US3782105A

US3782105A - Rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly

Info

Publication number: US3782105A
Application number: US00250150A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Nozawa
Original assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Current assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-04
Filing date: 1972-05-04
Publication date: 1974-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-01
Also published as: CH578205B5; DE2221695A1; FR2135282A1; FR2135282B1; CH661772A4; GB1366828A

Abstract

A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprises a unitary rectangular casing, a deformable sealing member positioned around the top periphery of the rectangular casing, a rectangular watch crystal positioned atop the sealing member, and means for releasably attaching the watch crystal to the rectangular casing to effect compression of the sealing member to a sufficient degree to obtain a watertight assembly. The attaching means comprises a rectangular retaining member connected to the watch crystal and having a pair of projections which are inserted into appropriate slots provided in the rectangular casing. Locking means are employed for releasably engaging with the projections to releasably lock the rectangular retaining member in a predetermined position wherein the retaining member compresses the sealing member between itself and the top of the rectangular watch casing. The locking means comprises an opening provided in each projection and a locking member insertable into the opening and engageable with the projection.

Description

United States Patent [191 Nozawa Jan. 1, 1974 RECTANGULAR WATERPROOF WATCH CASING ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha,

Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: May 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 250,150

Hideo Nozawa, Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Att0rneyRobert E. Burns etal.

[57] ABSTRACT A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprises a unitary rectangular casing, a deformable sealing member positioned around the top periphery of the rectangular casing, a rectangular watch crystal positioned atop the sealing member, and means for releasably attaching the watch crystal to the rectangular casing to effect compression of the sealing member to a sufficient degree to obtain a watertight assembly. The attaching means comprises a rectangular retaining member connected to the watch crystal and having a pair of projections which are inserted into appropriate slots provided in the rectangular casing. Locking means are employed for releasably engaging with the projections to releasably lock the rectangular retaining member in a predetermined position wherein the retaining member compresses the sealing member between itself and the top of the rectangular watch casing. The locking means comprises an opening provided in each projection and a locking member insertable into the opening and engageable with the projection.

18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 1:924 I 3.782.105

samznrz FIG. 5 28 l. RECTANGULAR WATERPROOF WATCH CASING ASSEMBLY The present invention pertains to rectangular watch casings and more particularly, relates to rectangular wrist watch casings having means for detachably mounting a watch crystal thereon in watertight relationship.

Circular wrist watches have been worn for numerous years and due to their outmoded and unfashionable appearance, they are rapidly being replaced by noncircular wrist watches. Non-circular watches and particularly rectangular watches are currently in great demand and consequently, much research has been expended in devising techniques to secure the watch crystal to the watch casing in a waterproof fashion.

One approach has been to form the watch casing as an integral body which serves as the back casing, the case band and the bezel but difficulty has been encountered in attaching the w'atch crystal to the watch casing in a waterproof manner. In rectangular watch casings of this type which are composed of an integral body, another problem arises in that it is very difficult to obtain a glass crystal similar in shape to the rectangular watch casing and much difficulty has been encountered in adhering the rectangular glass crystal to the watch casing. The most common approach for obtaining a watertight seal between the watch crystal and the watch casing is to interpose therebetween a sealing gasket and though this approach works very wll in circular watches, it has been unsuccessful in rectangular watches since the gasket cannot be uniformly compressed along the entire periphery of the watch casing due to accumulated stresses along the edges of the rectangular watch casing. Another approach has been to employ a movable bezel to secure the watch crystal to the watch casing and to deform the sealing gasket in order to obtain a waterproof construction. Unfortunately, the movable bezels heretofore employed have been satisfactory in obtaining a truely waterproof condition nor do they have an aesthetic appearance.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a rectangular watch casing assembly having a unitary construction serving both as a back casing and as a case band and having a rectangular bezel which is detachably mounted on the watch casing to secure the watch crystal to the watch casing in a watertight relationship.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rectangular watch casing assembly having a detachable rectangular retaining member and having locking means for releasably locking the retaining member in position on the watch casing.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a rectangular watch casing assembly comprising a rectangular watch casing, a rectangular watch crystal and means for releasably attaching the crystal to the watch casing in a waterproof fashion.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rectangular watch casing assembly comprising a rectangular watch casing, a rectangular watch crystal, a sealing gasket interposed between the casing and crystal, and means for effecting uniform compression of the sealing gasket to effect a watertight seal between the crystal and watch casing.

The above and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a rectangular watch casing having a unitary construction serving both as a back casing and as a case band and having a pair of opposed slots therein, a rectangular bezel member having a pair of projections each projecting into one of the slots and having means for engaging with a rectangular watch crystal, and locking means coacting with the projections for releasably locing the rectangular bezel member in position on the watch casing. The bezel member is provided with a peripheral lip for engaging with a pcripheral portion of the watch crystal to detachably mount the watch crystal upon the watch casing and a sealing gasket is provided between a shoulder portion of the watch casing and a lip portion of either the crystal or the bezel member. The sealing gasket is uniformly compressed and deformed to effect a watertight seal between the crystal and watch casing in response to,locking of the bezel member in position by the locking means. The locking means comprises a spring member or a locking member engagable with the bezel member to lock same in position and the locking means is disposed within recesses provided in opposed sides of the watch casing.

Other features and advantages of the rectangular watch casing and rectangular watch assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention will be better understood upon a reading of the following specification and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein like reference characters denote identical or similar elements in the various views and wherein:

FIG. I is a longitudinal cross-section of a portion of a rectangular watch casing according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back or bottom view of the entire rectangular watch casing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rectangular retaining member used in the watch casing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the rectangular watch casing of FIG. 1 showing how to mount a detent member for engaging with the rectangular retaining member;

FIGS. 5 and 8 are longitudinal cross-sections of other embodiments of rectangular watch casings according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a rectangular watch casing showing another embodiment of a detent member for engaging with the rectangular retaining member;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a rectangular watch casing showing another embodiment of a detent member for engaging with the rectangular retaining member; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking member for engaging with the embodiment of rectangular watch casing of FIG. 8.

One embodiment of a rectangular watch casing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rectangular watch casing has a concave configuration including a back portion 11 comprising the bottom of the casing and four side portions. The four side portions comprise two pairs of opposed and spaced-apart side portions integrally connected to the back portion 11 to define a rectangular casing and two of the opposed side portions 10 are provided with means for connecting a watch strap or watch band 12 to the watch casing as well as means for releasably attaching a rectangular watch crystal C to the watch casing, each of which will be described hereinafter.

Each of the side portions has a converging projection 13 projecting outwardly therefrom and a recess 14 is formed within the bottom exterior portion of each projection. The recess 14 is defined by a series of dihedral surfaces comprising a horizontal surface portion 14a, a vertical surface portion 14b and a pair of spacedapart and facing side surface portions 140 whereupon the recess 14 has a generally rectangular shape. A push pin 16 extends between and is affixed to the side surface portions 14c and the end of the watch strap 12 is releasably connected to the pin 16.

The watch casing is provided with mounting means for detachably mounting the watch crystal C thereon in watertight relationship so that the watch movement and other elements contained therein remain free of moisture and other contaminants. The attaching means comprises a hollow rectangular retaining member 20 engageable with the watch crystal C to retain same on the watch casing and locking means 30 for releasably locking the rectangular retaining member in a predetermined position on the watch casing.

The retaining member is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and includes an inwardly projecting lip 27 extending around the periphery of the member and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral lip 27 is complementary in shape with an outwardly projecting lip of the watch crystal C. The rectangular retaining member 20 has a hollow configuration and a pair of

projections

21, 22 project downwardly from opposed sides of the member and the projections are provided with

rectangular openings

23, 24 respectively.

The opposed side portions 10 of the watch casing are provided with lateral slots 19 which open into the heirzontal surface portion 14a and the slots 19 are dimensioned to receive therein respective ones of the projections of the rectangular retaining member 20. As best seen in FIG. 3, the rectangular retaining member includes an inclined peripheral face 28 extending around the periphery of the member and the peripheral face 28 is inclined with resepct to the top and side portion of the member to define a bezel.

The locking means 30 for releasably locking the rectangular retaining member in position comprises a pair of spring members 31 connected to the casing each dimensioned to fit within respective ones of the

openings

23, 24 to releasably lock the rectangular retaining member in position. As most clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a lateral groove is formed within the vertical surface portion 14b of each recess 14 and one of the spring members 31 is loosely held in each groove by a pair of

detent members

32, 33.

The lateral grooves 15 are a little oversized with respect to the length of the spring members 31 and the

detent members

32, 33 are positioned in opposed spaced-apart relationship at a distance somewhat greater than the length of the spring member when the spring member is in its normal and relaxed condition, such as depicted in FIG. 4, so that the spring member may undergo a small degree of lengthwise movement. Each spring member 31 has an arcuate configuration and a head portion 31a of the spring member extends outwardly from the vertical surface portion 14b to an extent sufficient to engage with the opening 23. By such a construction the spring members 31 may be depressed inwardly to an extent almost flush with the vertical surface portion 14b whereby the rectangular retaining member 20 may be slid into the lateral slots 19 without interfering with the spring members.

The attachment of a rectangular watch crystal to the watch casing assembly will now be described in conjunction with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4. A resiliently deformable sealing member or gasket 40 is first disposed on a peripheral shoulder 17 of the watch casing 11 and then the desired watch crystal C is laid over the sealing gasket. The shoulder portion 17, the sealing gasket 40 and the outwardly projection lip of the crystal C all have a complementary shape and are loosely stacked together in superposed relationship. The rectangular retaining member 20 is then slid over the watch crystal and forced downwardly until the

projections

21 and 22 are inserted through the respective slots 19 afterwhich the retaining member is locked in position by engaging with the spring members 31.

In order to enable the

projections

21 and 22 to move downwardly without interfering with the spring members 31, a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver, is used to depress the head portion 31a of the spring members inwardly and the tip of the screw driver is inserted through the

openings

23 and 24 provided in the

projections

21 and 22. As the retaining member is forced downwardly, the sealing gasket 40 is compressed between the lip portion of the crystal C and the shoulder portion 17 of the watch casing until finally the

openings

23 and 24 are in registry with their associated spring members 31 afterwhich the screw driver is removed and the spring members 31 flex outwardly engaging with their respective projections to detachably mount the watch crystal on the watch casing in a watertight manner.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the

projections

21 and 22 into the slots 19, the inner surface of each projection is slightly tapered. For the same reason, the upper surface portion of each spring member 31 is provided with an inclined surface 31b to enable the leading edge of the projections to easily move past the spring members. It should be noted that the relative locations of the spring members 31 and the

openings

23 and 24 are chosen to ensure that the sealing gasket 40 is sufficiently compressed to ensure a watertight condition when the spring members and the openings are in alignement. By such a construction, the spring members coact with the rectangular retaining member 20 to releasably attach the watch crystal to the watch casing in a waterproof manner.

In order to detach the watch crystal from the watch casing, the screw driver is inserted into the recess 14 to engage with the head portions 31a of the spring members 31 in a manner similar to that used during assembly and the spring members 31 are depressed inwardly until they are disengaged from their corresponding projections thereby unlocking the rectangular retaining member 20. The retaining member is then slid upwardly and removed from the watch casing afterwhich the watch crystal C may be easily removed to enable easy acess to the interior of the watch so that repairs and adjustments may be conveniently made. The watch movement and the other elements comprising the watch inner workings have not been shown in detail in the drawings since these components are well-known in the art.

Another embodiment of the rectangular watch casing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention are shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the watch crystal C has a peripherally extending surface which is bonded directly to a complementary peripherally extending surface on the rectangular retaining member 20 and the retaining member itself engages with the sealing gasket 40 rather than having a lip portion of the watch crystal engage with the sealing gasket. For this purpose the retaining memher is provided with an inwardly projecting lip 28 which coacts with the shoulder portion 17 of the watch casing to compress the sealing gasket 40 to a sufficient degree to effectively waterproof the watch interior. The assembly and disassembly of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar to that described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

The spring members 31 may be loosely mounted within the lateral grooves by several techniques other than the technique disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. l4. For example, FIG. 6 discloses an embodiment wherein the spring member 31 is loosely mounted for movement between a pair of opposed detent members 38. The detent members 38 are riveted into the bottom wall of the lateral groove 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the spring member 31 is loosely mounted for lengthwise sliding movement within the groove 15 by means of a series of projections 39 projecting outwardly from the upper and lower wall portions of the groove 15 and slidably receiving therebetween the spring member 31.

Another embodiment of the locking means for releasably locking the rectangular retaining member inposition is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, an L-shaped locking member 50 is used in place of the spring member 31 employed in the previous embodiments. As seen in FIG. 9, the locking member 50 comprises a rectangular plate 51 having a pair of

holes

52, 53 therein and a projection 54 projects outwardly from one major side of the rectangular plate.

In order to detachably mount the watch crystal C, the rectangular retaining member is fitted over the watch crystal C and the

projections

21 and 22 are inserted into the lateral slots 19. Sufficient force is applied downwardly on the rectangular retaining member to effect compression of the sealing gasket 40 which is interposed between a peripheral lip of the watch crystal C and a shoulder portion of the watch casing 11 and then additional force is applied to move the retaining member 20 downwardly far enough so that the projection 54 of the locking member 50 may be inserted through the opening 23 provided in the projection 21.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the locking member 50 through the opening 23, a suitable tool having a pair of prongs engageable in the

holes

52, 53, is preferably used. When the locking member 50 is engaged by the tool, the locking member is slid inwardly into the recess 14 until the projection 54 abuts against the vertical wall portion 14b of the recess 14. Then the downward force applied to the rectangular retaining member 20 is released and the resiliently compressed gasket 31 expands slightly thereby urging the rectangular retaining member 20 upwardly to very short distance whereupon the retaining member engages with the locking member 50 and is releasably locked in position. It should be understood that the length of the projection 54 has been exaggerated in FIGS. 8 and 9 for the sake of clarity and normally this projection is quite small so that undue pressure need not be exerted on the sealing gasket 40, but the projection is sufficiently long the ensure locking in position of the retaining member 20.

In all of the described embodiments, the watch casing is constructed of a single piece of metal which functions both as a watch casing and as the case band. The rectangular retaining member is provided with a bezel surface which complements the inclined surfaces of the watch casing and the watch crystal thereby providing the rectangular watch casing assembly with a chic and aesthetic appearance. In addition, rectangular watch casings constructed in accordance with the present invention may be easily machined in various configurations and patterns since they are of unitary construction.

In accordance with the present invention, the watch crystal is sealed to the watch casing assembly in a water-proof manner and the sealing gasket is uniformly compressed in two opposite radial directions by the pressure exerted thereon by the crystal and the watch casing. The crystal may be easily and rapidly detached from the watch casing to provide easy access to the interior of the watch thereby facilitating maintainence and repairs.

I claim:

1. A rectangular watch casing assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular casing having an open top, a bottom portion, and two pairs of spaced-apart opposing side portions connected to said bottom portion; means defining a recess in the exterior bottom portion of each side portion of one said pair of opposing side portions; means defining a pair of slots in said rectangular casing each extending from one of said recesses to the top of the respective side portion; a hollow rectangular retaining member having a pair of projections dimensioned to be inserted in respective ones of said slots and configured to fit around the periphery of the top portion of said rectangular casing when said projections are inserted into said slots and having means thereon for releasably engaging with a watch crystal to retain same on said rectangular casing during use of the rectangular watch casing assembly; and locking means disposed within each recess coacting with said projections when same are inserted to a predetermined depth into said slots for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member in a predetermined position on said rectangular casing.

2. A rectangular watch casing assembly according to claim 1; wherein each of said projections has a tapered configuration tapering in the direction of insertion to facilitate insertion of the projections into said slots.

3. A rectangular watch casing assembly according to claim 1; wherein said locking means comprises means defining an opening in each projection, and means insertable into each opening and engageable with the corresponding projection to releasably lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

4. A rectangular watch casing assembly according to claim 3; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of locking members each having a projection thereon insertable completely through one of said openings when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to thereby releasably engage with respective ones of said projections to lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

5. A rectangular watch casing assembly according to claim 3; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of spring members each connected to said rectangular casing within one of said recesses and projecting outwardly into the path of travel of corresponding ones of said projections during their insertion into said slots and dimensioned to extend into respective ones of said openings, whereby said spring members may be depressed inwardly out of the path of travel of said projections by a tool inserted into said recesses until said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to align said openings with said spring members afterwhich said spring members are allowed to expand outwardly into said openings thereby locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

6. A rectangular watch casing assembly according to claim 5; including means defining a groove opening into each said recess, and means mounting said spring members in respective ones of said grooves to undergo lengthwise movement therein when said spring members are depressed inwardly.

7. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular casing having an open top, a bottom portion, and two pairs of spacedapart opposing side portions connected to said bottom portion; means defining a recess in the exterior bottom portion of each side portion of one said pair of opposing side portions; a deformable sealing member positioned around a top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing; a rectangular watch crystal disposed in superposed contacting relationship with said deformable sealing member; attaching means for releasably attaching said watch crystal to said rectangular casing in a predetermined position effective to maintain said deformable sealing member in a sufficiently compressed and deformed condition between said watch crystal and rectangular casing to establish therebetween a watertight seal, said attaching means comprising means defining a pair of slots in said rectangular casing each extending from one of said recesses to the top of the respective side portion, and a hollow rectangular retaining member having a pair of projections removably inserted into respective ones of said slots and configured to fit around the top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing outwardly ofsaid deformable sealing member and having means thereon for releasably engaging with the periphery of said watch crystal; and locking means disposed within said recesses coacting with said attaching means for effecting releasable locking of said watch crystal in said predetermined position, said locking means comprising means releasably engageable with said projections only when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to effect positioning of said watch crystal in said predetermined position for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member to said rectangular casing thereby locking said watch crystal in said predetermined position.

8. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 7; wherein said locking means comprises means defining an opening in each projection, and means insertable into each opening and engageable with the corresponding projection to releasably lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

9. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 8; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of locking members each having a projection thereon insertable completely through one of said openings when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to thereby releasably engage with respectiveones of said projections to lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

10. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 8; wherein each of said projections has a tapered configuration tapering in the direction of insertion to facilitate insertion of the projections into said slots.

11. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 8; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of spring members each connected to said rectangular casing within one of said recesses and projecting outwardly into the path of travel of corresponding ones of said projections during their insertion into said slots and dimensioned to extend into respective ones of said openings, whereby said spring members may be depressed inwardly out of the path of travel of said projections by a tool inserted into said recesses until said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to align said openings with said spring members afterwhich said spring members are allowed to expand outwardly into said openings thereby locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

12. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 11; including means defining a groove opening into each said recess, and means mounting said spring members in respective ones of said grooves to undergo lengthwise movement therein when said spring members are depressed inwardly.

13. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular casing having an open top, a bottom portion, and two pairs of spaced apart opposing side portions connected to said bottom portion; means defining a recess in the exterior bottom portion of each side portion of one said pair of opposing side portions; a deformable sealing member positioned around a top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing; a rectangular watch crystal having a first peripherally extending surface; a hollow rectangular retaining member configured to fit around the top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing outwardly of said sealing member and having a peripheral lip overlying said deformable sealing member and having a second peripherally extending surface complementary to said first peripherally extending surface; means permanently bonding together said first and second peripherally extending surfaces to bond said rectangular watch crystal to said rectangular retaining member; attaching means releasably attaching said rectangular retaining member to said rectangular casing in a predetermined position effective to maintain said deformable sealing member in a sufficiently compressed and deformed condition between said rectangular retaining member and rectangular casing to establish therebetween a Watertight seal, said attaching means comprising means defining a pair of slots in said rectangular casing each extending from one of said recesses to the top of the respective side portion, and wherein said hollow rectangular retaining member has a pair of projections removably inserted into respective ones of said slots; and locking means disposed within said recesses coating with said attaching means for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position, said locking means comprising means releasably engageable with said projections only when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to effect positioning of said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

14. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 13, wherein said locking means comprises means defining an opening in each projection, and means insertable into each opening and engageable with the corresponding projection to releasably lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

15. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 14; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of locking members each having a projection thereon insertable completely through one of said openings when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to thereby releasably engage with respective ones of said projections to lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

16. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said projections has a tapered configuration tapering in the direction of insertion to facilitate insertion of the projections into 10 said slots.

17. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 14; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of spring members each connected to said rectangular casing within one of said recesses and projecting outwardly into the path of travel of corresponding ones of said projections during their insertion into said slots and dimensioned to extend into respective ones of said openings, whereby said spring members may be depressed inwardly out of the path of travel of said projections by a tool inserted into said recesses until said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to align said openings with said spring members afterwhich said spring members are allowed to expand outwardly into saidopenings thereby locking said rectangular retaining member in said predeterined position.

18. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 17; including means defining a groove opening into each said recess, and means mounting said spring members in respective ones of said grooves to undergo lengthwise movement therein when said spring members are depressed inwardly.

Claims

7. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular casing having an open top, a bottom portion, and two pairs of spaced-apart opposing side portions connected to said bottom portion; means defining a recess in the exterior bottom portion of each side portion of one said pair of opposing side portions; a deformable sealing member positioned around a top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing; a rectangular watch crystal disposed in superposed contacting relationship with said deformable sealing member; attaching means for releasably attaching said watch crystal to said rectangular casing in a predetermined position effective to maintain said deformable sealing member in a sufficiently compressed and deformed condition between said watch crystal and rectangular casing to establish therebetween a watertight seal, said attaching means comprising means defining a pair of slots in said rectangular casing each extending from one of said recesses to the top of the respective side portion, and a hollow rectangular Retaining member having a pair of projections removably inserted into respective ones of said slots and configured to fit around the top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing outwardly of said deformable sealing member and having means thereon for releasably engaging with the periphery of said watch crystal; and locking means disposed within said recesses coacting with said attaching means for effecting releasable locking of said watch crystal in said predetermined position, said locking means comprising means releasably engageable with said projections only when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to effect positioning of said watch crystal in said predetermined position for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member to said rectangular casing thereby locking said watch crystal in said predetermined position.

9. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 8; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of locking members each having a projection thereon insertable completely through one of said openings when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to thereby releasably engage with respective ones of said projections to lock said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

13. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular casing having an open top, a bottom portion, and two pairs of spaced-apart opposing side portions connected to said bottom portion; means defining a recess in the exterior bottom portion of each side portion of one said pair of opposing side portions; a deformable sealing member positioned around a top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing; a rectangular watch crystal having a first peripherally extending surface; a hollow rectangular retaining member configured to fit around the top peripheral portion of said rectangular casing outwardly of said sealing member and having a peripheral lip overlying said deformable sealing member and having a second peripherally extending surface complementary to said first peripherally extending surface; means permanently bonding together said first and second peripherally extending surfaces to bond said rectangular watch crystal to said rectangular retaining member; attaching means releasably attaching saiD rectangular retaining member to said rectangular casing in a predetermined position effective to maintain said deformable sealing member in a sufficiently compressed and deformed condition between said rectangular retaining member and rectangular casing to establish therebetween a watertight seal, said attaching means comprising means defining a pair of slots in said rectangular casing each extending from one of said recesses to the top of the respective side portion, and wherein said hollow rectangular retaining member has a pair of projections removably inserted into respective ones of said slots; and locking means disposed within said recesses coating with said attaching means for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position, said locking means comprising means releasably engageable with said projections only when said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to effect positioning of said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position for releasably locking said rectangular retaining member in said predetermined position.

16. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said projections has a tapered configuration tapering in the direction of insertion to facilitate insertion of the projections into said slots.

17. A rectangular waterproof watch casing assembly according to claim 14; wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of spring members each connected to said rectangular casing within one of said recesses and projecting outwardly into the path of travel of corresponding ones of said projections during their insertion into said slots and dimensioned to extend into respective ones of said openings, whereby said spring members may be depressed inwardly out of the path of travel of said projections by a tool inserted into said recesses until said projections are inserted deep enough into said slots to align said openings with said spring members afterwhich said spring members are allowed to expand outwardly into said openings thereby locking said rectangular retaining member in said predeterined position.