Rotating bezel system comprising a ceramic rotating bezel

Abstract

A rotating bezel system intended for rotational mounting on a watch case housing a watch movement, comprising a ceramic rotating bezel, an annular ring for cooperating with an element angularly fixed to the case, and an annular gasket connecting the rotating bezel and the annular ring, the annular ring being positioned within the rotating bezel. According to the invention, the system further comprises at least one locking element for the annular ring on the rotating bezel, said at least one element being configured to block any relative rotation between the annular ring and the bezel and thus angularly fix the assembly formed by the ring and the bezel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A rotating bezel system comprising a ceramic rotating bezel is disclosed.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch case comprising a case middle and the rotating bezel system rotatably mounted on the case middle.

[0003] The invention further relates to a watch comprising the watch case. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Known rotating bezel systems comprise a ceramic rotating bezel, an annular ring, and an annular connecting joint between the rotating bezel and the annular ring. In such a system, the annular ring is generally driven into the rotating bezel. The annular ring is intended to cooperate with an element angularly secured to a watch case middle on which the ceramic rotating bezel is mounted, such as an open-ended spring.

[0005] The annular gasket is inserted between the annular ring and the rotating bezel, and forms a friction element configured to hold the bezel on the annular ring. However, a disadvantage of such a rotating bezel system is that the annular gasket does not provide a sufficiently strong connection between the rotating bezel and the ring, particularly when disassembling the system. However, during such a disassembly operation, for example necessary to replace a part or to repair an element, such a weak connection provided by the annular gasket can result in the bezel being detached from the ring, the latter then remaining on the case middle of the watch case. This leads to unnecessary and tedious operations for the operator responsible for disassembling the system, which is detrimental to the practicality and reliability of the latter.

[0006] EP3141969A1 discloses a rotating bezel system according to the preamble of claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention therefore aims to provide a simple and reliable rotating bezel system making it possible to secure the holding of the rotating bezel on the annular ring, in particular when dismantling the system, and overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a rotating bezel system which comprises the features mentioned in independent claim 1.

[0009] Particular forms of the system are defined in dependent claims 2 to 11.

[0010] Thanks to the presence in the system of at least one locking element of the annular ring on the rotating bezel, the holding of the rotating bezel on the annular ring is improved, in particular during disassembly of the system. Indeed, the or each locking element is configured to block any relative rotation between the ring and the bezel. Such a configuration then makes it possible to angularly secure the assembly formed by the ring and the bezel, thus making it possible to avoid any disengagement between the latter, in particular during disassembly, and thus securing the holding of the assembly. The reliability of the system is thus advantageously improved.

[0011] Advantageously, the system comprises at least two locking elements distributed over 360°. This makes it possible to distribute the mechanical stresses exerted on the system and to limit the play between the annular ring and the rotating bezel. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system comprises four locking elements distributed over 360°, the four locking elements being spaced two by two by 90°.

[0012] Advantageously, the annular seal is made of a polymer material, for example asutane. Since the seal is made of a flexible material, it can deform and compress, and thus compensate for clearances and tighten (secure) the parts together.

[0013] Advantageously, at least one opening for receiving the locking element(s) is machined locally in the annular ring. This makes it easier to install the locking element(s) in the system.

[0014] Advantageously, the annular seal is driven between the annular ring and the or each locking element. Such an annular seal thus configured makes it possible to form a friction element to prevent any sliding between the locking element(s) and the annular ring, and also makes it possible to prevent the locking elements from returning.

[0015] Advantageously, the annular rotating bezel system is formed of an independent module, said module being configured to be clipped onto the caseband. This allows for simple and practical mounting of the rotating bezel system onto the caseband, also allowing easy disassembly. This further simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the system. The clip-on mounting system used forms a free hooking system, thus retaining the usual mounting principles of rotating bezels with a flat spring.

[0016] To this end, the invention also relates to a watch case comprising a caseband as well as the rotating bezel system described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in dependent claim 12.

[0017] For this purpose, the invention also relates to a watch comprising the watch case described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in dependent claim 13. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the rotating bezel system according to the invention will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which: there figure 1 is a top view of a watch case equipped with a rotating bezel system according to the invention; the figure 2 is a sectional view of the system of the figure 1, taken along a section plane II-II, the system comprising a ceramic rotating bezel, an annular ring and an element for locking the annular ring on the rotating bezel; the figure 3 is a sectional view of the system of the figure 1 , taken according to a section plane III-III; the figure 4 is a sectional view of the system of the figure 2 , taken according to a section plane IV-IV; the Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking element of the figure 2 ; and the figures 6 to 11 are views illustrating the different stages of assembly of the rotating bezel system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] There figure 1represents a watch 1 provided with a watch case 2. The watch case 2 typically comprises a caseband 4. The watch case 2 also comprises a rotating bezel system 6 as well as a watch movement, the watch movement not being shown in the figures for reasons of clarity. The rotating bezel system 6 is rotatably mounted on the caseband 4. Preferably, as illustrated in the figures 1 to 3 , the rotating bezel system 6 is formed of an independent module.

[0020] As illustrated in the figure 1 , the caseband 4 is annular in shape. Preferably, the caseband 4 carries an element angularly secured to the latter, this element not being shown in the figures for reasons of clarity. The element angularly secured to the caseband 4 is for example a flat spring ring, without this being limiting in the context of the present invention. In the watch case 2 taken as an example in figures 1 has11 , the configuration of the watch case is substantially circular. However, the invention is in no way limited to such a configuration of the watch case.

[0021] The rotating bezel system 6 comprises a rotating bezel 14, an annular ring 16, an annular joint 18 connecting the rotating bezel 14 and the annular ring 16, and at least one element 20 for locking the annular ring 16 on the rotating bezel 14. Preferably, the system 6 comprises at least two locking elements 20 distributed over 360°. According to a preferred embodiment, the system 6 comprises four locking elements 20 distributed over 360°, the four locking elements 20 being spaced two by two by 90°. The rotating bezel 14 is made of ceramic, typically based on alumina, zirconia or silicon nitride.

[0022] The annular ring 16 is placed in the rotating bezel 14, and cooperates with the angularly integral element of the caseband 4. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures 2 to 11 , the annular ring 16 is a toothed ring, preferably made of metal. According to this particular embodiment, the annular ring 16 is then engaged with teeth of the element angularly secured to the middle 4.

[0023] As illustrated on the figures 2, 3 , 6, 7 And 9, at least one opening 22 for receiving the or one of the locking element(s) 20 is machined locally in the annular ring 16. Preferably, the annular ring 16 comprises on a lower face at least two receiving openings 22 distributed over 360°. According to a preferred embodiment, the annular ring 16 comprises four receiving openings 22 distributed over 360°, the four receiving openings 22 being spaced two by two by 90°. The annular ring 16 is typically made of a metallic material, for example steel or gold.

[0024] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures 2 to 4 , the annular seal 18 is driven between the annular ring 16 and each locking element 20. In the areas of the system 6 where there are no locking elements 20, the annular seal 18 is received in a groove 24 formed in the ring 16, as visible in the figure 3. Preferably, the annular seal 18 is made of a polymer material, for example asutane. The annular seal 18 forms a friction element which makes it possible to prevent any slippage between the locking elements 20 and the annular ring 16, and which also makes it possible to ensure non-return of the locking elements 20 when the latter are positioned in the system.

[0025] Each locking element 20 is configured to block any relative rotation between the annular ring 16 and the bezel 14. According to the invention, as illustrated in the figures 2 And 5 , each locking element 20 has a body elongated in a longitudinal direction of extension D1. The body has a first main part 28a, and a second part 28b forming a rim and extending from the first part 28a in a substantially orthogonal direction. As can be seen in the figures 2 And 5, the body thus has a cross-section in the shape of a substantially “L”, the first part 28a of the body forming the main branch of the “L”, the second part 28b of the body forming the foot of the “L”. In order to receive the locking element(s) 20, the annular ring 16 has locally, on its upper part in line with a corresponding receiving opening 22, at least one shoulder 30 defining an internal clearance 32. In addition, the rotating bezel 14 defines locally on its inner periphery at least one internal groove 34. As visible on the figures 2 And 4, the second part 28b of each locking element 20 is received in one of the receiving grooves 34 provided on the bezel 14. The upper surface of the second part 28b of each locking element 20 is in support against a lower surface of the annular ring 16, more precisely against a lower surface of one of the shoulders 30, as illustrated in the figure 2 Each locking element 20 thus makes it possible to angularly secure the assembly formed by the annular ring 16 and the bezel 14.

[0026] Preferably, each locking element 20 is made of the same material as that from which the annular ring 16 is made, typically a metallic material, for example steel or even gold.

[0027] The assembly of the rotating bezel system 6 according to the invention will now be described with reference to figures 6 to 11. It should be noted that, in these figures, the system 6 is shown upside down (with the bezel 14 turned over) relative to its normal positioning as intended in operation and as shown in the figures 1 to 3 . Consequently, the terms “upper” and “lower” used subsequently will be understood in relation to the guidelines relating to system 6 of the figures 1 to 3 , and not guidelines relating to the system visible on the figures 6 to 11 .

[0028] As illustrated in the figure 6 the annular ring 16 is first installed by placing it within the previously positioned rotating bezel 14. To do this, and as shown in the figure 7 , the openings 22 and the shoulders 30 are used so as to be aligned with the internal grooves 34 of the bezel 14, thus ensuring correct positioning between the ring 16 and the bezel 14.

[0029] In a subsequent step represented on the figures 8 and 9, each locking element 20 is inserted through one of the receiving openings 22 provided in the ring 16, with the second part 28b forming the foot of the “L” positioned so as to be inserted first into the opening 22. This insertion is facilitated by the presence of the internal clearance 32 defined by the corresponding shoulder 30 provided on the ring 16. As illustrated in the figure 10 , the second part 28b of each locking element 20 is then slid into one of the internal grooves 34 provided in the bezel 14, the upper surface of the second part 28b bearing against a lower surface of the corresponding shoulder 30.

[0030] Finally, and as shown in the figure 11, the annular seal 18 is put in place to finalize the assembly of the system 6. To do this, the annular seal 18 is driven between the annular ring 16 and each locking element 20. In the areas of the system 6 where there are no locking elements 20, the annular seal 18 is received in the groove 24 formed in the ring 16, as visible in the figure 3 .

Claims

1. Rotating-bezel system (6) intended to be mounted for rotation on a middle (4) of a watch case (2) inside which a horological movement is housed, comprising a ceramic rotating bezel (14), an annular ring (16) intended to cooperate with an element angularly secured to the middle (4), and an annular joint (18) for connection between the rotating bezel (14) and the annular ring (16), the annular ring (16) being placed in the rotating bezel (14), and further comprising at least one element (20) for locking the annular ring (16) on the rotating bezel (14), said at least one element (20) being configured to lock any relative rotation between the annular ring (16) and the bezel (14) and thus to angularly secure the assembly formed by the ring (16) and the bezel (14), characterised in that the locking element (20) has a first main part (28a), and a second part (28b) forming a rim and extending from the first part (28a) in a substantially orthogonal direction, the locking element (20) thus having an L-shaped cross section, and in that the annular ring (16) locally has, on its upper part, a corresponding opening (22) for receiving the at least one locking element.

2. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to claim 1, characterised in that the part (28b) of the body forming the foot of the L is received in a corresponding groove (34) formed on an internal periphery of the rotating bezel (14).

3. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the top surface of the part (28b) of the body forming the foot of the L is in abutment against a bottom surface of the annular ring (16).

4. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the or each locking element (20) is formed from the same material as that from which the annular ring (16) is formed, preferably a metallic material.

5. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system (6) comprises at least two locking elements (20) distributed over 360°.

6. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to claim 5, characterised in that the system (6) comprises four locking elements (20) distributed over 360°, the four locking elements (20) being spaced apart, two by two, by 90°.

7. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the annular ring (16) is a toothed ring, preferably a metal toothed ring.

8. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the annular joint (18) is formed from a polymer material, for example asutane.

9. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one opening (22) for receiving the locking element or one of the locking elements (20) is machined locally in the annular ring (16).

10. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the annular joint (18) is driven between the annular ring (16) and the or each locking element (20).

11. Rotating-bezel system (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said system (6) is formed by an independent module, said module being configured to be snapped onto the middle (4).

12. Watch case (2) comprising a middle (4) and a system (6) provided with a ceramic rotating bezel (14) mounted for rotation on the middle (4), characterised in that the rotating-bezel system (6) is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

13. Watch (1) including a watch case (2), characterised in that the watch case (2) is in accordance with claim 12.

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