DEVICE FOR CLOCK DIAL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a watch dial device. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a dial device.

[0002] Complication watches, in particular chronograph watches or watches equipped with a countdown timer, generally include a dial with counters dedicated to the display of said complications. These counters usually take the form of appliques which can be attached to the dial, typically by gluing, so that they can be machined and decorated independently of the dial. Such an assembly solution is not without drawbacks, particularly with regard to its repeatability, in particular with regard to the dosage of the glue and its evolution over time. Alternatively, these counters can be made from the dial material. However, such a dial design can be limiting with regard to the decorations and / or the finishes made on the counters and / or on the dial.

[0003] Devices for mechanically assembling a meter on a dial are known from the prior art. For example, patent application CH712002 discloses a solution for removable assembly of a meter on a dial. To do this, the dial is provided with an elastic arm shaped on the periphery of a dial opening, the free end of which is designed to fit into a recess formed on a side of the meter. Such an assembly solution is made permanent by means of an eccentric that can be manipulated by an operator, which is designed to hold said end of the elastic arm against the recess. This design is particularly complex. Furthermore, the stepped shape of the meter, necessary for machining the recess, does not allow it to be assembled flush or slightly set back from the upper or outer surface of the dial.

[0004] It is also known to assemble dial appliques by riveting or crimping. To do this, the dial appliques are generally provided with feet. For example, patent application EP3185086 discloses different foot geometries designed to facilitate the deformation of said feet during the riveting operation.

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a dial device improving the known devices of the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a dial device comprising an applique mounted on a dial in a repeatable, reliable and durable manner.

[0006] According to the invention, a dial device is defined by claim 1. Different embodiments of the dial device are defined by claims 2 to 13.

[0007] The attached figures represent, by way of examples, two embodiments of a timepiece according to the invention. Therefigure 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a timepiece. The figure 2 is a bottom view of a first embodiment of a dial device equipping the first embodiment of the timepiece. The figure 3 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment of the dial device, according to plane III-III of the figure 2 , a wall light being positioned but not fixed. The figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the detail of the first embodiment of the dial device according to plane III-III of the figure 2 , the wall light being positioned but not fixed. The figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the detail of the first embodiment of the dial device, according to plane III-III of the figure 2 , the wall light being positioned and fixed. The figure 6 is a perspective view of an applique of the first embodiment of the dial device. The figure 7 is a perspective view of a dial of the first embodiment of the dial device. The figure 8 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a timepiece, an applique being shown in perspective. The figure 9 is another perspective view of the wall light shown in the figure 8 . There figure 10 is a perspective view of a dial of the second embodiment of the timepiece. The figure 11 is another perspective view of the dial of the second embodiment of the timepiece. The figure 12 is a partial sectional detail view of the second embodiment of the dial device, the applique being positioned but not fixed. The figure 13 is a partial sectional detail view of the second embodiment of the dial device, the applique being positioned and fixed.

[0008] A first embodiment of a timepiece 200 according to the invention is described below with reference to figures 1 à 7 .

[0009] The timepiece 200 is for example a wristwatch. The timepiece preferably comprises a watch case, a watch movement 150 and a first embodiment of a dial device 100. The watch movement and the dial device are mounted fixed in the watch case. In particular, the movement 150 comprises a blank 3.

[0010] The watch movement can be an electronic movement or a mechanical movement, particularly an automatic movement.

[0011] The dial device 100 comprises at least one applique 1 and a dial 2 provided with an opening 24 for receiving the applique. The dial comprises at least one first positioning and / or fixing element 20a. The at least one applique comprises at least one second positioning and / or fixing element 10a, 10b cooperating with the at least one first element. By this cooperation, the first and second positioning and / or fixing elements make it possible to position and / or fix the applique on the dial. The device comprises dial-applique interface surfaces 12, 22 arranged in the thickness of the dial e2.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the second positioning and / or fixing (or guiding and / or mechanical fixing) elements comprise openings or holes 10a. All or part of these second elements are arranged on lobes or projections or ears 10 shaped on the periphery of the wall light 1.

[0013] These second elements are arranged on projections or ears 10 shaped on the periphery of the applique 1. These openings 10a are provided to cooperate with the first positioning and / or fixing (or guiding and / or mechanical fixing) elements. These first elements comprise feet 20a. These feet are arranged on an inner surface 22 of the dial 2.

[0014] These projections 10 are in the form of lobes 10 projecting outwardly from the applique 1 in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to an outer surface 13 of said applique which is likely to appear within the opening 24 for receiving the applique. More particularly, these projections 10 are preferably in the form of lobes 10 extending radially relative to an axis A1 perpendicular to the outer surface 13 of the applique, in particular relative to an axis A1 centered on the applique. Preferably, when the wearer of the timepiece looks at the dial mounted in the timepiece, the lobes 10 which project outside the opening 24 for receiving the applique, and which are arranged on an inner surface of the dial, are not visible to the wearer of the timepiece.

[0015] Preferably, the projections 10 are designed to be housed in openings or housings 20 of the dial, which adjoin the through opening 24 of the dial designed to reveal the outer surface 13 of the applique 1 at the same level or substantially at the same level as an outer surface 23 of the dial 2.

[0016] The openings 20 are preferably blind openings so that the projections 10 cannot be seen by the wearer looking at the dial device assembled in the timepiece.

[0017] These openings 20 are formed on an inner surface 21 of the dial, which is intended to come into contact with a blank 3 or close to a blank 3 of the clockwork movement 150.

[0018] The bottom of each of the openings 20 preferably defines a single surface 22 on which the feet 20a are arranged. Preferably, these feet 20a are made from the dial material from the surface 22. Alternatively, these feet 20a can be attached to the dial, for example by driving, brazing, or welding.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the first embodiment, each foot 20a may be shaped to pass through an opening 10a from one side to the other, and is in the form of a rivet 20a whose free end 20b is designed to be plastically deformed against a projection 10, in particular against a chamfer 10b of the opening 10a of a projection 10. To do this, the rivet 20a may, for example, comprise an opening 20c so as to minimize the thickness of material forming the end 20b of the rivet and / or so as to introduce a tool allowing the deformation of the end 20b of the rivet. It also makes it possible to avoid or limit as much as possible the deformations of the dial during the assembly of the applique. By "rivet" we mean here any axis of which a free end is plastically deformable to form a head allowing at least one element, here an applique, to be retained on the axis.

[0020] Thus, each rivet 20a defines, in cooperation with an opening 10a, a guide element for the applique 1 relative to the dial 2, which is dependent on the radial clearance between the rivet 20a and the opening 10a. Each rivet 20a also defines, in cooperation with an opening 10a, a fixing element for the applique 1 on the dial 2, by a plastic deformation of the end 20b against a chamfer 10b of the opening 10a. Alternatively, it would be possible to dissociate the guiding function from the fixing function, for example by proposing feet 20a, in particular pins, dedicated specifically to the guiding function, as well as feet 20a, in particular rivets, dedicated specifically to the fixing function.

[0021] Furthermore, the surface 22 of the dial 2 defines a bearing surface against a surface 12 of the projection 10 of the applique 1. This surface 12 may be distinct from the surface 13 of the applique 1, which is likely to appear within the through opening 24 of the dial. In particular, the surfaces 12 and 13 may be formed on distinct planes, in particular parallel and distant planes. Alternatively, the surfaces 12 and 13 may form a single surface, in particular a single plane or substantially a single plane.

[0022] Preferably, the dial-appliance interface surfaces 12 and 22 are planes.

[0023] Preferably, the distance d2 separating the surfaces 21 and 22 of the dial, that is to say the depth of the openings 20, is greater than the distance d1 separating the surfaces 11 and 12 of the applique, these surfaces 11 and 12 being respectively the inner and outer surfaces of the applique at the level of a projection 10. Thus, the distance d1 constitutes the thickness of the projections. Given that the distance d2 is preferentially greater than the distance d1, the applique is embedded in the thickness of the dial. Advantageously again, it is possible to embed the applique in the thickness of the dial so that no rivet protrudes from the surface 21 of the dial, which is likely to constitute a support surface for the blank 3 of the clockwork movement. The thickness d1 of the applique is preferably arranged in the thickness e2 of the dial separating the inner 21 and outer 23 surfaces of the dial.

[0024] In this first embodiment, each of the projections 10 is advantageously arranged between a bearing surface 22 of the dial and the blank 3 of the watch movement, these projections being “sandwiched”. In other words, the at least one applique can be arranged between the dial and the blank. Thus, the applique 1 can remain in place, even in the event of extreme shocks, and this independently of the state of the elements 20a, in particular the rivets formed by the rivets 20a. Such positioning perpetuates the positioning of the applique relative to the dial, in particular the angular positioning of the applique relative to the dial. Indeed, even in the event of a break in the connection between the applique and the dial, the applique can be held in place relative to the dial.

[0025] Preferably, the elements 10a, in particular the openings 10a, of the wall light 1 are all identical.

[0026] Preferably again, the projections 10 of the wall light 1 are all identical.

[0027] The same applies preferably to the elements 20a of the dial 2, as well as the openings 20 of the dial 2.

[0028] Furthermore, the projections 10 and the elements 10a are preferably equally distributed with respect to an axis A1 centered on the applique 1. Thus, the applique does not need to be indexed with respect to the dial during its assembly. Such a conformation is particularly advantageous if the applique is marked, in particular pad printed, only after assembly on the dial, for example for the affixing of a limb 14 on the external surface 13 of the applique 1.

[0029] Such a limb can advantageously be produced to cooperate with an indicator member not shown in the figures and designed to be housed in a through opening 15 of the wall light, in particular a central opening 15.

[0030] Alternatively, a projection 10 or an opening 10a could constitute a keying device, so as to define a unique positioning of the applique on the dial. To do this, the applique 1 may comprise projections 10 and / or openings 10a having different geometries. Such a conformation is particularly advantageous if the surface 13 of the applique is already marked, in particular pad printed, before its mounting on the dial. The clearance between at least one projection 10 or an opening 10a and at least one opening 20 or a foot 20a can thus be minimized, so as to promote a unique positioning of the applique 1 on the dial 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the openings 20 have a format substantially equivalent to that of the projections 10 and have a geometry preferentially complementary to that of the projections 10. Thus, the projections 10 can form alternative or complementary means of positioning the applique on the dial.

[0032] Preferably, the projections 10 have a width l1 (measured parallel to the surface 11 or 12) less than 15 times the distance d1, or even less than 10 times the distance d1, or even less than 8 times the distance d1.

[0033] Preferably again, the openings 20 have a width l2 (measured parallel to the surface 21 or 22) less than 15 times the distance d2, or even less than 10 times the distance d2, or even less than 8 times the distance d2.

[0034] By "width", we mean the greatest distance (measured orthoradially relative to the axis A1 of the applique or to an axis A24 of the opening 24 of the dial) separating two opposite walls of a projection 10 or an opening 20 extending radially relative to the axis A1 of the applique or to the axis A24 of the opening 24 of the dial.

[0035] In the case of an applique of circular or substantially circular shape, the point of a projection furthest from the axis A1 may be arranged on a circle of radius r10, r10 being less than 1.5 times the radius r1 of the circle corresponding or substantially corresponding to the geometry of the main body of the applique, or even less than 1.3 times the radius r1, or even less than 1.2 times the radius r1. By "main body", we mean the structure from which the projections 10 project towards the outside of the applique 1 and / or the structure whose perimeter is defined by that of the surface 13 visible from the applique for the wearer of the watch when the applique is assembled to the dial in the timepiece. Furthermore, a point of one end of an opening 20 can be arranged on a circle of radius r20 and centered on the axis A24, r20 being less than 1.5 times the radius r2 of the circle constituting a base from which the openings 20 are formed, or even less than 1.3 times the radius r2, or even less than 1.2 times the radius r2.

[0036] Once the applique 1 is assembled on the dial 2, the axes A1 and A24 are preferably combined.

[0037] In this first embodiment, the applique comprises three projections 10. Of course, the applique can comprise as many projections 10 as necessary, in particular with regard to the expected hold of the applique 1 on the dial 2.

[0038] Preferably, the outer surface 13 of the applique comprises a decoration 16 produced by guilloche or planing or blueing, different from that of the dial 2. By way of example, a part of the surface 13 of the applique 1 illustrated on the figure 6 , includes 16 circular guilloches.

[0039] Of course, dial 2 can include several appliques.

[0040] Preferably, if the dial device comprises at least a first applique 1a positioned relative to the dial in a first orientation α and a second applique 1b positioned in a second orientation β, the first and second orientations are different, in particular the first and second orientations form an angle, in particular an angle of a value of at least 10°, between them. The orientation of an applique can be defined as the smallest angle formed by a reference line lying in the plane of the dial and a line passing through the axis of the applique and through a projection of the applique, or even through a second element 10a for positioning and / or fixing the applique.

[0041] For example, the figures 1 And 2illustrate a dial device 100 comprising three appliques 1a, 1b, 1c having the same geometry, the projections 10 of which are equally distributed with respect to the respective axes A1a, A1b, A1c. In order to make these three appliques coexist in a confined space around a central axis A2 of the dial while maintaining an adequate dial thickness, the arrangements of the projections 10 and the openings 20 may vary around the axes A1, A24 depending on the location of the appliques on the dial. figure 2 illustrates, for example, a first applique 1a of which a projection 10 forms a first angle α with respect to a horizontal straight line x and passing through the axis A1a of said applique 1a, a second applique 1b of which a projection 10 forms a second angle β with respect to the horizontal straight line x and passing through the axis A1b of said applique 1b, as well as a third applique 1c of which a projection 10 forms a third angle γ with respect to a horizontal straight line x' and passing through the axis A1c of said applique 1c, the oriented angles α, β, γ being different and the straight lines x and x' being parallel. Thus, the openings 20 do not intersect and are sufficiently far apart from each other so as to provide a dial 2 with an adequate thickness at each of these locations, in particular around a central opening 25 of the dial.

[0042] Preferably, the wall lights 1a, 1b, 1c each comprise the same number of projections, in particular three projections. Of course, these wall lights can comprise as many projections 10 as necessary.

[0043] Alternatively, the projections 10 of the wall light 1 may of course be in the form of projections 10 oriented towards the inside of the wall light 1, in particular towards a central opening of the wall light 1, in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the outer surface 13 of said wall light which is likely to appear within the opening 24 for receiving the wall light. The wall light may in this case be in the form of an annular component whose central opening is masked by the dial or a part of the dial once the wall light is assembled. Whatever the embodiment variant, the at least one second positioning and / or fixing element may be arranged on at least one projection 10 extending projecting outside a visible zone Z of the wall light (delimited by a circle C on the figure 6 ), particularly visible to the wearer of the timepiece. These projections are preferably hidden by the dial, once the applique is assembled to the dial.

[0044] A second embodiment of a timepiece 200' according to the invention is described below with reference to figures 8 à 13 .

[0045] The timepiece 200' is for example a wristwatch. The timepiece preferably comprises a watch case, a watch movement 150' and a second embodiment of a dial device 100'. The watch movement and the dial device are mounted fixedly in the watch case.

[0046] The watch movement can be an electronic movement or a mechanical movement, particularly an automatic movement.

[0047] The dial device 100' comprises at least one applique 1' and a dial 2' provided with an opening 24' for receiving the applique. The dial comprises at least one first positioning and / or fixing element 20a', 20b'. The at least one applique comprises at least one second positioning and / or fixing element 10a' cooperating with the at least one first element. By this cooperation, the first and second positioning and / or fixing elements make it possible to position and fix the applique on the dial. The device comprises dial-applique interface surfaces 12', 22' arranged in the thickness of the dial e2'. In the second embodiment, the first positioning and / or fixing elements (or mechanical guiding and / or fixing elements) comprise openings 20a'. All or part of the first positioning and / or fixing elements are preferably arranged on projections 20' or lugs.The first positioning and / or fixing elements are arranged on projections 20' or ears. These projections are shaped on the periphery of a through opening 24' of the dial 2'. The opening 24' of the dial 2' is intended to receive the wall light 1'.

[0048] These openings 20a' are provided to cooperate with the second positioning and / or fixing (or guiding and / or mechanical fixing) elements. These second elements comprise feet 10a'. These feet are arranged on an inner surface of the wall light 1', on the periphery of said wall light 1'.

[0049] In other words, similarly to the projections 10 described previously, the projections 20' are in the form of lobes or ears or projections 20' oriented towards the inside of the dial 2', that is to say projecting inside the opening 24' for receiving the applique, in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to a surface 23' and / or 21' of the dial. These projections 20' are preferably in the form of lobes 20' extending radially relative to an axis A24' perpendicular to the surfaces 21' and 23' of the dial. Preferably, when the wearer of the timepiece looks at the dial mounted in the timepiece, the lobes 20' which protrude inside the opening 24 for receiving the applique are preferably masked by the applique and are therefore not visible to the wearer of the timepiece.Preferably, the projections are not visible from the outside of the dial or are not visible to the wearer of the timepiece.

[0050] The projections 20' are intended to be housed in openings or housings 10' of the wall light. Thus, preferably, an outer surface 13' of the wall light 1' may appear at the same level or substantially at the same level as an outer surface 23' of the dial 2'.

[0051] The openings 10' are preferably blind openings so that the projections 20' cannot be seen by the wearer viewing the dial device assembled in the timepiece.

[0052] This second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment by the fact that the applique is assembled from the outer surface 23' of the dial 2', so as to house an outer surface 13' of the applique 1' substantially at the same level or set back from this outer dial surface 23'. This second embodiment is particularly advantageous for enabling the assembly of an applique on a paved dial, which requires a sufficient thickness of material to enable the setting of stones on said dial, and for which the formation of openings 20 of the first embodiment from an inner surface of the dial is not possible with respect to the thickness of material required for the setting of stones on an outer surface of said dial. Thus, advantageously, the mechanical guide and / or fixing elements 20a' are formed in an area of ​​the dial that is not set, because it is intended to receive an applique, and made invisible after assembly of said applique.

[0053] Like the projections 10 of the first embodiment, the projections 20' are in the form of lobes projecting towards the inside of the opening 24' of the dial, and are intended to be housed in openings 10' of the applique 1'. These openings 10' have a format substantially equivalent to that of the projections 20' and have a geometry preferably complementary to that of the projections 20'. Thus, the projections 20' can form alternative or complementary means of positioning the applique on the dial. Preferably, the format of the openings 10' is minimized so as to maximize the extent of the interior surface 11' of the applique for which the applique 1' has a maximum thickness. Thus, the risks of deformation of the applique 1' during its fixing, in particular by riveting, are greatly minimized.The bottom of each of the openings 10' preferably defines a single surface 12' on which the feet 10a' are arranged. Preferably, these feet 10a' are made from the material of the wall light 1' from the surface 12'. Alternatively, these feet 10a' can be attached to the wall light, for example by driving in, brazing or welding.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the second embodiment, each foot 10a' is shaped to pass through an opening 20a' from one side to the other, and is in the form of a rivet 10a' whose free end 10b' is designed to be plastically deformed against a projection 20', in particular against a chamfer 20b' of the opening 20a' of a projection 20'. To do this, the rivet 10a' may, for example, comprise an opening 10c' so as to minimize the thickness of material forming the end 10b' of the rivet and / or so as to introduce a tool allowing the deformation of the end 10b' of the rivet. It also makes it possible to avoid or limit as much as possible the deformations of the dial during the assembly of the applique. By "rivet" we mean here any axis of which a free end is plastically deformable to form a head allowing at least one element, here a dial, to be retained on the axis.

[0055] Thus, each rivet 10a' defines, in cooperation with an opening 20a', a guide element for the applique 1' relative to the dial 2', which is dependent on the radial clearance between the rivet 10a' and the opening 20a'. Each rivet 10a' also defines, in cooperation with an opening 20a', a fixing element for the applique 1' on the dial 2', by a plastic deformation of the end 10b' against a chamfer 20b' of the opening 20a'. Alternatively, it would be possible to dissociate the guiding function from the fixing function, for example by proposing feet 10a', in particular pins, dedicated specifically to the guiding function, as well as feet 10a', in particular rivets, dedicated specifically to the fixing function.

[0056] Furthermore, the surface 12' of the applique 1' defines a support surface of a surface 22' of a projection 20' of the dial 2'. This surface 12' is preferably distinct from the inner surface 11' of the applique 1'. In particular, the surfaces 12' and 11' may be formed on distinct planes, in particular parallel and distant planes.

[0057] Preferably, the dial-applique interface surfaces 12' and 22' are planes.

[0058] Preferably, the distance d2' separating the inner surface 21' of the dial and the surface 22' of the projection 20' of the dial, i.e. the thickness of the projections 20', these surfaces 21' and 22' being respectively the inner and outer surfaces of the dial at a projection 10, is greater than the distance d1' separating the surfaces 11' and 12' of the applique 1', i.e. greater than the depth of the openings 10'. Thus, the applique is embedded in the thickness of the dial. Advantageously, it is possible to embed the applique in the thickness of the dial so that no rivet protrudes from the surface 21' of the dial, which is likely to constitute a support surface for a blank 3' of the clockwork movement 150'. Preferably again, the thickness of the applique (measured between the surfaces 11' and 13') is preferably arranged in the thickness e2' of the dial separating the inner 21' and outer 23' surfaces of the dial.

[0059] Preferably, the elements 20a', in particular the openings 20a', of the dial 2' are all identical.

[0060] Preferably again, the 20' projections of the 2' dial are all identical.

[0061] The same applies preferably to the elements 10a' of the wall light 1', in particular the feet 10a', as well as to the openings 10' of the wall light.

[0062] Furthermore, the projections 20' and the elements 20a' are preferably equally distributed opposite an axis A24' centered on the opening 24' of the dial 2'. Thus, the applique does not need to be indexed opposite the dial during its assembly. Such a conformation is particularly advantageous if the applique is marked, in particular pad printed, only after assembly on the dial, for example for the affixing of a limb 14' on the upper surface 13' of the applique 1'.

[0063] Such a limb can advantageously be produced to cooperate with an indicator member not shown in the figures and designed to be housed in a through opening 15' of the wall light, in particular a central opening 15'.

[0064] Alternatively, a projection 20' or an opening 20a' could constitute a keying device, so as to define a unique positioning of the applique on the dial. To do this, the dial 2' may comprise projections 20' and / or openings 20a' having different geometries. Such a conformation is particularly advantageous if the surface 13' of the applique is already marked, in particular pad printed, before its mounting on the dial. The clearance between at least one projection 20' or an opening 20a' and at least one opening 10' or a foot 10a' can thus be minimized, so as to promote a unique positioning of the applique 1' on the dial 2'.

[0065] In addition, the 10' openings have a format substantially equivalent to that of the 20' projections and have a geometry preferentially complementary to that of the 10' projections.

[0066] Preferably, the projections 20' have a width l2' (measured parallel to the surface 21' or 22') less than 15 times the distance d2', or even less than 10 times the distance d2', or even less than 8 times the distance d2'.

[0067] Preferably again, the openings 10' have a width l1' (measured parallel to the surface 11' or 12') less than 15 times the distance d1', or even less than 10 times the distance d1', or even less than 8 times the distance d1'.

[0068] By "width", we mean the greatest distance (measured orthoradially relative to the axis A24' of the opening 24 of the dial or to the axis A1' of the applique) separating two opposite walls of an opening 10' or a projection 20' extending radially relative to the axis A1' of the applique or to the axis A24' of the opening 24 of the dial.

[0069] In the case of a circular wall light, the radius r1' of the wall light 1' is substantially equal to the radius r2' defined by the support surface 22' of the dial 2'.

[0070] Like the first embodiment, once the applique 1' is assembled on the dial 2', the axes A1' and A24' are preferably merged.

[0071] In this second embodiment, the dial opening 24' comprises four projections 20'. Of course, said opening 24' can comprise as many projections 20' as necessary, in particular with regard to the expected hold of the applique 1' on the dial 2'.

[0072] Preferably, the upper surface 13' of the applique 1' comprises a decoration 16' produced by guilloche, planing, or blueing different from that of the dial 2'. By way of example, a part of the upper surface 13' of the applique 1' illustrated on the figure 8 , includes 16' circular guilloches.

[0073] Alternatively, the projections 20' of the dial 2' may project outwards from an opening 24' provided to receive an applique 1'. The applique 1' may in this case be in the form of an annular component. Thus, the at least one first positioning and / or fixing element may be arranged on at least one projection 20' extending in projection from an external periphery of an opening 24' of the dial or from an internal periphery of an opening 24' of the dial, i.e. extending in projection outside a visible zone Z' of the dial (delimited by a circle C' of the figure 10 ), particularly visible to the wearer of the timepiece. These projections are preferably hidden by the applique, once the applique is assembled to the dial.

[0074] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the dial device may have more than one applied applique fixed to the dial. However, it may include any other quantity of appliques, in particular one or two or three or four or five appliques. In this case, the different appliques may be identical or similar or different. In the embodiment of the figures 1 à 7 , the device includes three wall lights.

[0075] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the concept of applique is to be considered in the broad sense. Thus, an applique 1 may act as a counter or indicator intended to indicate a time indication or one derived from the time in collaboration with an additional indicator member, in particular a hand. More particularly, the applique 1 may comprise a limb intended to cooperate with an indicator member, in particular a hand. Alternatively, the applique may be exclusively decorative. It may, for example, constitute the background of a pattern represented by a through cutout made on the dial.

[0076] Regardless of the method of implementation or variation, the wall lights can have circular shapes. They can also have any other shape.

[0077] Whatever the embodiment or variant, the applique, i.e. the inner surface 11, 11' of the applique, is preferably arranged set back from the inner surface 21, 21' (not visible) of the dial.

[0078] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the applique, i.e. the outer surface 13, 13' of the applique, is preferably arranged set back from the outer surface 23, 23' (visible) of the dial. Alternatively, the outer surface 13, 13' of the applique may be flush with the outer surface 23, 23' (visible) of the dial. Alternatively, the outer surface 13, 13' of the applique may project relative to the outer surface 23, 23' (visible) of the dial.

[0079] As seen previously, depending on the embodiment, the dial may comprise at least a first projection 20' outside the first visible zone Z' of the dial or the applique may comprise at least a second projection 10 outside a second visible zone Z of the applique. Whatever the embodiment or variant, one or more projections may constitute a complementary or alternative positioning element of the applique on the dial. Alternatively to the embodiments shown, the fixing elements (in particular the feet or the openings) are not necessarily located on these projections. These projections may have a function of locking the applique in rotation relative to the dial. These projections may also be made on the applique and interposed between the dial and another element (such as a rough element) to reinforce the holding of the fixing of the applique on the dial, in particular the shock resistance.

[0080] Regardless of the embodiment or variation, one or more projections may be provided with fastening elements (such as feet and / or openings) and one or more projections may be devoid of fastening elements.

[0081] The solutions according to the invention make it possible to achieve a repeatable and lasting assembly of an applique, in particular a meter, on a dial using mechanical guide and / or fixing elements arranged, depending on the embodiment, on projections shaped on the periphery of the applique or on the periphery of an opening in the dial intended to receive the applique. More particularly, these guide and / or fixing elements are in the form of openings intended to cooperate with complementary elements, such as feet forming pins or rivets, arranged, depending on the embodiment of the assembly solution, on the dial or on the applique.

[0082] The first embodiment is particularly advantageous with regard to the shock resistance of the wall light.

[0083] The second embodiment has the advantage of offering a solution for mechanically assembling an applique on a paved dial, in particular a fully paved one.

[0084] Throughout this document, by "external surface" we mean a surface of a watch component intended for orientation towards the outside of a timepiece, in particular including a surface directly visible to an observer of the timepiece. An external surface of a component located in the watch case is oriented so that a half-line normal to this surface and starting from this surface without passing through the component, passes through the crystal of the timepiece.

[0085] Throughout this document, by "inner surface" we mean a surface of a watch component intended to be oriented towards the inside of a timepiece, in particular including a surface not visible to an observer of the timepiece. An inner surface of a component located in the watch case is oriented so that a half-line normal to this surface and starting from this surface without passing through the component, passes through the bottom of the timepiece.

[0086] Throughout this document, the meaning of the terms "lobe" or "ear" does not cover a "dial foot". Indeed, a dial foot extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the main surface of the dial.

[0087] As seen previously, in the different embodiments, the dial-applique interface surfaces 12, 22; 12', 22' are arranged in the thickness of the dial, that is to say between the plane along which the outer surface of the dial extends and the plane along which the inner surface of the dial extends. The interface surfaces are advantageously flat. They can alternatively be (slightly) conical.

Claims

1. A dial device (100 ; 100') comprising at least one applique (1 ; 1') and a dial (2 ; 2') provided with an opening (24 ; 24') for receipt of the applique, the dial comprising: - at least one first element (20a ; 20a', 20b') for positioning and / or securing, and - a first visible surface (23; 23'), the at least one applique comprising: - at least one second element (10a, 10b ; 10a') for positioning and / or securing cooperating with the at least one first element, and - a second visible surface (13), the device comprising dial-applique interface surfaces (12, 22 ; 12', 22') which are arranged in the thickness of the dial (e2), wherein - at least one first positioning and / or securing element is arranged on a first lobe (20') shaped at the periphery of the receiving opening (24') of the applique and protrudes into the receiving opening (24') of the applique in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the first surface (23') of the dial (2'), or - at least one second positioning and / or securing element is arranged on a second lobe (10) shaped at the periphery of the applique (1) and protrudes outward from the applique (1) in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the second surface (13) of said applique, which is likely to appear within the receiving opening (24) of the applique.

2. The dial device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first element for positioning and / or securing comprises a foot (20a) or a hole (20a', 20b'), and / or wherein the at least one second element for positioning and / or securing comprises a hole (10a, 10b) or a foot (10a').

3. The dial device as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the foot comprises a deformable end, in particular an end of the rivet type.

4. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lobe (20') is out from a first visible area (Z') of the dial, or wherein the second lobe (10) is out from a second visible area (Z) of the applique.

5. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (l2') of at least one first lobe is less than 15 times, or less than 10 times, or less than 8 times the thickness (d2') of the at least one first lobe.

6. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the applique comprises at least one first housing (10') for receipt of the at least one first lobe (20').

7. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (11) of the at least one second lobe is less than 15 times, or less than 10 times, or less than 8 times the thickness (d1) of the at least one second lobe.

8. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the dial comprises at least one second housing (20) for receipt of the at least one second lobe (10).

9. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises at least one first applique (1a) which is positioned relative to the dial according to a first orientation defined by a first angle (α), and a second applique (1b) which is positioned according to a second orientation defined by a second angle (β), the first and the second orientations being different, in particular the first and the second orientations forming an angle or having a difference of at least 10° relative to one another, the orientation of an applique being defined as the smallest angle formed by a reference straight line which is located on the plane of the dial, and a straight line passing via the axis of the applique and via a projection of the applique.

10. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first element (20a) for positioning and / or securing comprises feet which are disposed on an inner face (22) of the dial, in particular on the dial-applique interface surface (22), or wherein the at least one second element (10a') for positioning and / or securing comprises feet which are disposed on an inner face (12') of the applique, in particular on the dial-applique interface surface (12').

11. The dial device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the applique is arranged recessed from a non-visible surface (21 ; 21') of the dial, and / or wherein the applique is arranged recessed from the first visible surface (23 ; 23') of the dial, and / or wherein the device comprises a coding means (10, 20 ; 10', 20') for fitting of the applique on the dial.

12. A timepiece (200; 200'), in particular a wristwatch, comprising a device (100 ; 100') as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The timepiece (200) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein it comprises a movement (150) comprising a movement blank (3), the at least one applique being disposed between the dial and the movement blank.