Watch bezel
By designing a bezel system incorporating luminescent and mineral materials, the problem of difficult-to-read indicators in diving watches under low-light conditions was solved, achieving reliability and durability of the indicators and enhancing the sealing and durability of the bezel.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OMEGA SA
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
The indicators on existing dive watches are difficult to read in low light conditions, and the entire bezel needs to be replaced after the phosphorescent material is worn out. Damaged indicators exposed to impact and friction cannot be repaired.
Design a bezel system comprising annular elements made of luminescent material and mineral material, combined with a seal to ensure the reliability and durability of the indicator. The seal is achieved through the design of annular grooves and channels, with the annular elements flush with the bezel surface.
It achieves readability of the indicator under low-light conditions and avoids the problem of having to replace the entire bezel due to the consumption of phosphorescent material, thus enhancing the durability and sealing of the bezel.
Smart Images
Figure CN115755561B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a bezel for watches. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of watches, including those with a case containing a central component, it is known to provide an element having at least one luminous indicator located on the central component. In the case of a dive watch, this element is, for example, a rotating bezel, and the indicator allows, for example, a diver to indicate a reference position for measuring their immersion time at sea. For this purpose, the diver rotates the bezel to align the indicator with the minute markers. This position then becomes a reference for measuring elapsed time. One of the main criteria for the effectiveness of a dive watch should be the time spent in immersion and the readability of the indicator.
[0003] To address this limitation, a known solution involves covering the bezel indicators and watch hands with a phosphorescent material. This makes the indicators and hands visible in low-light conditions, typically a few meters underwater. For example, such a dive watch is described in patent application FR 1 572 837 A. However, a drawback of this solution is that the entire bezel needs to be replaced once the phosphorescent material is worn out. Furthermore, this solution typically requires placing the indicators on the bezel surface, exposing them to shocks and friction that can irreparably damage them. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a bezel system with a motion-work luminous element, which is simple, robust and reliable to install.
[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to a bezel for a clock that includes the following features.
[0006] The bezel includes an annular groove having a bottom and two walls. A first annular element made of a luminescent material is disposed on the bottom. A second annular element made of a mineral material is placed on the first annular element, the second annular element occupying a volume of the annular groove. The bezel includes a seal in each of the two walls that mates with the second annular element. The first annular element made of the luminescent material includes a timekeeping component that allows for minute indication. The annular groove includes grooves on each of the walls, each groove arranged to receive one of the two seals.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mineral material forming the second annular member is a transparent material.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second annular member is arranged such that the second annular member is flush with the top surface of the bezel.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seal is an O-ring.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the timekeeping component is made in the form of a metallized portion forming an indicator.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mineral material forming the second annular member is selected from glass, sapphire, and ruby.
[0012] The present invention also relates to a watch comprising a case and a bezel according to any of the preceding claims, the case comprising an intermediate component enclosed by a back cover and a crystal. Attached Figure Description
[0013] The purpose, advantages, and features of the watch according to the invention will be better appreciated in the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the bezel according to the present invention;
[0015] - Figure 2 It is based on the present invention Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the bezel along section AA. Detailed Implementation
[0016] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A bezel 1 according to the invention is shown, arranged for mounting on a watch, the watch including a case closed by a back cover and a crystal. The bezel 1 is an annular component and includes an upper surface visible to the user and a lower surface in direct or indirect contact with the watch case. The bezel 1 can be made of metal, composite material, ceramic material, or plastic material.
[0017] The bezel 1 is rotatably or non-rotatably mounted on the intermediate component. In the case of a rotating bezel, a spring slotting device or a snap-fit system is arranged. This spring slotting device includes a spring assembly and a toothed element. One element of the spring slotting device is angularly fixed to the intermediate component, while the other element is angularly fixed to the bezel 1, allowing the bezel to be angularly rotated relative to the intermediate component.
[0018] For mounting the bezel 1, the watch includes a central component in a known manner, in which a shoulder is provided, defined by a sidewall and a base. This shoulder serves as a receiving portion for the bezel. Generally, the sidewall includes a protrusion extending over its entire circumference. This protrusion, together with the base and sidewall, defines a retaining groove. During bezel press-fitting, this retaining groove allows the bezel to be inserted into and held therein.
[0019] According to the present invention, the bezel 1 has a groove 2 at the upper surface 1a, which is also annular, that is, extends along the upper surface 1a, and includes a bottom 20 and two walls 21, 22.
[0020] Advantageously, the bezel 1 serves as a receiving portion for the first annular member 3 and the second annular member 4, the first annular member 3 being arranged on the bottom 20 and made of a luminescent material, and the second annular member 4 being made of a mineral material and located on the first annular member 3 and occupying the remaining space of the groove 2.
[0021] According to the invention, the bezel 1 further includes a timekeeping component. This timekeeping component is in the form of a first annular element 3 made of a luminescent material, the first annular element 3 including a timekeeping element 30 that allows indication of minutes, and the size of the timekeeping element 30 allows it to be positioned as... Figure 2 The first annular element 3, made of luminescent material, is placed in the bottom 20 of the groove 2 of the bezel 1. It can be made of plastic, metal, organic materials such as wood, or crystalline materials such as sapphire, ruby, or ceramic. A timekeeping indicator is then formed on the surface of the first annular element 3 in a raised form—that is, as excess thickness. The first annular element 3, made of luminescent material, has a crown with a circular or trapezoidal cross-section, such as… Figure 2 As shown.
[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the timekeeping component markings on the bezel 1 are made in the form of a metallized portion forming an indicator. It is also conceivable to form a recess in the first annular element 3 made of a luminescent material, and then fill it with ink or metal.
[0023] Advantageously, the second annular element 4 is made of a transparent mineral material to allow the timekeeping components to be observed through it. Therefore, the second annular element 4 is mounted in the groove 2 and sits on top of the first annular element 3, which is made of a luminescent material. The second annular element 4 is in the form of a ring with a rectangular cross-section, sized to fit within the groove 2 such that it is flush with the upper surface of the bezel 1.
[0024] The mineral materials used to form the second ring are selected from: glass, sapphire, ruby, and ceramics.
[0025] According to the invention, the groove includes grooves 6, 6' on each wall 21, 22, the grooves 6, 6' being arranged to receive the toric-shaped seals 5, 5' to ensure the groove is sealed and to prevent dust or liquid from accumulating on the first annular member 3 made of a luminescent material. The height of the groove is similar to the height of the second annular member 4, thereby allowing for a thicker / higher seal 5 and thus better sealing. The second annular member 4 also has chamfers at its upper and lower edges to facilitate insertion and prevent damage to the seals.
[0026] As in Figure 2As can be observed, the tops of the seals 5 and 5' are slightly chamfered to prevent them from being squeezed and damaged during the insertion of the second annular member 4.
[0027] During the assembly of the bezel 1, a first annular member 3 made of luminescent material is first inserted, abutting against the bottom 20 of the groove 2. Then, each seal 5, 5' is placed in its corresponding groove 6, 6'. Finally, a second annular member 4 is forcibly inserted into the groove 2, positioned on top of the first annular member 3 made of luminescent material. Thus, the assembly is maintained due to the friction between the seals 5, 5' and the second annular member 4, and the seals 5, 5' also function as sealing elements.
[0028] It should be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention disclosed above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A bezel (1) for a clock, characterized in that, The bezel (1) includes an annular groove (2) having a bottom (20) and two walls (21, 22), wherein a first annular element (3) made of luminescent material is arranged on the bottom, and a second annular element (4) made of mineral material is placed on the first annular element (3), the second annular element (4) occupying the volume of the annular groove, and the bezel (1) includes a seal (5, 5') in each of the two walls (21, 22) that mates with the second annular element (4), the first annular element (3) made of luminescent material including a timekeeping component (30) that allows the indication of minutes, and the annular groove (2) includes a groove (6, 6') on each of the walls (21, 22), each of the grooves (6, 6') being arranged to receive one of the two seals (5, 5').
2. The bezel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mineral material forming the second annular piece (4) is a transparent material.
3. The bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second annular member (4) is arranged such that the second annular member is flush with the top surface of the bezel (1).
4. The bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The seal is an O-ring.
5. The bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The timing component (30) is made in the form of a metallized part forming an indicator.
6. The bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mineral material forming the second annular piece (4) is selected from: glass, sapphire, and ruby.
7. A watch including a case, the case including an intermediate part closed by a back cover and a crystal, and provided with a bezel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.