Device for timepiece display on several levels

Abstract

A clockwork display device (100) comprising a first display element (1) and a second display element (2) superimposed above a fixed part (50) comprising a main support surface (51), this second display element (2) is subjected to opposing forces exerted, on the one hand, by lower return means (52) which tend to bring the second display element (2) closer to the first display element (1), and, on the other hand, by upper return means (63) which tend to move the second display element (2) away from the first display element (1) without contact between them or by mechanical spacing means (60) which comprise a support surface (600) ensuring a stop support function on a stop surface (210) of the second display element (2), to limit the stroke of the second display element (2) towards the first display element (1).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a timepiece display device comprising a first display element and at least one second substantially planar display element superimposed above a fixed part comprising a main support surface.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such display device.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of display for timepieces. Technological background

[0004] Certain timepieces, in particular watches, comprise a plurality of display elements, other than hands, superimposed on each other, in a substantially parallel manner, these elements being able in the most general case to be flat, or to have a convexity or a concavity. Such display elements may be discs, rings, flags, or other mobiles. Certain display elements may have a significant thickness, in particular when they comprise an optical transfer element, such as an optical conductor, formed for example from a bundle of plastic, or polymer, or glass, or similar optical fibers, or a magnifying glass, or similar.

[0005] Adjusting the distance between two such display elements is important, on the one hand for mechanical reasons to avoid any interference, and on the other hand for optical reasons, to offer the user a clear view of the markings located on all levels of the timepiece. Here we are mainly interested in frontal vision, that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the dial, or even the crystal.

[0006] The use of an optical conductor, in particular a bundle of optical fibers, or other display element requires precise adjustment of the distance in the frontal direction because, in the case of optical conductors, in particular bundles of optical fibers, this is essential to reproduce a pattern that is not blurred. In other cases, variations in height between the patterns that would be perceptible to the user must be avoided.

[0007] Generally speaking, it is important to prevent the adjustment system from damaging the visible pattern. For this reason, it is not possible to rub a pattern to be reproduced directly onto the optical conductor or the optical fiber bundle, for example, because the rubbing would eventually damage the display patterns.

[0008] Adjusting the distance in this frontal direction in the cases below is essential to achieve the desired visual effect.

[0009] Document FR2274081 A1 shows a mechanical digital watch having a minute disc, with the minute numerals appearing in the center of a window in the dial. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention proposes to improve a timepiece display device, comprising several display elements, on several parallel or substantially parallel levels, so as to avoid interference or friction between some of these elements, by introducing means for controlling the distance between two display elements, and, more particularly, means for adjusting the distance between two display elements.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a timepiece display device according to claim 1.

[0012] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such display device. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where: the figure 1represents, schematically and in sectional view passing through a frontal direction of vision, a timepiece display device according to a first variant of the invention, comprising a first display element on the user's side, here represented by a sapphire dial, and a second display element which is here a display disc movable around an axis of rotation, which are both substantially planar, and which are superimposed above a main support surface which comprises a fixed element such as a plate or the like; the first display element here comprises, on its lower face, that is to say opposite the user, a coating, a first upper surface of which is visible to the user, and a first lower surface of which faces the second display element located below;this second display element comprises, on its upper face, which is visible to the user when it is not hidden by the covering of the first display element, at least one display pattern which can be viewed by the user in an opening or window which the first display element comprises; this second display element is moved away from the main support surface by lower return means, here represented by elastic return means such as a spring, which tends to push it towards the first display element, from which it nevertheless remains distant thanks to spacing means which ensure a minimum functional clearance between this first display element and this second display element; these spacing means are advantageously elastic, to absorb the effects of a shock, for example when the timepiece is dropped, and to safeguard the integrity of these two display means;preferably, these spacing means are in an area invisible to the user, they can be carried indifferently by the first display element, by the second display element, or even by a fixed element linked to the plate for example; ; there figure 2 represents, in a similar way to the figure 1, another variant of the invention, in which the first display element is not necessarily transparent, but carries an optical conductor here constituted by a bundle of optical fibers, an upper surface of which shows to the user the pattern carried by the second display element under the beam; this second display element is here a disc carried by a shaft pivoted in two bearings, and the axis of rotation of which is substantially parallel to the frontal direction of vision; the second display element is, here again, pushed back by a spring bearing on a plate, towards a support pin fixed on the first display element; the figure 3 represents, in a similar way to the figure 2 , another variant of the invention, where an upper magnet cooperates with the shaft of the second display element, and provides traction of the second display element towards the first display element; the figure 4represents, in a similar way to the figure 2 , yet another variant of the invention, where part of the spacing means is constituted by at least upper elastic return means arranged between the first display element and the second display element; Figure 5 represents, in a similar way to the figure 3 , a symmetrical variant, where a lower magnet cooperates with the shaft of the second display element, and provides a thrust from the second display element towards the first display element; the figure 6 represents, in a similar way to the figure 2 , yet another variant of the invention, where part of the spacing means is constituted by at least one magnet fixed to the first display element and cooperating in attraction with a magnetized or ferromagnetic zone which the second display element comprises; the figure 7 represents, in a similar way to the figure 1, a variant of the invention, comprising several second superimposed display elements, with lower return means pushing the second display element closest to the plate, such as a units disc of a date display, towards the second display element closest to a dial constituting the first display element, resting on a set of lower spacing means, while the second display element closest to the dial, which is here a transparent tens disc of the date, is separated from this dial by a set of upper spacing means; figure 8 represents, in a similar way to the figure 7 , a variant where the lower spring repulsion is replaced by a higher attraction, by a magnet fixed to the dial, of the second display element closest to the plate; the figure 9 represents, in a similar way to the figure 1, a variant where the first display element is a sapphire dial, coated on the lower face, and which includes a window for viewing a lower display disc constituting the second display element; the sapphire dial has floating appliques on its upper face closest to the user; a hand is conventionally movable above this same upper face; the figure 10 represents, in a similar way to the figure 9 , a variant where the wicket is surrounded by a border; the figure 11 represents, schematically and in plan view, side by side, and superimposed, the dial and the disc of the figure 10 ; there figure 12 represents, in a similar way to the figure 9 , a variant where the window is surrounded by a gradient; the figure 13 represents, schematically and in plan view, side by side, and superimposed, the dial and the disc of the figure 12 ; there figure 14represents, schematically and in plan view, a watch comprising, under a glass, such a display device. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] The invention relates more particularly to a timepiece display device 100, which comprises a first display element 1 and at least one second display element 2 which are substantially planar, which are superimposed above a fixed part 50 comprising a main support surface 51.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one second display element 2 is subjected to opposing forces, which are exerted in a frontal direction F: on the one hand by lower return means 52, which the device 100 comprises, and which tend to bring this at least one second display element 2 closer to a first lower surface 12 which the first display element 1 comprises, and, on the other hand, by upper return means 63 which tend to move this at least one second display element 2 away from the first lower surface 12 of the first display element 1 without contact between this second display element 2 and the first display element 1 and / or by mechanical spacing means 60, which the device 100 comprises, and which comprise a bearing surface 600 arranged to provide a stop bearing function on a stop surface 210 which this second display element 2 comprises, to limit the travel of the second display element 2 towards the first lower surface 12.

[0016] More particularly, this device 100 extends over several parallel or substantially parallel levels, and comprises, separated from the user by a glass 10, the first substantially planar display element 1, i.e. planar or with a curvature greater than 10 cm, comprising a first upper surface 11 visible to the user and opposite the first lower surface 12, and, separated from the glass 10 by the first display element 1, at least one second substantially planar display element 2, i.e. planar or with a curvature greater than 10 cm, comprising a second upper surface 21 visible to the user and a second lower surface 22 opposite the second upper surface 21. Each second display element 2 is movable above the main support surface 51.The lower return means 52 tend to move at least one second display element 2 away from the main surface 51 to bring this at least one second display element 2 closer to the first lower surface 12, and, more particularly, tend to move each second display element 2 away from the main surface 51 to bring each second display element 2 closer to the first lower surface 12. And the upper return means 63 and / or the spacing means 60 are arranged to ensure a functional clearance Em between this at least one said second display element 2 and the first lower surface 12. More particularly, at least two second display means 2 are staggered at different distances from the main surface 51, and are kept separated from each other by spacing means 60 that the device 100 comprises.

[0017] More particularly still, the first display element 1 comprises on the one hand at least a first screen surface 18, which is visible to the user, and which is arranged to locally hide from the user's view at least a part of the second upper surface 21 of a second display element 2 located between the first display element 1 and the main support surface 51, in a frontal vision direction F, substantially normal to a plane tangent to the first upper surface 11 of the first display element 1 or to a second upper surface 21 or to the main support surface 51.This first display element 1 further comprises at least one first vision zone 19 which is an opening or an optical conductor or a transparent or translucent zone, which at least one first vision zone 19 is arranged to allow the user to see at least a part of a said second upper surface 21, and / or of a said second lower surface 22 when the second display element is transparent, of a second display element 2 located between the first display element 1 and the main support surface 51, in the frontal direction F.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the device 100 comprises spacing means 60, the bearing surface 600 of which is arranged to cooperate with the stop surface 210 which comprises a second upper surface 21 of a second display element 2, and this stop surface 210 is masked by a first screen surface 18, and is not visible to the user.

[0019] The present description sets out different variants of the invention in particular and non-limiting applications, relating to the positioning in a frontal direction F of a mobile display element 2 relative to a sapphire dial 1, to an optical fiber 70, or to another mobile display element.

[0020] There figure 1represents such a display device 100, comprising a first display element 1 on the user side, here represented by a sapphire dial, and a second display element 2, which is here a display disc movable about an axis of rotation D, which are both substantially planar, and which are superimposed above a main support surface 51 which comprises a fixed element 50 such as a plate or the like. The arrow F indicates a frontal direction of vision, substantially perpendicular to the first display element 1, or to the second display element 2, or to the fixed element 50. The first display element 1 here comprises, on its lower face, that is to say opposite the user, a coating, a first upper surface 18 of which is visible to the user, and a first lower surface 12 of which faces the second display element 2 located below.This second display element 2 comprises, on its upper face 21, which is visible to the user when it is not hidden by the covering of the first display element 1, at least one display pattern which can be viewed by the user in an opening 19 or a window 80 which the first display element 1 comprises. This second display element 2 is moved away from the main support surface 51 by lower return means 52, here represented by elastic return means such as a spring, which tend to push it towards the first display element 1, from which it nevertheless remains distant thanks to spacing means 60, which ensure a minimum functional clearance between this first display element 1 and this second display element 2.

[0021] More particularly, these spacing means 60 comprise damping means, which are arranged to provide a shock-proof stop function to prevent any contact between a said second display element 2 and said first lower surface 12 during an impact suffered by the timepiece carrying said display device 100; in particular these spacing means 60 advantageously comprise at least one elastic element, to absorb the effects of an impact where appropriate, for example when the timepiece is dropped, and to safeguard the integrity of these two display means 1 and 2.Preferably, these spacing means 60 are in an area invisible to the user, for example in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the display mobile to reduce tangential friction during a change of display; they can indifferently be carried by the first display element 1, by the second display element 2, or even by a fixed element 50 linked to the plate for example. These spacing means 60 are arranged to ensure a non-zero functional clearance Em, visible on the . figure 1 , between this second display element 2 and the first lower surface 12. Advantageously, their bearing surface 600 is that of a Teflon ®< component or which is Teflon-coated or similar, to reduce tangential friction during a display change.

[0022] In this case of a sapphire dial 1, the dial may in particular comprise a sapphire plate 120, with a paint or coating 180 under the sapphire in order to color the dial. More particularly, an opening or a transparent or translucent zone 19, or even a window 80, for a display, leaves a transparent part or even a through orifice in the dial 1. The second display element 2 which is below seems to be at the same level as the dial 1, because it is only very slightly spaced from the visible dial (distance E on the figure 1). It is therefore necessary to minimize this distance E and control it. In order to guarantee a minimum distance, while avoiding friction on the display areas which could leave visible traces of wear, it is advisable to place distance adjustment elements, constituted by these spacing means 60 or comprising these spacing means 60, and / or by these upper return means 63 which will be detailed later, outside the visible area, and in particular under an opaque area of the coating 180. In a particular embodiment, the lower return means 52 comprise at least one elastic return element 52, which presses the second movable display element 2 against the stop surfaces 600 which these spacing means 60 comprise.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, at least one second display element 2 is a second upper display element which comprises, on the one hand, at least one second screen surface 218 visible to the user and which is arranged to either hide from the user's view any second upper surface 21 of another second display element 2 which is a second lower display element, or to show the user two superimposed patterns.This second lower display element is located between, on the one hand, the second upper display element 2 and the main support surface 51, in the frontal direction of vision F substantially normal to a plane tangent to the first upper surface 11 of the first display element 1 or to a second upper surface 21 or to the main support surface 51, and on the other hand, at least one second vision zone 219 which is an opening or an optical conductor or a transparent or translucent zone, which at least one second vision zone 219 is arranged to allow the user to see at least one second upper surface 21, and / or a second lower surface 22 when the second display element 2 is transparent, of a second lower display element located between the second upper display element and the main support surface 51, in the frontal direction F, as visible on the . figure 7 . THE figures 7 and 8show two second display elements 2, which are two display discs: in order to produce a pattern composed of two digits at substantially the same height (spaced by the smallest possible distance E), several display elements movable between them can be positioned by elastic or magnetic stops and return elements. The two patterns therefore appear at the same height if this is low. The realizations of the figures 7 and 8 allow a large date to be produced, for example, with the second upper display element 2 which is a tens disc which bears tens markings 218, and the second lower display element 2 which is a units disc which bears units markings 219.

[0024] By optical conductor is meant here an image transfer device, for bringing an image present on a lower level back to the user, possibly with a magnification effect, or other. More particularly, such an optical conductor comprises at least one bundle of plastic or polymer or glass optical fibers, or similar. Another case of distance adjustment thus concerns optical fibers, as illustrated in the figures 2 to 6 . The use of an optical conductor or optical fiber bundle aims to move a display pattern in a frontal direction F over a large distance (via the optical conductor or the optical fiber bundle). This allows other means of adjusting the distance. As a reminder, adjusting the distance between the pattern to be reproduced and the optical conductor or the optical fiber bundle is essential to avoid obtaining a blurred pattern.

[0025] More particularly, at least the first display element 1 comprises at least one optical conductor or a bundle of optical fibers 70, an upper surface 71 of which is visible to the user to whom it transmits the image of a second upper surface 21 of a second display element 2, in the vicinity of a lower surface 72 that the optical conductor or bundle of optical fibers 70 comprises, and the lower surface 72 closest to the main surface 51 then constitutes the first lower surface 12 of the first display element 1.

[0026] More particularly still, the device 100 comprises spacing means 60, which comprise a bearing surface 600 projecting, relative to the lower surface 72 of the bundle of optical fibers 70, towards the second display element 2 closest to the first display element 1 to protect the bundle of optical fibers 70. And lower return means 52 are arranged to push this second display element 2 closest to the first display element 1 into abutment against the bearing surface 600, to guarantee the sharpness of the image transmitted by the at least one bundle of optical fibers 70.

[0027] More particularly still, the device 100 comprises upper return means 63, which comprise a bearing surface 600 projecting relative to the lower surface 72 of the bundle of optical fibers 70 towards the second display element 2 closest to the first display element 1 to protect the bundle of optical fibers 70, and lower return means 52 are arranged to push this second display element 2 closest to the first display element 1 into abutment against the bearing surface 600, to guarantee the sharpness of the image transmitted by the at least one bundle of optical fibers 70.

[0028] The lower return means 52 may take different forms: mechanical, magnetic, or other return means. In a particular embodiment, as in the figures 1, 2 , And 7, these lower return means 52 are elastic return means, such as springs, arranged to bear, on the one hand on the main surface 51, and on the other hand on at least one second display element 2. In other embodiments, as in the Figure 5 , some of these lower return means 52 are lower magnetic return means 53, which are arranged to cooperate in attraction or repulsion with at least a part of a second display element 2, such as for example a magnetized and / or ferromagnetic rotation shaft 29, to move it away from the main surface 51.

[0029] In a particular embodiment with several second display means 2, the device 100 advantageously comprises spacing means 60 which are adjusted to guarantee relative mobility between the first display element 1 and all the second display means 2 without contact between them.

[0030] More particularly, the spacing means 60, and / or the upper return means 63, are adjustable, to adjust the distance between each second upper surface 21 of each second display element 2 and the first lower surface 12 of the first display element 1, above a minimum value guaranteeing the relative mobility between the first display element 1 and all the second display means 2 without contact between them.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the device 100 comprises spacing means 60, at least part of which is constituted by upper elastic return means 61.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the device 100 comprises spacing means 60, at least one part of which comprises at least one rigid mechanical stop 62, as visible in the figure 2. An axial adjustment in the frontal direction F by a pin, a screw, or another mechanical element is possible, for example with a screw cooperating with a thread that the first display element 1 comprises.

[0033] In a particular embodiment, and as visible on the figures 3 And 6, the device 100 comprises upper return means 63, at least one part of which is constituted by at least upper magnetic return means, which are arranged to cooperate in attraction or repulsion with at least one magnetized and / or ferromagnetic part 28 or a magnetized and / or ferromagnetic shaft 29 of a second display element 2 to move it away from the first lower surface 12 of the first display element 1. Thus, more particularly, at least one second display element 2 is pivotable about a pivot axis D and comprises a shaft 29 guided in at least one bearing 92 that the fixed part 50 and / or the first display element 1 comprises, and the upper magnetic return means 63 are arranged to cooperate in attraction or repulsion with this shaft 29 which is magnetized or ferromagnetic. figure 3illustrates an adjustment of the distance by adjusting the position of the board of the second display element 2 on its shaft 29, and by taking up the play in the pivots 92 with an upper magnet 63. A take-up of the play by an elastic element is also possible.

[0034] In the variant of the figure 6 , at least one second display element 2 is pivotable about a pivot axis D and comprises a shaft 29 guided in at least one bearing 92 that the fixed part 50 and / or the first display element 1 comprises, and comprises a magnetized or ferromagnetic zone 28 eccentric with respect to this shaft 29, and the upper magnetic return means 63 are arranged to cooperate in attraction or repulsion with this magnetized or ferromagnetic zone 28. figure 6thus illustrates a distance adjustment with a magnet 63, the axial position of which in the frontal direction F is adjustable. The magnet 63 attracts the second display element 2. The friction point is positioned outside the display area. The adjustment system is insensitive to any flatness of the mobile, which is advantageous. The lower end of the magnet 63 acts as a frontal stop here.

[0035] The device 100 advantageously comprises upper return means 63 and / or mechanical spacing means 60, which are adjustable in translation along a frontal vision direction F, to refine the sharpness of the image visible to the user.

[0036] More particularly, the first display element 1 is fixed relative to the fixed part 50. More particularly still, the first display element 1 is a dial.

[0037] More particularly, the first display element 1 is movable relative to the fixed part 50.

[0038] More particularly, the first display element 1 comprises at least one window 80 through which at least one second upper surface 21 of a second display element 2 is visible.

[0039] More particularly, the surround of the window 80 is of variable section and / or variable chromatic density.

[0040] More particularly, the surrounding of the window 80 includes a border 81 for delimiting a display.

[0041] More particularly, the second upper surface 21 visible through the window 80 by the user has the same appearance as the first upper surface 11 of the first display element 1.

[0042] More particularly, the first display element 1 is made of transparent material, and comprises, on at least part of its first lower surface 12, a coating constituting a non-transparent surface visible to the user.

[0043] More particularly, at least one second display element 2 is transparent and comprises at least one marking 26 arranged to cooperate with a complementary marking 27 that the first display element 1 or another second display element 2 or the fixed part 50 comprises.

[0044] There figure 9illustrates a particular embodiment, where a watch 1000 comprises a display device 100 with a dial 1 made of a transparent material, in our case a sapphire dial 1. The sapphire is colored by a deposit 180 of paint, lacquer, varnish, PVD deposit or other coating on its lower face 12. It is also possible to deposit appliques on the upper / lower face. The appliques 21 or decals, or screen prints, or the like, on the upper face 11 have an interesting visual effect because they appear to float above the dial. Indeed, the visible surface of the dial corresponds to the lower face of the sapphire. This transparent dial comprises an aperture 80. The aperture 80 corresponds to an uncoated area on the lower face of the sapphire. There is no hole in the sapphire at the location of the aperture.

[0045] Various arrangements are advantageous for good reading by the user: so that the effect is not disturbed by reflections, an anti-reflective coating is recommended on the upper and lower faces of the sapphire 1; in the case where one wants to minimize the distance between the display disc and the dial, it is useful to have the thinnest possible decal on the display disc; different elements can be displayed in the window: display disc, hand, movement element, a partial skeletonized view of the movement, or other.

[0046] The border of the 80 wicket can be made in several ways: as seen on the figure 9 , the coating forming the visible surface of the dial stops abruptly; as seen on the figure 10 , a border 81 (deposited by a decal or similar) delimits the border of the window 80; as visible on the figure 11, the delimitation between the transparent area and the area completely covered with coating is carried out with a gradient, for example, a paint spray, or even a chamfer, possibly sanded. The visual effect obtained is very interesting because the pattern appears in a blurred or misty area; in particular, a gradual transition is made from a totally opaque layer to a transparent or translucent layer via an area of variable opacity. A variant can also consist in the use of a variable chromatic density around the display area. In the particular variant of the figure 10 , the color of the dial 1 and the color of the background of the display disc 2 are advantageously identical. Naturally, in another variant, the use of different colors is also possible.

[0047] Dial 1 can be engraved by laser technology on its underside, in order to create cavities, which will then be filled with a coating to give a texture or relief to dial 1.

[0048] This type of window 80 and dial 1 is particularly useful with the use of a flexible hand. Indeed, during impacts, the hand deforms and comes into contact with the dial or the crystal. It is therefore advisable to combine the flexible hand (for example for the minutes) with a sapphire window (which displays the time) according to the invention to prevent the flexible minute hand from interfering with another hand (for example the hour hand if this display had not been carried out in the window).

[0049] The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such display device 100.

Claims

1. A horology display device (100) comprising a first display element (1) and at least one second display element (2) which are flat or with a curve greater than 10 cm superimposed on one another above a fixed part (50) comprising a main support surface (51), in which said at least one said second display element (2) is subjected to opposing forces exerted in a frontal direction (F), said opposing forces being exerted, on one hand, by upper return means (63) that tend to move said at least one second display element (2) away from a first lower surface (12) comprised in the first display element (1), with no contact between said second display element (2) and said first display element (1) and / or by mechanical spacing means (60), comprised in said device (100), and which comprise a support surface (600) arranged to ensure a stop support function on a stop surface (210) comprised in said second display element (2), to limit the travel of the second display element (2) towards said first lower surface (12), characterised in that said opposing forces are exerted, on one hand, by lower return means (52), comprised in said device (100), and which tend to bring said at least one second display element (2) closer to said first lower surface (12) comprised in said first display element (1).

2. The horology display device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that it extends over several parallel or substantially parallel levels, and comprises, separated from the user by a glass (10), the first display element (1) comprising a first upper surface (11) visible to the user and opposite the first lower surface (12), and, separated from said glass (10) by said first display element (1), at least the said second display element (2) comprising a second upper surface (21) visible to the user and a second lower surface (22) opposite said second upper surface (21), the or each second display element (2) being mobile above said main support surface (51), and in that said lower return means (52) tend to move the or each second display element (2) away from said main surface (51) to bring the second display element(s) (2) closer to said first lower surface (12), and in that said upper return means (63) and / or said spacing means (60) are arranged to ensure a functional play Em between the second display element(s) (2) and said first lower surface (12).

3. The display device (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that said first display element (1) comprises, on one hand, at least a first screen surface (18) visible to the user and arranged to locally conceal from the user at least part of said second upper surface (21) of said second display element (2) located between said first display element (1) and said main support surface (51), in a frontal viewing direction (F) substantially normal to a plane tangent to said first upper surface (11) of said first display element (1) or to a said second upper surface (21) or to said main support surface (51), and also comprises at least one first viewing zone (19) which is an opening or an optical conductor or a transparent or translucent zone, said at least one first viewing zone (19) being arranged to allow the user to see at least part of a said second upper surface (21), and / or of a said second lower surface (22) when said second display element is transparent, of a said second display element (2) located between said first display element (1) and said main support surface (51), in said frontal direction (F).

4. The display device (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60), said support surface (600) of which is arranged to cooperate with said stop surface (210) comprised in a said second upper surface (21) of a said second display element (2), said stop surface (210) being masked by a said first screen surface (18) and not visible to the user.

5. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one said second display element (2) is a second upper display element (2) which comprises, on one hand, at least a second screen surface (218) visible to the user and arranged to either conceal from the user any second upper surface (21) of another second display element (2) which is a second lower display element (2) located between, on one hand, said second upper display element (2) and said main support surface (51), in a frontal viewing direction substantially normal to a plane tangent to said first upper surface (11) of said first display element (1) or to said second upper surface (21) or to said main support surface (51), or else to show the user two superimposed patterns, and on the other hand at least one second viewing zone (219) which is an opening or an optical conductor or a transparent or translucent zone, said at least one second viewing zone (219) being arranged to allow the user to see at least one second upper surface (21), and / or the second lower surface (22) when said second display element is transparent, of a second lower display element (2) located between said second upper display element (2) and said main support surface (51), in said frontal direction (F).

6. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60), which comprise damping means arranged to provide a shock-resistant stop function to prevent any contact between a said second display element (2) and said first lower surface (12) in the event of an impact on the timepiece carrying said display device (100).

7. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said display device (100) comprises at least lower return means (52) tending to move each said second display element (2) away from said main support surface (51) to bring each said second display element (2) closer to said first lower surface (12).

8. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least said lower return means (52) are resilient return means arranged to press, on one hand, on said main surface (51), and on the other hand on at least one said second display element (2).

9. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least said lower return means (52) are lower magnetic return means (53) arranged to cooperate in attraction or in repulsion with at least part of a said second display element (2) to move it away from said main surface (51).

10. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60) which are adjusted to ensure the relative mobility between said first display element (1) and all said second display means (2) with no contact between them.

11. The display device (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that said spacing means (60) are adjustable to adjust the distance between each second upper surface (21) of each second display element (2) and said first lower surface (12) of said first display element (1), above a minimum value guaranteeing the relative mobility between said first display element (1) and all said second display means (2) with no contact between them.

12. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60), at least part of which is formed by resilient upper return means (61).

13. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60), at least part of which comprises at least one straight rigid mechanical stop (62).

14. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said upper return means (63) at least part of which is formed by at least upper magnetic return means arranged to cooperate in attraction or in repulsion with at least one magnetic and / or ferromagnetic part (28) of said second display element (2) to move it away from said first lower surface (12) of said first display element (1).

15. The display device (100) according to claim 14, characterised in that at least one said second display element (2) is pivotally mobile about a pivot axis (D) and comprises an arbor (29) guided in at least one bearing (92) comprised in said fixed part (50) and / or said first display element (1), and in that said upper magnetic return means (63) are arranged to cooperate in attraction or in repulsion with said arbor (29) which is magnetic or ferromagnetic.

16. The display device (100) according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that at least one said second display element (2) is pivotally mobile about a pivot axis (D) and comprises an arbor (29) guided in at least one bearing (92) comprised in said fixed part (50) and / or said first display element (1), and comprises a magnetic or ferromagnetic zone (28) which is eccentric relative to said arbor (29), and in that said upper magnetic return means (63) are arranged to cooperate in attraction or in repulsion with said magnetic or ferromagnetic zone (28).

17. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that at least two said second display means (2) are tiered at different distances from said main surface (51), and are kept separate from one another by said spacing means (60) comprised in said device (100).

18. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that at least said first display element (1) comprises at least one optical conductor or a bundle of optical fibres (70), an upper surface (71) of which is visible to the user to whom it transmits the image of a second upper surface (21) of a said second display element (2), in the vicinity of a lower surface (72) comprised in said optical conductor or bundle of optical fibres (70), and said lower surface (72) closest to said main surface (51) then constitutes said first lower surface (12) of said first display element (1).

19. The display device (100) according to claim 18, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said spacing means (60), which comprise a said support surface (600) projecting relative to said lower surface (72) of said bundle of optical fibres (70) towards said second display element (2) closest to said first display element (1) so as to protect said bundle of optical fibres (70), and in that said lower return means (52) are arranged to act as a stop support to press this said second display element (2) closest to said first display element (1) against said support surface (600), to ensure the sharpness of the image transmitted by said at least one bundle of optical fibres (70).

20. The display device (100) according to claim 18, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said upper return means (63), which comprise a said support surface (600) projecting relative to said lower surface (72) of said bundle of optical fibres (70) towards said second display element (2) closest to said first display element (1) so as to protect said bundle of optical fibres (70), and in that said lower return means (52) are arranged to act as a stop support to press this said second display element (2) closest to said first display element (1) against said support surface (600), to ensure the sharpness of the image transmitted by said at least one bundle of optical fibres (70).

21. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that said device (100) comprises said upper return means (63) and / or said mechanical spacing means (60), which are adjustable in translation in a frontal viewing direction, to refine the sharpness of the image visible to the user.

22. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that said first display element (1) is fixed relative to said fixed part (50).

23. The display device (100) according to claim 22, characterised in that said first display element (1) is a dial.

24. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that said first display element (1) is mobile relative to said fixed part (50).

25. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that said first display element (1) comprises at least one aperture (80) through which at least a second upper surface (21) of a said second display element (2) is visible.

26. The display device (100) according to claim 25, characterised in that the flange of said aperture (80) has a variable cross-section with a gradual transition from a completely opaque layer to a transparent or translucent layer via a zone with variable opacity.

27. The display device (100) according to claim 25, characterised in that the flange of said aperture (80) comprises an edge (81) for delimiting a display.

28. The display device (100) according to any of claims 25 to 27, characterised in that said second upper surface (21) visible through said aperture (80) by the user has the same appearance as said first upper surface (11) of said first display element (1).

29. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 28, characterised in that said first display element (1) is made of transparent material, and comprises on at least part of its said first lower surface (12), a plating constituting a non-transparent surface visible to the user.

30. The display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 29, characterised in that at least one said second display element (2) is transparent and comprises at least one marking (26) arranged to cooperate with a complementary marking (27) comprised in said first display element (1) or another said second display element (2) or said fixed part (50).

31. A timepiece (1000) comprising at least one display device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 30.

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