transducer (32) is arranged in the bottom portion of said case (2) and is rigidly connected to said case (2).

Abstract: Several watches (1.1-1.4) are placed in an arrangement and interconnected by connecting means (2.1-2.3). The watches (1.1-1.4) have cover glasses (11.1-11.4), dials (12.1-12.4), cases (13.1-13.4), winders (14.1-14.4) and time indicating means (15.1-15.4). The connecting means (2.1-2.3) are e.g. located on a carrier element (20) containing the dials (12.1-12.4) of all the watches (1.1-1.4). The carrier element (20) has preset breaking lines (3.1-3.3) in the form of perforations and cross-sectional reductions between the watches (1.1-1.4), so that said watches (1.1-1.4) can be separated from one another. The arrangement or watches (1.1-1.4) separated therefrom can be used as fashion accessories jewellery, pendants, etc. There are no practical limits to the design of the arrangement and its watches (1.1-1.4). The arrangement can be manufactured in a simple, advantageous manner, so that it is in particular possible to take account of rapidly changing fashions.

Abstract: The transparency of a watch crystal having scratches in the outer surface is improved by applying thereto a piece of a thermoplastic urethane film. The film has an acrylic adhesive on one surface and a protective clear coat on the other surface. The scratched cover of the watch crystal and the adhesive is thoroughly wetted with an alcohol water solution (25% alcohol, 75% water). The film is then placed on the scratched cover and stretched to cover and conform to the surface thereof. Pressure is then applied to the film to drive out from thereunder excess of the water alcohol solution. After a short drying period the watch is ready for use.

Abstract: A timepiece, such as a watch, having a protective cover with a gem set therein. The protective cover may be crystal, plastic or any other transparent and durable material. The protective cover has an aperture having concentric cuts. The setting is seated in the aperture and secured to the protective cover. The setting is configured to be of a similar size and shape as the aperture so that it may be securely affixed to the protective cover. A gasket may be inserted between the setting and the aperture to create a watertight seal in the watch cover. The timepiece may also have a hinged, hidden compartment on the backside of the watch frame. Engravings may be made in the hidden compartment, and small, thin objects may be stored therein.

Abstract: In order to angularly position and centre the crystal (5) with respect to the dial (4), the dial is provided with at least one lug (8) capable of being introduced precisely into a hollow (11) made in a collar (10) of the crystal (5). Thus, if the crystal has a lens (41) and the dial (4) has a window (40), the lens will be superposed exactly on said window.

Abstract: The invention concerns a watch crystal (1) made of hard mineral material, in particular a crystalline material such as corundum, sapphire or spinel, including a non-circular optical lens (4) shaped in the thickness of the material of the crystal. The lens is formed by machining and polishing a recess (5) preferably situated in the lower face (3) of the crystal. Its contour can have reentering angles, and can be for example rectangular. The machining is effected by means of a brush which hits the bottom of the recess with the addition of a polishing medium.

Abstract: The watch is provided with a circular row of capacitive keys defined by transparent electrodes (21 to 32) arranged on the inner face of the crystal (5) of the watch and connected to a detection device via a multiplexer. These keys are activated by the person wearing the watch placing a finger (38) on the crystal facing one of the electrodes. The watch further includes means for detecting the position of at least one of the hands (8, 9) by means of the same detection device, using the electrodes (21 to 32) of the capacitive keys and/or other fixed electrodes (51).

Abstract: A transparent and scratchproof watch crystal, characterized in that it is made of polycrystalline diamond. The invention also concerns a watch case fitted with such a watch crystal.

Abstract: The clock has a dial which may be removed from a casing and replaced by a different dial. The dial is located behind the crystal of the clock and the hands are located outside the crystal.

Abstract: A thin antenna 20 having a satisfactory length, its making method, and an electronic device such as a wristwatch having such antenna. The antenna 20 is formed on a lower surface of a transparent plate 5 by printing an ornamental layer 22 on a lower surface of the transparent plate 5, forming a conductive ink layer 23 on the ornamental layer 22, and further forming plated metal layers 24, 25 on the conductive ink layer 23. Since the antenna 20 is thin as a whole, it may be provided within a small electronic device such as a wristwatch.

Abstract: A timepiece, such as a wristwatch, includes a casing, a carrier disc disposed in the casing, a glass mounted elastically to the casing in front of the carrier disc, and control switches in the form of piezoelectric sensors each sandwiched between an outer edge of the glass and a forwardly facing edge of the carrier disc. The sensors are electrically connected to an electrical control circuit of the timepiece and are actuable in response to being compressed by a rearward pressure applied to the outer edge of the glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ornamental clock having a clock glass with gems glued to the underside of the clock glass with transparent adhesive.

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: A timepiece glass assembly (1) is provided having a pair of superimposed, spaced apart, transparent glasses (2, 3) held together round their peripheries by a holding ring (6) in a manner such as to define between the glasses and ring an internal chamber (4). The chamber (4) may contain a fluid such as scent or a medicament and movable objects or particles (5) for decorative effect. The fluid is allowed to escape to the exterior of the chamber (4) via a passage (8) through the holding ring (6) in a manner controlled by a semi-sealing ring (10) which closes off the outer end of the passage (8). The ring (10) absorbs fluid and allows the scent and/or medicament to vaporize therefrom and escape to the exterior of the assembly (1) which may be removably attached to any suitable timepiece such as a wrist watch.

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: A clock comprising capsule in which a timepiece movement is incorporated, a install plate on which the capsule is fixedly attached, a dial disposed in front of the install plate, a transparent front cover disposed in front of the dial, and hands disposed in a gap between the front cover and the dial and driven by said movement, characterized in that projections are integrally formed on the front cover so that tip ends of the projections are made to come to close to or to abut against a front surface of the dial.

Abstract: A protective overlay is provided for preventing scratching or chipping of the crystal of a wristwatch, while permitting visual determination of the time of day. The overlay comprises a circular disk of a transparent high static vinyl sheet material adapted for stick-on attachment to a glass or plastic watch crystal without use of an adhesive. The exposed or front side of the disk bears selected decorative ornamentation and is covered by a transparent surface layer which seals the ornamentation against smudging and the like.

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: 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 is described having a case made of an alloy or of a metal compound, e.g. stainless steel, which provides an integral bottom-plate structure. The case consists of a stack of plates. The two outermost plates form a back and a bezel, bearing the watch glass, respectively. The remaining plates are formed with openings that together define in the case housings for accommodating components of the watch.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a watch case part comprising a glass and a middle having an opening for the glass, the following operations are carried out: first, a metallic coating is deposited on a peripheral portion of the glass, then one or more elements are formed on the coating by moulding a molten material having an affinity for the metal forming the coating, whereupon the glass is secured to the middle through the intermediary of the fastening element. The fastening element may consist of a heel extending around the periphery of the glass or of fastening studs extending at right angles to the plane of the glass. In some cases the fastening element may also act as sealing element.

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: 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: 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: A waterproof watchcase-and-glass assembly has a plurality of superimposed resin layers coated on the glass in the region where the glass contacts the case to obtain a watertight connection between the case and glass. The innermost resin layer, which is in contact with the glass, has superior adhesion to glass and a lower hardness than the outermost resin layer, which is in contact with the case.

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: An electronic watch in which the inside face of the glass 6 of the watch comprises, on its periphery, conductor deposits (10, 16, 22, 32) forming the conductor tracks of a printed circuit, the insulating substrate of which is formed by capacitor 14, the resonator 20 or the integrated circuit 18 are fixed directly on the glass. Electrical contact means (12, 28, 30, 46) form the connections between the conductor tracks and other components which are housed in the watch casing. A deposit (8) forming a masking means on the outside face of the glass hides the printed circuit and the components.

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.