Bezel for a timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a bezel (1) for a watch part, characterized in that it comprises an annular groove (2) with a base (20) and two walls (21, 22), in which a ring (3) of luminescent material (3) is disposed on the base, said ring (3) being surmounted by a second ring (4) of mineral material occupying the volume of said groove, and that said bezel (1) comprises in each of said two walls (21, 22) a seal (5, 5') cooperating with said second ring (4).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a bezel for a watch part. State of the art

[0002] In the realm of watches with a case and a case middle, it is common practice to include a luminous marker on the case middle. In the case of a dive watch, this marker is, for example, a rotating bezel, and the marker allows the diver to indicate a reference position for measuring their dive time. To do this, the diver rotates the bezel until the marker is aligned with the minute hand. This position then becomes the reference for measuring elapsed time. One of the key criteria for the effectiveness of a dive watch is the legibility of the time and markers during immersion.

[0003] To address this limitation, a known solution is to coat the bezel markers and watch hands with a phosphorescent material. This makes the markers and hands visible in low-light conditions, typically a few meters underwater. Such a dive watch is described, for example, in French patent application FR 1 572 837 A. However, a drawback of this solution is that it requires replacing the entire bezel once the phosphorescent material is depleted. Furthermore, this type of watch generally places the markings on the bezel surface, exposing them to shocks and friction, which can cause irreparable damage. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing to provide a bezel system equipped with a luminescent timer that is simple to mount, waterproof and safe.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a telescope which includes the features mentioned in independent claim 1.

[0006] Specific watch shapes are defined in dependent claims 2 to 7.

[0007] The invention further relates to a timepiece comprising a case including a case closed by a back and a glass and fitted with a bezel, and a bezel according to one of the preceding claims. Brief description of the figures

[0008] The purposes, advantages, and characteristics of the watch according to the invention will become clearer from the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a telescope according to the invention; the figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along a cutting plane AA, of the telescope of the figure 1 according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0009] THE figures 1 and 2 The figures illustrate a bezel 1 according to the invention, the bezel 1 being arranged to be mounted on a timepiece comprising a case closed by a back and a crystal. The bezel 1 is an annular component comprising an upper face visible to the user and a lower face in direct or indirect contact with the watch case. This bezel 1 may be made of a metallic, composite, ceramic, or even plastic material.

[0010] The bezel 1 can be mounted on the case with or without a rotating mechanism. In the case of a rotating bezel, a spring-tooth or ratcheting assembly is used. This spring-tooth assembly comprises spring elements and a toothed element. One element of the spring-tooth assembly is angularly fixed to the case, while the other is angularly fixed to the bezel 1, thus allowing for angular indexing of the bezel relative to the case.

[0011] For mounting the bezel 1, the watch component typically includes a case in which a shoulder is arranged. This shoulder is defined by a side wall and a base. This shoulder serves as a housing for the bezel. Generally, the side wall includes a projection extending around its entire perimeter. This projection, in conjunction with the base and the side wall, defines a retaining groove. This retaining groove allows the bezel to be inserted and held securely during press-fit assembly.

[0012] According to the invention, the bezel 1 has a groove 2 at the level of the upper face 1a, this groove 2 also being annular, that is to say extending along the upper face 1a, and comprising a bottom 20 and two walls 21, 22.

[0013] Advantageously, the bezel 1 serves as a housing for a ring of luminescent material 3 which is disposed on the bottom 20, and for a second ring of mineral material 4 surmounting the ring of luminescent material 3 and occupying the remaining volume of the groove 2.

[0014] According to the invention, the bezel 1 further comprises a timer element. This timer element is in the form of a ring made of luminescent material 3 which includes a timer element 30 for indicating the minutes, and whose dimensions allow it to be placed in the bottom 20 of the groove 2 of the bezel 1 as visible to the figure 2This luminescent ring 3 can be made of a plastic, metallic, or organic material such as wood, or of a crystalline material such as sapphire, ruby, or ceramic. Timekeeping markers are then embossed, i.e., raised, on the surface of the ring 3. The luminescent ring 3 is in the form of a ring with a circular or trapezoidal cross-section, as illustrated in the figure. figure 2 .

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the minute markers on the bezel 1 are produced by means of metallizations forming indices. Alternatively, grooves could be made in the luminescent ring 3 and then filled with ink or metal.

[0016] Advantageously, the second ring 4 is made of a transparent mineral material so that the timer can be observed through the second ring 4. The second ring 4 is therefore mounted in the groove 2, above the luminescent ring 3. The second ring 4 is in the form of an annular ring with a rectangular cross-section and whose dimensions allow it to be placed in the groove 2 so that the groove is flush with the upper surface of the bezel 1.

[0017] The mineral material forming the second ring is chosen from: glass, sapphire, ruby, ceramic.

[0018] According to the invention, the groove comprises, on each of the walls 21, 22, a groove 6, 6' arranged to receive a toroidal seal 5, 5', so as to ensure the groove is sealed and prevent dust or liquids from settling on the luminescent ring 3. The height of the grooves is similar to the height of the second ring 4, which allows for a thicker / taller seal 5 and thus a better seal. The second ring 4 also has chamfers on its upper and lower edges to facilitate insertion and prevent damage to the seal.

[0019] As can be seen in the figure 2 , the upper part of the groove 5, 5' is slightly chamfered so as not to pinch the seal and damage it when inserting the second ring 4.

[0020] During the assembly of the bezel 1, the luminescent ring 3 is first inserted against the bottom 20 of the groove 2, then each seal 5, 5 is then placed in a corresponding groove 6, 6'. Finally, the second ring 4 is pressed into the groove 2 over the luminescent ring 3. Thus, the whole assembly is held together by the friction forces between the seals 5, 5 and the second ring 4, the seals 5, 5' also acting as a sealing element.

[0021] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention set forth above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A bezel (1) for a timepiece, comprising an annular slot (2) with a bottom (20) and two walls (21, 22), wherein a ring (3) made of a luminescent material is disposed on the bottom, said ring (3) being topped by a second ring (4) made of a mineral material occupying the volume of said slot, characterised in that said slot (2) comprises in each of said two walls (21, 22), a groove (6, 6') arranged so as to receive one toric-shaped seal (5, 5'), said seal (5, 5') cooperating with said second ring (4).

2. The bezel (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said ring made of a luminescent material (3) comprises a motion-work element (30) allowing an indication of the minutes.

3. The bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mineral material forming the second ring (4) is a transparent material.

4. The bezel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said second ring (4) is arranged so that the latter is flush with the surface of the bezel (1).

5. The bezel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the motion-work element (30) is made in the form of metallisations forming indices.

6. The bezel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mineral material forming the second ring (4) is selected from among: glass, sapphire, ruby.

7. A timepiece comprising a case comprising a middle closed by a bottom and a glass and provided with a bezel (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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