Clock

Abstract

Clock with moon phase display in a window on a dial of the same with a moon phase disc rotating behind the dial, characterized by that on the moon phase disc (5), preferably on its periphery or on an inner centric circular track (10), or on a further disc (11) driven synchronously with the moon phase disc in a separate viewing window, four number fields (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) of at least "0" to "8" each, with free space, in number groups on alternating contrasting-colored number fields (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) designed in the shape of a circular ring, evenly spaced from one another, which are visible to the observer in a first viewing window (4) together with the moon phase image or are displayed in a separate second viewing window (3), where these four groups of numbers represent the number of days until the countdown of an event and wherein two of the opposite number fields (7, 7b and 7a, 7c) are designed in contrasting colors so that the event, such as the waxing or waning moon, can be read in analog color on the moon phase disc (5) connected to the clockwork and preferably rotating step by step, and where on the moon phase disc (5) the moon phases can be depicted in the form of two oppositely arranged contrasting colored circular areas (8, 8a), whereby the observer in the circular first viewing window (4) in the dial (1) can see the typical crescent-shaped views of the moon or a full moon or a lunar eclipse.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a watch with a moon phase display in the viewing window of a dial.

[0002] Watches with moon phase displays in a window on their dials are well known. The representations of the various moon phases are depicted on a disc that rotates behind the dial. These representations run continuously behind the window and thus reach the viewer's field of vision (IWC Portuguese IW 503302 S 9121 Perpetual Calendar).

[0003] Also known are a full-screen display with a double moon (Tonda 1950 Lune by Parmigiani Fleurier), a full-screen display with a precise countdown indicator using a hand (LUC Lunar by Chopard), and a full-screen display of the moon's position using a full screen and a marker on the dial (Rolex Cellini Moonpgase).

[0004] The disadvantage is that, based on the partial or complete moon phase images that appear over time, the viewer can only estimate when the countdown to the next event, such as a full moon or new moon, is approaching and how long it will take. Therefore, they do not gain precise knowledge of how many days until the event actually occurs (Internet www.watchtime.net and www.uhrenkosmos.com).

[0005] Another known moon phase display is a circular ring that displays a countdown to the next full moon in a window. This is not very suitable for a wristwatch (CH 701473 B1).

[0006] Another moon phase display features markings on a moon phase disc, which are displayed in a circular viewing window. Its shortcomings include the lack of numbers, contrasting colors, and their connection to the waxing and waning moon (DE 10 2014 111 974 A1).

[0007] A method and a device for displaying a sequence of moon images in the viewing window of a clock face without numerical markings is also known (EP 1 615 086 B1).

[0008] The object of the invention is to design a clock with a moon phase display in such a way that, in addition to the moon phase display, a precise display of the countdown to the next event such as a full moon, new moon or lunar eclipse can be displayed in a numerically analogous manner in a viewing window on the dial.

[0009] According to the invention, the object is achieved as stated in the claims.

[0010] The watch with a moon phase display in the viewing window on its dial features a moon phase disc rotating behind the dial. On this disc, preferably on its periphery or on an inner central circular track, four rows of numbers, each from "0" to "8," with a spaced-apart dial, are arranged in groups on alternating, contrasting-colored, circular-ring-shaped fields, evenly spaced from one another. These rows are visible to the viewer in the same first window or displayed in a separate second window. These four rows of numbers represent the number of days until the countdown to the event.

[0011] Two of the opposing groups of numbers are designed in contrasting colors so that events such as the waxing or waning moon can be clearly seen. On a disc behind the dial, which is connected to the movement and preferably rotates in stages, the phases of the moon are depicted in the form of two opposing, contrasting-colored circular areas. Together with a circular viewing window in the dial, this presents the viewer with the typical crescent-shaped views of the moon, a full moon, or a lunar eclipse. Depending on the time, these can then be seen even more clearly as moon phases in a first window on the dial.

[0012] The groups of numbers as countdown displays can also be arranged on another separate disc, driven synchronously with the moon phase disc, and can be read in a separate viewing window.

[0013] The watch according to the invention enriches the variety of moon phase displays with another convenient feature, especially for mechanical wristwatches. The design of the viewing window for the visual representation of the moon phases on the dial, in particular, conveys the typical appearance of a crescent moon, full moon, or lunar eclipse. The time until the event occurs can thus be read analogically.

[0014] The invention is explained below using three exemplary embodiments.

[0015] In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 a wristwatch in plan view and with Fig. 2 a moon phase disc with peripheral number groups and with Fig. 3 a moon phase disc with centrally arranged groups of numbers and with Fig. 4 a separately arranged countdown display disc synchronized with the moon phase disc is shown schematically. Example 1

[0016] Beneath the dial 1 of a wristwatch with a diameter of 40 mm, the moon phase disc 5 with a diameter of 17 mm is mounted with its pivot point 6 centrally between the hand axis 2 and the inner edge of the case and is connected to the movement.

[0017] The moon phase disc 5 has on its periphery a 3 mm wide ring section of number fields 7,7a,7b,7c with four symmetrically and oppositely arranged number groups with the numbers “0-2-4-6-8...” etc., whereby the backgrounds of two directly opposite number groups 7,7b and 7a,7c are in different contrasting colors.

[0018] Within the ring section, two contrasting circular areas 8, 8a with a diameter of 6 mm are marked.

[0019] These marked circular areas 8, 8a are located on the vanishing line 9, crossing the pivot point, on which the number groups beginning with the number “0” are also located, on the contrasting-colored number fields 7,7b.

[0020] In the dial 1, the second viewing window 3 with a diameter of 3 mm is arranged to fit the circular path of the number groups 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, allowing a view of the number groups 7, 7a, 7b, 7c.

[0021] In the dial 1, the first viewing window 4 is arranged to fit the circular path of the contrasting colored circular areas 8, 8a on the moon phase disc 5.

[0022] In function of the moon phase display, the respective image in the first viewing window 4 is simultaneously shown with the analogue number in days as a countdown to the event in the second viewing window 3.

[0023] For example, the first viewing window 4 shows a crescent-shaped image of a waxing moon. Simultaneously, the number "8" appears on a light background in the second viewing window 3, indicating that the time, i.e., the countdown, until the "full moon" event is "8" days. Example 2

[0024] Analogous to example 1, here the ring sections 7, 7a, 7b, 7c are not arranged on the periphery of the moon phase disc 5, but centrally, around the pivot point 6 of the moon phase disc 5, close to it, whereby the contrasting colored circular areas 8, 8a are then located close to the periphery of the moon phase disc 55. Example 3

[0025] In addition to a moon phase disc without countdown display, there is another separate countdown display disc 11 with a diameter of 18 mm, inscribed with analog numbers on the periphery and with a matching viewing window. List of reference symbols used 1 dial 2 pointer axis 3 Second viewing window 4 First viewing window 5 Moon phase disc 6 Pivot point 7 a,b,c, number fields 8 a Contrast surfaces 9 Vanishing line 10 Number field 11 countdown display disc separately

Claims

[1] Watch with moon phase display in a window on a dial of the same with a moon phase disc rotating behind the dial, characterized by , that on the moon phase disc (5), preferably on its periphery or on an inner centric circular track (10), or on a further disc (11) driven synchronously with the moon phase disc in a separate viewing window, four number fields (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) of at least "0" to "8" each, with free space, in number groups on alternating contrasting-colored number fields (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) designed in the shape of a circular ring, evenly spaced from one another, which are visible to the observer in a first viewing window (4) together with the moon phase image or are displayed in a separate second viewing window (3), where these four groups of numbers represent the number of days until the countdown of an event and wherein two of the opposite number fields (7, 7b and 7a, 7c) are designed in contrasting colors so that the event, such as the waxing or waning moon, can be read in analog color on the moon phase disc (5) connected to the clockwork and preferably rotating step by step, and where on the moon phase disc (5) the moon phases can be depicted in the form of two oppositely arranged contrasting colored circular areas (8, 8a), whereby the observer in the circular first viewing window (4) in the dial (1) can see the typical crescent-shaped views of the moon or a full moon or a lunar eclipse.

Images