EP0082119A1 - Watch case body and method to manufacture the same - Google Patents

Watch case body and method to manufacture the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0082119A1
EP0082119A1 EP82810545A EP82810545A EP0082119A1 EP 0082119 A1 EP0082119 A1 EP 0082119A1 EP 82810545 A EP82810545 A EP 82810545A EP 82810545 A EP82810545 A EP 82810545A EP 0082119 A1 EP0082119 A1 EP 0082119A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
elements
edge
cylindrical
engaged
scratch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP82810545A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0082119B1 (en
Inventor
Marc Lederrey
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Rado Uhren AG
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Rado Uhren AG
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Publication date
Application filed by Rado Uhren AG filed Critical Rado Uhren AG
Publication of EP0082119A1 publication Critical patent/EP0082119A1/en
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Publication of EP0082119B1 publication Critical patent/EP0082119B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
    • B44C1/26—Inlaying with ornamental structures, e.g. niello work, tarsia work
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/22—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G04B47/04—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached ornaments or amusement apparatus
    • G04B47/042—Fastening of jewels and the like

Definitions

  • the middle parts of known wristwatch cases bear a cap of scratch-resistant material or are made entirely of such material.
  • the cap in question is an expensive and delicate workpiece, because of its shape and the shrinkage that hard materials, in principle sintered, undergo.
  • the fixing of this cap to the middle of the box is not easy, if it is to be removable and nevertheless sufficiently strong to avoid accidental separation.
  • the manufacture is even more difficult and costly, because the piece of scratch-resistant material must still have means allowing it to fix a watch movement.
  • such a part, made entirely of hard material is subject to rupture due to impact. It follows that its manufacturer is exposed to having to replace a significant number of whole boxes, to ensure after-sales service worthy of the name.
  • the invention aims to avoid these drawbacks, by protecting the edge of the middle of a wristwatch case by means that are just as effective as the known means, but clearly simpler and therefore less costly.
  • a middle part having the features defined by claim 1 is suitably protected, because the protective elements which line the edge thereof protrude from the latter. They thus keep foreign objects away from the body of the middle part, which can even be made of a relatively soft material, very easily machinable and inexpensive.
  • This protective effect is already achieved by using relatively low protruding elements, as shown of the shape of these elements, which is defined in the characteristic of claim 1.
  • the decorative elements could, in fact, be manufactured entirely by stretching, parting off, stamping, folding and polishing, so that after their welding to the neckline of the middle part, the latter was finished.
  • the method of fixing the protective elements defined by claim 2 is particularly simple and very effective.
  • adhesives on the market which resist most chemical agents, including hydrofluoric acid. They also provide an adhesion of 3.5 to 4.5 kilograms-force per square millimeter.
  • the invention is not limited to the protection of the slice of polygonal shoulders, as is apparent from claim 4. Although the implementation of the protective elements is more laborious than in the embodiments defined by the claim 3, these executions are still very interesting because of the reduced cost of said protective elements.
  • the protective elements of the edge of the middle part will be made as defined in claim 5, because they give this middle part a very attractive appearance, especially if its upper face is completely covered by glass, as described in the applications for Swiss patent N ° 4228 / 80-0, 2858 / 81-8, 2859 / 81-0, because, in this case, it is possible to match the aspect of the edge of the middle with that of the edge of the glass.
  • the middle part according to the invention is advantageously manufactured according to the process defined by claim 7. It is, in fact, easy to manufacture quer cylindrical or spherical elements of hard material to the desired diameter. As the build is raw when they are glued, the manipulations that this last operation involves are not likely to alter it. The same applies to the subsequent grinding of the protective elements. This operation does not affect the body of the middle. Finally, the termination treatments then applied to the body of the middle part, which usually include a final polishing and a surface treatment, no longer affect the protective elements, which are much harder than the body of the middle part and than the means used. to polish the latter.
  • grinding removes a relatively soft material - gold - to leave only encrustations of this material in a hard part - stone - and not vice versa, a very hard material - corundum -, glued to a relatively soft support, in brass, for example.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates another step in this mode of implementation.
  • the middle part 1 (Fig. 2) of the watch case shown in Figs. 1 to 3 has its upper face 2 entirely covered by the sapphire crystal 3, which is fixed to the middle part 1 by force engagement in the opening 4 thereof, with the interposition of a cuff 5, of a central plate 6, transparent, also made of sapphire or made of tempered mineral glass, which is glued under the glass 3.
  • the periphery of the latter carries an opaque decorative frame 7, which determines the appearance of the upper face of the watch, in conjunction with the dial 8, visible inside the frame 7.
  • the glass of the watch shown could naturally also be arranged and fixed to the middle part 1 in one or other of the ways described in Swiss patent applications No. 2858 / 81-8 and 2859 / 81-0.
  • the middle part 1 has a rectangular outline with corners 9 cut at 45 °.
  • the edge 14 of the middle part 1 has semi-cylindrical recesses 15, which extend from a across these flat faces of wafer 14 the middle.
  • the thickness of the usual movements, produced in large series, is currently of the order of magnitude close to 2 mm
  • the dimensions of the recesses 15 can be chosen so as not to allow them to remain, above and below them, only parts of the long sides 12, 13 of the edge 14 of the middle part 1, the height of which does not exceed a few tenths of a millimeter. It will also be noted that these recesses 15 can be machined without difficulty, using a shaped cutter.
  • Rods 16, 17, 18 in transparent monocrystalline corundum are glued in the recesses 15.
  • these rods have the shape of circular segments extending over a little more than 180 °, so as to exit from the recesses 15 and to be presented parts of about two tenths of a millimeter in thickness projecting from the edge 14 of the middle 1.
  • the part of the rods 16, 17, 18, which is glued in the recesses 15 is coated with a thin reflective metallic layer 19.
  • This layer 19 is deposited on the rods 16, 17, 18 by vaporization under vacuum in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The adhesion of a layer deposited in this way is remarkable. It is, in fact, no longer possible to remove it without. take part of the corundum at the same time.
  • the side of the middle 1 extending opposite "9 o'clock" is provided with two rods, 17, 18, to make room, between these, for the crown 20, which is arranged on this side of the case, so that the strip 16, arranged on the other side and visible to wear, is not interrupted.
  • the layer 19 has, in fact, the property of concentrating in a central area of the rods 16, 17, 18, the rays of an incident light beam, as shown by the arrows a and b (Fig. 2), so that by observing these rods in the light, we see, in the middle of their flat face 21, a "line” 22 of very great luminosity compared to the rest of the rods. Oddly enough, this line 22 gives, apparently, first to the middle, but also to the watch itself, the thickness of a watch with case whose middle is about a millimeter thinner.
  • the chosen location of the crown 20 therefore also has the effect of do not interrupt the optical phenomenon mentioned on the side of the edge of the middle turned towards the hand of the watch wearer, which is precisely the one that comes out of the wearer's sleeves and is, therefore, the most visible.
  • the described position of the crown 20 is not disadvantageous. On the contrary, in this place, it is less exposed to the risk of being torn off.
  • this crown In a quartz watch, moreover, this crown is only used for setting the time, which is done to the nearest second, by advancing the minute and second hands and stopping them on a specific time, while waiting the corresponding "top" of the speaking clock. If the watch is equipped with a calendar mechanism, the crown 20 is also used to update the latter, after the months of less than thirty-one days.
  • these operations controlled by the crown which are relatively delicate and must be carried out with great dexterity, are almost never done while keeping the watch on the wrist. When removed, the location of the crown on either of the long sides of the case is clearly irrelevant.
  • the ends of the strips 16, 17, 18, which are adjacent to the strap fixing horns, are cut at 45 °, so as to be flush with the corners 9 of the box.
  • various metals such as for example chromium, silver, gold, and certain carbides such as, for example, those of titanium or boron, can be used to form the layers 19. It is thus possible to '' match the appearance of the sticks 16, 17, 18 to the rest of the visible parts of the middle part (platinum, gold, rhodium silver, stainless steel or chrome, nickel-plated, plated) or to the appearance of the frame 7.
  • the strips 16, 17, 18 In order to adequately protect the edge of the middle, in all cases a material will be chosen for the strips 16, 17, 18 practically scratch-resistant, that is to say that it does not scratch when the watch is worn normally. Since the strips 16, 17, 18 protrude from the middle part 1, the parts of the edge of the latter that they reveal are kept away from contact with foreign objects, which could alter the state of area. Given the lack of grip on such objects offered by the rods 16, 17, 18 themselves, they practically do not risk breaking or sagging. It is thus possible to give the edge of the middle of a wristwatch case an extremely neat appearance, which the wearer of the watch will not have the spite to see soon deteriorate.
  • cylindrical elements 23 (Fig. 7) are made, plunge rectified without centers and perfectly polished.
  • the length of the elements 23 will somewhat exceed that of the sides of the middle.
  • a number of elements 23 are then placed in the semi-cylindrical cells 24 of a support 25, which are introduced into a vacuum vaporization installation.
  • the exposure of the elements 23 to the vaporization 26, produces on them the layer 19, which extends over a little less than 180 °.
  • this layer is automatically reflective.
  • the orientation of the elements 23 on the support 25 is indifferent. There is therefore no precaution to take to fill the cells 24 with this support.
  • the elements 23, filled with the layer 19, can then be glued to the middle part 1 (Fig. 8). In doing so, care should be taken that the metallized part of the elements 23 disappears inside the groove 15 of the middle part. As the metallization extends over an arc of the section of the elements 23, which is a little smaller than 180 °, it is not necessary to use special provisions to orient the elements 23 with respect to the middle part 1 so that their metallized part is indeed entirely inside the groove 15. When the adhesive used is fully polymerized, the elements 23 can no longer be separated from the middle part 1 by destroying them.
  • the second embodiment differs essentially from the first by the fact that the long sides of the case and therefore also of the middle part are arched. Instead of milling a continuous groove in these curved faces of the edge of the middle part 28, there are formed in these faces rows of hemispherical cells 29, as close together as possible and whose diameter is approximately equal to the width of the grooves 15 of the first embodiment.
  • This middle part is manufactured as described above, with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. However, we start with balls, instead of cylindrical elements 23. After having glued these balls into the cells 29 of the middle part 28 and having removed a part a little less than half by grinding, it is a chain of spherical caps which garnishes the edge of the long sides of the middle part 28.
  • the balls used in this embodiment are made of transparent monocrystalline corundum, then coated with a reflective layer, as illustrated in FIG. 7, an optical phenomenon analogous to that which has been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, also occurs in this second embodiment.
  • a series of dots 30 appears, each of them being in the center of the flat face 31 of the protective elements 32.
  • the body should preferably be made of brass.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)

Abstract

1. A wrist-watch case middle with an unscratchable caseband, characterised in that its caseband (14) is provided with protruding protective elements (16, 17, 18; 32) made of practically unscratchable material and which when viewed in section in a plane that is co-axial or parallel with the axis of the middle (1, 28) and perpendicular to the case-band (14) thereof, have at least approximately the shape of a circular segment slightly in excess of 180 degrees, the mean portion of the segment of each of said elements being engaged over at most 180 degrees and fixed in a correspondingly shaped recess (15, 29) formed in the caseband (14) of the middle (1, 28).

Description

Les carrures de boîtes de montre-bracelet connues, dont la tranche est inrayable, conformément au préambule de la revendication 1, portent une coiffe en un matériau inrayable ou sont faites entièrement en un tel matériau. Dans le premier cas, la coiffe en question est une pièce de fabrication coûteuse et délicate, en raison de sa forme et du retrait que subissent les matériaux durs, en principe frittés. De plus, la fixation de cette coiffe à la carrure de la boîte n'est pas aisée, si on la veut amovible et néanmois suffisamment forte pour éviter une séparation accidentelle. Dans le second cas, la fabrication est encore plus malaisée et coûteuse, du fait que la pièce en matériau inrayable doit encore présenter des moyens permettant d'y fixer un mouvement de montre. Par ailleurs, une telle pièce, faite tout entière en matériau dur, est sujette à rupture par suite de choc. Il s'ensuit que son fabricant s'expose à devoir remplacer un nombre non négligeable de boîtes entières, pour assurer un service après vente digne de ce nom.The middle parts of known wristwatch cases, the edge of which is scratch-resistant, according to the preamble of claim 1, bear a cap of scratch-resistant material or are made entirely of such material. In the first case, the cap in question is an expensive and delicate workpiece, because of its shape and the shrinkage that hard materials, in principle sintered, undergo. In addition, the fixing of this cap to the middle of the box is not easy, if it is to be removable and nevertheless sufficiently strong to avoid accidental separation. In the second case, the manufacture is even more difficult and costly, because the piece of scratch-resistant material must still have means allowing it to fix a watch movement. Furthermore, such a part, made entirely of hard material, is subject to rupture due to impact. It follows that its manufacturer is exposed to having to replace a significant number of whole boxes, to ensure after-sales service worthy of the name.

L'invention vise à éviter ces inconvénients, en protégeant la tranche de la carrure d'une boîte de montre-bracelet par des moyens tout aussi efficaces que les moyens connus, mais nettement plus simples, donc moins coûteux. Une carrure présentant les particularités définies par la revendication 1 est convenablement protégée, du fait que les éléments protecteurs qui en garnissent la tranche font saillie de celle-ci. Ils tiennent ainsi les objets étrangers à l'écart du corps de la carrure, qui peut même être fait en un matériau relativement tendre, très facilement usinable et bon marché. Cet effet de protection est déjà atteint en utilisant des éléments protecteurs relativement peu saillants, comme cela ressort de la forme de ces éléments, qui est définie dans la caractéristique de la revendication 1. Des éléments protecteurs émergeant de deux dixièmes de millimètre du corps de la carrure donnent des résultats satisfaisants, en particulier dans le cas où un verre saphir recouvre entièrement la face supérieure de la carrure, ainsi que cela est décrit dans les demandes de brevet suisse N° 4228/80-0, 2858/81-8, 2859/81-0 et où les parties découvertes du corps de la carrure, au-dessus et au-dessous des éléments protecteurs ont une hauteur égale au plus à un demi millimètre. Enfin, la surface des éléments protecteurs, qui est engagée dans un logement de forme correspondante du corps de la carrure, est suffisamment étendue pour assurer une fixation satisfaisante de ces éléments.The invention aims to avoid these drawbacks, by protecting the edge of the middle of a wristwatch case by means that are just as effective as the known means, but clearly simpler and therefore less costly. A middle part having the features defined by claim 1 is suitably protected, because the protective elements which line the edge thereof protrude from the latter. They thus keep foreign objects away from the body of the middle part, which can even be made of a relatively soft material, very easily machinable and inexpensive. This protective effect is already achieved by using relatively low protruding elements, as shown of the shape of these elements, which is defined in the characteristic of claim 1. Protective elements emerging from two tenths of a millimeter from the body of the middle part give satisfactory results, in particular in the case where a sapphire crystal completely covers the face upper part of the middle part, as described in Swiss patent applications No. 4228 / 80-0, 2858 / 81-8, 2859 / 81-0 and where the exposed parts of the body of the middle part, above and below the protective elements have a height equal to at most half a millimeter. Finally, the surface of the protective elements, which is engaged in a housing of corresponding shape of the body of the middle part, is sufficiently large to ensure satisfactory fixing of these elements.

Il a déjà été prévu de garnir la tranche d'une carrure de boîte de montre à l'aide d'éléments engagés en partie dans une gorge de la carrure (CH-A-312'654) . La fabrication séparée des éléments décoratifs et leur fixation subséquente à un corps de carrure, qu'il était possible d'obtenir simplement par décolletage, permettait de réaliser des boîtes avec décorations différentes plus aisément, donc à meilleur compte, qu'en usinant une carrure avec décors en une pièce. Les éléments décoratifs pouvaient, en effet, être fabriqués entièrement par étirage, tronçonnage, matriçage, pliage et polissage, de sorte qu'après leur soudage au corps décolleté de la carrure, cette dernière était terminée.Provision has already been made to garnish the edge of a watch case middle with elements partially engaged in a groove in the middle (CH-A-312'654). The separate manufacture of the decorative elements and their subsequent attachment to a body of the middle, which it was possible to obtain simply by turning, made it possible to produce boxes with different decorations more easily, and therefore more cheaply, than by machining a middle with one-piece decorations. The decorative elements could, in fact, be manufactured entirely by stretching, parting off, stamping, folding and polishing, so that after their welding to the neckline of the middle part, the latter was finished.

Pour soumettre ces éléments décoratifs aux dites opérations, ils devaient être faits en un métal malléable, donc relativement tendre. Cette proposition ne suggérait donc nullement l'idée d'utiliser des éléments en matière assez dure pour être inrayable et encore moins celle de protéger les flancs d'une carrure de boîte de montre en n'occupant qu'une partie de leur aire et en n'en saillant qu'à peine.To submit these decorative elements to the said operations, they had to be made of a malleable metal, therefore relatively soft. This proposal therefore in no way suggested the idea of using elements made of material hard enough to be scratch-resistant and even less that of protecting the sides of a watch case case by occupying only part of their area and barely protruding.

Il a aussi été prévu de fixer par collage des plaquettes décoratives en saphir, résistant donc aux frottements, sur la face supérieure des boîtes de montre, des maillons de bracelets ou d'autres pièces de bijouterie (DE-A-2f921'597).It has also been planned to attach decorative sapphire plates, therefore resistant to friction, by gluing, on the upper face of watch cases, bracelet links or other pieces of jewelry (DE-A-2f921'597).

Cette proposition ne suggère cependant pas la forme particulière de ces éléments, qui est définie par les présentes revendications, dans le but de protéger la tranche des carrures de boîtes de montres-bracelets et, accessoirement, de conférer à ces carrures une apparence de hauteur notablement réduite en créant, dans le corindon, une zone centrale de forte luminosité, par réflexion de la lumière incidente.This proposal does not however suggest the particular shape of these elements, which is defined by the present claims, with the aim of protecting the edge of the middle parts of wristwatch cases and, incidentally, giving these middle parts an appearance of noticeably reduced height by creating, in the corundum, a central zone of strong luminosity, by reflection of the incident light.

Le mode de fixation des éléments protecteurs défini par la revendication 2 est particulièrement simple et très efficace. Il existe, en effet des colles sur le marché qui résistent à la plupart des agents chimiques, y compris l'acide fluorhydrique. Elles assurent, en outre, une adhérence de 3,5 à 4,5 kilogrammes-force par millimètre carré.The method of fixing the protective elements defined by claim 2 is particularly simple and very effective. There are, in fact, adhesives on the market which resist most chemical agents, including hydrofluoric acid. They also provide an adhesion of 3.5 to 4.5 kilograms-force per square millimeter.

Les formes spéciales d'exécution définies par la revendication 3 sont particulièrement intéressantes du fait que les éléments protecteurs qu'elles comprennent sont extrêmement bon marché et que leur mise en place est aussi aisée que rapide.The special embodiments defined by claim 3 are particularly advantageous in that the protective elements which they comprise are extremely inexpensive and that their installation is as easy as rapid.

L'invention n'est pas limitée à la protection de la tranche de carrures polygonales, ainsi que cela ressort de la revendication 4. Bien que la mise en place des éléments protecteurs soit plus laborieuse que dans les formes d'exécution définies par la revendication 3, ces exécutions sont encore très intéressantes en raison du coût réduit des dits éléments protecteurs.The invention is not limited to the protection of the slice of polygonal shoulders, as is apparent from claim 4. Although the implementation of the protective elements is more laborious than in the embodiments defined by the claim 3, these executions are still very interesting because of the reduced cost of said protective elements.

De préférence, les éléments protecteurs de la tranche de la carrure seront faits comme le définit la revendication 5, car ils confèrent à cette carrure un aspect très attrayant, surtout si sa face supérieure est entièrement recouverte par le verre, comme décrit dans les demandes de brevet suisse N° 4228/80-0, 2858/81-8, 2859/81-0, car, dans ce cas, il est possible d'assortir l'aspect de la tranche de la carrure à celui du bord du verre.Preferably, the protective elements of the edge of the middle part will be made as defined in claim 5, because they give this middle part a very attractive appearance, especially if its upper face is completely covered by glass, as described in the applications for Swiss patent N ° 4228 / 80-0, 2858 / 81-8, 2859 / 81-0, because, in this case, it is possible to match the aspect of the edge of the middle with that of the edge of the glass.

Dans ces dernières formes d'exécution, il est même possible d'affiner encore l'aspect de la tranche de la carrure à l'aide des particularités définies par la revendication 6. Les réflexions dans le corindon transparent de la lumière incidente créent, en effet une zone centrale de forte luminosité, qui confère à la carrure une apparence de hauteur notablement réduite, en particulier lorsque les éléments protecteurs sont en forme de baguettes.In these latter embodiments, it is even possible to further refine the appearance of the edge of the middle using the features defined by claim 6. The reflections in the transparent corundum of the incident light create, in effect a central zone of high luminosity, which gives the middle part an appearance of appreciably reduced height, in particular when the protective elements are in the form of sticks.

La carrure selon l'invention est avantageusement fabriquée selon le procédé défini par la revendication 7. Il est, en effet, aisé de fabriquer des éléments cylindriques ou sphériques en matériau dur au diamètre voulu. Comme la carrure est brute lors de leur collage, les manipulations que cette dernière opération implique ne risquent pas de l'altérer. Il en va de même du meulage subséquent des éléments protecteurs. Cette opération ne touche d'ailleurs pas le corps de la carrure. Enfin, les traitements de terminaison appliqués ensuite au corps de la carrure, qui comprennent habituellement un polissage final et un traitement de surface, n'affectent plus les éléments protecteurs, qui sont beaucoup plus durs que le corps de la carrure et que les moyens utilisés pour polir ce dernier.The middle part according to the invention is advantageously manufactured according to the process defined by claim 7. It is, in fact, easy to manufacture quer cylindrical or spherical elements of hard material to the desired diameter. As the build is raw when they are glued, the manipulations that this last operation involves are not likely to alter it. The same applies to the subsequent grinding of the protective elements. This operation does not affect the body of the middle. Finally, the termination treatments then applied to the body of the middle part, which usually include a final polishing and a surface treatment, no longer affect the protective elements, which are much harder than the body of the middle part and than the means used. to polish the latter.

Il a déjà été prévu d'éliminer certaines parties de pièces collées sur des pierres fines par meulage jusqu'à fleur de la pierre, afin de ne laisser subsister que des incrustations dans celle-ci (FR-A-1'393'525).It has already been planned to eliminate certain parts of pieces glued on fine stones by grinding to the flower of the stone, in order to leave only encrustations in it (FR-A-1'393'525) .

Dans ce cas, le meulage élimine une matière relativement tendre - l'or - pour ne laisser que des incrustations de cette matière dans une pièce dure - la pierre -, et non inversément, une matière très dure - le corindon -, collée à un support relativement tendre, en laiton, par exemple.In this case, grinding removes a relatively soft material - gold - to leave only encrustations of this material in a hard part - stone - and not vice versa, a very hard material - corundum -, glued to a relatively soft support, in brass, for example.

Le procédé spécial, défini par la revendication 8, produit des carrures conformes à celles définies par la revendication 6, cela de façon particulièrement simple.The special process defined by claim 8 produces squares conforming to those defined by claim 6 in a particularly simple manner.

Le dessin représente schématiquement et à simple titre d'exemple deux formes d'exécution de la carrure de boîte de montre-bracelet selon l'invention et il illustre un exemple de mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention.

  • La Fig. 1 est une vue en plan d'une montre-bracelet équipée d'une carrure selon la première forme d'exécution;
  • la Fig. 2 est une vue en perspective à échelle agrandie d'une partie coupée de la Fig. 1;
  • la Fig. 3 est une vue en élévation à plus grande échelle de la montre de la Fig. 1;
  • la Fig. 4 est une vue en plan semblable à celle de la Fig. 1, qui représente une montre équipée d'une carrure selon la deuxième forme d'exécution;
  • la Fig. 5 est une vue en élévation de la montre de la Fig. 4, qui est semblable à celle de la Fig. 3;
  • la Fig. 6 est une coupe médiane de la carrure de la Fig. 5, perpendiculairement à son axe;
  • la Fig. 7 illustre une étape du mode de mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention, et
The drawing shows schematically and simply by way of example two embodiments of the middle part of the wristwatch case according to the invention and it illustrates an example of implementation of the method according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wristwatch equipped with a middle part according to the first embodiment;
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a cut part of FIG. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is an elevation view on a larger scale of the watch of FIG. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to that of FIG. 1, which shows a watch equipped with a middle part according to the second embodiment;
  • Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the watch of FIG. 4, which is similar to that of FIG. 3;
  • Fig. 6 is a middle section of the middle part of FIG. 5, perpendicular to its axis;
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a step in the mode of implementing the method according to the invention, and

la Fig. 8 illustre une autre étape de ce mode de mise en oeuvre.Fig. 8 illustrates another step in this mode of implementation.

Comme dans le cas des boîtes de montres décrites en particulier dans la demande de brevet suisse N° 4228/80-0, la carrure 1 (Fig. 2) de la boîte de la montre représentée aux Fig. 1 à 3 a sa face supérieure 2 entièrement recouverte par le verre saphir 3, qui est fixé à la carrure 1 par engagement à force dans l'ouverture 4 de celle-ci, avec interposition d'une manchette 5, d'une plaque centrale 6, transparente, également en saphir ou faite en verre minéral trempé, qui est collée sous le verre 3. La périphérie de ce dernier porte un cadre décoratif opaque 7, qui détermine l'aspect de la face supérieure de la montre, en conjugaison avec le cadran 8, visible à l'intérieur du cadre 7.As in the case of the watch cases described in particular in Swiss patent application No. 4228 / 80-0, the middle part 1 (Fig. 2) of the watch case shown in Figs. 1 to 3 has its upper face 2 entirely covered by the sapphire crystal 3, which is fixed to the middle part 1 by force engagement in the opening 4 thereof, with the interposition of a cuff 5, of a central plate 6, transparent, also made of sapphire or made of tempered mineral glass, which is glued under the glass 3. The periphery of the latter carries an opaque decorative frame 7, which determines the appearance of the upper face of the watch, in conjunction with the dial 8, visible inside the frame 7.

Le verre de la montre représentée pourrait naturellement aussi être agencé et fixé à la carrure 1 de l'une ou l'autre des façons décrites dans les demandes de brevet suisse N° 2858/81-8 et 2859/81-0.The glass of the watch shown could naturally also be arranged and fixed to the middle part 1 in one or other of the ways described in Swiss patent applications No. 2858 / 81-8 and 2859 / 81-0.

Comme cela ressort de la Fig. 1, la carrure 1 a un contour rectangulaire à coins 9 coupés à 45°. La partie inférieure des petits côtés 10, 11 de la carrure 1, s'étendant respectivement en regard de "12 h" et de "6 h", est évidée de la façon bien connue des hommes du métier, de manière à former des cornes permettant d'attacher un bracelet à la boîte de la montre représentée. Sur les longs côtés rectilignes 12, 13 de la boîte, s'étendant respectivement en regard de "3 h" et de "9 h", la tranche 14 de la carrure 1 présente des creusures semicylindriques 15, qui s'étendent d'un bout à l'autre de ces faces planes de la tranche 14 de la carrure.As shown in FIG. 1, the middle part 1 has a rectangular outline with corners 9 cut at 45 °. The lower part of the short sides 10, 11 of the middle part 1, extending respectively opposite "12 o'clock" and "6 o'clock", is hollowed out in the manner well known to those skilled in the art, so as to form horns allowing a strap to be attached to the watch case shown. On the long rectilinear sides 12, 13 of the case, extending respectively opposite "3 o'clock" and "9 o'clock", the edge 14 of the middle part 1 has semi-cylindrical recesses 15, which extend from a across these flat faces of wafer 14 the middle.

Dans les montres électroniques, dont l'épaisseur des mouvements usuels, fabriqués en grandes séries, est actuellement d'un ordre de grandeur voisin de 2 mm, les dimensions des creusures 15 peuvent être choisies de façon à ne laisser subsister, au-dessus et au-dessous d'elles, que des parties des longs côtés 12, 13 de la tranche 14 de la carrure 1, dont la hauteur n'excède pas quelques dixièmes de millimètre. On remarquera par ailleurs que ces creusures 15 peuvent être usinées sans difficulté, à l'aide d'une fraise de forme.In electronic watches, the thickness of the usual movements, produced in large series, is currently of the order of magnitude close to 2 mm, the dimensions of the recesses 15 can be chosen so as not to allow them to remain, above and below them, only parts of the long sides 12, 13 of the edge 14 of the middle part 1, the height of which does not exceed a few tenths of a millimeter. It will also be noted that these recesses 15 can be machined without difficulty, using a shaped cutter.

Des baguettes 16, 17, 18 en corindon monocristallin transparent sont collées dans les creusures 15. En section, ces baguettes ont la forme de segments circulaires s'étendant sur un peu plus de 180°, de façon à sortir des creusures 15 et à présenter des parties d'environ deux dixièmes de millimètre d'épaisseur en saillie sur la tranche 14 de la carrure 1. Sur un peu moins de 180°, la partie des baguettes 16, 17, 18, qui est collée dans les creusures 15, est revêtue d'une mince couche métallique réfléchissante 19. Cette couche 19 est déposée sur les baguettes 16, 17, 18 par vaporisation sous vide de façon bien connue des hommes du métier. L'adhérence d'une couche déposée de cette façon est remarquable. Il n'est, en effet, plus possible de l'enlever sans. prendre en même temps une partie du corindon.Rods 16, 17, 18 in transparent monocrystalline corundum are glued in the recesses 15. In section, these rods have the shape of circular segments extending over a little more than 180 °, so as to exit from the recesses 15 and to be presented parts of about two tenths of a millimeter in thickness projecting from the edge 14 of the middle 1. On a little less than 180 °, the part of the rods 16, 17, 18, which is glued in the recesses 15, is coated with a thin reflective metallic layer 19. This layer 19 is deposited on the rods 16, 17, 18 by vaporization under vacuum in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The adhesion of a layer deposited in this way is remarkable. It is, in fact, no longer possible to remove it without. take part of the corundum at the same time.

Le côté de la carrure 1 s'étendant en regard de "9 h" est muni de deux baguettes, 17, 18, pour faire place, entre ces dernières, à la couronne 20, qui est disposée de ce côté de la boîte, afin que la baguette 16, disposée de l'autre côté et visible au porter, ne soit pas interrompue. La couche 19 a, en effet, la propriété de concentrer dans une zone centrale des baguettes 16, 17, 18, les rayons d'un faisceau de lumière incidente, comme le montrent les flèches a et b (Fig. 2), de sorte qu'en observant ces baguettes à la lumière, on aperçoit, au milieu de leur face plane 21, un "trait" 22 de très grande luminosité par rapport au reste des baguettes. Chose curieuse, ce trait 22 confère, en apparence, d'abord à la carrure, mais aussi à la montre elle-même, l'épaisseur d'une montre avec boîte dont la carrure est environ un millimètre moins épaisse.The side of the middle 1 extending opposite "9 o'clock" is provided with two rods, 17, 18, to make room, between these, for the crown 20, which is arranged on this side of the case, so that the strip 16, arranged on the other side and visible to wear, is not interrupted. The layer 19 has, in fact, the property of concentrating in a central area of the rods 16, 17, 18, the rays of an incident light beam, as shown by the arrows a and b (Fig. 2), so that by observing these rods in the light, we see, in the middle of their flat face 21, a "line" 22 of very great luminosity compared to the rest of the rods. Oddly enough, this line 22 gives, apparently, first to the middle, but also to the watch itself, the thickness of a watch with case whose middle is about a millimeter thinner.

L'emplacement choisi de la couronne 20 a donc aussi pour effet de ne pas interrompre le phénomène optique mentionné sur le côté de la tranche de la carrure tourné vers la main du porteur de la montre, qui est précisément celui qui sort des manches du porteur et est, de ce fait, le plus visible. La position décrite de la couronne 20 n'est pas désavantageuse. Au contraire, à cet endroit, elle est moins exposée au risque d'être arrachée. Dans une montre à quartz, par ailleurs, cette couronne ne sert qu'aux mises à l'heure, qui se font à la seconde près, en avançant les aiguilles des minutes et des secondes et en les arrêtant sur une heure déterminée, en attendant le "top" correspondant de l'horloge parlante. Si la montre est équipée d'un mécanisme de calendrier, la couronne 20 sert, en outre, à la mise à jour de ce dernier, après les mois de moins de trente-et-un jours. Or, ces opérations commandées par la couronne, qui sont relativement délicates et doivent être effectuées avec beaucoup de doigté, ne se font pour ainsi dire jamais en gardant la montre au poignet. Lorsqu'elle en est retirée, l'emplacement de la couronne sur l'un ou l'autre des longs côtés de la boîte est manifestement indifférent.The chosen location of the crown 20 therefore also has the effect of do not interrupt the optical phenomenon mentioned on the side of the edge of the middle turned towards the hand of the watch wearer, which is precisely the one that comes out of the wearer's sleeves and is, therefore, the most visible. The described position of the crown 20 is not disadvantageous. On the contrary, in this place, it is less exposed to the risk of being torn off. In a quartz watch, moreover, this crown is only used for setting the time, which is done to the nearest second, by advancing the minute and second hands and stopping them on a specific time, while waiting the corresponding "top" of the speaking clock. If the watch is equipped with a calendar mechanism, the crown 20 is also used to update the latter, after the months of less than thirty-one days. However, these operations controlled by the crown, which are relatively delicate and must be carried out with great dexterity, are almost never done while keeping the watch on the wrist. When removed, the location of the crown on either of the long sides of the case is clearly irrelevant.

Les extrémités des baguettes 16, 17, 18, qui sont adjacentes aux cornes de fixation du bracelet, sont taillées à 45°, de façon à se trouver à fleur des coins 9 de la boîte. Par ailleurs, différents métaux, tels par exemple que le chrome, l'argent, l'or, et certains carbures tels, par exemple, que ceux de titane ou de bore, peuvent servir à former les couches 19. Il est ainsi possible d'assortir l'apparence des baguettes 16, 17, 18 au reste des parties visibles de la carrure (en platine, en or, en argent rhodié, en acier inoxydable ou chromées, nickelées, plaquées) ou à l'apparence du cadre 7. A cette dernière fin, il est aussi possible d'utiliser des baguettes en corindon fritté, coloré. De telles baguettes seraient alors en général opaques. Il n'y aurait donc plus lieu de déposer une couche réfléchissante sur leur surface collée à la carrure. Par conséquent, l'effet optique des baguettes en corindon transparent, revêtues d'une couche réfléchissante, ne se produirait plus. En revanche, la couleur de ces baguettes pourrait constituer un rappel heureux de celle du cadre 7. Si ce dernier était fait en métal dur, tel qu'un carbure de titane, par exemple, les baguettes 16, 17, 18 pourraient aussi être confectionnées à l'aide du même métal dur.The ends of the strips 16, 17, 18, which are adjacent to the strap fixing horns, are cut at 45 °, so as to be flush with the corners 9 of the box. Furthermore, various metals, such as for example chromium, silver, gold, and certain carbides such as, for example, those of titanium or boron, can be used to form the layers 19. It is thus possible to '' match the appearance of the sticks 16, 17, 18 to the rest of the visible parts of the middle part (platinum, gold, rhodium silver, stainless steel or chrome, nickel-plated, plated) or to the appearance of the frame 7. For the latter purpose, it is also possible to use colored sintered corundum rods. Such rods would then generally be opaque. It would therefore no longer be necessary to deposit a reflective layer on their surface bonded to the middle part. Consequently, the optical effect of the transparent corundum rods, coated with a reflective layer, would no longer occur. On the other hand, the color of these rods could constitute a happy reminder of that of frame 7. If the latter was made of hard metal, such as a titanium carbide, for example, the rods 16, 17, 18 could also be made using the same hard metal.

Afin de protéger convenablement la tranche de la carrure, on choisira dans tous les cas pour les baguettes 16, 17, 18 un matériau pratiquement inrayable, c'est-à-dire qui ne se raye pas, lorsque la montre est portée normalement. Vu que les baguettes 16, 17, 18 font saillie de la carrure 1, les parties de la tranche de cette dernière qu'elles laissent apparaître sont maintenues à l'abri des contacts avec des objets étrangers, qui pourraient en altérer l'état de surface. Vu le peu de prise à de tels objets qu'offrent les baguettes 16, 17, 18 elles-mêmes, celles-ci ne risquent pratiquement ni rupture ni égrisure. Il est ainsi possible de donner à la tranche de la carrure d'une boîte de montre-bracelet une apparence extrêment soignée, que le porteur de la montre n'aura pas le dépit de voir bientôt s'altérer.In order to adequately protect the edge of the middle, in all cases a material will be chosen for the strips 16, 17, 18 practically scratch-resistant, that is to say that it does not scratch when the watch is worn normally. Since the strips 16, 17, 18 protrude from the middle part 1, the parts of the edge of the latter that they reveal are kept away from contact with foreign objects, which could alter the state of area. Given the lack of grip on such objects offered by the rods 16, 17, 18 themselves, they practically do not risk breaking or sagging. It is thus possible to give the edge of the middle of a wristwatch case an extremely neat appearance, which the wearer of the watch will not have the spite to see soon deteriorate.

Pour fabriquer la carrure représentée aux Fig. 1 à 3, on confectionne des éléments cylindriques 23 (Fig. 7), rectifiés en plongée sans centres et parfaitement polis. La longueur des éléments 23 dépassera quelque peu celle des côtés de la carrure. Un certain nombre d'éléments 23 est alors placé dans les alvéoles semicylindriques 24 d'un support 25, qu'on introduit dans une installation de vaporisation sous vide. L'exposition des éléments 23 à la vaporisation 26, produit sur eux la couche 19, qui s'étend sur un peu moins de 180°. Comme la surface des éléments 23 est parfaitement polie, cette couche est automatiquement réfléchissante. On remarquera que l'orientation des éléments 23 sur le support 25 est indifférente. Il n'y a donc aucune précaution à prendre pour garnir les alvéoles 24 de ce support.To make the middle part shown in Figs. 1 to 3, cylindrical elements 23 (Fig. 7) are made, plunge rectified without centers and perfectly polished. The length of the elements 23 will somewhat exceed that of the sides of the middle. A number of elements 23 are then placed in the semi-cylindrical cells 24 of a support 25, which are introduced into a vacuum vaporization installation. The exposure of the elements 23 to the vaporization 26, produces on them the layer 19, which extends over a little less than 180 °. As the surface of the elements 23 is perfectly polished, this layer is automatically reflective. It will be noted that the orientation of the elements 23 on the support 25 is indifferent. There is therefore no precaution to take to fill the cells 24 with this support.

Les éléments 23, garnis de la couche 19, peuvent alors être collés à la carrure 1 (Fig. 8). Ce faisant il convient de veiller que la partie métallisée des éléments 23 disparaisse à l'intérieur de la rainure 15 de la carrure 1. Comme la métallisation s'étend sur un arc de la section des éléments 23, qui est un peu plus petit que 180°, il n'est pas nécessaire de recourir à des dispositions spéciales pour orienter les éléments 23 par rapport à la carrure 1 de façon que leur partie métallisée soit bien tout entière à l'intérieur de la rainure 15. Lorsque la colle utilisée est entièrement polymérisée, les éléments 23 ne peuvent plus être séparés de la carrure 1 qu'en les détruisant.The elements 23, filled with the layer 19, can then be glued to the middle part 1 (Fig. 8). In doing so, care should be taken that the metallized part of the elements 23 disappears inside the groove 15 of the middle part. As the metallization extends over an arc of the section of the elements 23, which is a little smaller than 180 °, it is not necessary to use special provisions to orient the elements 23 with respect to the middle part 1 so that their metallized part is indeed entirely inside the groove 15. When the adhesive used is fully polymerized, the elements 23 can no longer be separated from the middle part 1 by destroying them.

Ces éléments 23 sont ensuite soumis à l'action d'une meule 27, qui enlèvera leur segment extérieur jusqu'à la ligne c en traits mixtes, située à environ deux dizièmes de millimètre de la tranche 14 de la carrure 1. Les extrémités des éléments 23, adjacentes à la fixation du bracelet, sont aussi meulées à ce moment-là à fleur des coins 9 de la carrure.These elements 23 are then subjected to the action of a grinding wheel 27, which will remove their outer segment up to line c in phantom, located about two-tenths of a millimeter from the edge 14 of the middle 1. The ends of the elements 23, adjacent to the strap attachment, are also ground at this time flush with the corners 9 of the middle.

Si, au lieu d'éléments 23 en corindon monocristallin transparent, on utilise des éléments opaques, en corindon fritté ou en métal dur, on procèdera de la même façon, en supprimant toutefois l'étape illustrée par la Fig. 7.If, instead of elements 23 made of transparent monocrystalline corundum, opaque elements are used, made of sintered corundum or of hard metal, the procedure will be the same, but the step illustrated in FIG. 7.

La seconde forme d'exécution (Fig. 4 à 6) se distingue essentiellement de la première par le fait que les longs côtés de la boîte et par conséquent aussi de la carrure sont cambrés. Au lieu de fraiser une rainure continue dans ces faces cambrées de la tranche de la carrure 28, on forme dans ces faces des rangées d'alvéoles 29 hémisphériques, aussi rapprochés que possible l'un de l'autre et dont le diamètre est approximativement égal à la largeur des rainures 15 de la première forme d'exécution.The second embodiment (Fig. 4 to 6) differs essentially from the first by the fact that the long sides of the case and therefore also of the middle part are arched. Instead of milling a continuous groove in these curved faces of the edge of the middle part 28, there are formed in these faces rows of hemispherical cells 29, as close together as possible and whose diameter is approximately equal to the width of the grooves 15 of the first embodiment.

Cette carrure est fabriquée comme décrit précédemment, en référence aux Fig. 7 et 8. On part toutefois de billes, en lieu et place des éléments 23 cylindriques. Après avoir collé ces billes dans les alvéoles 29 de la carrure 28 et en avoir éliminé une partie un peu inférieure à la moitié par meulage, c'est un chapelet de calottes sphériques qui garnit la tranche des longs côtés de la carrure 28.This middle part is manufactured as described above, with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. However, we start with balls, instead of cylindrical elements 23. After having glued these balls into the cells 29 of the middle part 28 and having removed a part a little less than half by grinding, it is a chain of spherical caps which garnishes the edge of the long sides of the middle part 28.

Si les billes utilisées dans cette forme d'exécution sont faites en corindon monocristallin transparent, puis revêtues d'une couche réfléchissante, comme illustré par la Fig. 7, un phénomène optique analogue à celui qui a été décrit en référence aux Fig. 2 et 3, se produit aussi dans cette seconde forme d'exécution. Toutefois, au lieu d'un "trait" de forte intensité lumineuse, c'est une série de points 30 qui apparaît, chacun d'eux se trouvant au centre de la face plane 31 des éléments protecteurs 32.If the balls used in this embodiment are made of transparent monocrystalline corundum, then coated with a reflective layer, as illustrated in FIG. 7, an optical phenomenon analogous to that which has been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, also occurs in this second embodiment. However, instead of a "line" of high light intensity, a series of dots 30 appears, each of them being in the center of the flat face 31 of the protective elements 32.

Comme l'effet optique en question est beaucoup moins marqué dans le cas des éléments protecteurs en forme de calottes sphériques, que dans celui des éléments en forme de segments cylindriques, on évitera les premiers dans la mesure du possible. Dans bien des cas, une cambrure telle que celle représentée aux Fig. 4 et 6, pourrait être remplacée par deux ou trois faces planes, de façon à créer une carrure de contour polygonal à côtés rectilignes. Les parties de la tranche d'une telle carrure, à garnir d'éléments protecteurs, comprendraient alors autant d'éléments en forme de segments cylindriques que de faces planes.As the optical effect in question is much less marked in the case of the protective elements in the form of spherical caps, than in that of the elements in the form of cylindrical segments, the former will be avoided as far as possible. In many cases, a camber such as that shown in Figs. 4 and 6, could be replaced by two or three flat faces, so as to create a polygonal contour middle with rectilinear sides. The parts of the slice of a such a middle part, to be fitted with protective elements, would then comprise as many elements in the form of cylindrical segments as there are flat faces.

Vu le degré de protection conféré à la tranche de la carrure par les éléments décrits, il n'est pas nécessaire que celle-ci soit faite en un matériau particulièrement dur. Pour en faciliter l'usinage, on en confectionnera le corps de préférence en laiton.Given the degree of protection conferred on the edge of the middle by the elements described, it is not necessary that it be made of a particularly hard material. To facilitate machining, the body should preferably be made of brass.

Claims (8)

1. Carrure de boîte de montre-bracelet à tranche inrayable, caractérisée en ce que sa tranche (14) est garnie d'éléments protecteurs saillants (16, 17, 18; 32), faits en un matériau pratiquement inrayable, et qui, en section dans un plan axial ou parallèle à l'axe de la carrure (1, 28) et perpendiculaire à la tranche (14) de celle-ci, ont au moins approximativement la forme d'un segment circulaire légèrement supérieur à 180°, la partie médiane du segment de chacun des dits éléments étant engagée sur 180° au plus et fixée dans un logement (15, 29) de forme correspondante, creusé dans la tranche (14) de la carrure (1, 28).1. Wristwatch case middle with scratch-resistant edge, characterized in that its edge (14) is provided with protruding protective elements (16, 17, 18; 32), made of a practically scratch-resistant material, and which, in section in an axial plane or parallel to the axis of the middle part (1, 28) and perpendicular to the edge (14) thereof, have at least approximately the shape of a circular segment slightly greater than 180 °, the middle part of the segment of each of the said elements being engaged over 180 ° at most and fixed in a housing (15, 29) of corresponding shape, hollowed out in the edge (14) of the middle part (1, 28). 2. Carrure selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la partie de chacun des dits éléments (16, 17, 18; 32) qui est engagée dans un logement (15, 29) de la tranche (14) de la carrure (1, 28) est collée aux parois du dit logement dans toute son étendue.2. middle part according to claim 1, characterized in that the part of each of said elements (16, 17, 18; 32) which is engaged in a housing (15, 29) of the edge (14) of the middle part (1 , 28) is glued to the walls of said housing in its entire extent. 3. Carrure selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisée - en ce que son contour est polygonal - et en ce que seuls ses côtés s'étendant des cornes de l'une des paires à celles de l'autre sont garnies d'éléments inrayables (16, 17, 18), ces derniers ayant la forme de segments cylindriques et étant engagés dans des creusures longitudinales (15) de chaque face plane de la tranche (14) de la carrure (1), qui ont un profil semicylindrique. 3. middle part according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized - in that its outline is polygonal - And in that only its sides extending from the horns of one of the pairs to those of the other are furnished with scratch-resistant elements (16, 17, 18), the latter having the form of cylindrical segments and being engaged in longitudinal recesses (15) of each flat face of the edge (14) of the middle part (1), which have a semi-cylindrical profile. 4. Carrure selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisée - en ce que ses côtés s'étendant d'une paire de cornes à l'autre sont arqués et en ce que les dits éléments (32) ont la forme de calottes sphériques s'étendant sur un peu plus d'un hémisphère et en ce que l'hémisphère central de chacun de ces éléments est logé dans une creusure hémisphérique (29) des dits côtés de la carrure (28), ces derniers présentant un chapelet d'éléments protecteurs (32) s'étendant tout le long des dits côtés. 4. Middle part according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized - in that its sides extending from one pair of horns to the other are arched and in that said elements (32) have the form of spherical caps extending over a little more than one hemisphere and in that the central hemisphere of each of these elements is housed in a hemispherical recess (29) on the said sides of the middle part (28), the latter presenting a chain of protective elements (32) extending along the said sides. 5. Carrure selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les dits éléments protecteurs (16, 17, 18; 32) sont en corindon fritté ou monocristallin, transparent ou coloré.5. Middle part according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said protective elements (16, 17, 18; 32) are made of sintered or monocrystalline corundum, transparent or colored. 6. Carrure selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce qu'une partie de la surface des éléments protecteurs transparents (16, 17, 18; 32), légèrement inférieure à celle qui est engagée dans la creusure (15, 29) de la tranche (14) de la carrure (1, 28), est revêtue d'une couche métallique réfléchissante (19).6. middle part according to claim 5, characterized in that a part of the surface of the transparent protective elements (16, 17, 18; 32), slightly less than that which is engaged in the recess (15, 29) of the edge (14) of the middle part (1, 28), is coated with a reflective metallic layer (19). 7. Procédé de fabrication de la carrure selon la revendication 1, caractérisé - en ce qu'on forme des éléments cylindriques ou sphériques (23) en un matériau dur au diamètre voulu, - en ce qu'on les colle dans des creusures respectivement semicylindriques (15) ou hémisphériques (29) de la tranche (14) d'une carrure brute (1, 28), sortant d'usinage, - en ce qu'on meule la partie saillante de ces éléments de façon à n'en laisser subsister qu'une petite partie - et en ce qu'on soumet ensuite la carrure aux traitements de terminaison. 7. A method of manufacturing the middle part according to claim 1, characterized - in that cylindrical or spherical elements (23) are formed from a hard material with the desired diameter, - in that they are glued into respectively semi-cylindrical (15) or hemispherical (29) recesses of the edge (14) of a raw middle (1, 28), leaving machining, - in that the projecting part of these elements is ground so as to leave only a small part of it - and in that the middle part is then subjected to the termination treatments. 8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé - en ce que les dits éléments (23) qu'on forme, sont faits en corindon transparent - et en ce qu'avant de les coller à la carrure (1, 28), on revêt un peu moins de la moitié de leur surface d'une couche réfléchissante (19) par vaporisation sous vide, en les déposant dans des alvéoles semicylindriques ou hémisphériques (24) d'un support (25). 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized - in that the said elements (23) that are formed, are made of transparent corundum - And in that before sticking them to the middle part (1, 28), a little less than half of their surface is coated with a reflective layer (19) by vacuum spraying, by depositing them in semi-cylindrical cells or hemispherical (24) of a support (25).
EP82810545A 1981-12-15 1982-12-15 Watch case body and method to manufacture the same Expired EP0082119B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH798781A CH648450GA3 (en) 1981-12-15 1981-12-15
CH7987/81 1981-12-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0082119A1 true EP0082119A1 (en) 1983-06-22
EP0082119B1 EP0082119B1 (en) 1986-12-03

Family

ID=4333424

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82810545A Expired EP0082119B1 (en) 1981-12-15 1982-12-15 Watch case body and method to manufacture the same

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0082119B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS58109877A (en)
KR (1) KR850001791B1 (en)
CH (1) CH648450GA3 (en)
DE (1) DE3274588D1 (en)
HK (1) HK3892A (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334375A1 (en) * 1988-03-24 1989-09-27 D. Swarovski & Co. Wrist watch
CH675045GA3 (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-08-31
EP0574360A1 (en) * 1992-05-14 1993-12-15 Giovanni Battista Consolo Watch pointers with means for setting therein variable-size diamonds or other stones
WO2005101139A1 (en) * 2004-04-14 2005-10-27 Rotary Group Holdings Limited Watch casing
CN109613813A (en) * 2019-02-25 2019-04-12 广东小天才科技有限公司 Wearable device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH312654A (en) * 1954-08-13 1956-02-15 Graber Samuel Process for manufacturing a wristwatch case, and wristwatch case obtained by this process
FR1393525A (en) * 1964-02-06 1965-03-26 Engraving and inlaying process, in particular for jewelery stones and products obtained
DE2921597A1 (en) * 1979-05-28 1980-12-04 Liss Ag METHOD FOR ATTACHING ABRASION-RESISTANT DECORATION ELEMENTS ON WATCH BOWLS AND WATCHBANDS

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH312654A (en) * 1954-08-13 1956-02-15 Graber Samuel Process for manufacturing a wristwatch case, and wristwatch case obtained by this process
FR1393525A (en) * 1964-02-06 1965-03-26 Engraving and inlaying process, in particular for jewelery stones and products obtained
DE2921597A1 (en) * 1979-05-28 1980-12-04 Liss Ag METHOD FOR ATTACHING ABRASION-RESISTANT DECORATION ELEMENTS ON WATCH BOWLS AND WATCHBANDS

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334375A1 (en) * 1988-03-24 1989-09-27 D. Swarovski & Co. Wrist watch
CH675045GA3 (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-08-31
EP0386621A1 (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-09-12 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Watch comprising a middle plate carried by two side members
US5001686A (en) * 1989-03-07 1991-03-19 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Watch case including a baseplate-caseband borne by two longitudinal struts
EP0574360A1 (en) * 1992-05-14 1993-12-15 Giovanni Battista Consolo Watch pointers with means for setting therein variable-size diamonds or other stones
WO2005101139A1 (en) * 2004-04-14 2005-10-27 Rotary Group Holdings Limited Watch casing
CN109613813A (en) * 2019-02-25 2019-04-12 广东小天才科技有限公司 Wearable device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3274588D1 (en) 1987-01-15
CH648450GA3 (en) 1985-03-29
JPH0259959B2 (en) 1990-12-13
JPS58109877A (en) 1983-06-30
KR840003074A (en) 1984-08-13
KR850001791B1 (en) 1985-12-18
EP0082119B1 (en) 1986-12-03
HK3892A (en) 1992-01-17

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