Timepiece component, timepiece, and method for manufacturing timepiece component

Abstract

The present invention provides a timepiece member, a timepiece, and a method for manufacturing the timepiece member, the timepiece member comprising a translucent base material having a plurality of display regions having different surface states and different appearances or textures, and having a pattern portion that presents a predetermined pattern by an assembly of the plurality of display regions, a colored layer is provided on the surface of the substrate so as to span the plurality of display regions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a timepiece component, a timepiece, and a method for manufacturing the timepiece component. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-221689, various patterns are formed on the surfaces of timepiece parts such as exterior parts of timepieces. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a component for a watch is characterized in that it includes a light-transmitting substrate, the substrate having a plurality of display areas with different surface states and different appearances or textures, and a pattern portion that presents a predetermined pattern through the collection of the plurality of display areas, and a colored layer is provided on the surface of the substrate in a manner spanning the plurality of display areas.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a watch component is provided, characterized in that a plurality of display areas are laser processed under different processing conditions in such a manner that a predetermined pattern is presented by a collection of the plurality of display areas divided from each other in an object area on a surface of a substrate.

[0005] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the timepiece according to the embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing the structure of the same timepiece.

[0008] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the timepiece.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a plan view of the bezel of the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram of the pattern portion of the bezel according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the bezel of the timepiece.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a bottom view showing the pattern portion of the bezel according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a bezel according to an embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 9 It is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a bezel according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 8 A timepiece 1 as a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the timepiece 1 will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the timepiece 1. Figure 2 It is a plan view showing the structure of the timepiece. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a clock. Figure 4 It is a plan view of the bezel 13 .

[0016] Figure 5 This is a picture of the pattern of the bezel as seen from the back. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the bezel. Figure 7 1 is a bottom view showing the pattern portion 131b of the bezel, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 It is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a bezel.

[0017] In the figures, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent three mutually orthogonal directions. Each figure shows a posture in which the X-axis is along the 3 o'clock-9 o'clock direction of the analog clock, the Y-axis is along the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock direction, and the Z-axis is along the front-back direction (first direction) of the clock 1 as an example. In addition, in each figure, the structure is appropriately enlarged, reduced, or omitted and schematically shown.

[0018] In this embodiment, the watch 1 is described with the back cover 12 side of the watch 1 as the back side and the side facing the outer surface of the watch cover 14 such as the windshield member as the front side. For example, the watch 1 is worn on the wrist with the outer surface of the back cover 12 facing the wrist of the wearer.

[0019] Figures 1 to 3 The timepiece 1 shown is, for example, a watch worn on a user's wrist. The timepiece 1 includes a case 10, a display unit 15 provided inside the case 10, and a timepiece module 20. In addition, the timepiece 1 includes a strap connected to the outer periphery of the case 10, and a plurality of switches or crowns 16 arranged on the outer periphery of the case 10.

[0020] The watch case 10 is formed in a circular shape and includes a center housing 11 as a central component arranged on the outer periphery of the watch module 20, a back cover 12 arranged on the rear side (back side) of the watch module 20, a bezel 13 as a device component arranged on the outer periphery of the front side of the center housing 11, and a cover 14 covering the front side (front side) of the watch module 20 and the display unit 15. The watch case 10 is composed of the center housing 11 and the back cover 12 to form a storage space for arranging the watch module 20 and the display unit 15.

[0021] For example, the watch 1 is formed into a circular shape having a central axis along one direction, and the center housing 11, the back cover 12, the bezel 13, and the cover 14 constituting the watch case 10 are respectively formed into concentric circles or shapes close to concentric circles. In addition, the shapes of the watch 1 and its components are not limited to circles, and may be other shapes such as squares.

[0022] The center housing 11 is formed in a frame shape with an opening formed in the center. The front side of the opening of the center housing 11 is covered by the watch cover 14, and the rear side is covered by the back cover 12, thereby forming a storage space 11a (storage portion) in which the watch module 20 and the display unit 15 are arranged. The center housing 11 can be formed by combining a plurality of parts. For example, the center housing 11 includes a first housing part 111 and a second housing part 112.

[0023] The first housing member 111 is formed of a metal material such as titanium, and is configured to be a cylindrical shape having an axis along one direction. The first housing member 111, for example, has a peripheral wall portion arranged on the periphery of the watch module 20 and the display unit 15. The first housing member 111 has an annular retaining portion 111a at the end portion on the rear side that engages with the back cover 12. For example, the retaining portion 111a is formed at the edge portion on the rear side of the inner periphery of the first housing member 111, and has an engaging structure that engages with the engaging cylinder portion 1213 of the back cover 12. The retaining portion 111a retains the back cover 12 that is engaged via a connecting member 51 such as a seal or an adhesive. The second housing member 112 is arranged on the front side of the first housing member 111.

[0024] The second case member 112 is made of a metal material such as titanium and has a cylindrical shape having an axis extending in one direction. For example, the second case member 112 has a peripheral wall portion disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the cover 14 .

[0025] In addition, the second housing member 112 has a groove-shaped recessed portion 113 that opens to the front side and is provided with the bezel 13. For example, the recessed portion 113 is configured in a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the bezel 13. As an example, the recessed portion 113 has a first peripheral surface 113a that is opposite to the inner peripheral surface 13c of the bezel 13, a seat surface 113b that is opposite to the back surface 13b of the bezel 13, and a second peripheral surface 113c that corresponds to the outer peripheral surface 13d of the bezel. The seat surface 113b forms a plane that is orthogonal to the first direction. The first peripheral surface 113a forms an outer wall surface that rises axially from the seat surface 113b toward the front side. The second peripheral surface 113c forms an inner wall surface that rises axially from the seat surface 113b toward the front side.

[0026] The second housing member 112 has a holding frame 114 on the inner peripheral side of the front side for holding the front cover 14 via a connecting member 52 as a waterproof member such as a seal. That is, the front cover 14 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion via a connecting member 52 such as a seal.

[0027] As an example, the components of the center case 11, the back cover 12, the bezel 13, the watch cover 14, the dial 17 and other parts are the same shape in the case of concentric circles or polygonal shapes such as octagons, and are shapes corresponding to the outer shapes of the target parts to be assembled with each other.

[0028] The back cover 12 is a plate-shaped member that covers the rear side of the center housing 11 and the watch module 20. For example, the back cover 12 is made of a metal material and integrally includes a plate portion 1212 that is formed as the bottom of the plate-shaped watch case 10, and a snap-fitting cylinder portion 1213 that is erected from the outer peripheral edge of the plate portion 1212 toward the front side.

[0029] The engagement cylinder 1213 is a cylindrical component protruding toward the front side. For example, the engagement cylinder 1213 is engaged with the first housing component 111 of the center housing 11. The engagement cylinder 1213 is inserted into the opening on the rear side of the center housing 11 and is fixed to the center housing 11 by fastening, bonding, joining, etc. For example, the rear cover 12 is joined to the center housing 11 via a connecting component 51 such as a seal or an adhesive.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the bezel 13 is configured as a ring plate having an opening. For example, the bezel 13 is an example of an exterior component, which protects and supports various components such as the watch cover 14. The bezel 13 is mounted on the outer periphery of the front side of the center housing 11. Specifically, the bezel 13 is arranged in a recess 113 formed in the second housing component 112. The bezel 13 is fixed to the center housing 11 by, for example, bonding or by various fastening components. As an example, the bezel 13 is joined to the center housing 11 via a connecting component such as an adhesive or a fastening component.

[0031] The bezel 13 includes a bezel base 131 made of a light-transmitting material and a coating portion (colored layer) 132 formed on a surface 13 a of the bezel base 131 .

[0032] The bezel base 131 is made of a light-transmitting material that transmits visible light, and is formed into a circular or polygonal ring. The bezel base 131 is, for example, formed of sapphire glass having a single crystal structure. As a specific example, Figure 6 As shown, the bezel base 131 has a surface 13a, a back surface 13b, an inner peripheral surface 13c, and an outer peripheral surface 13d, and is formed into a ring shape with a rectangular cross section. The corners formed between the surface 13a and the inner peripheral surface 13c, between the surface 13a and the outer peripheral surface 13d, between the back surface 13b and the inner peripheral surface 13c, and between the back surface 13b and the outer peripheral surface 13d are chamfered and form tapered surfaces 13e, 13f, 13g, and 13h, respectively. The outer surface of the bezel 13 is mirror-polished to a predetermined smoothness. For example, the bezel 13 is configured to have an axial dimension, that is, a thickness of 1.4 mm or more. For example, the thickness is 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more. The bezel 13 is configured to have the same shape as the recess 113 of the second case member 112 in a plan view.

[0033] The inner circumferential surface 13c of the bezel 13 has the same diameter as the first circumferential surface 113a of the recess 113, and is configured as a curved surface extending in the axial direction. The outer circumferential surface 13d of the bezel 13 has substantially the same diameter as the second circumferential surface 113c of the recess 113, and is configured as a curved surface extending in the axial direction. That is, an extremely fine gap is formed between the outer surface of the bezel 13 and the inner surface of the recess 113, or the size is configured to form almost no gap.

[0034] A pattern portion 131b is formed on the surface of the bezel base 131. The pattern portion 131b is provided on the surface that becomes the inner side when the watch 1 is installed. For example, the pattern portion 131b is arranged in the case 10 of the watch 1, or is provided on the inner side that is arranged opposite to other components and is not exposed to the outer surface side. As an example, the pattern portion 131b is provided on the back side 13b of the bezel base 131. As an example, the pattern portion 131b is formed on the entire area of ​​the back side 13b of the bezel 13.

[0035] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the pattern portion 131b presents a predetermined pattern when viewed as a whole by a collection of multiple processing areas 134 to 137 (display areas) with different surface processing conditions. The pattern portion 131b presents a predetermined pattern by the contrast generated between the multiple processing areas 134 to 137 with different surface conditions.

[0036] The surface state includes, for example, at least one of the surface shape, the position (depth) of the surface, the surface roughness, the reflection characteristics of light on the surface, the scattering characteristics of light, the interference characteristics of light, brightness, and chromaticity. Any of these is different, so that each processed area 134 to 137 presents a different texture such as a different texture. As an example, the pattern portion 131b of the embodiment forms a crystal grain pattern through four types of processed areas 134 to 137.

[0037] The plurality of processing areas 134 to 137 include a plurality of unit areas 134a to 137a that are dispersedly arranged. Figure 7 In the figure, multiple unit areas 134a to 137a belonging to the same processing area 134 to 137 are shown with the same type of hatching. Multiple unit areas belonging to the same processing area are processed under the same processing conditions and present the same surface state, or a common surface state. That is, the first processing area 134 is composed of a plurality of dispersed unit areas 134a, and the plurality of unit areas 134a are processed under common processing conditions and present a common appearance. Multiple processing areas 134 to 137 are formed into different surface shapes by different processing conditions. For example, multiple processing areas 134 to 137 are set at positions that do not overlap with each other. Through the collection of unit processing areas 134a to 137a of multiple processing areas 134 to 137, the pattern portion 131b is visually recognized as presenting a predetermined pattern such as crystal patterns, fiber patterns, or color patterns when observed as a whole.

[0038] In this embodiment, as an example, an example of forming a crystal grain pattern in the pattern portion 131b by dividing into a set of a plurality of unit processing areas 134a to 137a of irregular shapes or sizes into polygonal shapes is shown. That is, the pattern portion 131b is composed of a set of a plurality of unit areas 134a to 137a, and at least one unit area 134a to 137a is polygonal. That is, at least a portion of the boundary lines between the plurality of processing areas 134 to 137 and between the unit areas 134a to 137a has a curved corner.

[0039] The plurality of processing areas 134 to 137 are formed by laser processing as an example of surface processing. For example, the surface processing is performed using a processing device such as a laser processing machine that can set the processing area or processing conditions. The processing device is configured to set various conditions such as the intensity of the irradiated light, the type of light, the output, or the depth of etching, the scanning direction or scanning distance, and the scanning pitch for each area as condition settings.

[0040] In addition, for example, in the processing device, various surface conditions are formed by selecting a processing state such as honing, wire drawing, hologram, etc. as a condition setting for each area, or by performing processing by selectively setting the stage of processing.

[0041] like Figure 4 and 6 As shown, the coating portion 132 is formed on the back side 13b of the bezel base 131. The coating portion 132 reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in the visible light, and is a blue film in this embodiment. As an example, the coating portion 132 is a vapor-deposited film of a metal formed by, for example, a vapor deposition process. The coating portion 132 is arranged to overlap with the surface on the rear side of the pattern portion 131b formed on the back side of the bezel base 131. In addition to the back side 13b of the bezel 13, the coating portion 132 can also be formed on the conical surfaces 13f and 13g on the rear side. For example, the coating portion 132 is configured to span multiple display areas.

[0042] The coating portion 132 functions as a coloring layer. As for the method of coloring the coating portion 132, for example, it can be colored by interfering with a plurality of films stacked together, or by forming a single-layer film with visual recognition. In addition, the film-forming method of the coating portion 132 can also adopt a well-known method such as evaporation or sputtering. In addition, the method for forming the coating portion 132 is not limited to these exemplified methods. The film-forming method or the material used for film-forming can be appropriately selected so that the coating portion 132 after film formation and even the back side 13b of the bezel base 131 can be visually recognized as a desired color.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the back side 13b of the bezel 13 may have an etching portion 132a where a portion of the coating portion 132 is removed. For example, the etching portion 132a where a portion of the coating portion 132 is removed is formed in the coating portion 132 on the back side of the bezel 13 in a pattern corresponding to the shape of a mark such as a character or a scale, so that the shape of the mark such as a character or a scale can be visually recognized from the surface side.

[0044] The display unit 15 includes a dial 17 or a pointer that displays information such as time or date. The dial 17 is configured in a circular plate or a polygonal plate shape and is arranged in the upper part of the storage space 11a of the center housing 11. A partition member provided with various hour characters is arranged on one side of the dial 17, that is, on the outer peripheral portion of the surface. The pointer includes a needle body that is supported by a pointer shaft provided in the center of the dial 17 and rotates.

[0045] The watch module 20 includes various components required for the watch function, such as a movement for operating the display unit 15, a circuit board equipped with electronic components such as an IC and an antenna, a battery, etc. For example, the display unit 15 may be a digital display such as a liquid crystal display panel with a digital display function, or an analog display.

[0046] The watch cover 14 is a transparent member formed of inorganic glass such as SiO2 glass. For example, the watch cover 14 is a transparent circular plate-shaped watch glass, which is arranged in front of the watch module 20 and the display unit 15 and covers the front of the watch module 20 and the display unit 15. For example, the watch cover 14 is supported on the inner peripheral edge of the front side of the opening of the center housing 11 via a connecting member such as a seal.

[0047] Next, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A method for manufacturing the timepiece 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing the bezel 13, and is a flowchart showing the flow of the method for manufacturing the bezel 13. Figure 8 , in each of the processes ST2 to ST5 of the pattern forming step, the regions processed up to the previous stage are omitted, and the processed regions 134 to 137 processed in the respective processing steps ST2 to ST5 are respectively shown.

[0048] The manufacturing method of the timepiece 1 of the present embodiment includes: a base processing process of processing the bezel base 131, a pattern forming process of forming a pattern on the back of the bezel base 131 by surface processing, and an assembly process of assembling the manufactured bezel 13 to the center case 11. In the manufacturing method of the timepiece of the present embodiment, the surface treatment is performed under different processing conditions in a plurality of processing areas divided from each other in the target area on the surface of the substrate, and a predetermined pattern is formed by the contrast generated between the plurality of processing areas.

[0049] In the manufacture of the bezel 13, first, the sapphire glass as the base material is formed into a ring shape (step ST1). Here, after the sapphire glass has been processed to have the final shape of each surface 13a to 13h, each surface 13a to 13h is mirror-polished. Through step ST1, a blank (transparent) bezel base 131 is manufactured.

[0050] Next, the back surface 13 b of the bezel base 131 after the processing step is subjected to light irradiation treatment as surface processing according to different light irradiation conditions for each processing area.

[0051] Specifically, Figure 8 As shown, it includes: on the back side of the bezel base 131, a first surface treatment of laser etching is performed on the first processing area 134 under a first condition (step ST2), a second surface treatment of laser etching is performed on the second processing area under a second condition (step ST3), a third surface treatment of laser etching is performed on the third processing area under a third condition (step ST4), and a fourth surface treatment of laser etching is performed on the fourth processing area under a fourth condition (step ST5).

[0052] Through the setting of the surface processing device, the processing conditions can be set by setting the state of the final surface processing. The final surface processing can be selected for each processing area, for example, honing texture, hairline texture formed by multiple linear patterns aligned in one direction, holographic texture in which fine concave and convex reflect in various directions and the reflected light interferes with each other, etc. In addition, different conditions can be selected and set for the same type of final processing. As an example, different processing conditions are set for each area, such as the first processing area 134 is a shallow honing texture, the second processing area 135 is a thick honing texture, the third processing area 136 is a hairline texture, the fourth processing area 137 is a holographic texture, etc., so that each area forms a different appearance or a different texture. As a result, different surface shapes are formed in the multiple processing areas 134a~137a, and as a whole, a different appearance or a different texture is formed. Figure 7 The pattern of crystal grains shown.

[0053] Next, the coating portion 132 as a metal vapor-deposited film is formed by vapor deposition on the back surface 13 b of the bezel base 131 after the surface processing (step ST6 ).

[0054] Furthermore, if Fig. 9 As shown, the coating portion 132 is etched in a predetermined pattern to form an etching portion 132a from which the coating portion 132 is removed (step ST7). At this time, for example, by forming the etching portion 132a in a pattern corresponding to the shape of various characters, scales, or symbols, various characters, scales, or symbols can be visually recognized from the surface.

[0055] The step of forming the coating portion 132 or the etching portion 132 a is performed after the laser processing of the bezel base 131 and before the bezel base 131 is assembled to the center case 11 .

[0056] Next, a printed layer 133 (second colored layer) that is colored so as to be visually identifiable can be further overlapped and formed on the surface of the rear side of the coating portion 132 including the etching portion 132a where the coating portion 132 is removed by etching (step ST8). That is, after a portion of the coating portion 132 is removed, the printed layer 133 is formed to span from the etching portion 132a as the removed portion to the portion 132b where the coating portion 132 other than the etching portion 132a remains. As an example, the printed layer 133 is formed on the entire surface of the rear side of the bezel base 131 in an overlapping manner with the metal vapor-deposited film of the coating portion 132. In this case, by arranging the color of the printed layer 133 in an overlapping manner on the rear side surface of the transparent bezel base 131 of the etching portion 132a removed by etching, when visually recognized from the front side, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, various characters, scales or symbols of the etching portion 132 a are visible from the front side as the color of the printed layer 133 .

[0057] Through the above steps, the bezel 13 having the coating portion 132 as an opaque layer formed on the back surface 13 b and the tapered surface 13 f on the rear side is manufactured.

[0058] Furthermore, the manufactured bezel 13 is inserted into the recessed portion 113 of the center case 11 , whereby the bezel 13 is assembled to the center case 11 (step ST8 ).

[0059] According to the timepiece 1 and the watch case 10 configured as described above, since a pattern is expressed by a collection of a plurality of processed regions having different processing conditions, a variety of patterns can be expressed.

[0060] For example, when coloring by evaporation or the like, in order to make each area present a different color, it is necessary to repeat evaporation and peeling, making the process extremely complicated. However, by changing the conditions of laser irradiation during the surface processing of the transparent substrate, and by combining multiple areas showing different appearances or textures, a variety of patterns can be expressed. Therefore, only one evaporation process is required, and peeling process is not required. For example, by setting the shape of the processed area to an irregular polygonal shape, a crystal grain pattern can be expressed.

[0061] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, four types of processing areas are set, but the invention is not limited thereto. In addition, although the configuration is such that the areas do not overlap, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a portion that is processed overlappingly under a plurality of conditions may be formed and set as a separate area.

[0063] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the surface region is exemplified as a processing region that is processed under various conditions, but the surface region may include a non-processing region that is not processed. That is, the non-processing region may be included as one of the processing conditions.

[0064] In addition, although the pattern portion 131b is formed on the inner surface of the timepiece 1, that is, on the back surface of the bezel 13 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pattern portion 131b may be formed on a portion exposed to the outer surface of a timepiece component.

[0065] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example is shown in which the pattern portion 131b is formed on the back side of the bezel 13, and the coating portion 132 as a vapor-deposited film is formed on the back side of the bezel 13 so as to overlap the pattern portion 131b, but the invention is not limited thereto. The coating portion 132 may be formed on the surface of the bezel 13 on the opposite side of the surface on which the pattern portion 131b is formed. That is, the pattern portion 131b may be formed on the surface of the bezel 13, and the coating portion 132 may be formed on the back side of the bezel 13. Depending on the situation, the pattern portion 131b may be formed on the surface of the bezel 13, and the coating portion 132 may be formed on the surface side of the bezel 13 so as to overlap the pattern portion 131b.

[0066] In addition, the pattern of the pattern portion 131b is not limited to the crystal pattern. As described above, the pattern portion 131b can also form various patterns, such as camouflage pattern, carbon pattern, plain pattern, fiber pattern, etc., and can be applied to various patterns that can be formed by gathering multiple parts with different surface shapes. For example, by arranging the areas with longitudinal or transverse fiber patterns alternately in the grids that are divided into grids and adjacent to each other, patterns such as plain weave and carbon pattern can be expressed. In addition, the shape of the area can be either regular or irregular.

[0067] In addition, as another embodiment, for example, a pattern portion having a commonality with the texture of other parts constituting the same device can be formed. For example, a watch includes a separate component made of a metal material and processed so that at least the surface of the visual recognition side presents a pattern common to the pattern portion. For example, in a watch, a dial 17 constituting the display portion 15 has a separate component having an appearance of crystal grains by recrystallization of the metal material, and the bezel adopts a structure in which a plurality of processed areas processed under different conditions are formed on the sapphire glass, and the appearance of the crystal grains is presented by the collection of the plurality of processed areas, so that the uniformity of the appearance of the device as a whole can be achieved.

[0068] In addition, the color of the coating portion 132 may be a color other than blue. In addition, when a plurality of coating portions 132 corresponding to the non-visual recognition side surfaces are formed, the colors may be different.

[0069] In addition, the coating portion 132 as a vapor-deposited film may not be formed.

[0070] In addition, in the above embodiment, the watch case 10 is illustrated as an example of a device, and the bezel 13 is illustrated as a watch component, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be applied to other watch components such as the watch cover 14, the crown 16, the dial 17, and the back cover 12 of the watch 1. In addition, in addition to the time function, it can also be applied to various wearable devices, such as wrist devices that process biometric information.

[0071] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0072] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-117579, filed on Jul. 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. A watch component, characterized in that: comprising a light-transmitting substrate, The substrate has a plurality of display areas with different surface states and different appearances or textures, and has a pattern portion that presents a predetermined pattern through the collection of the plurality of display areas. A coloring layer is provided on the surface of the substrate so as to extend across the plurality of display regions.

2. The watch component according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of display regions are different from each other in at least any one of surface shape, surface position, surface roughness, light reflection characteristics, light scattering characteristics, light interference characteristics, brightness, and chroma.

3. The watch component according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of display areas is formed by a plurality of unit areas that are dispersedly arranged.

4. The timepiece component according to claim 3, wherein: At least one unit area is polygonal. At least a portion of the boundary line between the plurality of display areas has a curved corner.

5. The timepiece component according to claim 1, wherein: The coloring layer is removed from a portion of an area overlapping the display area, and The second colored layer is provided so as to extend from the portion where the colored layer is removed to the portion where the colored layer remains.

6. The timepiece component according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple display areas do not overlap with each other.

7. A timepiece, characterized in that: include: case; a watch module, which is accommodated in the housing; as well as A timepiece component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, assembled to the case.

8. The timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that The pattern portion is provided on a surface of the timepiece component that becomes an inner side when incorporated in the timepiece.

9. The timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that The substrate is a transparent component, The invention also includes a separate component which has a common pattern with the pattern portion and is made of a metal material.

10. The timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that The watch component is a bezel of the watch, The separate component is a dial of the timepiece.

11. A method for manufacturing a watch component, characterized in that: Laser processing is performed on the plurality of display areas under different processing conditions so that a predetermined pattern is presented by a collection of the plurality of display areas divided from each other in the target area on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate, The coloring layer is provided so as to span the plurality of display regions on the surface of the substrate.

12. The method for manufacturing a timepiece component according to claim 11, wherein: The laser processing is an irradiation processing of irradiating light. In the multiple display areas, the processing conditions including at least any one of the type of light, the intensity of light, the output, the scanning distance of light irradiation, the scanning direction of light irradiation, and the scanning spacing of light irradiation are different from each other.

13. A method for manufacturing a watch, characterized in that: The timepiece component manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 11 or 12 is assembled into a case that houses a timepiece module and a dial.

14. The method for manufacturing a timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that: The letter plate is made of a metal material and is processed so that at least a surface on a visual recognition side has a pattern common to the pattern of the target area.

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