Moon phase display mechanism for watch movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (1) for displaying the moon phase, the device comprising a moon (4), a cover (6) and drive means arranged such that the cover (6) and the moon (4) are moved during each moon cycle according to the following sequence: a) in a new moon configuration, the moon (4) and the cover (6) are both in an initial position; the moon (4) is driven to gradually disengage from the cover (6) until the moon (4) is positioned in a final position in the middle of a given moon cycle, in a full-moon configuration; b) the cover (6) is driven to cover the moon (4) until it is positioned in a final position at the end of the given moon cycle, in a crescent configuration; and c) the moon (4) and the cover (6) are driven to quickly return to their initial positions in the crescent configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display mechanism for a watch movement, which includes a disc-shaped representation of the moon, a cover suitable for shielding the moon representation, and a drive device for the cover, which is arranged to be able to move the cover along a predetermined trajectory extending from an initial position to a final position, so that the moon representation and the cover can present a full moon structure in which the moon representation is completely visible and a new moon structure in which the moon representation is completely shielded along the trajectory.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a display mechanism, and to a watch comprising such a watch movement. Background Art

[0003] Such display devices are already known in the prior art.

[0004] As an example, utility model CN202548538U proposes a moon phase display mechanism including the above-mentioned characteristics. In particular, the display mechanism disclosed therein includes a fixed representation of the moon carried by the dial of the corresponding watch, in front of which a cover carried by an arm moves to present a periodic retrograde displacement. More precisely, the cover is driven to exhibit the following displacement during each cycle, the duration of which is equal to the duration of the moon cycle: starting from the first full moon configuration, the cover is driven from the initial position in a counterclockwise rotation direction to progressively cover the moon representation until the new moon configuration, and the drive continues to the final position, in which the moon representation is completely clear again in the new full moon configuration. Then, before starting a new cycle, the cover is quickly rotated clockwise (i.e., retrograde with reference to the slow counterclockwise drive phase) and returned to its initial position, still in the full moon configuration.

[0005] Patent EP1692574B1 describes another moon phase display mechanism with the above characteristics. More specifically, the mechanism includes a moon representation carried by a first arm and a cover carried by a second arm. The arm is driven to perform a first slow movement in the corresponding opposite direction, from the first full moon configuration to the second full moon configuration, gradually through the waning moon phase, the new moon configuration, and then the waxing moon phase. Once the second full moon configuration is reached, the moon representation and the cover are quickly moved in a retrograde manner to return to the first full moon configuration after a duration equal to a lunar cycle before starting a new cycle. Therefore, compared with what is described above, this mechanism reduces the occupied area of ​​the moon phase display device, because the angular sector covered by the cover is reduced due to the fact that the moon representation is also driven in the direction opposite to the direction of the cover.

[0006] The main purpose of these display mechanisms is to reduce the size of the moon phase display on the watch dial while providing a relatively realistic display of the moon phases as they appear to the observer in reality, without taking into account the displacement of the moon in the sky during a given lunar cycle.

[0007] Patent CH710450B1 describes a further construction of a moon phase display mechanism that improves authenticity by providing an orbital display of the moon to symbolize the relative rotation between the surface of the Earth and the moon. To this end, the display mechanism comprises a disk constituting the dial of the corresponding watch, comprising an aperture through which the moon representation is visible and driven to rotate on itself over 24 hours. The mechanism also comprises a cover driven around the dial over 24 hours, whose orientation hardly changes and which is simultaneously driven to move relative to the aperture to display the moon phase over a period of time equal to the cycle of the moon. Although this mechanism is more realistic than its predecessor, its legibility is equivalent to that of the previous mechanism, since the moon representation moves along a complete circular trajectory, due to the reduced size of the moon representation. Moreover, the gain in reality means that the display mechanism occupies a considerable amount of space, since the entire dial is driven to rotate, as it is intended to display the starry sky, making it impossible to conceive of adding an additional complication.

[0008] There therefore remains a need for an alternative moon phase display mechanism that is realistic, legible, dynamic and compact enough to allow the addition of further complications. Summary of the invention

[0009] The main purpose of the present invention is to propose a display mechanism with an alternative structure to the known display devices so as to produce a watch with a novel appearance, realistic and clear readability.

[0010] To this end, the invention more particularly relates to a display mechanism of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that it comprises a moon display member carrying a moon representation, and drive means for the moon display member, which are arranged to be able to move the moon display member along a predetermined trajectory between an initial position and a final position, and which are arranged so that the cover and the moon representation move during each moon cycle according to the following sequence:

[0011] a) the moon representation and the cover are both in an initial position, in the new moon configuration, the moon representation is driven along a predetermined trajectory, gradually disengaging from the cover until it is positioned in a final position in the middle of a given moon cycle, in the full moon configuration,

[0012] b) the shroud is driven along a predetermined trajectory, gradually covering the lunar representation until it is positioned in a final position at the end of a given lunar cycle, in a crescent configuration, and

[0013] c) The moon representation and hood are driven to quickly return to the initial position in the crescent configuration to begin a new sequence.

[0014] Thanks to these characteristics, the display mechanism according to the invention presents an operating sequence different from that of previous display mechanisms while maintaining an optimized level of coverage, since the range of the trajectory covered by the moon representation and the cover can be contained within the sector connecting their centers when they are positioned adjacent to each other in a front view.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the moon display device is a rotating dial, the cover is carried by a frame capable of carrying a surface for displaying information other than the moon phases, and is arranged to shield a portion of the rotating dial except for the moon representation. It is therefore advantageous to provide a diameter of the moon representation that represents at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, of the radius of the rotating dial.

[0016] Generally speaking, it is preferred that, during step c), the moon representation and the cover are driven in a retrograde manner with reference to their direction of movement during steps a) and b).

[0017] Preferably, the moon representation and the cover may be driven substantially simultaneously in step c).

[0018] Advantageously, it can be provided that the drive device for the moon display member comprises a feeler held in abutment with a guide surface of the cam so as to define the angular orientation of the feeler at each moment under the action of an elastic return member, and that the feeler is formed integrally with a toothed portion arranged to engage with a moon drive mobile, the angular orientation of which determines the angular orientation of the moon display member.

[0019] In this case, the guide surface may also have a first portion of increasing radius, followed by a second portion of substantially constant radius and a third, empty or radial portion connecting the first and second portions.

[0020] Therefore, it is further possible that the hood drive device includes an additional gap feeler held against a guide surface of an additional cam so as to limit the angular orientation of the additional gap feeler at each moment under the action of an elastic return member, and the additional gap feeler is formed integrally with a tooth portion arranged to engage with a drive movable member of the hood drive, the angular orientation of the drive movable portion determining the angular orientation of the hood.

[0021] In this case, it is also conceivable that the guide surface of the additional cam has a first portion of substantially constant radius, followed by a second portion of increasing radius and a hollow or radial third portion connecting the first and second portions.

[0022] It may then be particularly advantageous to provide that the display mechanism comprises a kinematic connection between the cam and the additional cam, and that the first and second portions of the cam guide surface and the first and second portions of the additional cam guide surface both have substantially equal angular extents.

[0023] Furthermore, in this case, it is preferred that the mechanism comprises a support surface which is integral with one of the feeler and the additional feeler and is capable of bearing against a stop surface which is integral with the other feeler, and that the feeler and the additional feeler are arranged in such a way that the passage of the feeler associated with the support surface from the second part to the first part of the corresponding guide surface is regulated by the passage of the feeler associated with the stop surface from the second part to the first part of the corresponding guide surface so as to synchronize the movement of the moon representation and the cover during step c).

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the display mechanism may be provided with a latitude adjustment device arranged to modify the angular orientation of the moon display member and the cover in a coordinated manner in response to a predetermined action of a user on the latitude adjustment member.

[0025] In this case, advantageously, the display mechanism further comprises a latitude display member to display the set latitude at each moment, and the latitude adjustment device is further arranged to control the position of the latitude display member.

[0026] Generally speaking, it is preferred that the predetermined trajectory travelled by the moon representation and the shroud is circular.

[0027] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a display mechanism including the above-mentioned features, and a watch comprising such a watch movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment made with reference to the accompanying drawings given as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general operating principle of a display mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 A simplified overall front view showing a portion of a display mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 a simplified exploded perspective view showing a first construction detail of the display mechanism;

[0032] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A simplified exploded perspective view showing a second construction detail of the display mechanism; and

[0033] Figure 5 Shows Figure 2 A simplified exploded perspective view of a third construction detail of the display mechanism is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 1 shows a schematic diagram of the general working principle of the display mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Of course, the present invention is provided by way of illustrative example. Figure 1 and the following detailed description thereof, and a person skilled in the art will be able to adapt it by his own needs without necessarily departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0035] Figure 1 The diagram in comprises three lines arranged above and below each other.

[0036] The top line represents the appearance of the Moon as it appears in the sky when it is at zenith (its orientation changes continuously and perceptibly due to the Earth's rotation), at a latitude of approximately 45 degrees, on the first day of a new lunar cycle, beginning with a new moon, then on the fourth, seventh, eleventh, fifteenth (full moon), nineteenth, twenty-second, twenty-fifth, and then twenty-ninth (next new moon).

[0037] The lower line (middle) shows a schematic representation of the moon phase at the same moment all along the moon's cycle, always at its apex.

[0038] The bottom line represents in a simplified and schematic manner an embodiment of a moon phase display mechanism 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, making it possible to reliably and realistically display the moon phases with reference to what is observed in the sky when the moon is at the zenith. For reasons of simplicity and readability, the configuration of the display mechanism is not shown for all days of the moon cycle shown in the first two lines, but only for the first, seventh, fifteenth, twenty-second and twenty-ninth days.

[0039] As a non-limiting illustration, display mechanism 1 comprises a moon display member 2 carrying a moon representation 4 and here taking the form of a rotating dial.

[0040] The cover 6 is arranged above the rotating dial (from the perspective of an observer of the corresponding watch) so as to be able to at least partially cover the moon representation 4 in certain configurations. Here, the cover 6 is driven in rotation by a frame ( Figure 48) is carried so that the phase of the moon can be displayed at any given moment. As a non-limiting example, the cover 6 takes the form of a disk whose diameter is equal to or even slightly greater than the diameter of the moon representation 4. Two additional disks 10 and 12, also carried by the frame, are also represented by way of non-limiting illustration. In particular, the disks 10 and 12 can define counters in which additional information can be advantageously displayed, regardless of its nature, time or other (current time, date or other calendar information, power reserve, etc.). A person skilled in the art will be able to, for example, implement a display mode with respect to the disks 10 and 12 so that the orientation of the display device involved remains constant at all positions of the disk on the dial. Constructions for achieving this effect are known in the art. The above-mentioned patent CH710450B1 describes an example of a display device with respect to the phase of the moon, and a person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulties when applying its teachings and implementing the display of information other than the phase of the moon.

[0041] According to the invention, the display mechanism 1 is arranged in such a way that the cover 6 and the moon representation 4 move during each moon cycle according to the following sequence:

[0042] a) in the new moon configuration, with both the moon representation 4 and the cover 6 in an initial position, the moon representation 4 is driven along a predetermined trajectory, gradually disengaging from the cover 6 until it is positioned in a final position in the middle of a given moon cycle, in the full moon configuration,

[0043] b) The mask 6 is driven along the same predetermined trajectory to gradually cover the moon representation 4 until it is positioned in the same final position at the end of a given moon cycle, in the crescent configuration.

[0044] At the end of the sequence, the moon representation 4 and the cover 6 are driven so as to return quickly to the initial position, in the new moon configuration, thus passing from the configuration of the twenty-ninth day to the configuration of the first day, to start a new sequence.

[0045] It can be seen here that the moon representation 4 has a large diameter with reference to the earlier mechanisms cited above, thereby providing excellent legibility. More specifically, it is advantageous if the diameter of the moon representation represents at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, of the radius of the rotating dial that carries it.

[0046] The display mechanism 1 according to the invention thus enables an excellent display of the moon phases without having to forgo the display of other information. In fact, the large size of the moon representation 4 and of the cover 6 has an effect on the extent of the trajectory they both describe, which is significant (it is in Figure 1In the example shown, the cover 6 extends over slightly less than half of the dial), but the drive kinematics implemented optimize the corresponding footprint. In addition, as mentioned above, the available surface area can be used to display additional information, in particular by using the discs 10, 12. Note that the cover 6 itself can also be used to display information as described above in conjunction with the discs 10 and 12.

[0047] This results in a particularly advantageous combination of features, making it possible to exploit a significant portion of the dial surface for the display of various items of information and to achieve a very legible moon phase display while being faithful to the appearance of the moon as seen in the sky when the moon is at the zenith. Even more advantageously, an additional feature will be described later, whereby the rotating dial carrying the moon representation 4 and the frame 8 carrying the cover 6 can be pivoted manually simultaneously to adjust the orientation of the moon phase display device according to the latitude at which the wearer of the watch incorporating the display mechanism 1 according to the present preferred embodiment of the invention is located.

[0048] Figure 2 A simplified general front view of a portion of a display mechanism 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0049] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the display mechanism 1 can be directly integrated into a watch movement, or it can be assembled to a basic watch movement in the form of an additional module. For the sake of simplicity, the display mechanism 1 in the form of an additional display module will be described below. For the sake of brevity and simplification, the construction details of the basic watch movement will not be discussed here, because the implementation of the present invention does not directly depend on them.

[0050] The 24-hour mobile 20 is driven by the mobile of the watch movement (not visible) to make it rotate once in 24 hours. The 24-hour wheel 20 carries a finger 22 designed to cooperate with the moon star wheel 24 to rotate the 24-hour wheel in Figure 2 The finger 22 has a special structure that allows it to retract when it encounters the moon star wheel 24 when the 24-hour mobile 20 rotates clockwise (especially in the case of correcting the current time).

[0051] The moon star wheel 24 in turn cooperates with a reducer mobile 26 arranged to engage with a moon cam mobile 28 which includes a groove defining a moon cam 30 .

[0052] Figure 3 A simplified exploded perspective view of a portion of display mechanism 1 is shown, allowing a better understanding of the function of moon cam 30 , and in particular how moon display member 2 is driven.

[0053] Display mechanism 1 comprises a moon rocker 32 arranged on a frame element (not shown) so as to be pivotable along an axis of rotation 34. Moon rocker 32 carries a finger 33 which acts as a feeler by engaging in moon cam 30 and being held against at least one wall thereof, the latter defining a guide surface for moon rocker 32. The latter also carries a toothed sector 36 arranged to mesh with a pinion 38 of a drive wheel 40 of moon display member 2, wherein its wheel 42 meshes (engaged in the intermediate wheel 44) via an intermediate wheel 44. Figure 2 is better visible in the figure).

[0054] Furthermore, the elastic return member 46 is kinematically linked to the moon-display member 2 so as to exert an elastic restoring force on the latter, which tends to hold the feeler against the guide surface of the moon cam 30 .

[0055] from Figure 3 It is also evident that the moon cam 30 has a spiral shape with a first portion extending substantially over half of its total length and having an increasing radius, followed by a second portion also extending substantially over half of its total length and having a constant radius, and then a third, empty or radial portion, enabling the finger 33 to fall from the second portion back onto the first portion at the end of the moon cycle.

[0056] Therefore, when the moon cam moving member 28 is driven from the 24-hour moving member 20, Figure 3 In the clockwise rotation direction shown, the moon cam 30 presents an increasing radius from the beginning of the first portion to the feeler, causing the moon rocker 32 to rotate counterclockwise and the moon display member 2 to rotate clockwise. During this phase, the elastic return member 46 accumulates mechanical energy.

[0057] When the feeler reaches the second portion of the moon cam 30, the latter continues to rotate without further rotating the moon rocker 32. The moon display member 2 and therefore the moon representation 4 remain stationary.

[0058] When the feeler reaches the third portion of the moon cam 30, the elastic return member 46 can release the accumulated mechanical energy by lowering the feeler to the level of the first portion of the moon cam 30, and the moon display member 2 and its drive wheel 40 are moved in the same manner as in the example Figure 3 The moon rocker 32 is rapidly rotated in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG.

[0059] Return to Figure 2 As can be seen, the moon cam moving member 28 is arranged to engage with a cover cam moving member 50 including a groove defining an additional cover cam 52.

[0060] Figure 4A simplified exploded perspective view of a portion of the display mechanism 1 is shown, allowing a better understanding of the function of the additional cover cam 52 , in particular how the frame 8 carrying the cover 6 is driven.

[0061] The display mechanism 1 comprises a cover rocker 54 arranged on a frame element (not shown) so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation 56. The cover rocker 54 carries a finger (not visible) which performs the function of an additional feeler by engaging in an additional cover cam 52 and being held against at least one wall thereof, the latter defining a guide surface for the cover rocker 54. The latter also carries a toothing 58 arranged to engage with a pinion 60 of a drive mobile 62 of the frame 8, the wheel 64 of which is kinematically connected to the frame 8 via a transmission wheel 66 and a crown 68 intended to be directly integrated with the frame 8.

[0062] Furthermore, an elastic return member 70 is kinematically connected to the crown 68 so as to exert an elastic restoring force on the frame 8 tending to hold the additional feeler against the guiding surface of the additional cover cam 52 .

[0063] from Figure 4 It is also evident that the additional cover cam 52 has a spiral shape with a first portion extending substantially over half of its total length (at the level of the central axis) and having a constant radius, followed by a second portion also extending substantially over half of its total length and having an increasing radius, and then a third portion which is empty or radial, enabling the additional feeler to fall from the second portion back onto the first portion at the end of the lunar cycle.

[0064] Therefore, in Figure 4 In the counterclockwise rotation direction in the view of , when the cover cam mover 50 is driven from the 24 hour mover 20 via the moon cam mover 28, the additional cover cam 52 presents a constant radius to the additional gap feeler due to the beginning of the first part, resulting in no rotation of the cover rocker 54 and therefore no rotation of the cover 6 during half of a given lunar cycle.

[0065] When the feeler reaches the second portion of the additional cover cam 52, the latter presents an increased radius to the additional feeler, so that the cover rocker 54 is Figure 4 , thereby rotating the frame 8 and, therefore, the cover 6 clockwise. During this phase, the elastic return member 70 accumulates mechanical energy.

[0066] When the feeler reaches the third portion of the additional cover cam 52, Figure 4 By rapidly rotating the cover rocker 54 in a counterclockwise rotational direction via the crown 68 and the transmission wheel 66 in the view of FIG. 5 , the elastic return member 70 can release the accumulated mechanical energy by returning the additional feeler to the level of the first portion of the additional cover cam 52 .

[0067] As mentioned above, cover 6 and discs 10 and 12 can be used for additional display of any type of information, time or other content. Various holes and recesses have been shown in these three discs as non-limiting illustrations (particularly in order to allow installation of moving parts, springs and a group of pointers).

[0068] Reference again Figure 2 , it can be seen that the cowl rocker 54 comprises a beak defining a stop surface 74 arranged to cooperate with a bearing surface 76 of the moon rocker 32 (here defined by a pin). The cooperation between these stops and the bearing surfaces ensures good synchronization during the retrograde return of the two rockers 32 and 54. In fact, it can be seen that during Figure 2 In the construction of the display mechanism 1 shown, when the feeler member approaches the end of the second portion of the corresponding cam, if the moon rocker 32 is released before the cover rocker 54, for example in the event of an impact, it will not be able to fall into the third portion of the corresponding cam due to the contact between its bearing surface 76 and the stop surface 74 of the cover rocker 54.

[0069] Advantageously, display mechanism 1 comprises a moon phase display correcting member, here comprising a correcting rocker 80 carrying a retractable pawl 82 arranged to act directly on moon star wheel 24. Correcting rocker 80 has an actuation surface 84 designed to receive an impulse in response to a suitable action by the user, after which correcting rocker 80 pivots to advance moon star wheel 24 by at least one step per actuation.

[0070] Advantageously, the display mechanism 1 according to this preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises latitude adjustment means arranged to modify the angular orientation of the moon display member 2 and the cover 6 in a coordinated manner in response to a predetermined action of the user on the latitude adjustment member.

[0071] The regulating device Figure 5 It can be seen more clearly in Figure 5 Its main components are shown in a simplified exploded perspective view.

[0072] The latitude adjustment device comprises a correction rocker 90 having an actuation surface 92 intended to receive an impulse force from a user via, for example, a corrector (not visible) to pivot on the frame member.

[0073] Correction rocker 90 carries an actuation beak 94 arranged to act on main toothing 96 of latitude correction wheel 98 and advance the latter at least one step each time an impulse force is applied by the user. Conventional jumper 100 is used to keep latitude correction wheel 98 in a given position by also cooperating with main toothing 96 thereof.

[0074] Half of the teeth of the main toothing 96 include an extension oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation of the latitude correction wheel 98 , while the latter includes the inner secondary toothing 102 .

[0075] The two toothings 96 and 102 are arranged to cooperate, via a toothed ring 106, with a drive wheel 104 of a latitude indicator (not shown), the latter being intended to be integral with the toothed ring 106. The latitude indicator may carry an indication designed to cooperate with a fixed latitude scale, or it may carry a latitude scale designed to cooperate with a fixed indication to display the value of a set latitude.

[0076] The drive wheel 104 is driven by the lower star wheel ( Figure 5 The drive wheel comprises a main star wheel 108, which is arranged to mesh with the wheel 64 of the drive wheel 62 of the frame 8, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0077] The drive wheel 104 further comprises a pinion 110 , via which the gear ring 106 is driven.

[0078] The toothed ring 106 in turn drives the moon driving wheel 112 via the latter's pinion 114. The moon driving wheel 112 also comprises a star wheel 116 arranged to mesh with the wheel 42 of the driving wheel 40 of the moon display member 2. Each driving wheel 40, 62 advantageously comprises a friction between its wheel and its pinion to allow rotation of the wheel to occur only during latitude adjustment.

[0079] Thus, when the user applies an impulse force to the correction rocker 90 , he simultaneously rotates the moon display member 2 and the frame 8 carrying the cover 6 in the same direction of rotation, without changing the positions of the moon representation 4 and the cover 6 along their trajectory.

[0080] After a certain number of impulse forces, the toothing of the latitude correction wheel 98, which is engaged with the lower star of the drive wheel 104, changes, resulting in a change in the direction of rotation of the latter. This design allows the latitude to be corrected over its entire range of values ​​with appropriate indexing of the mechanism, without changing the way the corresponding control element (in this case the corrector) is manipulated. For example, starting from an initial latitude setting of 45 degrees, the first impulse force will increase its value until it reaches 90 degrees. Next, the next impulse force will reduce the latitude value, allowing the user to reduce it to -90 degrees before again applying impulse forces to the corrector.

[0081] The double jumper 118 is arranged to cooperate with the drive wheels 104 and 112 to ensure their orientation in the set position. Of course, two independent jumpers can also be provided.

[0082] Thanks to the above-mentioned features, it is possible to create a moon phase display mechanism that is original in appearance and faithful to the actual observation of the moon in the sky, while providing excellent legibility without preventing the addition of further complications to the dial of the corresponding watch.

[0083] The foregoing description is intended to describe specific embodiments by way of non-limiting illustration, and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain specific features that have just been described, such as, for example, the implementation of additional discs carried by the frame, or even their number (if any) or their shape (which is not limited to discs). Moreover, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, the display mechanism that has just been described can be implemented without a latitude adjustment mechanism. In this case, the mechanism can, for example, be customized for each purchaser, with the latitude setting corresponding to his or her residence location. When a latitude setting mechanism is implemented, it is also conceivable that it is actuated by externally controlling the rotation of the crown in either direction, as an alternative to the solution already described above.

Claims

1. A moon phase display mechanism (1) for a watch movement, comprising: The disc-shaped moon represents (4), a cover (6) adapted to shield said moon representation (4), a drive device for the cover (6), the drive device being arranged to be able to move the cover along a predetermined trajectory extending from an initial position to a final position, so that the moon representation (4) and the cover (6) can present a full moon configuration and a new moon configuration along the trajectory, in which the moon representation (4) is fully visible and in which the moon representation (4) is fully obscured, The invention is characterized in that the moon phase display mechanism comprises a moon display member (2) carrying the moon indication (4) and a drive device for the moon display member (2), the drive device for the moon display member (2) being arranged to be able to move the moon display member along the predetermined trajectory between the initial position and the final position, and wherein The moon phase display mechanism is arranged so that the cover (6) and the moon representation (4) move during each moon cycle according to the following sequence: a) in the new moon configuration, the moon representation (4) and the cover (6) are both located in the initial position, the moon representation (4) is driven along the trajectory to gradually disengage from the cover (6) until being located in the final position in the middle of a given moon cycle, in the full moon configuration, b) the cover (6) is driven along the trajectory to gradually cover the moon representation (4) until the cover is positioned in the final position, in a crescent configuration, at the end of the given moon cycle, and c) The moon representation (4) and the cover (6) are driven so as to return quickly to the initial position in the crescent configuration to start a new sequence.

2. The mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that According to the direction of movement of the moon representation (4) and the cover (6) in steps a) and b), the moon representation (4) and the cover (6) are driven in a retrograde manner in step c).

3. The mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In step c) the moon representation (4) and the cover (6) are driven substantially simultaneously.

4. A mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The means for driving the moon display member (2) comprises a feeler held in abutment with the guide surface of the cam (30) so as to define its angular orientation at each moment under the action of the elastic return member (46), and wherein the feeler is integral with teeth (36) arranged to mesh with a moon drive wheel (40), the angular orientation of the moon drive wheel determining the angular orientation of the moon display member (2).

5. The mechanism (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The guide surface has a first portion of increasing radius, followed by a second portion of substantially constant radius and a hollow or radial third portion connecting the first and second portions.

6. The mechanism (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The means for driving the cover (6) comprise an additional feeler held in abutment with the guide surface of an additional cam (52) to define its angular orientation at each moment under the action of an elastic return member (70), and wherein The additional feeler is integral with teeth (58) arranged to mesh with a drive mobile (62) of the cover (6), the angular orientation of the drive mobile determining the angular orientation of the cover (6).

7. The mechanism (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The guide surface of the additional cam (52) has a first portion of substantially constant radius, followed by a second portion of increasing radius and a hollow or radial third portion connecting the first and second portions.

8. The mechanism (1) according to claims 5 and 7, characterized in that The moon phase display mechanism comprises a kinematic connection between the cam (30) and the additional cam (52), and wherein The first and second portions of the guide surface of the cam (30) and the first and second portions of the guide surface of the additional cam (52) have substantially equal angular extents.

9. The mechanism (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The moon phase display mechanism comprises a bearing surface (76) which is integral with one of the feeler and the additional feeler and can be supported against a stop surface (74) which is integral with the other of the feeler and the additional feeler, and wherein The feelers and the additional feelers are arranged so that the passage of the feeler associated with the bearing surface (76) from the second portion of the corresponding guide surface to the first portion is regulated by the passage of the feeler associated with the abutment surface (74) from the second portion of the corresponding guide surface to the first portion, so as to synchronize the movement of the moon display member (2) and the cover (6) in step c).

10. The mechanism (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The moon phase display mechanism comprises a latitude adjustment device arranged to modify the angular orientation of the moon display member (2) and the cover (6) in a coordinated manner in response to a predetermined action of a user on the latitude adjustment member.

11. The mechanism (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The moon phase display mechanism further comprises a latitude display component for displaying a set latitude at each moment, and the latitude adjustment device is further arranged to control the position of the latitude display component.

12. A mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The moon display member (2) is a rotating dial and wherein the cover (6) is carried by a frame (8) which also carries a surface for displaying information other than the moon phases and is arranged to conceal a portion of the rotating dial other than the moon representation (4).

13. The mechanism (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The diameter of the moon representation (4) represents at least 50%, preferably at least 60% of the radius of the rotating dial.

14. A watch movement comprising a display mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A watch (1) comprising a watch movement according to claim 14.

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