Timepiece comprising an external component provided with a zirconium oxide portion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece, which in addition to a watch mirror comprises the following external elements: a back cover (2), a middle piece (1), a dial (3) and two strap sections (30), at least one of the external elements comprises a main body, the main body is formed by at least one first part and at least one second part, the first part is made of an opaque first material, the second part is made of a partially transparent or translucent second material, the first material and the second material are formed as one body, and the timepiece also comprises: at least one light source (10), the light source generates light passing through the at least one second part, the second part is made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material including zirconium oxide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one external element comprising at least one portion made of a ceramic material. More specifically, the present invention relates to a timepiece having an original / novel light effect for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes. The present invention also relates to the use of such a timepiece to obtain an original functional application of lighting on the timepiece. Background Art

[0002] The manufacture of timepieces such as wristwatches with an improved aesthetic appearance is a constant concern for watch manufacturers, in particular those responsible for designing the various external elements. It would take too long to list here all the solutions that have been considered to make a timepiece as neat and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Mention may be made, by way of example only, of the guilloché technique of the dial, the shape and / or colour of the appliques of the dial or the hands, or the addition of precious or semi-precious stones.

[0003] Part of the purpose of the present invention is to provide the consumer with a watch that has an aesthetic, surprising and functional appearance at the same time.

[0004] In this context, it is known, for example, from patent document WO 2010 / 146162 A1 to illuminate a timepiece, at least one external element of which comprises a part made of at least partially transparent or translucent material, in particular ceramic material. The timepiece, typically a watch, comprises one or more light sources which allow the ceramic material to be illuminated from the inside of the case below the dial by generating light that passes through the transparent or translucent part of the ceramic material. The ceramic material part of the external element may be a component attached to the external element. The lateral periphery of the middle piece of the watch, the area around the winding crown and / or buttons or the optical elements facing the strap can therefore be illuminated. The dial can also be selectively illuminated via a translucent area (inlay) arranged on the dial.

[0005] However, this timepiece has the disadvantage that it does not provide an optimum light transmittance. Furthermore, when the ceramic material portion of the external element is an insert, assembling such an insert on the external element does not guarantee the water resistance and stability of the timepiece over time. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a timepiece that is waterproof and stable over time and allows light to escape from inside the external elements of the timepiece with optimal light transmittance while having original light effects for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising, in addition to a watch mirror, the following external elements: a back cover, a middle piece, a dial and two strap segments, at least one of these external elements comprising a body formed by at least one first part and at least one second part, the first part being made of an opaque first material, the second part being made of a transparent or translucent second material, the first material being integral with the second material, and the timepiece further comprising at least one light source that generates light that passes through the at least one second part made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material containing zirconium oxide.

[0008] The use of zirconium oxide as an at least partially transparent or translucent ceramic material allows to provide unexpected illumination to a timepiece, giving it a precious and more or less diffuse, elegant, soft and pleasing appearance, these characteristics can be varied almost infinitely according to the desired aesthetic effect, which increases the final aesthetic quality of the timepiece. Moreover, zirconium oxide stabilized in the tetragonal phase by the addition of yttria (Y-TZP stands for "yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconium oxide polycrystal") is a technical ceramic having the best mechanical toughness and one of the best light transmission coefficients. It is used in timepieces to allow light to escape from the interior of the external elements of the timepiece and therefore allows to provide the latter with very good light transmission, while allowing original light effects for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes. The timepiece according to the invention can be, for example, an electronic, electromechanical and / or mechanical watch, in particular a sports watch or a watch known as a "luxury" watch.

[0009] Furthermore, the extraction of light through the second zirconium oxide portion of the external element does not require the assembly of multiple transparent parts attached to the external element. In fact, the second material, which is integrated with the first material, together constitutes the entire one-piece body of the external element, which allows to ensure the waterproofness and stability over time of this external element and therefore of the timepiece. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a specific light path processed in the timepiece and to have to ensure its waterproofness. It is therefore understood that in this configuration, the external element comprises a ceramic material, such as zirconium oxide. The external element is preferably made in one piece comprising a ceramic material of the zirconium oxide type.

[0010] Preferably, the composition and thickness of the second zirconium oxide portion are selected such that the average light transmission factor in the visible spectrum has a value of at least 30%, preferably 40% or more.

[0011] The specific shape of the timepiece is defined in dependent claims 2 to 23 .

[0012] Preferably, the zirconium oxide is white zirconium oxide. More preferably, the zirconium oxide is tetragonal zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide is advantageously doped with an aluminum oxide pigment, preferably 5% by weight of an aluminum oxide pigment. This allows the translucency level of the zirconium oxide to be adjusted to different values ​​according to the manufacturer's wishes.

[0013] According to a particular technical feature of the present invention, the at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode.

[0014] According to another particular technical feature of the invention, the at least one light source is an extended light source configured to generate continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the zirconium oxide portion of the external element.

[0015] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting diode is an organic light emitting diode evaporated or printed on an external element to be illuminated or inserted into or below an external element to be illuminated, and the organic light emitting diode forms an extended light source. This allows the extended light source to be given a predetermined shape, which is usually and not limited to a number, letter, logo or text shape.

[0016] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the extended light source comprises, in addition to the light-emitting diodes, a light guide coupled to the light-emitting diodes and capable of diffusing the light injected by the light-emitting diodes over its entire length. This allows obtaining continuous illumination at the desired locations on the external element, thereby providing in particular functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment applications that are original and limited to these locations.

[0017] Advantageously, the timepiece further comprises an optical shutter or valve mounted on a movable part of the timepiece, arranged facing the at least one extended light source and configured to have only one position in which the light emitted by the light source escapes from the interior of the timepiece to the exterior of the timepiece. This thus gives the illusion of a light spot moving continuously on the external element, an effect that can advantageously be used in applications intended, for example, to display a countdown or a luminous timer.

[0018] According to a particular technical feature of the invention, the second zirconium oxide portion of the external element to be illuminated comprises at least one inscription / symbol to be illuminated by the light coming from the light source.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one inscription is formed in the second part comprising zirconium oxide via a method selected from the group consisting of: selective carburizing and / or nitriding of the zirconium oxide surface; changing the thickness of the zirconium oxide by mechanical or laser engraving; changing the density of the zirconium oxide; opaque or translucent embossing on the zirconium oxide surface; structured PVD physical vapor deposition on the zirconium oxide surface or inside the zirconium oxide part; and a combination of two or more of these methods.

[0020] Advantageously, when the at least one inscription is made in the zirconium oxide portion by selective carburization and / or nitridation of the zirconium oxide surface, the inscription forms an active conductive structure of the conductive track or antenna type. Such structures can be highlighted by illuminating the zirconium oxide surrounding these structures, but can also be advantageously used to bring the required current to the light source to generate illumination.

[0021] Advantageously, the at least one inscription is configured to be invisible under natural light and only become visible once illuminated by light from a light source. For example, the symbol may become visible by appearing in negative form on the zirconium oxide surface.

[0022] Advantageously, the at least one light source is mounted on a movable part of the timepiece, below the external element to be illuminated, for example on a virtual hand configured to rotate about its axis. This allows obtaining dynamic and particularly aesthetic lighting results, in particular when the external element to be illuminated is a middle piece or a bezel of a watch.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a timepiece as described above, wherein the timepiece comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in or below an external element, the external element comprising at least one second portion made of a partially transparent or translucent second material, and the switching on and off of the light sources is configured so that the timepiece has at least one visual indication of a characteristic function of the timepiece and / or a function involving the measurement of an external parameter or a parameter relevant to a user of the timepiece on the external element illuminated by the light source.

[0024] According to a specific technical feature of the present invention, the turning on and off of the light source is configured so that the clock has one or more visual indications on the external element illuminated by the light source involving one or more of the following functions: indicating hours, minutes and / or dates; indicating a timer or countdown, in which the light-emitting area of ​​the external element lights up or goes out respectively as time passes; indicating the value measured by the clock by color, rhythm, frequency and / or intensity modulated lighting on the external element, such as indicating heart rate, temperature, running pace, number of steps or decibel level; indicating an alarm or receipt of a notification; indicating an active function of the clock; and helping to adjust the clock.

[0025] According to another specific technical feature of the present invention, the light sources are controlled to be turned on and / or off simultaneously and / or sequentially. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The objects, advantages and characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention will better emerge in the following description of at least one non-limiting embodiment based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a watch case according to one embodiment of the present invention, the watch case being provided with a middle piece including a zirconium oxide portion illuminated by a light source;

[0028] - Figure 2 is a top view of a zirconium oxide watch middle piece, along the inner side of which a diffuse optical fiber is fixed for light injection;

[0029] - Figure 3is a top view of a wristwatch including a dial and / or a zirconium oxide bezel through which light passes; and

[0030] - Figure 4 is a top view of a wristwatch comprising two strap sections, wherein the light is diffused by means of two zirconium oxide portions arranged in the middle piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention proceeds from an inventive general concept, which is to accommodate at least one light source in or below at least one external element of a clock. The external element comprises a body, which is formed by at least one first part and at least one second part, the first part being made of an opaque or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque first material, and the second part being made of a transparent or translucent or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent second material. In the body, the first material is integral with the second material. The second material is substantially or exclusively or completely composed of a ceramic material such as zirconium oxide. In this configuration, the external element is preferably made into a single piece. It should be understood that the one-piece body of the external element is preferably composed only of the at least one first part and the at least one second part. In addition, the at least one second part extends in the thickness of the body of the external element defined between the outer surface and the inner surface of the body. By extending along the thickness in this way, the second part connects these outer surfaces and inner surfaces to each other.

[0032] The first material is preferably present in the body of the external element in a greater proportion than the second material. In this case, the first material may also be referred to as the primary material and the second material may also be referred to as the secondary material. By way of example, the first material may constitute 60% to 90%, preferably 75%, of the body of the external element. It should be noted that the second material is visually identifiable in the external element because it corresponds to the at least one second portion or transparent or translucent area of ​​the body of the external element.

[0033] In this case, it will be appreciated that the total area occupied by the second portions on the outer or visible surface of the body of the external element is smaller than the total area occupied by the first portions on the same face.

[0034] However, in other alternatives, the proportion of the first material in the body of the external element may be less than the proportion of the second material. For example, the first material may constitute between 20% and 30%, preferably 25%, of the body of the external element. It will be appreciated that in this case, the total area occupied by the first portion on a visible face of the body of the external element is less than the total area occupied by the second portion on the same face.

[0035] The first material constituting the first part of the body of the external element preferably does not contain zirconium oxide.The second material constituting the second part of the body of the transparent or translucent external element comprises a ceramic material containing zirconium oxide.

[0036] However, in an alternative, the first material of the body of the external element may consist partially or completely of non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque zirconium oxide. In this alternative, the second material then consists substantially or only of transparent or translucent zirconium oxide. In this configuration, the body of the external element is made entirely of zirconium oxide.

[0037] It should be noted that the second portion is the only transparent or translucent portion of the body of the external element. As previously mentioned, the body of the external element comprises at least one second portion that is transparent or translucent. This second portion constitutes a portion of the external element through which the light generated by the light source can escape to the outside of the timepiece.

[0038] As can be seen, in the external element, the first material is integral with the second material. This configuration allows to ensure the waterproofness and stability over time of the external element and therefore of the timepiece. Moreover, thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a specific light path machined in the timepiece and to ensure its waterproofness. This provides a waterproof and stable timepiece whose original light effects provide the timepiece with unexpected lighting for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes. This allows to give the timepiece a precious and more or less diffuse, elegant, soft and pleasing appearance, these features being able to vary virtually infinitely according to the desired aesthetic effect, without the need to assemble transparent parts attached to the external element.

[0039] In the following description, all parts of the timepiece known to a person skilled in the art will be explained only in a simplified manner.

[0040] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the middle part 1 which, together with the back cover 2 and the dial 3, delimits the internal volume 4 of the case 6. The case 6 is closed at the top by a crystal 34. For the purposes of this description, it is assumed that the watch is an electronic watch and that its movement M is arranged in the back cover of the case 6. In this way, a support plate 8 of the printed circuit board or flexible PCB type can be arranged above the movement M, on which a light source 10 of the light-emitting diode or LED type and its electronic control circuit 12 are mounted. Figure 1In a particular embodiment, the light source 10 is arranged in the middle piece 1 to be illuminated. According to a variant not shown, the light source 10 is arranged below the external element to be illuminated. More specifically, the light source 10 is arranged directly below the inner surface of the body of the external element to be illuminated and is pressed against this inner surface. The light source can be pressed against a part of the inner surface included in the at least one second part. According to a variant not shown, it is also conceivable to mount the light source 10 on a movable part of the timepiece below the body of the external element to be illuminated. For example, when the external element to be illuminated is a bezel 26 mounted on the middle piece 1, the light source 10 can be mounted on a virtual pointer configured to rotate around the axis of the pointer 29.

[0041] Any type of light source 10 may be used, whether punctual or delayed. When the light source 10 is an extended light source, it produces a continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the second transparent or translucent zirconium oxide portion of the external element, through which the light will escape from the internal volume 4 of the case 6. Figure 1 In the particular embodiment shown, a light emitting diode is used for the light source 10. The light emitting diode is combined with an external element containing fluorescent particles and / or phosphorescent particles to emit, for example, ultraviolet light, violet light, blue light, white light or infrared light. The external element to be illuminated, in this case Figure 1 The zirconium oxide middle piece 1 in a particular embodiment of the present invention is contained at the location where it is desired that light escape from the interior of the case 6. In this way, the fluorescent and / or phosphorescent particles absorb the radiation emitted by the diode and re-emit uniform visible light. Depending on the type of particles chosen (fluorescent and / or phosphorescent), the luminous effect stops immediately after the light source is turned off, or, on the contrary, continues through an afterglow effect.

[0042] exist Figure 2 In the particular embodiment shown, the light source 10 is an extended light source comprising a light-emitting diode 18 and a light guide 22. The light-emitting diode 18 is connected to the electronic control circuit 12. The light guide 22 is coupled to the light-emitting diode 18 and is fixed along the inner side of the zirconia intermediate piece 1. The light guide 22 thus allows the light to be carried from the point at which it is injected into the light guide 22 up to the level of the transparent or translucent second zirconia portion of said external element, through which the light will escape from the internal volume 4 of the case 6. According to a variant, the light guide 22 is an optical fiber allowing any obstacle that may be present between the light-emitting diode 18 and the transparent or translucent second zirconia portion of said external element, through which the light will escape from the internal volume 4 of the case 6. As Figure 2 As shown, the optical fiber 22 may be an optical fiber that diffuses the injected light along its entire length. The fact that the optical fiber 22 is coupled to a single light emitting diode 18 saves cost and energy for illuminating the second zirconia portion.

[0043] In another embodiment not shown in the figure, the light source 10 is an extended light source composed of an organic light emitting diode, which is evaporated or printed on the external element to be illuminated or evaporated or printed on an inserted substrate in or below the external element to be illuminated. For example, the organic light emitting diode is evaporated or printed on a portion of the inner surface of the body of the external element, which portion is included in the second portion to be illuminated, or is included on a substrate inserted into or directly inserted below the portion.

[0044] In another embodiment not shown in the drawings, the light source 10 is an extended light source in the shape of numbers, letters, logos or words.

[0045] The light source 10 is powered, for example, by a rechargeable or replaceable battery 14 and is usually arranged below the watch movement M on the side of the back cover 2 of the case 6. It will be understood that the watch according to the invention can be electronic, electromechanical or even purely mechanical. In the latter case, it is sufficient to provide a housing to receive a battery intended only to power the light source 10 and its electronic control circuit 12. The invention can therefore be applied to any type of wristwatch, the only constraint to be observed being the absence of obstacles to the propagation of light between the light source and the external element through which said light must leave.

[0046] So far, the invention has been described in connection with a middle piece 1 as the only external element made of a first material integrated with a second zirconium oxide material comprising at least partly transparent or translucent material. However, the invention is applicable to any other external element of a timepiece whose body consists of a second zirconium oxide material comprising at least partly transparent or translucent material, such as a dial 3 (in Figure 3 ), back cover 2, bezel 26, flange (not shown) or strap section 30 (in Figure 4 According to one particular exemplary embodiment, the second zirconium oxide material constituting the second part of the body of the external element to be illuminated is contained in the upper part of middle piece 1 or of bezel 26. According to another particular embodiment, the second zirconium oxide material constituting the second part of the body of the external element to be illuminated is a second part of a control member of the watch, such as push-button 16, or a second part of a winding crown, optionally provided with a crown cap. In this case, the winding crown and / or the crown cap comprise at least one second part made of this second material, which is at least partially transparent or translucent.

[0047] Figure 3Another specific embodiment is shown in , in which the timepiece is a wristwatch. In this embodiment, for example, the inlay 24 at the bezel 26 and the dial 3 can be illuminated. To this end, the bezel 26 and the dial 3 can each be provided with a first completely opaque portion and let the light escape only at the inlay 24, the latter being a second part of the body of the external element made of a transparent or translucent second zirconium oxide material. In this configuration, the body of each of these external elements is made of the second material and a larger amount of the first material than the second material in proportion. Conversely, the bezel 26 and / or the inlay 24 of the dial 3 can be made of the first opaque material, while the rest of the body of each of these external elements is made of a transparent or translucent second zirconium oxide material. In this configuration, the body of each of these external elements comprises the first material and a larger amount of the second material than the first material in proportion. In Figure 3 In the particular embodiment shown, the watch may, for example, comprise several point sources / precision sources, more specifically as many point sources as there are inlays 24 (twelve in the example shown). Each point source is then arranged to illuminate, directly or indirectly, one of inlays 24. The watch may alternatively comprise a single extended source, typically similar to Figure 2 The extended light source shown comprises a light-emitting diode and a light guide coupled to the diode. The light guide is then arranged to extend below dial 3 to be illuminated, substantially opposite the periphery of dial 3 and therefore opposite the periphery of applique 24 .

[0048] exist Figure 4 In another particular embodiment shown, the light generated by the light source 10 is emitted into a transparent or translucent strap segment 30. For this purpose, a middle piece 1 is provided which has two second portions 32a and 32b made of a second transparent or translucent zirconium oxide material approximately at twelve o'clock and six o'clock, that is to say at the position where the strap segment 30 is fixed to said middle piece 1. On the inside of the watch case 6, two light sources 10 can be arranged respectively, each facing one of the two second zirconium oxide portions 32a, 32b of the middle piece 1. The light generated by the two light sources 10 is emitted from the watch case 6 through the two second portions made of the second material 32a, 32b and is emitted into the two transparent or translucent segments 30 of the strap in which the light is diffused.

[0049] External elements of the watch that allow all or part of the light generated by the light source to pass through can be illuminated directly by the light source. However, these external elements can also be illuminated indirectly by the light source.

[0050] Preferably, the second part of the outer element to be illuminated consists of a second white zirconium oxide material. Alternatively, the zirconium oxide may be a colored zirconium oxide. Preferably, the zirconium oxide is a tetragonal zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide is advantageously doped with an aluminum oxide pigment, preferably 5% by weight of an aluminum oxide pigment.

[0051] Preferably, the composition and thickness of the second material of the second portion extending in the body of the external element are selected so that the average light transmission coefficient in the visible spectrum has a value of at least 30%, preferably 40% or more. It should be noted that when the first material of the first portion consists partially or completely of non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque zirconium oxide, the composition and thickness of the body comprising this material are selected so that the average light transmission coefficient in the visible spectrum is zero.

[0052] When the first material is not integral with the second material, the second material made of at least partially transparent or translucent zirconium oxide may also constitute an insert. The zirconium oxide used in the insert is typically white zirconium oxide. The insert is arranged at a location where light is desired to escape from the interior of the case 6. The rest of the external element is then made, for example, of the first material.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figure, when the light source 10 is an extended light source, the clock also includes an optical shutter or valve mounted on a movable part of the clock. The movable part is, for example, a pointer or a virtual pointer of the clock. The optical shutter or valve is arranged to face the extended light source 10 and is configured to have only one position for the light emitted by the light source 10 to escape from the inside of the clock to the outside of the clock.

[0054] According to another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the second portion of the external element to be illuminated, made of a second zirconium oxide material, comprises at least one inscription intended to be illuminated by the light from the light source 10. This inscription is made on the second zirconium oxide portion, for example by:

[0055] - Selective carburization and / or nitriding of the zirconium oxide surface,

[0056] - changing the thickness of the zirconium oxide by mechanical or laser engraving (e.g. shrinkage of a few 0.1 mm in the ceramic),

[0057] -Change the density of zirconium oxide,

[0058] - opaque or translucent embossing inside or on the surface of zirconium oxide external elements,

[0059] - Physical vapor deposition (PVD) etc. built inside or on the surface of the zirconium oxide part, or

[0060] - A combination of these methods.

[0061] When the light emission from the light source 10 is switched on, the normally invisible inscription appears in negative form on the surface of the second zirconium oxide portion.

[0062] Preferably, when the inscriptions are made in the second zirconium oxide portion by selective carburization and / or nitridation of the surface of this second zirconium oxide portion, said inscriptions form active conductive structures of the conductive track type or of an antenna.

[0063] The watch according to the present invention can be advantageously used to provide multiple functional applications to the user of the watch. To this end, the watch includes several light sources 10. Each light source 10 is arranged in or below an external element including a second zirconium oxide portion to be illuminated. In particular, each light source 10 can be directly arranged below a portion of the inner surface of the external element, which is included in the second zirconium oxide portion to be illuminated. The light source is then positioned on the portion of the inner surface of the external element by pressing, gluing or by any other type of means. The opening and closing of the light source 10 is configured in such a way that the watch has at least one visual indication of a function of measuring a parameter that is specific to the watch and / or relates to an external parameter or a parameter related to the user of the watch on the external element illuminated by the light source 10. The opening and / or closing of the light source 10 can be controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by an electronic control circuit 12. It should be noted that each light source 10 is opened and closed by the electronic control circuit 12, respectively.

[0064] Among the possible functional applications of a clock, one can mention, for example:

[0065] - Indication of the value of a quantity measured by the timepiece by means of colour, rhythm, frequency and / or intensity modulated lighting on an external element. For example:

[0066] Indicates the user's heart rate through pulsating lighting at the same frequency. The color of the lighting can also change according to the frequency, usually green represents a low rhythm, and then the more red, the higher the heart rate;

[0067] The ambient temperature is indicated by sequentially illuminating the numerals or inlays 24 on the dial 3 by matching the color to the temperature (usually blue for low temperatures and increasingly red as the temperature rises) (see Figure 3 );

[0068] (Absolute or relative) indicates the running pace of the sports watch;

[0069] · The number of steps or any other measure indicating the user's athletic activity;

[0070] Indication of decibel levels (e.g. at construction sites, discotheques, etc.);

[0071] - Indicate any type of alarm and use different rhythm / intensity / color combinations for different alarms. In this case, many external elements of the timepiece, including the strap, can light up simultaneously or sequentially. Examples of alarms:

[0072] ·Alarm clock;

[0073] · Incoming message or email (or confirmation of receipt of sent message) or any other notification from any other application of the watch connected to a mobile device (such as a mobile phone);

[0074] Receipt confirmation for watches with contactless payment capabilities;

[0075] - Indicates the activity functions of a multitasking watch, specifically functions like "Time", "Chrono", "Baro" (for barometer), "Podo" (for pedometer):

[0076] by illuminating the numeral or applique 24 on dial 3 corresponding to the function (1=chronograph, 2=barometer, etc.);

[0077] Illuminating by transmission one or more inscriptions (for example small texts or logos) printed or engraved inside the watch (generally in middle piece 1 and / or bezel 26 ), which are just below the surface and are not visible without illumination;

[0078] - Helps with setting up the watch, especially for touch-sensitive watches that don't use buttons / crown for setting, which makes operation less intuitive:

[0079] indicating the active setting level (or menu) when setting the watch by illuminating the numerals or appliques 24 and / or small text and / or hidden markings on the dial 3;

[0080] Illuminating the zirconium oxide crown when pulling it out to adjust the watch;

[0081] Light guides that indicate which buttons and / or parts of the watch the user can / must touch during the next setup step. The buttons themselves and / or the area around them may be illuminated;

[0082] - A light confirmation (eg via two or three light pulses) indicates to the user that the watch has accepted his settings.

[0083] Of course, the above list of functional applications that can be realized by a timepiece according to the invention is not exhaustive and a person skilled in the art will be able to recognize other functional applications.

Claims

1. A timepiece, which in addition to a watch mirror comprises the following external elements: a back cover (2), a middle piece (1), a dial (3) and two strap sections (30), at least one of these external elements comprises a main body, the main body is formed by at least one first part and at least one second part, the first part is made of an opaque first material, the second part is made of a partially transparent or translucent second material, the first material and the second material are formed as one body, and the timepiece also comprises at least one light source (10), the at least one light source generates light passing through the at least one second part, wherein the first material does not contain zirconium oxide, and the second material is a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material comprising zirconium oxide doped with aluminum oxide pigment; the at least one light source (10) is mounted on a movable part of the timepiece below the main body of the external element to be illuminated.

2. The timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one light source (10) is arranged in or below the body of the exterior element.

3. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The arrangement of the at least one light source (10) relative to the body of the external element is configured such that most or all of the light generated by the at least one light source passes through the at least one second portion of the body.

4. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The zirconium oxide is white zirconium oxide.

5. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The zirconium oxide is tetragonal zirconium oxide.

6. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The zirconium oxide is doped with 5% by weight of an aluminum oxide pigment.

7. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one light source (10) comprises a light emitting diode (18).

8. The timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that The at least one light source (10) is an extended light source configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous illumination on the at least one second portion of the body of the external element.

9. The timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that The light emitting diode is an organic light emitting diode evaporated or printed on a body of the external element to be illuminated or on a substrate inserted into or under the external element to be illuminated, and the organic light emitting diode forms the extended light source.

10. The timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that The extended light source (10) comprises, in addition to the light emitting diode (18), a light guide (22) which is connected to the light emitting diode (18) and is capable of diffusing the light emitted by the light emitting diode (18) over its entire length.

11. The timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that The timepiece further comprises an optical shutter or valve mounted on a movable part of the timepiece, the optical shutter or valve being arranged facing the at least one extended light source (10) and being configured to have only one position at which light emitted by the light source (10) escapes from the interior of the timepiece to the exterior of the timepiece via the at least one second portion.

12. The timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that The at least one extended light source (10) has a shape of numbers, letters, logos or words.

13. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one second portion of the body of the external element to be illuminated comprises at least one inscription to be illuminated by light from the light source (10).

14. The timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that The at least one inscription is made in the at least one second part comprising zirconium oxide via a method selected from the group including: selective carburizing and / or nitriding of the zirconium oxide surface; changing the thickness of the zirconium oxide by mechanical or laser engraving; changing the density of the zirconium oxide; opaque or translucent embossing on the zirconium oxide surface; structured PVD physical vapor deposition on the zirconium oxide surface or inside the zirconium oxide part; and a combination of two or more of these methods.

15. The timepiece according to claim 14, characterized in that The at least one inscription is formed in the at least one second portion via selective carburizing and / or nitriding of the surface of the at least one second portion and forms an active conductive structure of the conductive track or antenna type.

16. The timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that The at least one inscription is configured to be invisible in natural light and only become visible when illuminated by light from the light source (10).

17. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bezel (26) and / or a button (16) and / or a winding crown provided with a crown cap, characterized in that: The bezel (26) and / or the winding crown and / or the crown cap and / or the push-button (16) are external elements comprising the at least one second portion.

18. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one light source (10) emits ultraviolet, violet, blue, white or infrared light, and the exterior element to be illuminated contains phosphorescent and / or fluorescent particles at locations where it is desired that light escape from the interior of the timepiece.

19. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The partially transparent or translucent ceramic material consists essentially or completely of zirconium oxide.

20. The timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one light source (10) is mounted below the body of the external element to be illuminated on a virtual pointer configured to rotate around the axis of a pointer (29).

21. Use of a timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The timepiece comprises a plurality of light sources (10) arranged in or below the external element, the external element comprising the at least one second portion made of a partially transparent or translucent material, and the switching on and off of the light sources (10) are configured so that the timepiece has at least one visual indication of a characteristic function of the timepiece and / or a function involving the measurement of an external parameter or a parameter relevant to a user of the timepiece on the external element illuminated by the light sources (10).

22. Use of a timepiece according to claim 21, characterized in that The switching on and off of the light source (10) is configured so that the clock has one or more visual indications on the external element illuminated by the light source (10) relating to one or more of the following functions: indicating hours, minutes and / or dates; indicating a timer or countdown, wherein a light-emitting area of ​​the external element lights up or goes out respectively as time passes; indicating a value measured by the clock by color, rhythm, frequency and / or intensity modulated lighting on the external element; indicating an alarm or receipt of a notification; indicating an active function of the clock; and assisting in adjusting the clock.

23. Use of a timepiece according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The light sources (10) are controlled to be turned on and / or off simultaneously and / or sequentially.

24. Use of a timepiece according to claim 22, characterized in that The quantity measured by the watch is heart rate, temperature, running pace, number of steps or decibel level.

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