VERSATILE WATCH COMPONENT

Description

Introduction

[0001] The present invention relates to a versatile watch component. This watch component may be a dial, a dial counter, an index, a bezel disc, or more generally a decorative plate. The invention also relates to a timepiece, such as a watch, comprising such a versatile watch component. Etat de l'Art

[0002] There are watch components whose aesthetics vary depending on the brightness to create decorative effects, such as dials. Such watch components traditionally include luminescent varnish layers. These existing watch components all have drawbacks, including: a complex architecture, which leads to a complex manufacturing process, delicate handling, limited use and / or a high overall cost; and / or a limited aesthetic result.

[0003] The general objective of the invention is to provide a versatile watch component solution which does not include all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art, which forms an improved solution compared to existing solutions.

[0004] More particularly, an object of the invention is to offer a simple, versatile watch component solution that achieves an attractive aesthetic effect. Brève description de l'invention

[0005] To this end, the invention is based on a timepiece component for a timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising at least one part made of at least one opaque material at least partially superimposed above the second portion, this second portion comprising a material capable of emitting at least one emission light wave in the event of excitation by at least one excitation light wave, and said at least one part of the first portion comprising a structuring making it possible to transmit at least partially to the outside of the timepiece component an emission light wave emitted by the second portion, so that the timepiece component has at least a first appearance by day and at least a second different appearance by night in which the first portion is backlit by an emission light wave emitted by the second portion.

[0006] Such a watch component can be a dial, a dial counter, an index, a bezel disc or a decorative plate.

[0007] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, as such, which comprises such a timepiece component.

[0008] The invention is more precisely defined by the claims. Brève description des figures

[0009] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: There figure 1 represents a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention. The figure 2 represents a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to another first variant of the first embodiment of the invention. The figures 3 And 4 represent a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to still other first variants of the first embodiment of the invention. The figure 5 represents a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention. The figure 6 represents a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to a first particular variant of a second embodiment of the invention. The figure 7 represents an enlarged view of details of the figure 6 . THE figures 8a et 8b represent the day and night aspects respectively of a versatile watch component according to a first particular variant of the second embodiment of the invention. The figures 9 à 11 represent a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to still other first variants of the second embodiment of the invention. The figure 12 represents a schematic sectional view of a versatile watch component according to a second particular variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0010] For the sake of clarity of description, we will use the same references for the different embodiments to designate identical or equivalent characteristics.

[0011] Furthermore, to simplify the following description, we will designate by the adjective "exterior" a volume or surface of a watch component intended for an orientation towards the outside of a timepiece, in particular including a volume or surface directly visible by an observer of the timepiece. On the contrary, the adjective "interior" designates a volume or surface of a watch component intended for an orientation towards the inside of a timepiece relative to another volume or surface of the same watch component oriented towards the outside.

[0012] On the other hand, we will use the adjective "opaque" to designate the property of a material when the material considered results in a transmission of less than 10% of light radiation which will in practice include at least visible and / or ultraviolet wavelengths. By "opaque material", we consider a material whose nature, combined with the thickness used, forms an opaque barrier to the aforementioned light radiation. In the embodiments of the invention, the material of a first portion will be opaque with reference to the light wavelengths allowing the excitation of another material of a second portion and / or to the wavelengths of a light wave emitted by such another excited material, as will be detailed later. As a note, the same material may be opaque when used at a certain thickness, and not opaque for a reduced thickness.We will also use the plural term "opaque materials" for a structure comprising the arrangement of several materials whose assembly meets the conditions explained above for the definition of an "opaque material". We will use the term "opaque zone" or "opaque part" to designate a localized part of a component formed from at least one opaque material and which behaves as mentioned above with respect to radiation, and ultimately prevents any visible effect of a light wave through said opaque zone or part.

[0013] We will use the adjective "transparent" to designate a material or part of a component that is not opaque, thus covering totally transparent and partially transparent, as well as semi-transparent or translucent constructions. We will use the adjective "transparent" to designate the property of a material when the material in question results in a transmission of more than 10% inclusive of light radiation which will in practice include at least visible and / or ultraviolet wavelengths. By "transparent material", we consider a material whose nature, combined with the thickness used, allows at least partial transmission of the aforementioned light radiation.In the embodiments of the invention, the material of all or part of a first portion will be transparent with reference to the light wavelengths allowing the excitation of another material of a second portion and / or to the wavelengths of a light wave emitted by such another excited material, as will be detailed later. As a note, the same material may be transparent when used at a certain thickness, and non-transparent for a greater thickness. We will similarly use the term "transparent materials" in the plural for a structure comprising the arrangement of several materials whose assembly meets the conditions explained above for the definition of a "transparent material".We will use the term "transparent area" or "transparent part" to designate a localized part of a component formed of at least one transparent material and which behaves as mentioned above with respect to radiation, and ultimately allows any visible effect of a light wave through said transparent area or part. Such a transparent part can be obtained by the use of at least one transparent material, or by the use of at least one transparent material advantageously combined with a particular structuring, as will be described subsequently.

[0014] The embodiments of the invention are all based on the use of a portion within a watch component capable of emitting light when it is or has been subjected to illumination, in particular external lighting or any appropriate source of excitation, in a certain range of wavelengths, because the portion is composed of a material that is in particular phosphorescent and / or fluorescent. We will thus call "excitation light wave" illumination in a range of wavelengths allowing the excitation of this portion capable of emitting light or illumination in return: in practice, this range of wavelengths is all or part of the wavelengths corresponding to ultraviolet and visible light.Finally, we will call "emission light wave" any lighting or emission spectrum producing a visual effect for an observer of the watch component considered, in particular at night or under conditions of reduced luminosity, emitted by said portion following its reception of an excitation light wave. As a note, we will subsequently mention in a simplified manner the two opposing situations day / night, the term "night" not being limited to a situation of total darkness but being understood as including intermediate periods between day and night, of partial darkness.

[0015] As a note, an excitation light wave may come from the outside, and reach the second portion after passing through the first portion. Alternatively, an excitation light wave may be generated by any other means, in particular by an internal light source. For example, it could be generated by a light source comprising LEDs arranged in a timepiece, under the second portion.

[0016] We will now describe several embodiments of the invention, within the framework of a watch component intended for a timepiece.

[0017] Such a watch component 1 may, for example, be a dial for a timepiece, in particular for a wristwatch. It comprises a first portion 10 formed from at least one opaque material, as well as a second portion 20 formed from at least one material capable of emitting an emission light wave, in particular by phosphorescence and / or fluorescence, when it is or has been subjected to an excitation light wave in a certain frequency range.

[0018] The first portion 10 comprises at least one structuring 13 capable of making said first portion at least partially transparent, so that the second portion 20 can be subjected to lighting, in particular external lighting, and so that the light emitted by the second portion 20 can generate a visual effect for an observer of the watch component. In other words, the first portion comprises at least one opaque material, which would make it opaque without the structuring.

[0019] A “structuration” can be any opening formed on the surface or in the thickness of the first portion. Thus, we can use the term opening 13 to designate a structuration 13. Such an opening can be blind or through or through or represent an internal porosity in the thickness of the first portion. Such an opening can be a micro-opening or a nano-opening, preferably of a size small enough to be invisible or substantially invisible to the naked eye during the day. Alternatively, such an opening can have a larger, macroscopic dimension, to make it deliberately visible. It then also contributes to the daytime decor. Alternatively, such a blind opening can be made on the non-visible face, to make it deliberately invisible. It then does not contribute to the daytime decor.In all cases, the openings, whether through or not, can have any section, not necessarily circular. This section can in fact be rectangular or star-shaped, for example, or have any other appropriate geometry.

[0020] Alternatively, a structuring may be at least a local modification of the transparency properties of the material constituting the first portion in all or part of the thickness of said first portion.

[0021] Such structuring can be obtained in particular by any conventional machining technique, or by laser machining, in particular by femtosecond laser machining, or by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) or even by chemical attack.

[0022] We will now describe a first embodiment of the invention, within the framework of a watch component intended for a timepiece.

[0023] According to the first embodiment, the first portion 10 is in the form of a solid portion. It comprises an outer surface 11, intended to be oriented towards the outside of a wristwatch and visible or partially visible to the observer. It further comprises an opposite and parallel or substantially parallel inner surface 12, invisible to the observer. It may have a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm inclusive, or even a thickness between 0.05 mm and 2 mm inclusive. A portion is in particular considered solid when, considered independently of the other portions, it constitutes a solid object which does not structurally require mechanical support to maintain it without deformation.

[0024] It may be formed from one or more materials chosen from the following non-exhaustive list: certain mother-of-pearl, in particular black, certain fossil materials, tortoiseshell, mangano-calcite, lepidolite, silicified wood, coral, amber, pearl, ivory, metal or metal alloy, such as platinum or ferrite or meteorite, technical ceramic based on zirconia and / or pigmented or non-pigmented alumina, gem, mineral, rock or precious substance of organic origin, sphalerite, fluorite, agate, alexandrite, amethyst, anatase, aventurine, chalcedony, chrysoberyl, chrysoprase, citrine, jasper, tiger's eye, opal, quartz, spinel, aragonite, azurite, malachite, crocoite, apatite, lazulite, turquoise, aquamarine, beryl, tourmaline, obsidian, or snowflake obsidian.

[0025] According to a first variant of the first embodiment, the second portion 20 is in the form of a solid portion. Such a second portion thus advantageously comprises a solid structure integrating a luminescent material distributed in its volume. Such a second portion may have a substantially constant thickness, on average between 0.01 mm and 5 mm. Such a second portion may have a surface area greater than or equal to 1 mm 2 or a surface area between 0.01 cm 2 and 15 cm 2 inclusive. Such a second portion may be a plate formed from fluorescent and / or phosphorescent ceramic, in particular a composite ceramic based on yttria-containing zirconia and Dy / Eu-doped strontium aluminate, advantageously made of “luminescent zirconia”, for example as described in document EP2730636.

[0026] The advantage of such a second portion is that it has sufficient rigidity to provide it with a mechanical property allowing it to be used as a mechanical support for the construction. Thus, the second portion can form a mechanical support for the first portion and / or a support allowing the mounting of the watch component within a timepiece. Finally, the second portion can fulfill the dual function of night lighting, namely that it can produce an emission light wave, and of support for the first portion of the watch component. By this mechanical property, it is possible to form a watch component comprising only the two assembled portions. The watch component is thus simplified to the maximum.

[0027] Thus, according to the first variant of the first embodiment, the two portions 10 and 20 of the watch component appear as two separate solid or massive elements assembled together. figure 1 illustrates, for example, a particular execution of such a watch component provided with only two massive or solid portions assembled to each other, for example by gluing.

[0028] More particularly, this timepiece component is provided with a first portion 10 comprising a structure 13 taking the form of several through openings. The function of these through openings is to make the first portion at least partially transparent. For this, the first portion may comprise a sufficient quantity of openings to obtain a visible backlighting effect provided by the luminescent material present in the second portion: these through openings are therefore sufficient to, on the one hand, allow the transmission of excitation light waves to the second portion coming from the outside, and on the other hand for the transmission of light waves emitted by the second portion following its excitation.More precisely, the first portion thus becomes at least partially transparent to the wavelengths which allow the excitation and emission of the luminescent material present in the second portion, which means that at least some of the wavelengths in the range allowing the excitation of the luminescent material specifically used pass through the first portion with sufficient efficiency for the luminescent material to reach the required excitation level and that at least some of the wavelengths in the emission range of this same luminescent material pass in return through the first portion with sufficient efficiency to reach a required emission level, in particular to obtain a visual effect at night.

[0029] The openings 13 of the first portion are here through micro-openings or through nano-openings, preferably of a size small enough not to be identifiable by the naked eye. For example, these openings may be in a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter less than or equal to 60 µm, since it is commonly accepted that at 20 cm, the eye perceives details greater than such a dimension. In other words, so that these through openings are not seen during the day, their dimensions are preferably less than the maximum resolving power of the eye under normal conditions of observation of a watch. The resolving power of the eye is approximately one minute of arc.Finally, by these two properties of the micro-openings of the embodiment, the first portion, although formed from an opaque material, allows the second portion 20 to be subjected to lighting, in particular external lighting, and allows the light emitted by the second portion 20 to generate a visual effect for an observer of the watch component.

[0030] Naturally, the quantity of openings 13, their respective dimensions and their distribution, represent a compromise chosen according to a desired aesthetic result. Indeed, the conformation, arrangement and density of the structuring depend on the desired effect in terms of pattern obtained and / or level of persistence, depending on the search for an ephemeral decoration or a display lasting several hours. This compromise also depends on the luminescent material chosen for the second portion. There are thus a very large number of possibilities. However, it is noted that micro-openings equivalent to through or emerging cylinders with a diameter less than or equal to 100 microns, or even less than or equal to 60 microns, and greater than or equal to a value of the order of 250 nm; the smaller size of the openings is that which physically allows the passage of excitation and / or emission waves, making it possible to achieve the desired objective in a satisfactory manner.Of course, the openings can have any geometry suitable for the passage of excitation and / or emission waves.

[0031] Of course, it is possible to obtain equivalent, complementary or alternative visual effects from at least one blind opening, the depth of which is sufficient to allow the passage of the excitation and emission light waves through the residual material. This at least one opening can be formed from the outer surface or from the inner surface of the first portion. It can have straight or inclined sides. Optionally, this opening can include optical means, such as optical fibers or be filled with any at least partially transparent material.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the first portion may comprise a structuring that modifies at least locally the transparency properties of the material constituting said first portion. In other words, different structurings may be combined to create the desired visual effects. For example, the figure 2 illustrates a particular execution of a component according to a first variant of the first embodiment, which is provided with a first portion comprising both through openings 13 and a blind opening 15.

[0033] On the other hand, the structuring may be homogeneous, in particular all the openings may be identical and uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the first portion, to form a homogeneous effect. Alternatively, their distribution and / or their geometry may differ within the first portion, to form a heterogeneous effect, which will provide a different visual effect. For example, the watch component may comprise blind openings of variable depth, which may evolve according to a gradient. This makes it possible to observe a progressively variable brightness depending on the areas of the watch component.

[0034] Alternatively, the distribution of the openings is not uniform, as in the particular execution represented by the figure 1 , but these openings are positioned so as to form a design, which will be perceptible at night, highlighted by the backlighting by the second luminescent portion. In this case, the openings fulfill the dual function of making the first portion at least partially transparent while forming an aesthetic design, i.e. a decoration visible at night. According to an advantageous embodiment, this design can, for example, be a pattern, providing not only a decoration but also an indication or any information visible at night.

[0035] In this particular construction represented by the figure 1 , the first portion 10 defines the daytime aesthetics of the watch component. In this case, the observer does not see through the first portion. By day, he sees the watch component only as if it only included this first portion without an opening. The watch component thus obtained is therefore a versatile watch component, since it has at least a first daytime appearance in which the appearance of the component corresponds substantially to the appearance of the first portion, and at least a second nighttime appearance in which the first portion is backlit by a visible emission light wave emitted by the second portion. There is thus a level of darkness, in particular partial darkness, from which the difference between the at least first aspect and the at least second aspect becomes visible. Furthermore, the backlighting can vary depending on the intensity of the emission light wave emitted by the second portion, which decreases over time.Thus, the night appearance of the component can be scalable.

[0036] In the alternative case where all or part of the openings are visible during the day, the latter contribute to the daytime aesthetics of the watch component. On the other hand, the nighttime aesthetics of the watch component are those of the first portion backlit by the light emitted by the second portion. The watch component thus obtained is therefore a versatile watch component, since it has at least a first daytime appearance and at least a second nighttime appearance, the at least first and second aspects being different.

[0037] In the first variant of the first embodiment, the two portions of the watch component are therefore presented as two separate solid elements assembled to each other. The assembly of the two portions of the watch component can, for example, be carried out by gluing. Alternatively, the assembly of the two portions of the watch component can be carried out by capillary adhesion. This assembly thus advantageously allows a more or less removable fixing of the two portions together. Alternatively again, the two portions can be assembled by riveting, crimping, or driving in related mechanical means. For example, the two portions can be brought into contact and held together by a mechanical strapping.

[0038] In a particular execution of a timepiece component according to the first variant of the first embodiment, a third portion may be provided to modulate, or even enhance, the visual effects generated by the second portion of said timepiece component, and therefore modulate the daytime and / or nighttime aesthetics of the timepiece component. This third portion may be interposed between the first and second portions. This third portion may, for example, be in the form of a mask which limits the transmission of light regardless of the structuring of the first portion located above. This third portion may also be in the form of a layer, for example in the form of a fluorescent layer, which may be excited by the second portion. Advantageously, such a third portion may be provided to participate in the function of assembling the first and second portions of said timepiece component.

[0039] There figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of such a watch component. The third portion 30 is interposed between the first two portions, at their circumference, so as to form a skirt comprising an inward extension 32 intended for fixing the watch component. In the central part, the two portions 10, 20 are superimposed but not in contact, a space 5 corresponding to the thickness of the third portion 30 separating them. Thus, advantageously, this third portion makes it possible to modulate the day and / or night aesthetics of the watch component by keeping the first and second portions at a distance.

[0040] There figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of such a timepiece component in which a third portion 30 is in the form of a decorative mask, integrated between the two portions 10, 20 of the timepiece component. This mask may be opaque and have openings 31 which can allow the excitation and emission light waves to pass through, these openings 31 possibly forming a decorative design. Thus, advantageously, this third portion makes it possible to modulate the day and / or night aesthetics of the timepiece component. Advantageously again, this third portion may comprise optical means for modulating the backlighting of the second portion, such as for example optical fibers. Alternatively, this third portion may be in the form of a layer, in particular semi-transparent, for example in the form of a semi-transparent fluorescent layer, which can be excited by the second portion.

[0041] In a second variant of the first embodiment, the second portion 20 is not in the form of a solid part, and / or does not fulfill the mechanical support function described above. It could be in any other form allowing its lighting function to be fulfilled, from any luminescent, phosphorescent and / or fluorescent or other material. For example, it may be in the form of a varnish applied under the first portion 10, i.e. on the inner face 12 of the first portion 10. figure 5 illustrates, for example, such an execution of a watch component.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, it may be in the form of a varnish applied in openings formed in the inner surface 12 of the first portion.

[0043] Thus, the watch component can be presented in the form of a single-piece watch component, and no longer as two separate elements assembled, in a more or less removable manner.

[0044] Alternatively, the second portion may be in the form of a varnish applied to an element separate from the first portion and positioned under this first portion. This separate element may, for example, be a support portion in the form of a solid element advantageously having sufficient rigidity to provide it with a mechanical property allowing it to be used as a mechanical support for the construction.

[0045] Thus, the support portion can form a mechanical support for the first and second portions and / or a support allowing the mounting of the watch component within a timepiece.

[0046] In a particular embodiment of a timepiece component according to the second variant of the first embodiment, a third portion may be provided to modulate, or even enhance, the effects generated by the second portion of said timepiece component, and therefore modulate the daytime and / or nighttime aesthetics of the timepiece component. This third portion may be interposed between the first and second portions. This third portion may, for example, be in the form of a mask which limits the transmission of light regardless of the structuring of the first portion located above. This third portion may also be in the form of a layer, in particular a semi-transparent layer, for example in the form of a semi-transparent fluorescent layer, which may be excited by the second portion. Advantageously, such a third portion may be provided to assemble the first and second portions of said timepiece component.

[0047] According to a second embodiment, the first portion 10 is in the form of a coating applied to the second portion 20. The thickness of this coating is such that the material(s) constituting it is opaque. The structuring 13 consists, for example, of micro-openings or nano-openings made in this coating, as explained previously. The coating may be composed of metals, metal alloys, polymers, lacquers, varnishes, enamels, ceramics, glass-ceramics, or hybrid materials. The coating may be deposited by any means, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), spraying (making it possible to vaporize a liquid into fine droplets under the effect of air overpressure), a sol-gel process, etc.

[0048] Any other operating method known to those skilled in the art for depositing a coating may be considered.

[0049] According to a first variant of the second embodiment, the second portion 20 is in the form of a solid portion. Such a second portion thus advantageously comprises a solid structure integrating a luminescent material distributed throughout its volume. Such a second portion may have a substantially constant thickness, on average between 0.01 mm and 5 mm. Such a second portion may be a plate formed from luminescent ceramic, advantageously from luminescent zirconia.

[0050] The advantage of such a second portion is that it has sufficient rigidity to provide it with a mechanical property allowing it to be used as a mechanical support for the construction. Thus, the second portion can form a mechanical support for the first portion and / or a support allowing the mounting of the watch component within a timepiece. Finally, the second portion can fulfill the dual function of night lighting, namely that it can produce an emission light wave, and of support for the first portion of the watch component. By this mechanical property, it is possible to form a watch component comprising only the two portions. The watch component is thus simplified to the maximum.

[0051] Thus, according to the first variant of the second embodiment, the first portion is in the form of a coating applied to the outer surface of the second portion. Thus, the watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment is in the form of a single-piece watch component, and no longer as two separate elements assembled, in a more or less removable manner.

[0052] There figure 6 represents a particular execution of a watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment. As described previously, a structuring 13 based on micro-openings, represented on the enlargement of the figure 7 , is carried out in this coating.

[0053] THE figures 8a et 8b represent a particular execution of a watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment, comprising a first portion 10 formed by a gray gradient on an opaque layer 100 nm thick of titanium, forming a coating on a second portion 20 of massive luminescent zirconia. The titanium layer is perforated, in particular using a femtosecond laser, with progressively increased perforation rates, in order to create a gray gradient, which the observer perceives during the day. More particularly, the titanium layer comprises micro-openings whose density varies locally. figure 8a represents the day watch component, which has a degraded metallic gray appearance, and the figure 8b represents this same watch component at night, which presents a luminous appearance of variable intensity according to the aforementioned gradient. Alternatively, the titanium layer can be thinned using a femtosecond laser, with gradually increased ablation rates. This creates a gray gradient, which the observer may or may not perceive during the day, which provides aesthetic effects such as those represented in figures 8a et 8b . By “ablation” we mean here at least a local thinning of the coating forming the first portion 10.

[0054] There figure 9 represents another particular execution of a watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment, in which the second portion 20 has internal extensions 24 to facilitate its fixing.

[0055] There figure 10 represents another particular execution of a watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment, in which a first portion 10 is in the form of an opaque platinum coating on a second solid portion 20 incorporating luminescent material, such as luminescent zirconia. The first portion comprises micro-openings, not shown, and macroscopic openings 13, forming a decoration visible by day. All or part of the macroscopic openings can optionally be filled with at least one second coating which can constitute a decoration or inscriptions.

[0056] Such openings can be made by localized deposition, or by means of masking during the deposition of the coating.

[0057] There figure 11 illustrates another particular embodiment of a timepiece component according to the first variant of the second embodiment. This timepiece component incorporates a third portion 30 in the form of a solid component serving as a base plate of the timepiece component, and incorporating, for example, feet 34 for attachment to a timepiece such as a watch movement. A second portion 20 comprises several separate solid parts incorporating luminescent material distributed in their volume, such as luminescent zirconia, included in hollows in the outer surface of the third portion 30. The outer surfaces of the second and third portions are substantially at the same level and are coated with a first portion 10, such as a coating. The second portion 20 may constitute added indexes. Alternatively, these added indexes may be in relief rather than in the same plane as the third portion 30.Such indexes can for example be attached to a dial plate which constitutes the third portion 30. Thus, advantageously, this third portion can act as a support and / or make it possible to modulate the day and / or night aesthetics of the watch component.

[0058] Regardless of the execution, a third portion may be interposed between the first and second portions. This third portion may, for example, be in the form of a mask which limits the transmission of light regardless of the structuring of the first portion located above. Alternatively or additionally, this third portion may also be in the form of a layer, in particular a semi-transparent layer, for example in the form of a semi-transparent fluorescent layer, which may be excited by the second portion.

[0059] In a second variant of the second embodiment, the second portion is not in the form of a solid part, and / or does not fulfill the mechanical support function described above. It could be in any other form allowing its lighting function to be fulfilled, from any luminescent, phosphorescent or other material. For example, it may be in the form of a varnish applied to a separate element such as a support portion in the form of a solid element advantageously having sufficient rigidity to provide it with a mechanical property allowing it to be used as a mechanical support for the construction. Thus, the support portion can form a mechanical support for the second portion and / or for the watch component.

[0060] There figure 12illustrates such an execution in which a support portion 40 is coated on its outer surface with a second portion 20, on which a first portion 10 is coated. This support portion 40 is in the form of a solid component serving as a base plate of the watch component, and incorporates, for example, feet 44 for fixing to a timepiece such as a watch movement.

[0061] Thus, according to the second variant of the second embodiment, the first portion is in the form of a coating applied to the second portion supported by the support portion. Thus, the watch component according to the second variant of the second embodiment is in the form of a support portion doubly coated by first and second portions at least partially superimposed.

[0062] Regardless of the embodiment considered, the watch component may be a dial, a dial counter, an index, a bezel disc, or more generally a decorative plate. In the latter case, the decorative plate may be assembled with any other watch component to decorate it: it may thus complement a dial of substantially traditional structure and not form the dial alone, as in the particular embodiments which are described. Thus, more generally, the invention is applicable to any object whose exterior or decoration implements the described solution. The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, incorporating a versatile watch component according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0063] The watch component has been described previously in a non-limiting manner. Many other executions are possible.

[0064] Regardless of the embodiment considered, other additional elements, such as indexes or decals, may be superimposed on the first portion, masking certain areas. Depending on the nature of these additional elements, the luminescence effect may be retained or removed.

[0065] It is of course possible to combine the embodiment variants or executions described above. Furthermore, the two portions 10, 20 of the watch component may be only partially superimposed. They may occupy any geometry, for example forming the entirety of a dial or only a sub-part of a dial, such as indexes or counters. In addition, the first portion may comprise one or more zones of opaque material, as described above, combined with one or more zones of transparent material(s), for which structuring is not obligatory, but possible in order to optionally modulate the transparency property of such a zone. The first portion may have a small thickness, less than or equal to 2 mm inclusive, or even a thickness of between 5 nm and 2 mm inclusive, or even between 5 nm and 1 mm inclusive, or even between 5 nm and 0.8 mm inclusive.

Claims

1. A horology component (1) for a timepiece, characterized in that said component comprises a first portion (10) and a second portion (20), the first portion (10) comprising a part that is made from at least one opaque material, of which the nature, combined with the thickness used, has a transmission of under 10% of light radiation, at least partially superposed on top of the second portion (20), this second portion (20) being a massive portion which, when, considered independently of the other portions, constitutes a solid object which has no structural need for mechanical support in order to support it without deformation, this massive portion comprising a material capable of emitting at least one emission light wave if excited by at least one excitation light wave, and said part of the first portion (10) comprising a structuration (13), consisting in at least one opening, invisible to the naked eye by day, formed on an exterior surface (11) and / or on an interior surface (12) and / or in openings formed in the thickness of said part of the first portion (10) and / or in an ablation of said part of the first portion (10), allowing an emission light wave emitted by the second portion (20) to be transmitted at least partially toward the outside of the horology component and allowing an excitation light wave coming from outside the horology component to be transmitted at least in part to the second portion, so that the horology component exhibits at least a first appearance by day corresponding substantially to the appearance of the first portion (10) and at least one different second appearance by night where the first portion (10) is backlit by an emission light wave emitted by the second portion (20).

2. The horology component as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that said part of the first portion (10) is formed in at least one material that is opaque to an excitation light wave exciting the second portion and / or to an emission light wave emitted by the second portion.

3. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said part of the first portion (10) comprises a structuration (13) consisting in openings formed on an exterior surface (11) and / or on an interior surface (12) and / or in openings formed in the thickness of said part of the first portion (10) and / or in an ablation of said part of the first portion (10).

4. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said part of the first portion (10) comprises structuring (13) employing at least local modification to the transparency properties of the material of which the first portion (10) is made.

5. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said part of the first portion (10) comprises structuring (13) comprising openings of sufficiently small size such as micro-openings or nano-openings, notably micro-openings equivalent to open-ended cylinders or cylinders that pass all the way through with a diameter less than or equal to 100 microns, or even less than or equal to 60 microns, and greater than or equal to 250 nm.

6. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said part of the first portion (10) comprises structuring distributed homogeneously or structuring distributed heterogeneously, able to form a pattern, information and / or exhibiting a gradient.

7. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion (10) comprises at least one part made of a homogeneous or heterogeneous at least partially transparent material, juxtaposed with at least one part comprising at least one opaque material comprising structuring.

8. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (20) is in the form of a structure formed from a material having a phosphorescent and / or fluorescent property.

9. The horology component as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the second portion (20) is in the form of a fluorescent and / or phosphorescent ceramic, notably a composite ceramic based on yttrium-stabilized zirconia and Dy / Eu-doped strontium aluminate, notably a luminescent zirconia.

10. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (20) forms a support for the first portion and / or comprises a fixing device for fixing the horology component on a timepiece.

11. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion (10) is in the form of a massive structure, or in the form of a coating of the second portion (20).

12. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion is made of mother-of-pearl, particularly black mother-of-pearl; of fossil material; of tortoiseshell; of manganocalcite; of lepidolite; of petrified wood; of coral; of amber; of pearl; of ivory; of metal or of metal alloy such as platinum or ferrite or meteorite; of engineering ceramic based on zirconia and / or alumina, pigmented or otherwise; of gemstone; of mineral; of stone or precious substance of organic origin; of sphalerite; of fluorite; of agate; of alexandrite; of amethyst; of anatase; of aventurine quartz; of calcedony; of chrysoberyl; of chrysoprase; of citrine; of jasper; of tiger's eye; of opal; of quartz; of spinel; of aragonite; of azurite; of malachite; of crocoite; of apatite; of lazulite; of turquoise; of aquamarine; of beryl; of tourmaline; of obsidian; or of snowflake obsidian.

13. The horology component as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said component comprises a removable or nonremovable assembly between the first and second portions (10; 20) by bonding, or using a mechanical device such as mechanical strapping or setting, or using capillary adhesion, or in that the first portion (10) is a surface coating of the second portion (20), notably a coating of metal, of metal alloy, of polymer, or is a lacquer or an enamel or a ceramic, or a vitreous ceramic, or a hybrid material, or a varnish, or in that the second portion (20) is a varnish applied under the first portion (10) on the interior surface (12) of the first portion or in a hollow of this interior surface (12) or on a surface of another portion, or in that the second portion (20) is a varnish applied on another portion and in that the first portion (10) is a coating applied to the varnish forming the second portion (20).

14. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion has an average thickness less than or equal to 2 mm inclusive, or even an average thickness comprised between 5 nm and 2 mm inclusive, or even between 5 nm and 1 mm inclusive, or even between 5 nm and 0.8 mm inclusive and / or in that the second portion (20) has a thickness greater than or equal to 0.01 mm, or even on average comprised between 0.01 mm and 5 mm inclusive, and / or in that the second portion (20) has a surface area greater than or equal to 1 mm2, notably a surface area comprised between 0.01 cm2 and 15 cm2 inclusive.

15. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component consists of the first portion (10) and of the second portion (20) or in that said component comprises a third portion (30) arranged on top of or substantially even with the second portion (20) or interposed between the first and second portion.

16. The horology component as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the third portion (30) is a mask, selective or otherwise, and / or in that the third portion (30) comprises a fixing device for fixing the horology component and / or in that the third portion (30) supports several distinct parts of the second portion (20) and / or in that the third portion (30) contributes to the function of assembling the first and second portions and / or in that the third portion (30) comprises optical elements such as optical fibres.

17. The horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component is a dial, a dial counter, an hour marker, a numeral marker, a bezel disk, or a decorative plate.

18. A timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a horology component as claimed in one of the preceding claims.