WRISTWATCH CASE WITH A LOCK

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch case comprising at least one case having in one of its side walls a cavity comprising a first opening directed towards the outside of the case, an open-shaped lock, disposed in said cavity to be accessible through the first opening, said lock being in communication with the inside of the watch case and arranged to be able to be moved in rotation or translation in a transverse plane of the watch case when it is operated by a user, on demand, in normal operation of the watch, and a sealing device arranged to ensure the sealing of the watch case at least between the case, the lock and the inside of the watch case.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch case. State of the art

[0003] A watch case is traditionally used to protect a watch movement from dust, moisture, and shocks. It consists of a case, closed on the bridge side by a case back, and on the dial side by a bezel that holds the crystal.

[0004] A user-operated lock or selector can be mounted to slide effortlessly along the watch case during normal operation, enabling the watch to perform a function. According to G.-A. Berner's Illustrated Professional Dictionary of Watchmaking, a lock is defined as a component that allows movement of an organ from the outside to perform a function.

[0005] Such a bolt, also called a bolt or selector, is generally a small, open-shaped piece, meaning it differs from a closed-shaped piece, such as the annular shape of a ring. For example, an open-shaped bolt has a generally straight shape when the case is polygonal, or an arc-shaped shape when the case is circular or oval.

[0006] The lock, being mounted on the case, is designed to cooperate, with each actuation, with at least one component or mechanism contained within the watch case, thus creating a connection between the exterior and interior of the case. This connection creates a problem with the watch case's water resistance between the case, the lock, and the interior of the case.

[0007] Such a lock is described, for example, in Swiss patent CH 74 655. In this document, the lock cooperates with an arm located inside the watch case. This arm is equipped with a feeler to read the hours or minutes on a cam, so that the lock rotates through a certain angle to uncover a specific number of teeth on the lock, allowing a blind user to "read" the hours or minutes by counting the number of teeth uncovered. The lock includes a rod that passes through the case via a slot, with sufficient clearance for effortless movement. The rod is extended by an internal flare that cooperates with the arm. However, this document neither mentions nor proposes any solution to the problem of the case's watertightness, which is quite evident due to the slot in the case designed to receive the lock rod and the necessary clearance.

[0008] Such a lock can also be a small part positioned at 8 o'clock on the case and used, for example, to wind and activate a striking mechanism. The lock is designed to slide along the case between a neutral initial position and a maximum position, and works in conjunction with a striking mechanism inside the case.

[0009] To ensure the watertightness of the watch case between the case middle, the clasp, and the inside of the case, and when the clasp is closed, for example, in the form of a ring, a circular gasket made of elastomer or polymer is commonly used to prevent any external elements from entering the case and reaching the movement. However, this type of gasket, being in contact with the clasp, wears quickly and fails rapidly. Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee long-term watertightness. Furthermore, such a gasket cannot be used with an open clasp, so there is no simple way to create a watertight watch case with an open clasp.

[0010] Another example of a lock is given in document CH 54 713 A in the name of Georges Vuithier.

[0011] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a watch case having an open-shaped lock and for which long-term water resistance can be ensured, in order to guarantee its reliability. Disclosure of the invention

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a watch case comprising at least one case having in one of its side walls a cavity comprising a first opening directed towards the outside of the case, an open-shaped lock, disposed in said cavity to be accessible through the first opening, said lock being in communication with the inside of the watch case and arranged to be able to be moved in rotation or translation in a transverse plane of the watch case when it is operated by a user, on demand, in normal operation of the watch, and a sealing device arranged to ensure the sealing of the watch case at least between the case, the lock and the inside of the watch case.

[0013] According to the invention, the sealing device comprises a lock support open in the direction of the first opening of the cavity, said lock support being shaped to be mounted in a sealed manner in said cavity and to form an internal housing to receive the lock, and the lock support comprises internal faces arranged so that the lock is in permanent contact with said internal faces of the lock support regardless of the stroke of the lock in the transverse plane in normal operation, the faces of the lock and at least said internal faces of the lock support intended to be in contact with the faces of the lock during the movement of said lock in the transverse plane having contact surfaces arranged to form sealing surfaces ensuring the seal between the lock support and the lock while allowing the lock to slide in its lock support during an actuation of the lock in normal operation.

[0014] Thus, such a sealing device provides dynamic sealing between at least the case, the lock, and the inside of the case, without an elastomer or polymer seal, the lock being open-shaped and moving in rotation or translation. The reliability of the watch case according to the invention is thereby achieved.

[0015] The lock support is advantageously attached. This allows the material of the lock support to be chosen independently of the case material, optimizing both the sealing and the sliding of the contact surfaces between the lock support and the lock.

[0016] Advantageously, pressure means are provided, such as at least one pressure member, arranged to exert pressure at least at the level of the contact surfaces of the inner faces of the lock support intended to be in contact with the lock during the movement of said lock in the transverse plane, making it possible to guarantee sealing while allowing movement of the lock in the lock support in the transverse plane.

[0017] Thus, the surfaces in contact with the lock and the lock support being perfectly fitted together, extremely smooth, and held together, form sealing surfaces which guarantee a dynamic seal between said contact surfaces without any elastomer or polymer seal, while allowing the said contact surfaces to slide relative to each other when the lock is operated.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch case. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a watch case according to the invention; the figure 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the watch case of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of the figure 1 ; there figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of the figure 2 ; there figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the lock bracket and the lock, with the lock in the first position; and the figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the lock bracket and the lock, the lock having been moved in translation relative to the position of the figure 5 . Embodiments of the invention

[0020] With reference to figures 1 and 2 , a watch case 1 according to the invention is represented.

[0021] The watch case 1 conventionally comprises a case middle 2 in which the watch movement (not shown) is fixed. The case middle 2 is closed, on the bridge side, by a case back 4, and on the dial side, by a crystal (not shown).

[0022] The watch case 1 also includes a lock 6 mounted on the case 2. For this purpose, the case 2 has, in one of its lateral walls 2a perpendicular to the bottom 4, a cavity 8 comprising a first opening 10 directed towards the outside of the case, the lock 6 being disposed in said cavity 8 so as to be accessible to the user through the first opening 10.

[0023] The lock 6 is open in shape. This means that the lock does not completely follow the contour of the case and does not form a continuous, uninterrupted piece. In particular, the lock 6 used in the invention is not a ring. The open shape advantageously allows for the provision of other components or elements mounted on the case within the space left available by an open lock.

[0024] With reference to figures 3 and 4The lock 6 is in communication with the interior of the watch case 1 and includes a control member 12 intended to cooperate with a movement mechanism disposed in the watch case 1. For this purpose, the cavity 8 includes a first bottom 14 opposite the first opening 10, parallel to the wall 2a, and having a second opening 16 directed towards the interior of the case 1. The cavity 8 also includes a first upper wall 18 and a first lower wall 20, perpendicular to the bottom 14 and in the transverse plane of the case 1, and two lateral walls 22 perpendicular to the bottom 14 and to the transverse plane of the case 1, connecting the first upper wall 18 and lower wall 20, and the bottom 14.

[0025] A "horizontal plane" is a plane parallel to the bottom 4. A "transverse face" is a face that lies in the transverse plane of the box 1.

[0026] The locking lever 6 is designed to move in rotation or translation within the transverse plane of the watch case 1 when activated by a user, on demand, during normal watch operation. This gives the impression of sliding along the case middle 2, in order to perform a function of the watch related to the movement. This means that the locking lever 6 is mobile in translation or rotation in a "horizontal" plane parallel to the case back 4 or perpendicular to the axis of the hands, for example, through a certain range (e.g., a linear displacement of a few millimeters or an angular displacement of less than 45°), with each activation by the user, between an initial neutral position and a maximum position. A return spring is provided to return the locking lever 6 to its initial position after activation.

[0027] In the example shown, the side wall 2a of the case 2 has a straight shape, while the box 1 is polygonal, for example rectangular. The latch 6 then has an overall straight shape, for example an elongated rectangular parallelepiped, extending parallel to the side wall 2a. The latch 6 is arranged to move linearly along the right side wall 2a of the case 2 in the transverse plane of the box 1 during normal operation. To facilitate its movement from the outside, the latch 6 is attached to an actuating bar 24 positioned along the length of the latch 6.

[0028] In an unshown variant, the side wall of the case has a circular shape, for example, box 1 being round. The lock then has a cut or truncated annular shape and is arranged so that its rotational movement, for example, is limited to the circular side wall of the case in the transverse plane during normal operation.

[0029] To ensure its watertightness at least between the case 2, the lock 6, and the inside of the watch case 1, particularly when the lock 6 is or has been moved, said watch case 1 is fitted with a watertight device.

[0030] According to the invention, the sealing device comprises a lock support 26 open in the direction of the first opening 10 of the cavity 8, said lock support 26 being shaped to be mounted in a hermetic manner in said cavity 8 and to form an internal housing to receive the lock 6.The lock support 26 includes inner faces arranged so that the lock 6 is in permanent contact with said inner faces of the lock support 26 regardless of the stroke of the lock 6 in the transverse plane in normal operation, the faces of the lock 6 and at least said inner faces of the lock support 26 intended to be in contact with the faces of the lock 6 during the movement of said lock 6 in the transverse plane having contact surfaces arranged to form sealing surfaces ensuring the seal between the lock support 26 and the lock 6 while allowing the lock 6 to slide in its lock support 26 during an actuation of the lock 6 in normal operation.

[0031] More specifically, and with reference to figures 5 and 6, the lock support 26 has a U-shaped lying position, open towards the first opening 10 of the cavity 8, said lock support 26 being defined by a second bottom 28 parallel to the wall 2a and perpendicular to the transverse plane and having a third opening 30 directed towards the interior of the box 1 in communication with the second opening 16 of the first bottom 14 of the cavity 8, by a second upper wall 32 and a second lower wall 34 perpendicular to the second bottom 28 and in the transverse plane.The lock support 26 is arranged in the cavity 8 so that the outer face 28a of the second bottom 28, the outer face 32a of the second upper wall 32 and the outer face 34a of the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26 are applied respectively against the first bottom 14, the first upper wall 18 and the first lower wall 20 of the cavity 8, the lateral ends of the lock support 26 coming into contact with the lateral walls 22 of the cavity 8, the lock support 26 forming, with said lateral walls 22 of the cavity 8, the inner housing for receiving the lock 6.

[0032] The lock 6 has a rear face 36 parallel to the wall 2a and perpendicular to the transverse plane on which the control member 12 is fixed, a front face 38 opposite the rear face 36 and on which the actuating bar 24 is fixed, an upper transverse face 40 and a lower transverse face 42 perpendicular to the rear face 36 and in the transverse plane.

[0033] In a particularly advantageous manner, the second base 28, the second upper wall 32, and the second lower wall 34 of the locking support 26 have internal faces arranged so that the rear face 36, the upper transverse face 40, and the lower transverse face 42 of the locking 6 are in permanent contact with, respectively, the inner face 28b of the second base 28, the inner face 32b of the second upper wall 32, and the inner face 34b of the second lower wall 34 of the locking support 26, regardless of the stroke of the locking 6 in the transverse plane during normal operation. To achieve this, the dimensions of the second base 28, the second upper wall 32, and the second lower wall 34 of the locking support 26 will be appropriately chosen in relation to the dimensions of the locking 6 and its maximum stroke length.

[0034] The rear face 36, the upper transverse face 40 and the lower transverse face 42 of the lock 6 and at least the inner face 28b of the second bottom 28, the inner face 32b of the second upper wall 32 and the inner face 34b of the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26 intended to be in contact respectively with the rear face 36, the upper transverse face 40 and the lower transverse face 42 of the lock 6 during the movement of the lock 6 in the transverse plane have contact surfaces arranged to form sealing surfaces ensuring the seal between the lock support 26 and the lock 6 while allowing the lock 6 to slide in its lock support 26 during an actuation of the lock 6 in normal operation.

[0035] Advantageously, the lock support 26 is brought into the cavity 8 of the case 2.

[0036] The lock support 26 is secured to the cavity 8 of the case by fixing the outer face 28a of the second base 28, the outer face 32a of the second upper wall 32 and the outer face 34a of the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26 respectively to the first base 14, the first upper wall 18 and the first lower wall 20 of the cavity 8, by any known means, such as gluing. Advantageously, a sealing gasket 44 (cf. figure 6A seal is provided on the outer face 28a of the second base 28 of the locking bracket 26 to ensure a tight seal between the locking bracket 26 and the inside of the case 1. Since the locking bracket 26 is static relative to the case 2, the seal 44 is unlikely to deteriorate rapidly. When it is difficult to provide a seal on the outer face 28a of the second base 28 of the locking bracket 26, seals may be provided along the lateral ends of the locking bracket 26 that come into contact with the side walls 22 of the cavity 8.

[0037] Advantageously, the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support 26 intended to be in contact respectively with said faces 36, 40, 42 of the lock, during the movement of said lock 6 in the transverse plane, are of complementary shapes allowing the movement of the lock 6 in the transverse plane.

[0038] Thus, the contact surfaces can be, for example, two by two flat in the transverse plane of the box or in a perpendicular plane, as shown in the figures, or, seen in section along a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of the box or along the transverse plane, form at least two contiguous inclined planes 7, or a single inclined plane, or crenellated U-shaped shapes, or any other suitable shape allowing one to move relative to the other.

[0039] In a particularly advantageous manner, the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock 6 and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support 26 intended to be in contact respectively with said faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock 6 during the movement of said lock in the transverse plane have a flatness defect of less than or equal to 6 µm, preferably less than or equal to 5 µm, and preferably less than or equal to 2 µm, and more preferably less than or equal to 1 µm, and a roughness Ra of less than or equal to 0.15 µm, and preferably less than or equal to 0.1 µm, and more preferably less than or equal to 0.05 µm.

[0040] Advantageously, the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock 6 and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support 26 have a hardness greater than or equal to 500 HV, and preferably greater than or equal to 1500 HV, and more preferably greater than 1900 HV.

[0041] Advantageously, the dimensions of the locking support 26 are reduced to provide the necessary elasticity. For example, the second bottom 28 can have a height of 1.5 mm on the side of its outer face 28a, and the width of the second upper walls 32 and lower walls 34 of the locking support 26, between the outer face 28a of the second bottom 28 and the edge attached to the pressing member, is 1 mm, with a thickness of 0.05 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40, and 42 of the lock, and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, and 34b of the lock support intended to be in contact with said faces 36, 40, and 42 of the lock respectively during movement of said lock in the transverse plane, are made of a material selected from the group comprising ceramics, such as alumina (Al₂O₃), metallic glass, silicon, silicon oxide, glass, titanium, a metallic alloy, such as brass or CuBe, and hardened steel. Advantageously, the entire lock support 26 is made of said material. Preferably, the material chosen is alumina Al 2 O 3, worked to have a flatness defect of less than or equal to 6 µm, a roughness Ra of less than or equal to 0.15 µm, and a hardness greater than or equal to 1500 HV.

[0043] Advantageously, the invention allows the use of a lock support 26 (or at least its contact surfaces), which is made of a material different from the materials of the lock and the case, so as to optimize both sealing and sliding, in the case where the materials of the case and the lock are not suitable to guarantee sealing and sliding at the contact surfaces.

[0044] In an unrepresented variant, in which the case 2 is made of the same material as the lock support 26, such as a ceramic, said lock support may be one piece with the case 2.

[0045] At least the part of the piece corresponding to the lock support 26 is treated so as to have the appropriate flatness and roughness to ensure sealing and at the same time sliding at the contact surfaces of the lock.

[0046] Advantageously, the lock support 26 is shaped to exhibit some elasticity or flexibility, so as to conform to the contact surfaces of the lock, and thus improve the seal.

[0047] For example, the lock support can be made from a steel which has a Young's modulus of 210 GPa.

[0048] Preferably, the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40, and 42 of the lock, and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, and 34b of the lock support intended to be in contact with said faces 36, 40, and 42 of the lock respectively during movement of said lock in the transverse plane, are coated with a lubricating agent. This lubricating agent is, for example, a standard watchmaking oil or grease, or a silicone-based one.

[0049] In addition, pressure means are provided, such as at least one pressure member, arranged to exert pressure, i.e. a normal force, on the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support 26 intended to be in contact respectively with the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock 6 during the movement of said lock 6 in the transverse plane, said pressure being chosen to guarantee the sealing of the watch case while allowing movement of the lock 6 in the transverse plane.

[0050] The pressure member can be attached or be one piece with the locking support 26.

[0051] Advantageously, these pressure means include, for example, a plurality of elastic, attached or not, pressure elements parallel to the wall 2a, distributed along the edge of the second upper wall 32 and along the edge of the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26.

[0052] For example, the pressing member can be formed by at least one first flexible leg attached to the second upper wall 32 of the lock support 26, arranged parallel to the front faces 38 and rear faces 36 of the lock 6 and to the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, and arranged to press said second upper wall 32 on the upper transverse face 40 of the lock 6 and by at least one second flexible leg attached to the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26, arranged parallel to the front faces 38 and rear faces 36 of the lock and to the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, and arranged to press said second lower wall 34 on the lower transverse face 42 of the lock 6.

[0053] In another preferred variant, the pressing member is formed by a first flexible blade 46a attached to the second upper wall 32 of the lock support 26 along its entire length, arranged parallel to the front faces 38 and rear faces 36 of the lock 6 and to the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, and arranged to press said second upper wall 32 against the upper transverse face 40 of the lock 6 and by a second flexible blade 46b attached to the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26 along its entire length, arranged parallel to the front faces 38 and rear faces 36 of the lock 6 and to the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, and arranged to press said second lower wall 34 against the lower transverse face 42 of the lock 6.

[0054] The flexible blades 46a, 46b can be attached, or advantageously be of one piece with the lock support 26, being formed by flaps of the second upper walls 32 and lower walls 34 on the front face 38 of the lock 6.

[0055] The press member is made for example of spring steel, metallic glass or a suitable shape memory alloy, enabling it to fit onto the front face 38 of the lock 6 so that the second upper wall 32 of the lock support 26 is held against the upper transverse face 40 of the lock, the second lower wall 34 of the lock support 26 is held against the lower transverse face 42 of the lock, and the rear face 36 of the lock 6 is held against the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, normal forces acting on these elements.

[0056] The press organ is also arranged to allow the movement of the lock 6 in the lock support, while applying sufficient pressure to ensure the watertightness of the watch case 1.

[0057] Thus, the pressure member 26 holds together the lock 6 and the lock support 26 so that sufficient pressure is exerted on them while allowing the movement of the lock in translation or rotation, guaranteeing dynamic sealing at the contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the open-form lock and at least of the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support intended to be in contact respectively with said faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock, during the movement of said lock in the transverse plane, without it being necessary to provide an elastomer or polymer seal between the lock and the lock support.The contact surfaces of the faces 36, 40 and 42 of the lock and at least the contact surfaces of the inner faces 28b, 32b, 34b of the lock support are perfectly fitted and extremely smooth, the contact surface of the rear face 36 of the lock sliding on the contact surface of the inner face 28b of the second bottom 28 of the lock support 26, the upper transverse face 40 of the lock 6 sliding on the contact surface of the inner face 32b of the second upper transverse wall 32 of the lock support 26, and the lower transverse face 42 of the lock 6 sliding on the contact surface of the inner face 34b of the second lower transverse wall 34 of the lock support 26.

[0058] To promote sliding, the surfaces involved can also be treated using any appropriate process, for example by microtexturing to ensure self-lubrication.

[0059] The materials and surface condition of the contact surfaces, the flexibility of the lock support are chosen so as to have the best possible compromise between the pressure to be applied to the lock support to obtain sealing and the forces to be applied to move the lock, which must be reduced.

[0060] Thus, the present invention proposes a sealing device for a watch case comprising an open-form clasp, which provides direct dynamic sealing (no loss of sealing when the clasp is operated in normal mode) between at least the case middle, the open-form clasp, and the inside of the case, without an elastomer or polymer seal. The sealing is maintained even when the open-form clasp is operated in normal mode, due to the contact surfaces of the clasp remaining in constant contact, regardless of the clasp's travel, with contact surfaces of its clasp support. These contact surfaces form sealing surfaces. Therefore, the watch case according to the invention is particularly reliable. A water resistance of at least 10 meters, preferably greater than 20 meters, and more preferably greater than 30 meters, can thus be achieved.

Claims

1. A watch case (1) comprising at least one back cover (4) and a middle part (2) having in one of its lateral walls (2a) perpendicular to the back cover (4) a cavity (8) comprising a first opening (10) directed towards the outside of the case (1), a bolt (6) which does not form a part without interruption, located in said cavity (8) in order to be accessible through the first opening (10), said bolt (6) being in communication with the interior of the watch case (1) and arranged to be rotationally and translationally movable along said lateral wall (2a) of the middle part (2) in a transverse plane parallel to the back cover (4) of the watch case (1) when it is actuated by a user, on demand, during normal operation of the watch, and a tightness device arranged to ensure the tightness of the watch case (1) at least between the middle part (2), the bolt (6) and the interior of the watch case (1), said tightness device comprising a bolt support (26) open in the direction of the first opening (10) of the cavity (8), said bolt support (26) being shaped in order to be mounted in a tight manner in said cavity (8) and to form an inner housing in order to receive the bolt (6), the bolt support (26) comprising internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) arranged so that the bolt (6) is in permanent contact with said internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) whatever the travel of the bolt (6) in the transverse plane during normal operation, faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and at least said internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) being intended to be in contact with one another during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane, said faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and said internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) having contact surfaces arranged to form tightness surfaces guaranteeing the tightness between the bolt support (26) and the bolt (6) while making it possible for the bolt (6) to slide in its bolt support (26) during an actuation of the bolt (6) during normal operation.

2. The watch case (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cavity (8) comprises a first back cover (14) opposite the first opening (10) and having a second opening (16) directed towards the interior of the case (1), a first upper wall (18), a first lower wall (20) and two lateral walls (22), and in that the bolt support (26) has a horizontal U shape, open in the direction of the first opening (10) of the cavity (8), said bolt support (26) being defined by a second back cover (28) perpendicular to the transverse plane and having a third opening (30) directed towards the interior of the case (1) in communication with the second opening (16) of the cavity (8), by a second upper wall (32) and a second lower wall (34) perpendicular to the second back cover (28), said bolt support (26) being located in said cavity (8) such that the second back cover (28), the second upper wall (32) and the second lower wall (34) of the bolt support (26) are applied respectively against the first back cover (14), the first upper wall (18) and the first lower wall (20) of the cavity (8), the bolt support (26) forming, with the lateral walls (22) of the cavity (8), the internal housing in order to receive the bolt (6).

3. The watch case (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second back cover (28), the second upper wall (32) and the second lower wall (34) of the bolt support (26) comprise said internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26), and in that said faces of the bolt comprise a back face (36), an upper transverse face (40) and a lower transverse face (42) which are in permanent contact with respectively the internal face (28b) of the second back cover (28), the internal face (32b) of the second upper wall (32) and the internal face (34b) of the second lower wall (34) of the bolt support (26).

4. The watch case (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the bolt support (26) is added in the cavity (8) of the middle part (2).

5. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bolt (6) is integral with an actuating bar (24).

6. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact surfaces of the faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and at least the contact surfaces of the internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) intended to be in contact with said faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6), during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane, are of complementary shapes allowing the movement of the bolt (6) in the transverse plane.

7. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact surfaces of the faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and at least the contact surfaces of the internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) intended to be in contact with said faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane have a lack of flatness less than or equal to 6 µm, and preferably less than or equal to 1 µm, and a roughness Ra less than or equal to 0.15 µm, and preferably less than or equal to 0.005 µm.

8. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact surfaces of the faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and at least the contact surfaces of the internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) intended to be in contact with said faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane are produced from a material selected from the group comprising ceramics, a metallic glass, silicon, silicon oxide, titanium, a metal alloy, a glass and a hardened steel.

9. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact surfaces of the faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) and at least the contact surfaces of the internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) intended to be in contact with said faces (36, 40, 42) of the bolt (6) during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane are coated with a lubrication agent.

10. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one pressing member arranged to exert a pressure at least at the level of the contact surfaces of the internal faces (28b, 32b, 34b) of the bolt support (26) intended to be in contact with the bolt (6) during the movement of said bolt (6) in the transverse plane, said pressure being selected in order to guarantee the tightness of the watch case (1) while allowing a movement of the bolt (6) in the bolt support (26) in the transverse plane.

11. The watch case according to Claims 2 and 10, characterised in that the pressing member is formed by at least one first flexible arm which is integral with the second upper wall of the bolt support and arranged to press said second upper wall onto the upper transverse face of the bolt and by at least one second flexible arm which is integral with the second lower wall of the bolt support and arranged to press said second lower wall onto the lower transverse face of the bolt.

12. The watch case according to Claim 11, characterised in that the pressing member is formed by a first flexible strip (46a) which is integral with the second upper wall (32) of the bolt support (26) over its entire length and arranged to press said second upper wall (32) onto the upper transverse face (40) of the bolt (6) and by a second flexible strip (46b) which is integral with the second lower wall (34) of the bolt support (26) over its entire length and arranged to press said second lower wall (34) onto the lower transverse face (42) of the bolt (6).

13. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral wall (2a) of the middle part (2) has a straight shape and in that the bolt (6) has an overall straight shape, said bolt (6) being arranged to have a linear translational movement along the straight lateral wall (2a) of the middle part (2) in the transverse plane during normal operation.

14. The watch case (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the lateral wall of the middle part has a circular shape and in that the bolt has a truncated annular shape, said bolt being arranged to have a rotational movement along the circular lateral wall of the middle part in the transverse plane during normal operation.

15. A timepiece comprising a watch case according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.