Reversible watch

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-01-26
TAG HEUER SA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] These aims are also achieved by means of a reversible watch comprising a case provided with a first face to display first time indications and with a second face opposite to said first face, at least one element for controlling the watch's movement or movements. A turning-over mechanism allows the case to be turned over a turning-over axis, said turning-over axis being parallel to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis during turning-over, so as to display at the wearer's preference either said first face or said second face. According to the invention, the turning-over mechanism comprises an arm pivoting on each side of said case. The arms allow the turning-over axis to be displaced. The case is connected to the arms to as to allow the case to turn over around the turning-over axis only when the arms are included by a predetermined angle relative to the initial position. The length of the arms is sufficient and their arrangements adapted to allow the case to be turned over without the control elements or other parts of the case colliding with other parts of the watch during turning-over.
[0022] This solution has the advantage of displacing the case's turning-over axis during turning-over. It is thus possible to bring it in a more favorable position, allowing voluminous watch cases or those provided with protruding control elements on one or several faces to be turned over without the case or control elements touching other parts of the watch during turning-over.

Problems solved by technology

Integrating two mechanical movements within a single case is however costly and requires a considerable thickness.
Watches comprising a single mechanical movement capable of displaying indications on both opposite faces are also known; such movements, which are complex and often produced in limited quantities, are also expensive.
Watches comprising two quartz movements head-to-tail are also known, but they have neither the advantages nor the prestige of mechanical movements.
The turning-over mechanism in this case takes up the space around the case usually allotted to the time-set button and other control elements, which implies strict aesthetic constraints for the watch designers and manufacturers.
Such a pivot must thus be machined with a very high precision, which makes the mechanism more expensive.
Turning over the watch requires moving the case relative to the frame along a complex three-dimensional trajectory that is difficult to determine, and generally requires the user to hold the glass or glasses between his fingers, leaving finger prints.
Furthermore, the reliability of the turning-over mechanism is problematic since the pivot can jam / shrink or even break under the effect of even small impacts or torsions.
Finally, the case and in particular the protruding elements of the case, such as control buttons, run the risk of coming into contact with the external frame during pivoting, which may scratch and mark them.
In this case also the case is connected to the external frame through a single pivot, which causes reliability problems and machining difficulties.
In particular, it is impossible to place control buttons or winding buttons that are too protruding on the lateral side of the case close to the turning-over axis, as these elements would then risk colliding with the frame's bottom during turning-over.
This solution is thus not adapted to watches having control elements on two opposed lateral sides, notably watches comprising simultaneously protruding control elements on a first portion of the periphery of the case between 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and protruding control elements on a second portion of the periphery of the case between 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock.
The case and the winding button at this occasion risk coming into contact with the frame 21, which could scratch or even damage them.
Finally, in most of the described solutions, a large portion of the slides are apparent at least during certain turning-over steps, which is not very aesthetic and especially risks them being exposed to dust or skin particles that can in certain cases block them and prevent the watch from turning over.
Finally, the slides are wearing parts that cannot, or only with difficulty, be replaced when inaccuracies arise in guiding the case.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0030]FIG. 1 illustrates a view from above of a reversible watch according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this position, also illustrated in FIG. 2, the watch's face 10 comprising a hand indicator 100 is visible on the upside of the watch, the other face 11 with an alphanumerical display 110 visible notably in FIG. 10 being turned in the direction of the wearer's wrist. To simplify the figures, the display elements (hands or liquid crystal display) and the bracelet are represented only in the resting positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10.

[0031] The watch comprises a case 1 containing the watch's movements and mounted in a frame 17 by means of a turning-over mechanism 2 described further below. A bracelet 13 is fastened to the frame 17 through horns 171. The movement controlling the hands' position can be wound up and / or reset by means of a winding button 16 on one of the lateral sides of the case 1. Other control elements, here push-buttons 14, 15, allow other functio...

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Abstract

Reversible watch, comprising a case (1) provided with a first face (10) for displaying first time indications and a second face (11) opposite said first face. A turning-over mechanism (20, 21, 22, 23) allows the case (1) to be turned over around a turning-over axis (201-211; 221-231) parallel to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis so as to display at the wearer's preference either the first face or the second face. The turning-over mechanism comprising a pivoting arm (20, 21; 22, 23) on each side of the case that allows the turning-over axis to be moved back. The case (1) is connected with the arms (20, 21; 22, 23) to be able to pivot around the turning-over axis (201-211; 221-231). The length of the arms is sufficient for turning over the case without the winding button or other buttons coming into contact with other parts (17) of the watch.

Description

REFERENCE DATA [0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent Application 2004WO-EP050361 (WO04088436) filed on Mar. 24, 2004, claiming priority of Swiss patent application 2003CH-0556 filed on Mar. 31, 2003, the contents whereof are hereby incorporated. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention concerns a reversible watch and a method for turning over a reversible watch case. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003] By reversible watch, one will understand a watch whose case comprises two faces and a turning-over mechanism allowing the user to display, according to preference, one or the other face. At least one of the faces comprises a dial with time indications; the opposite face bears either another dial with other time indications, for example another time zone or complementary functions, or a protective cover that is frequently decorated. [0004] Reversible watches are for example known that comprise two mechanical movements for displaying for example two ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A44C5/00G04B37/00G04B37/04G04C21/34
CPCA44C15/0025G04B37/0083G04C21/34G04B37/0436G04B37/0427G04G17/08G04G17/045G04B37/18
InventorGIRARDINCHATELAIN, YANNICKTURUANI, PASCALTETU, GUILLAUME
OwnerTAG HEUER SA