Dial for timepiece and method for manufacturing same
By using mother-of-pearl sheets and metal support with a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm, the problem of difficulty in manufacturing an ultra-thin mother-of-pearl dial in the prior art is solved, and the production of ultra-thin watches is achieved while maintaining the iridescent properties and smooth appearance of mother-of-pearl.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510194281.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2018-02-05
- Filing Date
- 2018-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-29
AI Technical Summary
The prior art is difficult to manufacture ultra-thin mother-of-pearl dials, resulting in the inability to make ultra-thin dials for ultra-thin watches.
An ultra-thin mother-of-pearl dial is made by using mother-of-pearl sheets with a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm and printing patterns on the back of them, combining metal support and metal rings.
It realizes that mother-of-pearl dial decorated with ultra-thin patterns is manufactured on the basis of maintaining the iridescent properties and smooth appearance of mother-of-pearl, which is suitable for the production of ultra-thin watches.
Smart Images
Figure CN119902423A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number 201880086852.3, application date March 6, 2018, and invention name “Dial for watches and its manufacturing method”. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a dial for a watch, comprising a support and a mother-of-pearl sheet, the mother-of-pearl sheet having a front side and a back side facing the support and having a pattern printed on the back side. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a dial and to a watch comprising such a dial. Background Art
[0003] For example, a dial of this type is described in Swiss Patent No. CH 697210. In this document, the pattern is formed by phosphorescent, fluorescent or luminescent elements in order to form an image that is visible in the dark but not under normal lighting conditions. To this end, the luminescent element can be applied to the back of the mother-of-pearl or the substrate, or it can be placed in a blind cavity made in the mother-of-pearl or the substrate. The recommended thickness of the mother-of-pearl sheet is 0.4 mm. This thickness is necessary for making the blind cavity. In addition, the mother-of-pearl sheet must be thick enough so that under normal lighting conditions, the phosphorescent pigment layer does not appear transparently through the mother-of-pearl in daylight. This thickness of the mother-of-pearl gives the dial a significant thickness, so it is not possible to make an ultra-thin dial for the production of ultra-thin watches. Summary of the invention
[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by proposing a mother-of-pearl dial and a method for manufacturing the same, making it possible to manufacture ultra-thin dials and ultra-thin timepieces, in particular watches, comprising such a dial without impairing the characteristic appearance of mother-of-pearl.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a dial for a timepiece comprising a support and a mother-of-pearl sheet having a front side and a back side facing the support and having a pattern printed on the back side.
[0006] According to the present invention, the thickness of the mother-of-pearl sheet is 50 μm to 300 μm, so that the pattern printed on the back of the mother-of-pearl sheet appears transparently through the mother-of-pearl under normal lighting conditions.
[0007] Thus, a mother-of-pearl dial is obtained which is decorated with an ultra-thin pattern, while still preserving the iridescent nature of the mother-of-pearl and the smooth appearance of the mother-of-pearl on the front side visible to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0009] - Figure 1is a top view of a dial according to the present invention; and
[0010] - Figure 2 is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the AA axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Reference Figure 1 , a dial 1 for a timepiece comprises a support 2 and a mother-of-pearl piece 3.
[0012] Preferably, the support 2 is metallic. For example, it is made of a piece of brass.
[0013] The mother-of-pearl sheet has a front side 3 a corresponding to the side visible to the user and a back side 3 b located facing the support 2 and having a pattern 4 printed thereon.
[0014] A metal ring 6, preferably made of brass, is arranged on the periphery of the mother-of-pearl plate 3 to define the contour of the dial 1. The thickness of the metal ring 6 may be, for example, approximately 700 to 900 μm, for example 800 μm.
[0015] According to the invention, the thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes is between 50 μm and 300 μm, so that the pattern printed on the back of the mother-of-pearl appears transparently through the mother-of-pearl under normal lighting conditions, especially under oblique light. Preferably, the thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes is between 50 μm and 250 μm, preferably between 100 μm and 200 μm, preferably between 120 μm and 180 μm, more preferably between 130 μm and 170 μm, still more preferably between 140 μm and 160 μm. For example, the thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes is about 150 μm. This thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes is a compromise found by the Applicant, which, on the one hand, makes it possible to maintain the necessary transparency so that the pattern printed on the back of the mother-of-pearl appears transparently through the mother-of-pearl under normal lighting conditions, and, on the other hand, avoids breaking the mother-of-pearl flakes due to excessive brittleness, especially when printing the pattern.
[0016] Advantageously, the metal support 2 may have a thickness of, for example, approximately 200 to 250 μm, so that the dial has an ultra-thin thickness of, for example, 350 to 400 μm in total.
[0017] The printed pattern 4 can be any type of pattern. Preferably, the printed pattern is formed by a set of lines of different widths, thereby creating the appearance of a structure. For example, the pattern can represent the veins and structure of a leaf.
[0018] Preferably, the nacre used is natural nacre.
[0019] Advantageously, the mother-of-pearl may be coloured.
[0020] The method for manufacturing such a dial comprises the following steps:
[0021] a) providing a support 2, preferably metallic, for example made of brass;
[0022] b) providing mother-of-pearl flakes 3 having a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm, preferably 50 μm to 250 μm, preferably 100 μm to 200 μm, preferably 120 μm to 180 μm, more preferably 130 μm to 170 μm, even more preferably 140 μm to 160 μm;
[0023] c) printing a pattern 4 on the back side 3b of the mother-of-pearl sheet;
[0024] d) Assembling the printed mother-of-pearl flakes 3 obtained in step c) on the support 2 .
[0025] The method also comprises a step of assembling a metal ring 6 on the peripheral edge of the mother-of-pearl plate 3 .
[0026] In steps a) and b), the support 2, the mother-of-pearl 3 and the ring 6 are cut and prepared to have the desired dial shape and size and thickness according to the invention. Holes 8 are also made in the support 2 and the mother-of-pearl 3 to allow the arbors of the hands to pass through.
[0027] According to step c), a pattern 4 is printed on the back side 3b of the mother-of-pearl flakes by means of ink deposited according to a method selected from the group consisting of screen printing, photolithography and inkjet printing. Screen printing is particularly preferred.
[0028] Advantageously, the thickness of the deposited ink layer is between 10 μm and 40 μm, preferably between 20 μm and 30 μm. The ink used is a standard ink.
[0029] Preferably, the printing method is implemented to print a pattern formed by a set of lines of different widths to create the appearance of a structure.
[0030] Furthermore, the method of the present invention may comprise a step e) of colouring the mother-of-pearl before step c) of printing the pattern.
[0031] Once the printed mother-of-pearl sheet 3 is obtained in step c) and the ring 6 is assembled on the support 2 to form the dial 1, the front face 3a of the mother-of-pearl sheet can be polished to obtain a smooth front face. The mother-of-pearl sheet 3 is then protected by a sapphire crystal (not shown). Logos or other decorative elements can be arranged on the sapphire crystal or on the mother-of-pearl sheet 3.
[0032] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a dial as described above. The invention makes it possible to obtain an ultra-thin dial made of mother-of-pearl decorated with a pattern, while maintaining the iridescent properties of the mother-of-pearl and the smooth appearance of the mother-of-pearl on the front side. Through the mother-of-pearl, the pattern appears more sober, more refined and more elegant. Thanks to the use of an ultra-thin dial, the invention also makes it possible to obtain an ultra-thin timepiece, in particular an ultra-thin watch.
Claims
1. A dial (1) for a watch, comprising a support (2) and a mother-of-pearl sheet (3), the mother-of-pearl sheet (3) having a front side (3a) and a back side (3b) facing the support (2) and having a pattern (4) printed thereon, characterized in that: The thickness of the mother-of-pearl sheet (3) is 50 μm to 300 μm, so that the pattern (4) printed on the back side (3b) of the mother-of-pearl sheet (3) appears transparently through the mother-of-pearl under normal lighting conditions.
2. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes (3) is 50 μm to 250 μm, preferably 100 μm to 200 μm, preferably 120 μm to 180 μm, preferably 130 μm to 170 μm, and more preferably 140 μm to 160 μm.
3. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The mother-of-pearl is colorful.
4. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The printed pattern (4) is formed by a set of lines of different widths.
5. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The support member (2) is made of metal.
6. Method for manufacturing a dial (1) for a timepiece comprising a support (2) and a mother-of-pearl sheet (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a support member (2); b) providing mother-of-pearl flakes (3) having a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm; c) printing a pattern (4) on the back side (3b) of the mother-of-pearl sheet (3); d) Assembling the printed mother-of-pearl flakes (3) obtained in step c) on the support (2).
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The thickness of the mother-of-pearl flakes (3) is 50 μm to 250 μm, preferably 100 μm to 200 μm, preferably 120 μm to 180 μm, preferably 130 μm to 170 μm, and more preferably 140 μm to 160 μm.
8. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises a step e) of colouring the mother-of-pearl before step c) of printing the pattern.
9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that Step c) of printing the pattern (4) is achieved using an ink deposited according to a method selected from the group consisting of screen printing, photolithography and inkjet printing.
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The ink is deposited in a layer having a thickness of 10 to 40 μm, preferably 10 to 30 μm.
11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that The printed pattern (4) is formed by a set of lines of different widths.
12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The support member (2) is made of metal.
13. Timepiece comprising a dial according to any one of claims 1 to 5.