Abstract: A mechanism for winding a timepiece including at least first and second energy accumulators, the winding mechanism including a winding stem, a winding pinion and a sliding pinion having face gear toothings, arranged to allow the winding pinion to be driven by the sliding pinion in both directions of rotation of the winding stem, the winding stem and the sliding pinion occupying the same axial winding position. The winding stem is housed inside a bottom plate so that the winding pinion is operational on either side of the winding stem with respect to the bottom plate and the winding mechanism includes first and second coupling/uncoupling devices arranged on either side of the winding stem with respect to the bottom plate.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a display device that displays display information, a drive mechanism that drives the display device, a crown that can perform a rotary operation, and a control device that corrects the display information displayed on the display device by the rotary operation of the crown. The control device has a single correction mode and a continuous correction mode which are selected by the rotary operation of the crown. In the single correction mode, a single correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a single correction quantity. In the continuous correction mode, a continuous correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a continuous correction quantity. The continuous correction quantity is set depending on types of the display information to be corrected in the continuous correction mode.

Abstract: In the control method for an analog display device fitted to a timepiece movement, the motor is used both for driving a first indicator of a time parameter and a second periodically driven indicator. To this end, the motor is controlled such that, when the first indicator is in an operating mode and the second indicator is arranged to remain substantially immobile, said first indicator is driven in rotation by the motor alternately. The first indicator is driven in a forward direction, to display the time parameter, during a first period in which a periodic actuation wheel set is simultaneously driven in positions of its area of non-actuation, and in a backward direction, in accelerated mode, during a second period following the first period, before the periodic actuation wheel set is driven in a position of its area of actuation.

Abstract: The sub-assembly includes, irreversibly fixed to a main plate and each irreversibly pre-adjusted by the irreversible securing of adjustment and/or assembly components, after the particular timepiece function thereof has been adjusted and function checked on the test bench, functional modules: a gear train module, a display module, and a time-setting module. Other mechanical sub-assemblies, each irreversibly fixed to the preceding lower order mechanical sub-assembly, include various modules; motor module frame-mounted self-winding device module escapement holder regulating module motion work train date module self-winding module. Mechanical movement including at least one mechanical sub-assembly of this type. Watch including a mechanical movement of this type. Method of assembling mechanical sub-assemblies of this type by the irreversible securing of mechanical sub-assemblies and irreversibly pre-adjusted modules.

Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism equipped timepiece which, being small and thin, includes two date indicators configuring date characters which are large and easy to see. A calendar mechanism equipped timepiece of the invention includes a first date indicator which displays the ones column of the date, a second date indicator which displays the tenths column of the date, and a program wheel which enables each of the first date indicator and second date indicator to rotate intermittently. The program wheel includes program wheel teeth, first date indicator advance teeth, second date indicator advance teeth having provided at the leading ends thereof second date indicator advance fingers, and correction teeth. A configuration is such that the height of the second date indicator advance teeth is greater than the height of the first date indicator advance teeth, and the height of the first date indicator advance teeth is greater than the height of the correction teeth.

Abstract: A calendar watch is arranged to allow time-setting to be carried out without this operation altering the state of the calendar mechanism at the passage to midnight. This mechanism, which is of the instantaneous date type, includes a large lever (2) loaded by a spring and wound by a spiral shaped cam (11) and a click (20) released at midnight by a flexible finger (12) of a 24-hour wheel (10). The mechanism prevents any transmission of movement from the 24 hour wheel to the date wheel set, when they are set in the active position by the winding stem (33) pulled out into the time-setting position of the watch. A pivoting isolator (30), which, in its active position, abuts against the click (20) prevents the click from releasing the lever (2).

Abstract: The device for adjusting a time indicator includes a gear train (1), the kinematic chain of which includes a sliding pinion (2) driven by a driving wheel set (3). The sliding pinion drives a driven wheel set (4) when the driving wheel set rotates in a first direction (A) and disconnects from said driven wheel set when said driving wheel set (3) rotates in a second direction (B), opposite to the first direction. The shaft (6) that the sliding pinion (2) includes is engaged in a groove (7) having first (9) and second (12) end portions, at least the first end portion (9) of which is directed radially (R) to the driven wheel set (4).

Abstract: An electronic timepiece with date display function reduces power consumption in conjunction with the user adjusting the date, and makes it easier for the user to set the date. A displayed date detection unit H has a day detector H1 for detecting the displayed day, a month detector H2 for detecting the displayed month, and a year detector H3 for detecting the displayed year. A control unit A controls a calendar mechanism drive unit F according to the date detected by detectors H1 to H3.

Abstract: An operating unit adapted to be incorporated into a watch with a main setting device, which comprises at least two engagement positions, namely one rest position and at least one pulled position, and with at least one auxiliary setting device. The invention is also concerned with all types of watches suitable for the integration of such an operating unit and comprising the unit, in particular a world time watch with an analogue indication of the time of the day and of a corresponding location for different time zones with an offset relative to the local time by a multiple of an hour or of half an hour and thus allowing a simultaneous and reliable reading of the time of the day for the indicated time zones and a simple, fast and reliable operation and setting of the watch.

Abstract: A control mechanism adapted to be incorporated into a watch with a main setting device, which comprises at least two engagement positions, namely one rest position and at least one pulled position, and with at least one auxiliary setting device. The invention is also concerned with all types of watches suitable for the integration of such a control mechanism and comprising the mechanism, in particular a world time watch with an analogue indication of the time of the day and of a corresponding location for different time zones with an offset relative to the local time by a multiple of an hour or of half an hour, which thus allows a simultaneous and reliable reading of the time of the day for the indicated time zones and which, in particular, avoids inadvertent modification of the settings of the watch.

Abstract: A mechanism for setting and winding of a clockwork, with a winding button spindle, rotatable around its arbor and displaceable in the axial direction, and with a first gear arranged at a distance from the winding button spindle, rotatable around its arbor and displaceable in the direction of its arbor. The rotational movement of this first gear is operatively connected to the rotational movement of the winding button spindle via at least one additional gear. The axial displaceability of the first gear is operatively connected to the axial displaceability of the winding spindle via a first connection device, so that the first gear can be engaged in the axial direction with additional clockwork parts by axial displacement of the winding spindle.

Abstract: When an analog indicator is enabled, the position of the time indicator is detected by an indicator position detection circuit. When the indicator arrives at a predetermined position, typically 24:00, a CPU advances calendar data to a correct date and stores the calculation result in a calendar counter. The CPU outputs a drive instruction signal to a date-indicating wheel drive pulse generating circuit to drive a date-indicating wheel to the correct date. The date-indicating wheel drive pulse generating circuit then drives the date-indicating wheel to a renewed position. At this time, a time counter is cleared to 0:00 and is synchronized with the position of the analog indicator. When driving of the analog indicator is disabled, such as by the pulling out of a crown switch, and the time counted by the time counter arrives at a predetermined time, typically 24:00, the CPU advances the present calendar data to the correct date and stores the calculation result in the calendar counter.

Abstract: This invention concerns a timepiece of the mechanical and/or electromechanical type. Such piece comprises a first display mechanism (1), in particular a date display, a second display mechanism (2) such as a moon phase display, rapid correction means (4) for both display mechanisms (1, 2) and a driving organ (6) which controls such display mechanisms (1, 2) and which can absorb equally the displacement of one or the other of these mechanisms, such piece being characterized in that the rapid correction means (4) comprises meshing means (64) common to both mechanisms (1, 2), mounted for rotation and adapted to operate alternatively upon one or the other of such two mechanisms (1, 2) under the action of control means (72, 74). This invention is applicable to calendar and moon phase watches having a center date hand.

Abstract: A clock apparatus includes a clock circuit having a display portion for displaying time and date and a non-volatile memory. Upon every usage of the apparatus, at least the year at the present time is taken from the clock circuit and is stored in the memory. Upon turning on a power supply for driving the clock circuit after turning-off of the power supply, a setting unit reads the content of the memory and sets at least the year of the read content in the clock circuit as an initial value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a setting method of the perpetual calendar of a chronograph watch having an analogic display and comprising a watch case, a time setting stem and two chronograph pushers. The display comprises a dial provided with an hour and a minute graduation as well as a centered chronograph hand and eccentric chronograph counters for the minutes and the hours each presenting a graduation, a corresponding hand and a date display. The watch comprises at least a driving motor for these hands and an electronic circuit provided with a processor controlled by a quartz time base. The setting of the perpetual calendar, number of the years within a cycle of four years, number of the months of the year, and indication of the date is controlled by the time setting stem and the two chronograph pushers. During the setting process, one displays the value of each of the parameters to be set successively by one of the hands and of the corresponding graduation.

Abstract: A process for programming the perpetual calendar of a watch with analog time display is effected using elements incorporated in the watch. The hand of the watch and the position of the hand is used to indicate the steps of the programming. The operation of the stem places the watch in the program mode. If it is required to program three parameters, namely, the number of the year in a four year cycle, the number of the month of the year and the day of the month; and if the watch has a hand setting stem with three positions, each parameter to be programmed is allocated to a position of the stem and the parameters to be programmed are read from the second hand by allocating to the latter real steps corresponding to stopping positions and non allowable steps corresponding to non stopping positions.

Abstract: A colon appearing on the display of an electronic digital timepiece between the hours and the minutes display serves as a display means for the time complexes "daylight-saving time" and "standard time", One point of the colon is surrounded by a first symbol for daylight-saving time and the other point is surrounded with a second symbol for standard time. In accordance with the selected time complex, these symbols appear on the display either continuously or for a period of time upon being recalled.

Abstract: The watch has a first motor for driving a time display, a second motor for driving a numerical indicator of the day of the month, a perpetual-calendar circuit, a first transmission circuit, a non-volatile memory, a second transmission circuit, an initialization circuit and a detection circuit for generating a signal when the cell that energizes the circuit is being replaced. The calendar circuit includes day, month, and year counters. The contents of the month and year counters are transferred to the non-volatile memory by the first transmission circuit in response to periodic signals. The date on which the watch stops at the end of the cell's life is memorized by the day of the month indicating means and the non-volatile memory. Upon insertion of a new cell and in response to the detection signal, the contents of the non-volatile memory are transferred into the month and year counters by the second transmission circuit.

Abstract: A watch comprises a first motor (2) for driving a time display (4), a second motor (23) for driving means (20) for numerically indicating the day of the month, a perpetual-calendar circuit (30), a first transmission circuit (40), a non-volatile memory (41), a second transmission circuit (42), and a detection circuit (43) for generating a signal (S43) when an energy supply cell is being inserted to energize the circuits. The calendar circuit includes counters (31, 32, 33) generating a calendar signal (S30) representative of the date. This signal is periodically transferred to the non-volatile memory by the first transmission circuit in response to periodic signals (Sx, Sm, Sa). The date at which the watch stops at the end of the cell's life remains memorized in the non-volatile memory and in the day of the month indicating means.

Abstract: This watch comprises a date crown or date disc (9) pivoted onto a plate (10) and completely independent of a driving gear train (1, 2, 3). A second micro-motor (14) drives this crown (9) in its angular displacements.

Abstract: In an analog timepiece having calendar displays for day and date, a transducer operating independently of the hand driving transducer, feeds, that is, updates the calendar wheels automatically on a daily basis. Synchronization of the daily day and date changes is provided by a twenty-four hour wheel cooperating with the time-keeping mechanism. For setting the calendar displays, turning the stem in one direction polarizes a magnet and advances the day wheel, while turning the stem in the other direction reverses the polarity of the magnet and advances the date dial until desired settings are accomplished. The date advancing transducer can be automatically actuated for end of the month date adjustments.

Abstract: An electronic display device has numerals 1 to 31 for days of one month arranged in plural columns and rows, and numerals for displaying time such as "hours", "minutes" and "seconds" and including a plurality of segments. At least a part of the numerals for data display are disposed in the spaces defined by the segments for the numerals for time display. The device is useful for devices with restricted display space.