Search Patents
  • Wristwatch
    Patent number: 5327401
    Abstract: The wristwatch displays the date through a window in the dial. To achieve this, the watch comprises a rotatable disc (13) bearing a first series of numbers corresponding to some of the days of the month, and a second series of numbers corresponding to the remaining days, said series being arranged in two concentric circles. To ensure that the date numbers pass the hatch in chronological order, the disc is rotatably driven by a motor (70) combined with an endless screw (71), and translatably driven by a motor (72) combined with an endless screw (73) to pivot a circle sector (74) about a spindle (75). Both said motors are controlled by an electronic circuit (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Rene Besson, Frank G. Vernay
  • Watch case
    Patent number: 5155713
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Rene Addor, Alberto Jaussi
  • Self-compensating balance spring for a mechanical oscillator of a balance-spring/balance assembly of a watch movement and process for manufacturing this balance-spring
    Patent number: 5881026
    Abstract: A self-compensating spring for a balance-spring for a balance-spring/balance assembly of a mechanical oscillator of a horological movement or of any other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic Nb--Zr alloy containing between 5% and 25% by weight of Zr, obtained by cold rolling or cold drawing, and having a Young's modulus whose temperature coefficient (TCY) is adjustable by precipitation of Zr-rich phases in the Nb--Zr solid-solution. It contains at least 500 ppm by weight of an interstitial doping agent at least partly formed of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Baur, Patrick Sol, Pierre-Alain Walder
  • ELASTIC ARTICULATION FOR A WATCH ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20210045503
    Abstract: An arrangement includes two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) of a timepiece component and an axis of rotation (A1; A1?), the two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) being linked to one another by an elastic articulated link (100; 100?) about the axis of rotation (A1; A1?), the arrangement also includes an elastic element (10, 10?; 10?) such that the relative movement of the two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) takes place against the elastic element (10, 10?; 10?), wherein the elastic element (10, 10?; 10?) includes at least two superposed springs (10a, 10b, 10a?, 10b?; 10a?, 10b?), each of these at least two springs (10a, 10b, 10a?, 10b?; 10a?, 10b?) taking the form of a distinct element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventor: Philippe Di Piazza
  • METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A TIMEPIECE
    Publication number: 20190324402
    Abstract: Method of assembling a timepiece comprising a watch movement and a water-resistant case, the method comprising: a first stage of closing the case by fitting and securing a first case element, more particularly a back, and then a second stage of closing the case by actuation of a second case element, more particularly a stem, in particular a winding stem or a valve stem or a push-button stem, the second case element being mobile between a first configuration, in which a fluid communication between the interior of the case and an environment outside the case is permitted, and a second configuration, in which the fluid communication between the interior of the case and the environment outside the case is limited, the second stage of closing being an actuation of the passage of the second element from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Mihaela Rotaru, Pierre Villaret
  • Optical device for a timepiece
    Patent number: 11449011
    Abstract: A timepiece glass, in particular a watch glass, wherein it comprises an optical device comprising at least one lens intended to enlarge an indication supplied by a timepiece, said lens comprising at least one aspherical face comprising at least one section passing through a vertical plane comprising an optical axis of vertical direction z, of which at least one outline can be defined by the following equation: z ? ( r ) = r 2 R ? ( 1 + 1 - ( 1 - ? ) ? ? r 2 R 2 ) + ? 4 ? r 4 + ? 6 ? r 6 + … in which R is the nominal radius of curvature, k is the constant of conicity, and ?(4,6, . . . ) is or are coefficient(s) of asphericity, and in which at least the constant of conicity k and/or at least one coefficient of asphericity is different from zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Adrien Catheline, Benoit Junod, Sébastien Perseguers
  • OPTICAL DEVICE FOR A TIMEPIECE
    Publication number: 20190369564
    Abstract: A timepiece glass, in particular a watch glass, wherein it comprises an optical device comprising at least one lens intended to enlarge an indication supplied by a timepiece, said lens comprising at least one aspherical face comprising at least one section passing through a vertical plane comprising an optical axis of vertical direction z, of which at least one outline can be defined by the following equation: z ? ( r ) = r 2 R ? ( 1 + 1 - ( 1 - ? ) ? ? r 2 R 2 ) + ? 4 ? r 4 + ? 6 ? r 6 + … in which R is the nominal radius of curvature, k is the constant of conicity, and ?(4,6, . . . ) is or are coefficient(s) of asphericity, and in which at least the constant of conicity k and/or at least one coefficient of asphericity is different from zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Adrien Catheline, Benoit Junod, Sébastien Perseguers
  • Method of assembling a timepiece
    Patent number: 11347187
    Abstract: Method of assembling a timepiece comprising a watch movement and a water-resistant case, the method comprising a first stage of closing the case by fitting and securing a first case element, more particularly a back, and then a second stage of closing the case by actuation of a second case element, more particularly a stem, in particular a winding stem or a valve stem or a push-button stem, the second case element being mobile between a first configuration, in which a fluid communication between the interior of the case and an environment outside the case is permitted, and a second configuration, in which the fluid communication between the interior of the case and the environment outside the case is limited, the second stage of closing being an actuation of the passage of the second element from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Mihaela Rotaru, Pierre Villaret
  • Elastic articulation for a watch assembly
    Patent number: 11707118
    Abstract: An arrangement includes two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) of a timepiece component and an axis of rotation (A1; A1?), the two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) being linked to one another by an elastic articulated link (100; 100?) about the axis of rotation (A1; A1?), the arrangement also includes an elastic element (10, 10?; 10?) such that the relative movement of the two components (3, 4; 3?, 4?) takes place against the elastic element (10, 10?; 10?), wherein the elastic element (10, 10?; 10?) includes at least two superposed springs (10a, 10b, 10a?, 10b?; 10a?, 10b?), each of these at least two springs (10a, 10b, 10a?, 10b?; 10a?, 10b?) taking the form of a distinct element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventor: Philippe Di Piazza
  • Unfolding bracelet clasp
    Patent number: 6353977
    Abstract: The invention concerns an unfolding bracelet clasp, in particular a watch bracelet, formed of two strands (A) and (B), comprising a metal plate (10) whereof one end is coupled with an articulation (11) at the bracelet strand (A) free end and a lever (12) whereof the pin (13) is mounted at the plate (10)other end. Said lever (12) comprises a U-shaped part whereof the legs extend on each side of the bracelet forming at their ends hooks (18) designed to be urged in engagement, when the bracelet is closed, with the ends of a spring box axle (20) transversely housed in the bracelet strand (A) at some distance from the articulation (11)substantially equal to the plate (10) length. The length of the bracelet is adjusted by a dog point (19) engaged in a suitable hole of the bracelet strand (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Hagmann
  • STRAP WITH ARTICULATED LINKS
    Publication number: 20090113870
    Abstract: Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventor: James REJZNER
  • Watch case with rotating bezel
    Patent number: 5541895
    Abstract: A rotating bezel (18) is hooked on a fixed ring (17) intended to be fixed to the frame of the casing. This bezel (18) comprises a toothed rack (21) in which is engaged the free end (22b) of a positioning spring-wire (22) whose other end (22a) is elbowed and engaged in a hole (23) of the fixed ring (17). This spring-wire (22) comprises three segments, two end segments (22c, 22d) practically straight and tangential to a circle concentric with the bezel (18) and an intermediate curved segment (22e) with its center of curvature inside the bezel (18) but of radius substantially smaller than that of the bezel. The shape of the spring (22) permits the forces necessary to rotate the bezel (18) in the two directions to be made practically equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S. A.
    Inventor: Augustin Nussbaum
  • Ratchet assembly device for fitting a back cover and/or a bezel onto a watch case middle
    Patent number: 7277360
    Abstract: An elastic assembly joined to at least one side face of one of the members to be assembled is engaged by elastic deformation with a ratchet fastening element fixedly connected to the other member to be assembled. These elastic assemblies are constituted by an elongated element. The assembly side face to which it is joined has an elongated receptacle for the reception thereof, this forming in the assembly side face a opening through which a side portion of its wall projects to lie within the trajectory of the ratchet fastening element so as to allow coupling of this ratchet fastening element, at least one of the faces of the latter being configured to hold the elongated element under elastic strain and being orientated to resolve the force exerted upon it into a component which tends to hold the assembled members in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Stéphane Dufour, Claude Moënne
  • Linking device between a rim and a case of watch
    Patent number: 7182508
    Abstract: This device comprises a first axial retention shoulder secured to the case, adjacent to a cylindrical seat, a second, opposite axial retention shoulder formed by one face of an annular groove secured to the rim, an annular retention element made of polymer bearing against each of said shoulders, said first shoulder being adjacent to the base of a conical surface, secured to the case, for the axial introduction of said annular retention element engaged with said annular groove. Said annular retention element forms an endless ring whose section is divided in the radial direction into two portions of which one is, perpendicularly to the plane of said endless ring, substantially thinner than the other, these two portions being intended to interact respectively with said first shoulder and second shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bertrand, Daniel Fiammingo, Daniel Moille, William Passaquin, Sylvie Ribeyrolles, Yvan Serikoff
  • Strap with articulated links
    Patent number: 7730710
    Abstract: Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventor: James Rejzner
  • Self-compensating spiral spring for a mechanical balance-spiral spring oscillator
    Patent number: 6705601
    Abstract: This self-compensating spiral spring for a mechanical balance-spiral spring oscillator for a watch or clock movement or other precision instrument, made of an Nb—Hf paramagnetic alloy possessing a thermal coefficient of Young's modulus (TCE), such that it enables the following expression to be substantially equal to zero: 1 E ⁢ ⅆ E ⅆ T + 3 ⁢ α s - 2 ⁢ α b where: E: Young's modulus of the spiral spring of the oscillator; 1 E ⁢ ⅆ E ⅆ T = T ⁢   ⁢ C ⁢   ⁢ E
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Baur, François Paschoud, Patrick Sol
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