Control device with lock and push button for clock

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a lock and push-button control device, the control device comprising: a slide arranged in the outer surface of the case of the timepiece; a lock comprising an outer part arranged to be guided by the slide so as to be able to slide on the outer surface of the case of the timepiece between a rest position and an end-of-travel position, and comprising an inner part arranged inside the case and kinematically connected to the outer part; a pusher comprising a crossing part which is inserted into a bore passing through the wall of the case of the timepiece, the bore opening into the slide or in the extension of the latter and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the slide, the pusher further comprising a head part which is arranged outside the case to cooperate with the crossing part. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] Complicated watches are known that include one or more auxiliary mechanisms that do not operate continuously, but are designed to be started by the wearer of the watch. Examples include chronograph mechanisms and minute repeater striking mechanisms. These auxiliary mechanisms may be designed to be driven from the barrel of the watch movement, but there are also some that have their own mainspring. Watches that contain an auxiliary mechanism of this latter type are most often equipped with a winding lock. The function of this lock is to allow the wearer of a watch to wind the mainspring of the auxiliary mechanism and often also to start the latter at the same time.

[0003] Patent document FR 2 775 798 A1 describes a watch case equipped with a control device comprising a slide arranged in the outer surface of the watch case, a lock arranged to be guided by the slide so as to be able to slide on the outer surface of the watch case between a rest position and an end-of-travel position, and a pusher which is inserted into a bore passing through the wall of the watch case and opening into the slide, the pusher being provided with an outer end arranged to cooperate with the lock, so that the pusher is kept pressed into the watch case when the lock is in the end-of-travel position, and the pusher is returned towards the outside of the case when the lock returns to the rest position.

[0004] A complicated watch may include a large number of control elements (buttons, pushers, locks, stems, correctors and other levers) which are generally arranged along the circumference of the watch case, halfway up its caseband. Most control elements are designed to move axially within radial holes that pass through the caseband. However, locks are known to be an exception to this rule, since they are usually movable along the circumference of the watch caseband. Because they move along the surface of the watch case, locks require more space than other control elements. It is therefore understandable that the presence of a lock can make the task of finding an arrangement of the control elements of a complicated watch, which reconciles aesthetics and ergonomics, even more difficult. BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art which have just been explained. The present invention achieves this and other objects by providing a timepiece which comprises a lock and push-button control device, and which is in accordance with the appended claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, when the lock is in the rest position the total external length of the control device, measured parallel to the slide, is equal to the length of the external part of the lock. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to arrange a lock and a pusher in the space which is normally necessary to accommodate only one lock. This results in an appreciable saving of space.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the crossing portion of the pusher is embedded in the wall of the box, while the head portion is arranged to move along the slide integrally with the outer portion of the lock, while also being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the slide. In addition, the head portion of the pusher is arranged to be able to cooperate with the crossing portion when the lock is in the rest position.

[0008] According to a first variant of the above embodiment, the outer part of the lock comprises an opening arranged so as to be in the extension of the through bore when the lock is in the rest position. In addition, the head part of the pusher is mounted on the outer part of the lock, so as to project above the opening which the latter comprises.

[0009] It will be understood that, in accordance with this first variant, the head part of the pusher is in the form of a push button which, although mounted on the outer part of the lock, can itself have a traditional shape.

[0010] According to a second particular variant of the above embodiment, the outer part of the lock comprises a base arranged to be guided by the slide, a cover which is pivotally mounted on the base so as to be movable between a half-open angular position and a fully folded angular position, and a spring arranged to return the cover to its half-open angular position. The cover carries a rod which moves in the direction substantially transverse to the slide when the cover pivots relative to the base, and the latter further has an opening arranged to provide a passage for the rod through the base.

[0011] It will be understood that, in accordance with this second variant, the pusher can be actuated by exerting pressure on the hood so as to pivot it and bring it into the fully folded position. An advantage of this second variant is that it makes it possible to limit the number of parts while offering a wider choice in terms of shape and arrangement.

[0012] According to a third particular variant of the above embodiment, the slide along which the outer part of the lock is arranged to slide is delimited on either side by two parallel raised edges which each have a lateral groove which extends parallel to the slide, the two lateral grooves being arranged opposite each other. In addition, the outer part of the lock comprises at least a first and a second pair of projecting parts, the two projecting parts of each pair being respectively intended to be inserted into the two lateral grooves so as to cooperate with the latter to guide the lock.

[0013] It will be understood that in accordance with this third variant, the outer part of the lock can move along the slide in the manner of a carriage equipped with skates.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third variant above, the two projecting parts of the first pair are arranged on the same straight line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry between the two lateral grooves. In addition, the lateral grooves each comprise at least one branch giving rise to a secondary groove which deviates from the lateral groove towards the bottom of the slide. Finally, the two projecting parts of the second pair are each located at the location of a branch when the lock is in the rest position.

[0015] It will be understood that, thanks to these characteristics, the two projecting parts of the second pair can lower along the secondary grooves when the lock is in the rest position. The lowering of the projecting parts of the second pair allows the entire outer part of the lock to pivot around the line common to the two projecting parts of the first pair. According to this advantageous embodiment, it is possible to actuate the pusher by exerting pressure on the outer part of the lock so as to fold it against the bottom of the slide by pivoting it. An advantage of this latter embodiment is that it allows the number of parts to be further reduced in comparison with the second variant.

[0016] According to the invention, the timepiece comprises an auxiliary mechanism comprising a dedicated mainspring, and the lock of the lock and pusher control device is arranged to wind the dedicated mainspring.

[0017] According to the invention, the auxiliary mechanism is arranged so that when the lock of the control device is actuated to wind the mainspring, the auxiliary mechanism is not started at the same time. To start the latter, the pusher of the control device must still be actuated after winding the mainspring. This has the advantage of allowing the auxiliary mechanism to be started at the time desired by the user after winding. According to a preferred variant, the timepiece is a wristwatch and the control device with lock and pusher is arranged on the left side of the watch case. An advantage of this preferred variant is that it allows the control device to be operated with the thumb only; right hand stationary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which: THE figures 1A And 1B are sectional views, illustrating a watch cut along its median horizontal plane, the watch being equipped with a lock and push-button control device in accordance with the invention, and the figures 1A And 1B showing respectively the lock of the control device in the rest position and in the end-of-travel position; figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a case middle of the watch of the figure 1 with the lock and push control device; the figure 3 is a sectional view along a radial vertical plane showing more particularly the pusher of the lock and pusher control device; the figure 4 is an enlargement of part of the figure 1B showing more particularly the lock and push button control device; the figure 5 is a sectional view similar to the views of the figures 1A And 1B , the watch shown being equipped with a lock and push-button control device in accordance with a second particular embodiment of the invention; figures 6 And 7 are partial views, respectively in partial section and in perspective, showing a lock and push button control device which is in accordance with a third particular embodiment of the invention; figure 8 is a perspective view showing the main element of the outer part of the latch and push device of the figures 6 And 7 ; there figure 9 illustrates in top view a sequence of use of a watch equipped with the lock and pusher device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the following description the expressions "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" are to be understood as applying to timepieces and control devices with a lock and pusher oriented as in the figures 1A , 1B And 5 . Furthermore, the expressions "upward" and "downward" are to be understood as applying to control devices oriented as in the figures 3, 4 , 5, 6 And 8 .

[0020] A first exemplary embodiment of the latch and push button control device of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures 1A à 4 . To begin with, the figures 1A And 1Bare schematic sectional views illustrating the lock and push-button control device of the present example, as well as its integration into a watch case. It will be understood that these figures only show the control device and the case (referenced 1), the rest of the case not being visible, and the interior of the latter being generally referenced 23.

[0021] THE figures 1A And 1B respectively illustrate the lock of the control device in the rest position and in the end-of-travel position. This lock comprises an outer part 11 comprising a latch 13 arranged to slide on the outer surface of the caseband 1 along a slide 15. It can be seen that the exposed (outer) face of the latch 13 has a transverse edge 14 and that its inner face (facing the caseband) carries a finger (referenced 17 in the figure 4 ) which is directed radially towards the inside of the timepiece. A short groove (referenced 16 in the figure 4 ) is still formed in the middle 1 to receive the distal end of the finger 17. The length of the groove is at least equal to the length of the travel of the bolt 13, so as to allow the finger 17 to accompany the movements of the latter by traveling through the groove 16.

[0022] According to the invention, the lock further comprises an inner part 19 which is kinematically connected to the outer part 11, while being housed inside 23 of the watch case. As shown in figures 1A , 1B And 4, in the example illustrated, the inner part 19 of the lock comprises, in a manner known per se, an actuating rod 21 engaged in a blind bore 24 which is inserted into the thickness of the caseband 1. The actuating rod 21 is guided by a guide ring 26 which is provided with an annular seal 27 and which is arranged at the mouth of the blind bore 24 in the direction of the groove 16. A helical spring 29 tends to hold the actuating rod 21 against the finger 17. The blind bore 24 opens onto the interior 23 of the watch case to allow a radial arm 33 to pass secured to a collar 22 of the actuating rod 21, this radial arm 33 being arranged to cooperate with a tooth 36 of a rack 35 arranged to pivot at inside the box.

[0023] It can be seen that the blind bore 24 is arranged in the extension of the groove 16 and that it penetrates into the thickness of the caseband 1 in a direction approximately tangent to the latter. The blind bore 24 opens into the groove 16, so that it is in communication with the exterior of the watch case, in addition to being in communication with the interior 23 of the watch case. The annular seal 27 surrounds the actuating stem 21 so as to isolate the interior 23 of the watch case from the exterior, while allowing the actuating stem 21 to slide longitudinally.

[0024] The operation of the lock is as follows, a user can slide the bolt 13 along the slide 15 from the rest position ( Figure 1A ) to the end position ( Figure 1B ) by pushing the edge 14 of the latch clockwise using his thumb. When the latch 13 is moved in this way by the user, it carries with it the finger 17 which travels along the groove 16, pushing the end of the actuating rod 21 in front of it. The latter is thus pushed towards the bottom of the blind hole 24 against the helical spring 29 and actuates the rake 35 via the radial arm 33.

[0025] The inner portion 19 of the lock illustrated in the drawings could be replaced by other forms of inner portion of the lock known to those skilled in the art, including inner portions integral with the outer portion of the lock. The rake 35 could also be replaced by another transmission member.

[0026] There figure 3 is an enlargement of part of the figure 1A showing more particularly the pusher of the latch and pusher control device of the present example. Referring simultaneously to the figures 1A , 1B And 3 , it can be seen that the pusher comprises a head part 38 which is mounted on the bolt 13 and a crossing part (also called "crossing") 39 which is embedded in the caseband 1. As already mentioned, the bolt 13 is engaged in the slide 15, the latter being formed in the surface of the caseband 1. With particular reference to the figure 3 , we can see first of all that the slide has two grooves 31 arranged opposite each other, and that the lateral faces of the bolt 13 have two projecting edges which are respectively engaged in the two grooves. It can be understood that the cooperation of the edges with the grooves prevents the external part 11 of the lock from coming out of the slide 15. figure 3 shows on the other hand that the bolt 13 has a bore 41 provided with a counterbore 42, and that the head part 38 of the pusher comprises a pusher tube 44 which is provided with a collar 45. The pusher tube 44 is engaged in the bore 41 so that the collar 45 is housed in the counterbore 42. A push button comprising an end piece 47 and a cap 48 is inserted into the tube 44 so as to be guided axially to move between a rest position and an active position. The cap 48 projects above the tube 44. It can also be seen that it has an annular recess 50 which surrounds a central cylindrical portion into which the threaded end of the end piece 47 is screwed. The cap 48 is returned to the rest position by a helical spring 51 which surrounds the central cylindrical portion of the cap.

[0027] Always referring to the figure 3 , it can be seen that the crossing part 39 is of a construction entirely analogous to that of certain correctors (known as such) which are generally embedded in the case of a complicated watch and which are operated with a tool provided for this purpose. figure 3 shows a feed-through tube 56 having the shape of a cylindrical chamber open at one end so as to open out to the outside of the caseband 1 at the slide 15. The other end of the feed-through tube 56 is provided with a bottom which is pierced with a guide orifice concentric with the tube. The movable part of the feed-through 39 is constituted by the assembly of a plug 58 in the form of a cylindrical pellet and an actuating bar 60. The plug 58 is inserted into the tube 56 with the interposition of an O-ring 61, so as to allow the plug to slide axially. The actuating bar 60 is fixed by one end to the center of the lower face of the plug 58 in the form of a cylindrical pellet, while the other end of the bar 60 is inserted into the guide orifice, so as to protrude from the caseband 1 to the interior 23 of the watch case.A helical compression spring 63 is arranged inside the feed-through tube 56 so as to surround the actuating bar 60. The spring 63 bears by one of its ends against the plug 58 and by its other end against the bottom of the feed-through tube 56.

[0028] The person skilled in the art will readily understand that the pusher of the control device of the present example operates only when the lock is in the rest position and that the head portion 38 of the pusher is therefore positioned in line with the through portion 39. The operation of the pusher is as follows. When a user presses on the head portion 38 of the pusher, he slides the cylindrical portion of the cap 48 and the end piece 47 inside the pusher tube 44, so that the free end of the end piece 47 projects from the inner face of the bolt 13. Since the shape of the end piece 47 is complementary to that of the upper face of the cylindrical pellet-shaped plug 58, the end piece 47 can cooperate with the plug 58 so as to push it against the helical spring 63 towards the inside of the watch case.Since the actuating bar 60 is fixed to the stopper 58, its free end moves axially inside the watch case. A problem with most known pushers is that the force that the user exerts with his finger or thumb on the head portion 38 of the pusher almost always has a component that acts transversely to the axis of the pusher. In other words, the pressure exerted by the user on the pusher is almost always accompanied by parasitic forces. The fact that, in the present example, the through-portion 39 is actuated indirectly, by means of a head portion 38 separate from the through-portion, makes it possible to remedy this problem by preventing the parasitic forces generated by the user from being communicated to the through-portion. This results in an improvement in the sealing of the through-portion 39.

[0029] There figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a watch equipped with a lock and push-button control device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. As was already the case in the figures 1A And 1B And 4 , the sectional view of the figure 5 is made along the median horizontal plane of the watch. The latter can be of any model. It will therefore generally be a different model from the watch that appeared in the first example. However, to simplify the description, we will assume that the watch illustrated in the figure 5 is the same model as the first example. Therefore, only the lock and push button control device is different. This is why the elements of the figure 5 which are identical or similar to elements which have already been described in relation to the figures 1A à 4 are designated by the same reference numbers.

[0030] Always referring to the figure 5 , it can be seen that the inner part 19 of the lock resembles the inner part of the lock of the first example. In contrast, the outer part 111 of the lock comprises a base 113 and a cover 148 pivotally mounted on the base. The latter is arranged to slide along the slide 15 between a rest position ( figure 5 ) and an end-of-travel position (not shown). As shown in the figure, the articulation between the cover 148 and the base 113 is achieved by means of an axis 121 which is arranged close to the end of the base which is at the front when the lock moves towards its end-of-travel position. The cover 148 at least partially covers the base 113 and is arranged to be able to pivot relative to the latter within a small angular interval delimited on either side by a half-open position (illustrated in the figure) and a fully folded position (not shown). The external part 111 further comprises a return spring (not shown) which is arranged to return the cover 148 to its half-open position. figure 5 further shows that the distal end of the cover forms a ridge-shaped protrusion 114 on the lock. It will be understood that a user can actuate the lock by pushing the ridge 114 clockwise. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the cover 148 also fulfills the function of a pusher head. For this purpose, it is provided with a rod 147 which is located in the axis of the crossing portion 39 of the pusher when the lock is in the rest position, and the base 113 has an opening (not shown) which is arranged to allow the passage of the rod 147 so that the latter can cooperate with the plug 58 when the lock is in the rest position and a user presses on the cover 148 to bring it into the fully folded position.

[0031] THE figures 6 , 7 et 8 are partial views of a latch and push button control device which is in accordance with a third particular embodiment of the invention. The latch of the control device which is the subject of this third example comprises an outer part and an inner part. The inner part is however not shown in the figures. It can be seen that the outer part 211 of the latch comprises a base 213 and a cover 248 which is rigidly fixed on the base so as to cover it. The outer part of the latch is arranged to slide along the slide 15 between a rest position ( figures 6 And 7 ) and an end-of-travel position (not shown). It is further provided with a rod 247 which is located in the axis of the crossing part 239 of the pusher when the lock is in the rest position. Two lateral grooves (referenced 219 in the figure 7 ) parallel to the slide 15 are arranged in the raised edges of the slide opposite each other.

[0032] The outer part of the lock has a first 221a, a second 221b, a third 221c and a fourth pair 221d of protruding parts. The two protruding parts forming each pair are arranged on either side of the lock, so as to cooperate with the two lateral grooves 219 to guide the lock. In addition, the two protruding parts 221a of the first pair are aligned on a straight line (vertical in the figure 7 ) perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the slide 15. The projecting parts of each of the other three pairs 221b, 221c and 221d may also be aligned on straight lines perpendicular to the aforementioned plane of symmetry. With particular reference to the figure 7 , it can be seen that the protruding parts located on the same side of the outer part 211 of the lock are arranged along a rounded line corresponding to the junction between the base 213 and the cover 248.

[0033] The lateral grooves 219 each have branches giving rise to three secondary grooves 217b, 217c and 217d which deviate from the lateral groove towards the bottom of the slide 15, and the protruding parts of the second 221b, the third 221c and the fourth pair 221d are each located at a branch when the lock is in the rest position. Thanks to these characteristics, the protruding parts of the second, third and fourth pairs can lower along the secondary grooves when the lock is in the rest position. The lowering of the protruding parts allows the entire outer part of the lock to pivot around the line common to the two protruding parts of the first pair.It is thus possible to actuate the pusher by exerting pressure on the outer part of the lock so as to fold the rod 247 towards the bottom of the slide 15 so that the rod 247 can cooperate with the crossing part 239. It can finally be seen that, in the example illustrated, the projecting parts 221a, 221b, 221c and 221d are constituted by balls which are each housed in a hole made on one side of the upper part of the lock. The holes in which the balls are housed are located at the junction between the base and the cover. These holes are shallow, so that the balls protrude from the holes. An advantage associated with the use of balls to produce the pairs of projecting parts is that friction is reduced, which makes it easier to control the force to be exerted on the lock.

[0034] There figure 9 shows an example of a sequence of use of the lock and push-button control device according to the invention in the case of a chronograph. figure 9(a) , the lock and the pusher are in the rest state. At the figure 9(b) , the lock is operated to wind the mainspring of the chronograph mechanism. At the figure 9(c) , the lock, released by the user, is returned to its rest position by a return spring. At the figure 9(d) , the user operates the pusher while the lock is in its rest position, in order to start timing. At the figure 9(e) , the chronograph mechanism is running and the pusher, released by the user, is returned to its rest position by a return spring. figure 9(f) , the pusher is pressed to stop the timing. At the figure 9(g) , the pusher, released by the user, is returned to its rest position by its return spring and the chronograph mechanism is stopped. figure 9(h) , the pusher is pressed again to reset the chronograph.

[0035] By arranging the lock and push-button control device according to the invention on the left side of the watch case, as shown in figure 9 , the user can successively arm the chronograph, start it, stop it and reset it to zero with just the right thumb. The resulting gain in terms of ergonomics is appreciable.

[0036] Other applications than a chronograph are conceivable. For example, the lock could be used to wind a striking mechanism, typically a minute repeater, and the pusher to trigger the striking mechanism. Unlike known minute repeaters, the striking mechanism would therefore not be triggered automatically after winding but at the time chosen by the user. Countdown timers are another example of application of the invention, with winding by the lock and triggering by the pusher.

[0037] It will further be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments which are the subject of the present description without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. It will be understood in particular that according to other embodiments, the head part of the pusher is not mounted on the outer part of the lock, but that it can alternatively be mounted on the outer face of the wall of the watch case in the extension of the crossing part. In this case, the outer part of the lock and the head part of the pusher are arranged so as to be superimposed or nested when the lock is in the rest position.

Claims

1. Timepiece comprising a control device with a bolt and push piece, the control device comprising a slideway (15) arranged in the outer surface of the case of the timepiece, a bolt comprising an external part (11; 111; 211) arranged to be guided by the slideway (15) so as to be able to slide on the outer surface of the case of the timepiece between an inoperative position and an end-of-travel position, and comprising an internal part (19) which is arranged inside the case and kinematically connected to the external part, and a push piece comprising a through-part (39; 239) which is inserted in a piercing passing through the wall of the case of the timepiece, the piercing opening into the slideway (15) or into the extension thereof and being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the slideway, the push piece further comprising a head part (38; 147, 148; 213, 247, 248) arranged outside of the case in order to cooperate with the through-part (39; 239), the total external length of the control device parallel to the slideway (15) being equal to the length of the external part (11; 111; 211) of the bolt when the bolt is in the inoperative position, characterised in that the timepiece comprises an auxiliary mechanism comprising a dedicated power spring, in that the bolt is arranged to wind the dedicated power spring without at the same time causing the auxiliary mechanism to start, and in that the push piece is arranged to enable the auxiliary mechanism then to be started.

2. Timepiece as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the head part (38; 147, 148; 213, 247, 248) of the push piece is arranged to move along the slideway jointly with the external part (11; 111; 211) of the bolt while also being able to move in a direction substantially transverse to the slideway, and in that the head part (38) of the push piece is shaped to be able to cooperate with the through-part (39) of the push piece when the bolt is in the inoperative position.

3. Timepiece as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the external part (11) of the bolt comprises an aperture (41) arranged so as to be located in the extension of the piercing when the bolt is in the inoperative position, and in that the head part (38) of the push piece is mounted on the external part (11) of the bolt so as to protrude over the aperture (41) which the external part comprises.

4. Timepiece as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the push piece head (38) comprises a push piece tube (44), a cap (48) capping an end of the push piece tube (44) and able to move in translation on the axis of the push piece tube, return means (53) arranged to move the cap (48) away from the case, another end of the push piece tube (44) being inserted in the aperture (41) of the external part of the bolt so as to enable a cylindrical part fixed relative to the cap (48) to cooperate with the through-part (39) of the push piece when the bolt is in the inoperative position and the push piece button is actuated.

5. Timepiece as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the external part (111) of the bolt comprises a base (113) arranged to be guided by the slideway (15), a cover (148) which is pivotably mounted on the base so as to be able to move between a partially open angular position and a completely folded-down angular position, and a spring arranged to return the cover (148) towards its partially open angular position, in that the cover (148) bears a stem (147) which moves in the direction substantially transverse to the slideway (15) when the cover pivots with respect to the base (113), and in that the cover comprises an aperture arranged to offer a passage to the stem (147) through the base (113).

6. Timepiece as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the slideway (15) is defined on both sides by two parallel raised edges, two lateral grooves (219) parallel to the slideway being provided opposite each other in the two raised edges, and in that the external part (211) of the bolt comprises at least a first (221a) and a second (221b) pair of protruding parts, the two protruding parts of each pair being intended to be inserted in the two lateral grooves so as to cooperate with these grooves in order to guide the bolt.

7. Timepiece as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the two protruding parts of the first pair (221a) are arranged on the same straight line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry between the two lateral grooves (219), and in that the lateral grooves each comprise at least one branch producing a secondary groove (217b, 217c, 217d) which extends away from the lateral groove in the direction of the bottom of the slideway (15), the two protruding parts of the second pair (221b) each being located at one of the branches when the bolt is in the inoperative position.

8. Timepiece as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the external part (211) of the bolt comprises a third (221c) and a fourth (221d) pair of protruding parts, in that the lateral grooves each comprise three branches producing secondary grooves (217b, 217c, 217d), and in that the protruding parts of the second, of the third and of the fourth pair are each located at a branch when the bolt is in the inoperative position.

9. Timepiece as claimed in any one of claims 6, 7 and 8, characterised in that the external part (211) of the bolt has at least a first and a second pair of lateral holes, and in that the protruding parts (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) are formed by balls each housed in one of the lateral holes so as to stand proud thereof.

10. Timepiece as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device with a bolt and push piece is arranged on the left side of the case of the timepiece, and orientated so that the bolt is actuated by moving it clockwise.

11. Timepiece as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the through-part of the push piece of the control device with a bolt and push piece is arranged at about 8 o'clock on the middle of the case of the timepiece.

12. Timepiece as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the auxiliary mechanism is a chronograph, striking or countdown mechanism.