Time setting method of a watch in a horological unit "sympathique"

Abstract

The invention relates to a step-by-step method whereby the time of a sympathetic watch (200) is set by a sympathetic clock (100), the watch (200) and the clock (100) together forming a sympathetic assembly, wherein a predetermined time-setting pitch and a reference position of the displays (3; 4; 5) of the watch (200) are determined, and wherein the clock (100) sets the time of the watch (200) by positioning a transmission line at a position corresponding to the time setting, and by actuating in successive steps, each step having the predetermined pitch value, a transmission line capable of imparting any movement necessary to achieve accurate display of the current time to a time-setting mechanism internal to the watch (200).

Description

Domain of l'invention

[0001] The invention relates to a sympathetic clock assembly, which comprises a pendulum and at least one watch arranged to be placed in a receptacle which the pendulum comprises, in a single transfer position, said sympathetic assembly comprising a connecting mechanism between said pendulum and each watch when said watch is placed in said receptacle in said transfer position.

[0002] The invention relates to the very specific field of sympathetic clocks and watches, where these timepieces paired in pairs each comprise a time base for counting time, and display means for displaying horological quantities; in particular, these display means are arranged to allow the user to simultaneously view the display on the clock and the display on the watch. Background of the invention

[0003] Since 1800, Abraham-Louis Breguet has designed sympathetic clocks that allow the watches dedicated to them to be wound, set and regulated, without any other constraint than placing the watch on the clock.

[0004] These three functions (which is the maximum number of known functions) are performed simultaneously at a time defined by the construction of the clock, generally once or twice a day. This is the case, for example, of the Breguet clock No. 128 and the associated watch No. 5009 described in the book "The Art of Breguet" by George Daniels. It is the moment when the time setting is triggered that determines the precision of the time setting, which explains why this function is only performed once or twice a day for clocks from the 1800s, and every two hours for clocks from the 1990s. It should be noted that the watches do not have an hour correction in addition to the minute as mentioned in George Daniels' analysis, which requires the user to make a preliminary adjustment with an initial rough time setting, of the order of plus or minus fifteen minutes, the clock making the fine time setting in the process.

[0005] Until now, only these types of functions have been applied to the few sympathetic pendulums that exist.

[0006] Some sympathetic clocks permanently wind the watch barrel, of the automatic barrel type, and set the minute once or twice a day, at a fixed time. In this type of clock, the barrel must be wound quickly to ensure the winding of the unwound watch within a reasonable time.

[0007] Some nice clocks provide the adjustment of the rate which is derived from setting the time of the watch.

[0008] Several disadvantages arise from the construction of these sympathetic pendulums: if the watch is continually placed on the clock, it will be set periodically (every two hours, every twelve hours or every twenty-four hours), which puts unnecessary strain on the time-setting mechanism; if the watch is continually placed on the clock, and if the winding is constant and rapid, the automatic barrel required in this case undergoes significant wear; if the watch is stopped when the user places it on the clock, the time is not set, it is necessary to wait for the next change to the set time, for an uncertain time setting; if the watch is stopped when the user places it on the clock, and the winding is scheduled periodically with the time setting, the winding will not be done before the next change to the set time, and as a result, the watch does not work and the previous setting of the time to plus or minus fifteen minutes is lost;if the watch is stopped when the user places it on the clock, and the winding is planned to be constant at a slow speed, or will not reach full winding for several days if the watch is stopped when the user places it on the clock, and the winding is planned to be constant at a fast speed, or will not reach full winding more quickly, but if the watch remains stored on the clock, this fast speed will stress the sliding flange function of the barrel and cause premature wear of the latter; only the time setting, minute and winding functions are guaranteed, other functions are difficult to ensure or add. ;

[0009] The Internet excerpt "How does a sympathetic clock work??", at the address: http: / / forumamontres.forumactif.com / t109579-fonctionnement-d-une-pendule-sympathique, reveals the workings of a Breguet sympathetic clock. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to improve the functionality of sympathetic clocks and watches, overcoming the drawbacks of the known technique.

[0011] The aim of the invention is to develop a set consisting of a clock and at least one watch, which: ensures optimum winding of the watch at all times as soon as it is placed on the clock; ensures time setting at the user's request, for example before taking the watch to wear it; guarantees precise time setting, to the second for example; guarantees complete time setting, even if the watch has stopped; allows more information to be transmitted than just the minute, for example: second, minute, hour, date, phase and / or age of the moon, day of the week, week, month, year, leap year, or other.

[0012] The clock is a true autonomous timepiece, with its own time base, and its own display of time and quantities linked to the complications it contains.

[0013] For this purpose, the invention relates to a sympathetic assembly according to claim 1. Summary description of the drawings

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where: there figure 1represents, schematically, and in front view, a sympathetic clockwork assembly, which comprises a sympathetic pendulum comprising a receptacle, and at least one sympathetic watch, which is placed in this receptacle, the connections between the pendulum and the watch being made along two oblique transmission lines, each comprising an actuator in the pendulum, capable of driving in translation and / or rotation to a receiver in the watch, this receiver then acting as an internal actuator to either define the nature of a function such as start / stop, time setting, or winding, or to transmit a quantity of energy to a mechanism of the watch, for example according to a rotation to drive the timer for setting the time, or by translations in particular back and forth to wind a barrel or a particular mechanism; figure 2 represents, schematically, a detail with two such coplanar transmission lines at the figure 1, each comprising a shaft consisting of a lower half-shaft housed in the clock, and an upper half-shaft housed in the watch, with a control means shown for driving one of the two shafts; the figure 3 is similar to the figure 2 and illustrates a variant with two parallel shafts; the figure 4 is a detail showing a rotational drive of the upper half-shaft by the lower half-shaft, by a flat cooperating with a slot; the Figure 5 is a detail showing a translational drive of the upper half-shaft by the lower half-shaft, by a spring finger cooperating with a groove; the figure 6 features a bottom view and a side view of a friendly watch with two upper half-shafts according to the figure 3 ; there figure 7 represents, schematically and in plan, a detail of a particular execution of a first actuator and a second actuator of the pusher type; the figures 8 to 12illustrate the data collection on the clock for on-demand time setting, described later as the sixth variant: the figure 8 is analogous to the figure 1 , and shows a clock whose movement is maintained by weights, and comprising a conventional front display; between two linear guide columns of the weights are visible two transfer shafts, each arranged to drive an actuator in the upper part of the clock, close to the reception receptacle of the watch; the leftmost transfer shaft in the figure is an output of a differential mechanism which carries out a calibration of a quantity read on the clock, in this case for setting the time of the watch; in this figure we see that the time display on the watch, which is stopped, is at 10:10, while the instantaneous display on the clock is at 10:08; the figure 9 is a detail of the upper part of the figure 8, at the level of the receptacle, of the two actuators of the clock, and of the watch; this figure superimposes different displays of the watch, and only shows the variation of the display of the minutes: in broken line, an initial display at 12:23 of the watch when it was placed on the receptacle; a return arrow PESIAM, in the counterclockwise direction, indicates the forced return of the hour and minute displays to a pre-determined reference position, here at 12:00; small arrows PE or PESAM, of elementary steps in the clockwise direction, illustrate part of the two-minute steps successively imposed on the minute hand of the watch to get closer to the display of the clock; the watch indicates 10:10 it has therefore completed four elementary steps of two minutes, and it is ready to resume its running instantly on order of the clock when the clock reaches 10:10; the figure 10shows that the clock has a snail cam, the detail of which is visible on the figure 11 , with 360 bearings and which is driven by its movement at the rate of one revolution in twelve hours, and which a feeler travels through, to read the instantaneous value. This feeler comprises a rake which cooperates with a gear train arranged to drive a second actuator; more particularly, this gear train is an input gear train of a differential mechanism, one output of which is the leftmost transfer shaft in the figure, and which is arranged to drive a second actuator via a return; the figure 12 illustrates, in a similar way to the figure 10, a similar and less bulky construction, with two snail cams, one lower than 12 steps for reading the hours, and the other upper than 30 steps for reading the two-minute steps; in the same way, each is traversed by a feeler, the rake of which constitutes an input of the differential which corrects the difference in unit; the figures 13 to 18 illustrate a seventh variant of setting the reference time of the displays: the figure 13represents, schematically and in plan, a part of the mechanism of the sympathetic watch, which includes a hammer, similar to a chronograph hammer, which has an armed position where it is held by a pawl and tensioned by a spring, and an active position where it comes to bear on the periphery of a first hour cam, in the shape of a heart, so as to force it into rotation up to its smallest radius; this first hour cam, in the shape of a heart, is similar to those used in chronograph mechanisms and is carried by the hour wheel; a second minute cam in the shape of a truncated heart is carried by the minute display; a jumper cooperates in support with a star integral with the minute display; the figure 14 is a detail of the figure 13 , showing the detail of the hour cam, which has a substantially square notch, and of the minute cam, cardioid-shaped in its lower part; the figure 15represents, schematically and in section passing through the axis of the needles, the mechanism of the figure 13 , comprising a clutch between the display gear and the finishing gear, comprising a friction spring, in the engaged position; the figure 16 , similar to the figure 15 , represents the same mechanism in the disengaged position; the figure 17 is a detail of the figures 13 and 14 , showing the cooperation of a double jumper with the road pinion; the figure 18 illustrates, schematically and in plan, a BREGUET 1050 chronograph clutch mechanism, comprising a clamp whose function is to ensure engagement and disengagement, under the control of a column wheel which controls the angular separation of the clamp arms, for the opening or closing of the clamp, and therefore disengagement or engagement according to the figures 16 and 15 ; THE figures 19 to 21 illustrate an eighth variant of setting the reference time of the displays: the figure 19represents, schematically and in plan, a part of the mechanism of the sympathetic watch, which comprises a pawl with a pawl spring, a rack meshed on an hour wheel, and clicking in the clockwise direction of the hour wheel, and driven by a return spring, a rack pinion (or hour pinion), a first hour cam carried by the hour wheel, and comprising an opening, and a second minute cam carried by a minute display wheel, and comprising a wolf's tooth opening or a notch, and a jumper arranged to cooperate with a star secured to the minute display wheel; figure 20 represents, schematically and in section passing through the axis of the needles, the mechanism of the figure 19 , comprising a clutch between the display gear and the finishing gear, comprising a friction spring, in the engaged position; the figure 21 , similar to the figure 20, represents the same mechanism in the disengaged position; the figures 22 to 25 illustrate a ninth variant of step-by-step time setting of the hour and minute displays: the figure 22 represents, schematically and in plan, a part of the mechanism of the sympathetic watch, which includes a corrector coinciding with the interface of the pendulum or another element allowing to transmit a back and forth movement, a lever capable of driving the cannon pinion by a back and forth movement, a jumper maintaining the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions, and a 30-tooth star carried by the minute display for two-minute steps; the figure 23 represents, schematically and in section passing through the axis of the needles, the mechanism of the figure 22 , comprising a clutch between the display gear and the finishing gear, comprising a friction spring, in the engaged position; the figure 24 , similar to the figure 23 , represents the same mechanism in the disengaged position; the figure 25 is a detail of the figure 22 , showing the cooperation of a double jumper with the 15-tooth road pinion, to obtain 30 stable positions thanks to the double jumper and the staggering of two offset support surfaces of the lever arm; the figure 26 is a flowchart showing a cycle executed over 12 hours between the clock and the watch, with an optional request for setting the time DMAH by the user, and winding actions R and setting the time MAH; the figure 27 , similar to the figure 1, represents the clock with its receptacle still empty, at 10:09, and the watch displaying 08:17; the clock here comprises three actuators, a first actuator substantially at four o'clock on the watch, a second actuator substantially at eight o'clock on the watch, and a third actuator arranged to cooperate with the crown of the watch at three o'clock, all arranged in a star shape around the receptacle here constituted by a stretcher with a pivoting mobile part; the figure 28 , similar to the figure 27 , represents the watch inserted in its receptacle; the figures 29 to 33 illustrate the main stages of setting the time and winding, and each includes the visualization, at the same time, of the watch display on the left side, and the clock display on the right side: the figure 29 represents the watch ready to be wound and set, as it appears on the figure 28 ; there figure 30represents a winding of the watch by the rotation of a winding sleeve, constituting the third actuator, driving the crown of the watch, which is wound by the equivalent of thirteen hours of autonomy, either on request by the DMAH user, or periodically, every twelve hours at a fixed time; the figure 31 represents the stopping of the watch by the action of a stop lever on the resonator balance; the clock controls, by the first actuator at four o'clock, this stopping of the watch's resonator, the disengagement of the gear train hands, and the return of the hands to a reference position, here chosen at 12:00; the figure 32represents the movement of the watch hands in jumps each of the value of a pre-determined step, chosen as three minutes in this example, until they are brought to the position of the instantaneous time displayed by the clock, here 10:12, plus a step of three minutes, therefore to the position 10:15; it is the clock which transmits to the watch, after reading on the snail(s) of the clock, this instantaneous value of the time, by the required number of impulses to control the overall movement of the hands; the watch is then ready to restart, and only awaits the release of its stop lever, which will be controlled by the clock; figure 33 represents the start of the watch by releasing the stop lever, when the clock passes through the 10:15 position, the watch is then set to the time with the best precision, and is ready to be worn by the user; the figure 34 is a perspective view of the sympathetic ensemble of figures 27 and 28, with the clock according to the execution of the figure 12 ; THE figures 35 and 36 represent, schematically and in perspective, the cooperation of three actuators of the clock with a watch placed on a pivoting stretcher forming a receptacle: a first actuator at four o'clock of the pusher type, a second actuator at eight o'clock of the pusher type, and a third rotary actuator at three o'clock for driving the crown of the watch; figures 37 to 45 are flowcharts comprising the elementary operations of the processes according to nine variants described below, respectively from the first variant to the ninth variant. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0015] The invention relates to a sympathetic clock assembly 1000, which comprises a sympathetic pendulum 100, which comprises a pendulum hour display 104, and a pendulum minute display 105, and at least one sympathetic watch 200, which comprises a watch hour display 4, and a watch minute display 5, and which is arranged to be placed in a receptacle 150 that the pendulum comprises, in particular at the level of a stretcher 670, in a single transfer position, this sympathetic assembly 1000 comprises at least one connecting mechanism between this pendulum 100 and each watch 200 when this watch 200 is placed in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position.

[0016] According to the invention, this at least one connecting mechanism comprises at least two separate transmission lines, one for selecting a function to be performed or a display quantity to be adjusted, and the other for transferring energy or movement, or / and transmitting a pulse.

[0017] More particularly, at least one transmission line, and more particularly each transmission line, comprises a shaft. More particularly this shaft is at least rotatable.

[0018] More particularly and not exhaustively, at least one of these trees, or each of these trees, is similar to that of the Breguet clock No. 128 (G. Daniels: Art of Breguet: page 277).

[0019] At least one such shaft, and more particularly each shaft, is divided into two half-shafts between the clock 100 and the watch 200 concerned, these two half-shafts being arranged to cooperate in driving with each other when the watch 200 is placed on the clock 100 in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position, either in direct drive, and more particularly in coaxial drive, or through a return or a train. The transmission between these half-shafts is not described in detail here; it is possible to use any suitable drive mechanism, toothing, spline, dog, friction, or other. The half-shafts can cooperate end to end, or internally to each other, or tangentially to each other, or through a return or a train, or other.

[0020] These at least two transmission lines distribute the different functions.

[0021] The invention is more particularly described with two transmission lines, in the form of at least two shafts: a first selection shaft 1 and at least a second drive shaft 2. Naturally, some of the functions described below can be broken down and processed by other additional shafts.

[0022] The first selection shaft 1 ensures the transmission of a function selection, one of the functions being a neutral / winding function for recharging a watch 200 with energy. This transmission is notably of the function alternation type: neutral-winding, date, hours, minutes, or others, distributed over 360°. The first selection shaft 1 is comparable to a selector, a machine controller, or a column wheel of a chronograph or a complicated watch.

[0023] The second drive shaft 2 ensures the transmission of force, in particular torque, for recharging energy, in particular winding a barrel, of a watch 200 from the clock 100, and / or to ensure the transmission to a watch 200 of an adjustment or setting value, in the form of an angle of rotation on the basis of a value given by the clock 100, and / or to impart an impulse to an organ of the watch. The adjustment or setting value may correspond to one of the quantities displayed by the watch; it may also be an adjustment value of the resonator of the watch, by action on an index, a balance spring stud, a pressure on a flexible blade, an inertia adjustment, or other.

[0024] The first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 are distinct from each other; they can, in a variant, extend along parallel axes, or even merge.

[0025] In a particular variant, their axes are coplanar.

[0026] In another particular variant, their axes are intersecting.

[0027] The invention allows the adjustment of adjustment, in particular the setting of the time, of a watch 200 by at least two separate shafts 1 and 2, the first of which indicates the type of correction desired, and the others the correction values, at least one shaft among the latter being devoted to the function of recharging the watch with energy, in particular a barrel rewinding.

[0028] The first shaft 1 and / or the second shaft 2 can be movable in different ways, in translation and / or in rotation.

[0029] In one variant, the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 are rotatable.

[0030] In a variant, the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 are movable in translation.

[0031] In one variant, one of the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 is movable in rotation, and the other is movable in translation.

[0032] In one variant, one of the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 is movable in rotation and translation, and the other is movable in translation.

[0033] In one variant, one of the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 is movable in rotation and translation, and the other is movable in rotation.

[0034] In a variant, the first shaft 1 and the second shaft 2 are movable in rotation and translation.

[0035] Advantageously, the adjustment is sequential, and starts with a neutral position in which the energy recharge takes place, this neutral position is followed, preferably after a certain pre-defined duration, or upon action by the user, by at least one elementary sequence of adjustment of one of the quantities displayed by the watch, or by the triggering of a particular function.

[0036] More specifically, the watch adjustment settings are made sequentially, with each quantity being adjusted independently of the others.

[0037] More specifically, this sequential time setting is carried out by a dedicated mechanism, in parallel with the traditional time setting mechanism of the watch.

[0038] More specifically, the sequential time setting is controlled by the clock. In particular, in a particular variant, the duration between two elementary sequences is adjustable. Even more specifically, each duration between two elementary sequences is adjustable.

[0039] Advantageously, the timing defining the tempo of the elementary sequences, managed by the clock, defines the trigger instant (or the signal) for the start of the watch previously held at a standstill by a stop mechanism 20 comprising in particular but not limited to a stop-seconds mechanism 25 with a stop lever or similar. The embodiments set out below comprise, in a non-limiting manner, a stop lever arranged to cooperate with an inertial mass 15, in particular a balance wheel, of a resonator 10, for its blocking or release.

[0040] More particularly, the adjustment setting or sequential time setting corrects, in a non-limiting manner, all or part of the following indications: hour, minute, date, day, month, and / or any other indications.

[0041] The neutral position allows the watch to be recharged or wound, and this winding is controlled by the watch.

[0042] This first shaft 1 and this second shaft 2 allow the collaboration between the clock 100 and a watch 200 in the manner set out below.

[0043] The first shaft 1 comprises a first lower half-shaft 11 of the clock 100 and a first upper half-shaft 12 of the watch 200.

[0044] When the watch 200 is absent, that is to say not placed on the clock 100, and when the clock 100 does not carry any watch 200, these two half-shafts intended to together constitute the first shaft 1, namely the first lower half-shaft 11 and the first upper half-shaft 12, are each in neutral position.

[0045] Similarly, the second shaft 2 comprises a second lower half-shaft 21 of the clock 100 and a second upper half-shaft 22 of the watch 200.

[0046] When the watch 200 is placed on the clock 100, the first lower half-shaft 11 and the first upper half-shaft 12 on the one hand, and the second lower half-shaft 21 and the second upper half-shaft 22 on the other hand, are matched. Since the first lower half-shaft 11 and the first upper half-shaft 12 are in the neutral position, the selected function is neutral / winding, the setting of the watch is facilitated by the indexing of each half-shaft in the neutral position independently, which half-shafts are indexed naturally.

[0047] The clock 100 is arranged to deliver a torque to the first shaft 1 in the presence of the watch 200. The rotation of this first shaft 1 is regulated by a regulating mechanism, for example of the minute repeater regulator type.

[0048] Each watch 200 is arranged to release or block the rotation of the second shaft 2 depending on the level of energy it has stored, in particular depending on the winding of the barrel in a particular case, according to a defined hysteresis, for example by a power reserve mechanism. This rotation of the second shaft 2 is, in this particular case, transmitted to the winding of the barrel and ensures its winding. In this neutral position, the watch 200 therefore ensures its winding at all times within a defined range.

[0049] The clock 100 comprises at least one control means 300, which is arranged to be operated by the user, or to be controlled by the time base of the clock, to rotate the first lower half-shaft 11, to select the function of the first shaft 1.

[0050] When the watch 200 is placed on the clock 100 and the user requests to set the time, by such a control means 300, such as a lever, notably present on the clock 100, the adjustment setting or the setting of the watch 200 is done by a sequence of functions which are controlled by the clock 100. For example for an adjustment to the instantaneous value of the values ​​of date, hour, minute and second. Following the user's request, the adjustment sequence to the current value begins, for example for a time-setting sequence. Each sequence starts at a precise tempo, which is defined by the time base of the clock 100.

[0051] Naturally, it is also possible to install a control means 300 on the watch 200, instead of installing it on the clock 100, or to equip both the clock 100 and the watch 200, each, with a control means 300. If the control means 300 is only on the watch, this makes it possible to lock the function, as long as the watch 200 is not in the transfer position in the receptacle 150.

[0052] In the particular case where the sympathetic assembly 1000 is arranged for the successive adjustment of the date, hour, minute and second values, several elementary sequences follow one another.

[0053] During the first elementary sequence, the pendulum 100 turns the first shaft 1 to the date position, and turns the second shaft 2 by an angle corresponding to the instantaneous value of the date. The watch 200 recognizes the rotation of the first shaft 1 to the date position, actuates the stop lever, which stops the resonator and the watch, positions the date, hour, minute and second displays to the zero position, and applies the value transmitted by the second shaft 2 to the date display.

[0054] Here, the term "display" means any mobile display element known in watchmaking: hand, ring, disc, cursor, flag, city or time zone display, moon phase display, leap year display, AM / PM display, day / night display, power reserve indicator, chime selector, alarm indicator, calendar display, or other.

[0055] After a first predetermined duration D1, for example 2 minutes, the clock 100 triggers the second elementary sequence. During this second elementary sequence, the clock 100 turns the first shaft 1 to the hour position, and turns the second shaft 2 by an angle corresponding to the instantaneous value of the time. The watch 200 recognizes the rotation of the first shaft 1 to the hour position, and applies the value transmitted by the second shaft 2 to the time display 4 of the watch 200.

[0056] After a second predetermined duration D2, for example two minutes, the clock 100 triggers the third elementary sequence. During this third elementary sequence, the clock 100 turns the first shaft 1 to the minute position, and turns the second shaft 2 by an angle corresponding to the instantaneous value of the minutes, added to the value of a third predetermined duration D3, which separates the third elementary sequence from the next change of elementary sequence, which will be the last adjustment before the release of the running of the watch 200. The watch 200 recognizes the rotation of the first shaft 1 to the minute position, and applies the value transmitted by the second shaft 2 to the minute display of the watch 5.

[0057] After the third pre-determined duration D3, for example two minutes, the clock 100 returns the first shaft 1 to the neutral / winding position. The watch 200 recognizes the rotation of the first shaft 1 in the neutral / winding position, and releases the stop lever, the watch 200 is then completely adjusted and set to the time, and starts exactly to the second.

[0058] We note the playful and useful side of this construction: in this example, in 6 or 8 minutes (if the first sequence starts after a transient duration D0 of two minutes), the watch 200, presented on the clock in a disarmed state, stopped and not set to the time, is wound and completely set to the time, including the date. A particular option consists of adding a perpetual calendar on the clock 100, which then makes it possible to correct the simple calendar of the watch 200 at the user's request at the level of the control means 300.

[0059] More specifically, the 100 clock is a clock with a mechanical movement.

[0060] In one variant, the clock 100 receives a signal from a time base, for example a radio-controlled signal, GPS, a signal from an electronic clock, or other, and comprises means for transforming the signal indicating the instantaneous time into movements of mechanical components, for transmitting the information to a watch 200.

[0061] In one variant, all energy and motion transfers between the clock 100 and the watch 200 are mechanical and / or magnetic.

[0062] In one variation, all energy and motion transfers between clock 100 and watch 200 are mechanical.

[0063] In one variation, all energy and motion transfers between clock 100 and watch 200 are magnetic.

[0064] In one variant, no transfer of energy and / or movement is carried out through the winding and time-setting stem of the watch.

[0065] More particularly, each half-shaft 12, 22, which the watch 200 comprises is distinct from the winding and time-setting stem of the watch 200 when it comprises one.

[0066] In one variant, no energy transfer is made through the winding and time-setting stem of the watch.

[0067] In one variant, no transfer of movement is made through the winding and time-setting stem of the watch.

[0068] The winding system does not require a sliding flange barrel and avoids wear on it. Winding is done in a few minutes and at any time when the 200 watch is placed on the 100 clock and as needed.

[0069] Since the adjustment settings, and in particular the time setting, are made on demand, wear on the mechanisms is limited when the watch 200 is stored on the clock 100 for long periods. For these cases, a time setting can be triggered at regular intervals, for example once a week, by a command printed by the time base of the clock 100.

[0070] This invention allows for the creation of a pleasant clock adapted to the needs of current users, with a useful and fun use as described above. This allows for a real evolution of a product known for two hundred years.

[0071] The movement of the 100 clock, more stable and more precise than that of the 200 watch, keeps it on time when it is not worn, and corrects it on demand.

[0072] The great autonomy of the 100 clock is brought to the 200 watch: when it is not worn, and allows for example to be worn at the weekend and to maintain an ideal operating range during the week.

[0073] Different variants of a sympathetic set 1000 of clockwork according to the invention, and different variants of use, are described below.

[0074] Such a sympathetic assembly 1000 comprises a sympathetic pendulum 100 and at least one sympathetic watch 200, which is arranged to be placed in a receptacle 150 of the pendulum 100, in a single transfer position. The sympathetic assembly 1000 comprises a connecting mechanism comprising at least two separate transmission lines between the pendulum 100 and each watch 200 when the watch 200 is placed in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position.

[0075] The sympathetic clock 100, which is arranged for recharging with energy and adjusting the display and / or running of at least one sympathetic watch 200, comprises at least one actuator for carrying out the recharging with energy and / or adjusting the display and / or running of at least one sympathetic watch 200 placed in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position.

[0076] And the clock 100 comprises at least one first all-or-nothing clock actuator 501, movable between a rest position and an activated position, to control the activation or deactivation of a mechanism that the watch 200 comprises. And the clock 100 comprises at least one other clock actuator 502; 503, which is arranged to print a series of pulses or to transmit a mechanical torque to a receiver that a watch 200 comprises.

[0077] More particularly, at least a first actuator of the clock 501 is also arranged to print a series of pulses, between its rest position and its activated position, to a receiver included in a watch 200.

[0078] More particularly, at least one other actuator of the clock 502; 503, is an all-or-nothing actuator, which is movable between a rest position and an activated position, to control the activation or deactivation of a mechanism that the watch 200 comprises.

[0079] More particularly, at least one other actuator of the clock 502; 503, is a second actuator 502, which is arranged to print a series of pulses to a receiver that a watch 200 comprises.

[0080] More particularly, at least one other actuator of the clock 502; 50.3 is a third actuator 503 arranged to transmit a mechanical torque to a receiver included in a watch 200.

[0081] More particularly, at least one such third actuator 503 is disengageable in a disengaged position at a distance from a watch 200 placed in the receptacle 150 in the single transfer position, and is engageable in a coupling position with an operating means 270 or with a control stem that the watch 200 comprises.

[0082] More particularly, at least one such third actuator 503 comprises a sleeve 678, which is arranged to cooperate, in the coupling position, with an operating means 270 or a control stem that a watch 200 comprises.

[0083] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises first energy storage means 691, 693, in particular weights, which are arranged to supply energy to at least one movement 180 or 900 that the clock 100 comprises and / or any mechanism specific to the clock 100.

[0084] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises second energy storage means, which are dedicated to the transfer of energy to at least one watch 200 placed in the receptacle 150. More particularly, these second energy storage means are arranged to drive in rotation a transfer shaft 683 carrying a worm screw 684, or a pinion, to drive a pinion 677, or respectively a worm screw, for driving in rotation the third actuator 503.

[0085] More particularly, the pendulum 100 is arranged to continuously transfer energy to a watch 200.

[0086] More particularly, the pendulum 100 is arranged to transfer energy in step-by-step fashion to a watch 200.

[0087] More particularly, the pendulum 100 comprises at least one movement 180, which drives at least one snail cam 601, 610, 620, the angular position of which characterizes the instantaneous value of a horological quantity. And the pendulum 100 comprises at least one feeler 602, 630, 640, which is arranged to cooperate in support with the periphery of a snail cam 601, 610, 620, to read the instantaneous value thereof. Each feeler 602, 630, 640, comprises a rack 603, 633, 643, which is arranged to cooperate with a gear train arranged to drive a second actuator; more particularly, this gear train is an input gear train of a differential mechanism 680, an output of which is arranged to drive a second actuator 502.

[0088] More particularly, the pendulum 100 comprises at least one electromechanical or electronic movement arranged to control the movement of an output wheel which is arranged to drive a second actuator 502.

[0089] More particularly, the second actuator 502 comprises a cam 684 having a plurality of ramps arranged to push and pull a second control stem 512 that this second actuator 502 comprises, which second control stem 512 is returned towards the second cam 684 by second elastic return means 513, so as to impart to the second control stem 512 a back-and-forth movement for setting the time of a watch 200.

[0090] More particularly, the second actuator 502 comprises a crank and a connecting rod, which are arranged to push and pull a second control stem 512 which this second actuator 502 comprises, so as to give the second control stem 512 a back-and-forth movement for setting the time of a watch 200. In a variant, this second control stem 512 is returned by second elastic return means 513.

[0091] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises a first transfer shaft 682 for driving a first actuator of the clock 501, arranged to push or pull a first rod 511 of this first actuator of the clock 501, to control the stopping or the release of the resonator 10 of a watch 200, or of a tourbillon or carousel carrying this resonator. More particularly, this first transfer shaft 682 is arranged for driving a first control cam 686 that this first actuator of the clock 501 comprises. This first control cam 686 comprises, more particularly, a plurality of ramps.

[0092] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises means for setting to a reference time, and means for triggering when the time displayed by the clock 100 becomes equal to this reference time, to trigger a sequence of movements of the actuators 501, 502, 503, when the receptacle 150 is occupied by a watch 200 during the transfer position.

[0093] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises means for controlling the recoil of the actuators 501, 502, 503, when the user removes a watch 200 from the receptacle 150 during the execution of an energy recharging and / or display and / or running adjustment cycle.

[0094] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises means for periodically triggering energy recharging cycles of a watch 200 placed in the receptacle 150 according to a predetermined period, and comprises means for limiting an energy recharging cycle for a power reserve of a predetermined value, the power reserve being greater than the predetermined period.

[0095] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises manual control means, which are arranged to be manipulated by a user to control the execution of an energy recharging cycle and / or display and / or running adjustment of a watch 200 placed in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position.

[0096] More particularly, the clock 100 comprises a stop control mechanism 120, which is arranged to transform a step-by-step time setting command carried out by a user or by the clock 100, into a sequence, the first step of which is an action of controlling a stop mechanism 20 and / or disengaging the displays that a sympathetic watch 200 comprises.

[0097] More particularly, this stop control mechanism 120 is arranged to control a movement of a transmission line to identify a time setting action, and to control the transfer of an impulse or a torque to a stop mechanism 20 that the watch 200 comprises.

[0098] With respect to the 200 sympathetic watches, advantageous, non-limiting types are described below: a heart and hammer version, a ratchet and double cam version, and a ratchet, rake and double cam version.

[0099] These watches have common characteristics.

[0100] In both versions of the watch, the sympathetic watch 200 comprises at least one energy storage barrel, for powering at least one resonator 10 which this watch 200 comprises. The watch 200 comprises a display train and a finishing train.

[0101] To perform the time settings, it is necessary to use a clutch mechanism, and / or a resonator stop mechanism. For this purpose, for all the time setting devices and methods presented in the present description, the watch 200 comprises either a stop mechanism 20 which is arranged to stop the operation of the resonator 10, or a clutch mechanism making it possible to separate the display from the going train, or both such a stop mechanism 20 and such a clutch mechanism.

[0102] The clutch in fact allows, when it is open, the rotation of the displays, in particular the hands, independently of the going train, whether for a movement of these displays towards a pre-determined reference time, or for a movement towards the exact instantaneous time (step-by-step time setting, or relative time setting, or permanent time setting), or even for the movement of an offset (version with top second), and, when it is closed, to drive the displays or hands.

[0103] The use of a stop mechanism 20 comprising a second stop mechanism 25, in particular with a stop lever, is necessary for certain time setting modes such as permanent time setting. And it constitutes an advantage for step-by-step time setting modes, where the stop mechanism 20 allows a start at the top at 0 seconds, or for relative time setting modes where the user can then see the inertial mass 15 of the resonator 10, in particular a balance wheel, stopped during time setting. In these two time setting modes, the clutch alone can ensure the starting of the hands without the balance wheel being stopped, the display of the second is then random: ±30 s.

[0104] The watch 200 conventionally comprises at least one hour display 4 and one minute display 5, and / or at least any other display 3.

[0105] The watch 200 comprises at least one internal mechanism, which is capable of being activated or deactivated by an all-or-nothing actuator of the clock 100, and it comprises at least one receiver capable of receiving a series of pulses or a mechanical torque coming from an actuator of the clock 100.

[0106] In the heart and hammer version, the watch 200 comprises a reset mechanism 500, which is arranged to return at least one such display 3, 4, 5, to a predetermined reference position. The present description essentially deals with the example of a reference position at twelve o'clock and zero minutes; any other reference position is possible, for example ten o'clock and ten minutes, or other.

[0107] The reset mechanism 500 is arranged to return at least one, and more particularly but not limited to each, display 3; 4; 5, of the watch 200 to its reference position. For this purpose, the reset mechanism 500 comprises in particular, for at least one display 3, 4, 5, at least one core 401, 702, 703, which is integral in rotation with the relevant display 3, 4, 5, and the reset mechanism 500 comprises at least one hammer 402, 701, which is arranged to cooperate in support with a core 401, 702, 703, under the pressure of a spring when it is released by the activation of the reset mechanism 500. This hammer 402, 701, is returned by the reset mechanism 500 which tends to move it away from the core 401, 702, 703, in normal operation.

[0108] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises a first watch actuator 901, which is arranged to be actuated by the clock 100, to control the movement of at least one hammer 402, 701, to cause the positioning of at least one display 3, 4, 5, in the pre-determined reference position, by bringing into cooperation, for each adjusted horological quantity, a hammer 402, 701, with a heart 401, 702, 703, carried by the corresponding display, and more particularly by a cannon pinion.

[0109] More particularly, the hammer 402 or 701 is unique, and common to all the hearts 401, 702, 703, which the watch 200 comprises, for adjusting the display for the different corresponding watchmaking quantities.

[0110] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises such a stop mechanism 20, and a first actuator of the watch 901, which is arranged to be actuated by the clock 100, to control this stop mechanism 20 to block or release the running of its resonator 10 and / or a mechanism for disengaging the displays of the watch 200.

[0111] More particularly, the first actuator of the watch 901 is arranged to ensure the resetting of the hammer 402, 701.

[0112] More particularly, this stop mechanism 20 comprises a stop-seconds mechanism 25 comprising a stop lever arranged to cooperate in support with an inertial mass 15 of the resonator 10 in a blocking position, and to remain at a distance from the inertial mass 15 during normal operation of the resonator 10.

[0113] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises at least one operating means 270 or a control stem, which is capable of cooperating with an actuator of a clock 100 in a coupling position.

[0114] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises manual control means, which are arranged to be manipulated by a user to control the execution of an energy recharging cycle and / or display adjustment and / or rate adjustment of the watch 200 when it is placed in a receptacle 150 in the transfer position, and in particular the watch 200 comprises at least one control means 300 accessible to the user for controlling the execution of a periodic type winding, and / or for controlling the execution of an automatic time setting.

[0115] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises a second actuator of the watch 902, which is capable of operating in a back-and-forth movement, for driving a minute display 5 of the watch 200, in steps of a given value, and for indirectly driving, through this minute display 5, an hour display 4 of the watch 200.

[0116] The watch 200 is arranged for correction of the display in steps, with correction steps of a predetermined value, for example two minutes. This correction step is an integer submultiple of the hour: one minute, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes, five minutes, six minutes, ten minutes, twelve minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes. The watch 200 has a cannon pinion or a minute wheel, which is precisely positioned using a star with 30 teeth, 15 teeth or a number of teeth corresponding to the number of correction steps chosen per hour.

[0117] The watch 200 advantageously comprises at least one first upper half-shaft 11 for selection and at least one second upper half-shaft 12 for driving, and the watch 200 is arranged to recognize the movement of a selection transmission line or a driving transmission line in the end-of-time-setting position, where the first upper half-shaft 12 is arranged to actuate the stop lever of the stop mechanism 20, to release the resonator 10, and / or a mechanism for disengaging the displays, and authorize the running of the watch 200.

[0118] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises at least one safety mechanism, to prevent the spring of a barrel from breaking when overloaded, the safety mechanism comprising a sliding flange or a power reserve measuring mechanism to prevent unnecessary or harmful winding of a barrel.

[0119] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises displays 3, 4, 5, which are arranged to pivot in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, each of the displays being associated with a pawl arranged to block the display in question when passing from the reference position, or from a preparation position close to the reference position.

[0120] In particular, the reference position and / or the preparation position is adjustable, as well as the ratchet locking position.

[0121] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises an interface arranged to drive at least one such display 3, 4, 5, in a counterclockwise rotation, and to wind the barrel during such a counterclockwise rotation.

[0122] The interface is advantageously arranged to drive, in addition to the rotation of at least one display 3, 4, 5, in an anticlockwise direction, a manual winding train of at least one barrel, by a ratchet mechanism external to a finishing train that the watch 200 comprises.

[0123] In one variant, the finishing gear train of the watch 200 comprises a ratchet wheel, arranged for winding at least one barrel during a counterclockwise rotation.

[0124] The watch 200 advantageously includes a time-setting friction capable of allowing the transfer of torque from the winding, or else includes a clutch mechanism instead of a time-setting friction.

[0125] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises at least one cannon pinion clutch mechanism, which is arranged for the engagement or disengagement of a display 3, 4, 5. In particular, this engagement mechanism 706 between the display train 705, 707, 708 and the finishing train 710, comprises a friction spring 709.

[0126] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises a minute display 5, which is arranged to pivot clockwise or counterclockwise, and comprises a pawl, which is arranged to unlock when the minute display 5 moves to the preparation position, and to lock the minute display in the reference position. And the watch 200 advantageously comprises a friction mechanism arranged to allow the rewinding to continue after this locking during rotation counterclockwise.

[0127] The watch 200 includes in particular a hammer 701, which is movable between an armed position where the hammer 701 is retained by a pawl and tensioned by a spring, and an active position where the hammer 701 is arranged to bear on the periphery of a first heart-shaped hour cam 702, carried by an hour wheel 708, so as to force it into rotation up to its smallest radius. The watch 200 also includes a star carried by a minute display wheel, cooperating with a jumper 704, 7040, to maintain each display position at a regular pace.

[0128] And the 200 watch features a second truncated heart-shaped 703 minute cam, carried by a 705 minute display to ensure the display position to the nearest minute.

[0129] In both versions of the watch, the sympathetic assembly 1000 advantageously comprises a controller mechanism for controlling the setting of the displays in the reference position. More particularly, this controller mechanism comprises at least one column wheel 840.

[0130] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises a function controller, capable of occupying at least two positions, the first corresponding to the start of the function where the controller is arranged to control the disengagement of the finishing gear train, and to stop the inertial mass 15 of the resonator 10, and the second corresponding to the end of the function where the controller is arranged to release the clutch and the balance.

[0131] In a variant, the function controller is able to occupy, between the first position and the second position, an intermediate position in which the controller controls the cocking of the hammer.

[0132] Alternatively, the function controller is integrated into the watch 200, and comprises either a rotary controller, of the column wheel type, controlled by the interface, with two to five successive stable positions, or a back-and-forth controller, of the shuttle type, controlled by the interface, with two successive stable positions.

[0133] In another alternative, the function controller is external to the watch 200 and is housed in the clock 100, and the watch 200 only has a reciprocating cam controlled by the interface and returning to rest by default, and has a stable rest position, and one to three controlled positions.

[0134] In a variant, the function controller is of the three-position column wheel type, arranged to control three rockers arranged to control the clutch, the stop lever, and the hammer or hammers, or which are part of these mechanisms, the rockers being arranged to bear on the columns of the column wheel so as to be activated as required, and the different positions of which are an initial and final position with clutch active, stop lever inactive, and hammer armed, a position for returning to the reference time, for example 12:00, with clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer released, and a time-setting position with clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer armed.

[0135] In a variant, the function controller comprises a three-level snail, which is located in the clock 100 and which is arranged to control, via a friendly interface, a reciprocating cam in the watch 200, to control the clutch, the stop lever, and the hammer or hammers, and whose different positions are an initial and final position with clutch active, stop lever inactive, and hammer armed, a return position to the reference time, for example 12:00, with clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer released, and a time-setting position with clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer armed.

[0136] A watch variant can be used for winding by rotating the display to a reference position, under the action of the pendulum. This watch has a pawl, and at least two cams.

[0137] In this variant, the watch 200 comprises at least one energy storage barrel, for powering at least one resonator 10 which the watch 200 comprises, and a display train and a finishing train.

[0138] The watch 200 comprises either a stop mechanism 20 arranged to stop the movement of the resonator 10, or a clutch mechanism making it possible to separate the display from the going train, or both such a stop mechanism 20 and such a clutch mechanism.

[0139] The watch 200 comprises at least one display 3; 4; 5, in particular at least one hour display 4 and one minute display 5.

[0140] The watch 200 comprises at least one receiver capable of receiving a series of pulses or a mechanical torque coming from an actuator of the clock 100.

[0141] The watch 200 comprises a transmission line capable of driving the display counterclockwise, a pawl 801, and at least one first hour cam 802 carried by the hour wheel 808, and comprising a wolf tooth opening 8030 or a notch 831 corresponding to a reference position of the display.

[0142] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises a first hour cam 802 carried by the hour wheel 808, and comprising an opening 8020, a second minute cam 803 carried by a minute display wheel 805, and comprising a wolf tooth opening 8030 or a notch 831, a jumper 804 arranged to cooperate with a star carried by a minute display wheel 805 for maintaining each display position according to a pre-determined regular step.

[0143] More particularly, the watch 200 comprises an interface arranged to drive at least one display 3; 4; 5 in a counterclockwise rotation, and to wind a barrel, during a counterclockwise rotation. And the watch 200 comprises a finishing train which comprises a ratchet wheel, arranged to allow the winding of at least one barrel during the counterclockwise rotation.

[0144] More particularly, the interface is arranged to drive, in addition to the rotation of at least one display 3, 4, 5, in an anticlockwise direction, a manual winding train of the at least one barrel, by a ratchet mechanism external to a finishing train that the watch 200 comprises.

[0145] More particularly, the watch 200 includes a time-setting friction capable of allowing the transfer of torque from the winding, or else includes a clutch mechanism instead of a time-setting friction.

[0146] Another watch variation features a ratchet, a rake, and at least two cams. In this ratchet, rack and double cam version, the watch 200 comprises a ratchet 801, a rack 823 meshed on an hour wheel 808, and which is arranged to declick from the hour wheel 808 in a clockwise direction, and which is driven by a return spring 825, an hour rack pinion 824. The watch 200 comprises two cams: at least a first hour cam 802 carried by the hour wheel 808, and comprising an opening 8020, and a second minute cam 803 carried by a minute display wheel 805, and comprising a wolf-tooth opening 8030 or a notch 831. The watch 200 comprises a jumper 804, which is arranged to cooperate with a star carried by a minute display wheel 805 for maintaining from each display position at a predetermined regular pace.

[0147] The rack pinion 824 is arranged to drive and wind the rack 823, which ratchets at each tooth, during normal operation of the watch 200 when the watch 200 is not cooperating with the clock 100.

[0148] And the watch 200 includes a clutch mechanism 806 between a display train 805, 807, 808, and a finishing train 810.

[0149] The sympathetic assembly 1000 comprises an interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, this interface being arranged to disengage the clutch mechanism 806 by actuating it towards its disengaged position, which allows the rack 823 to drive the hour display and minute display gear train of the watch 200 counterclockwise, over as many revolutions as necessary, until the pawl 801 encounters the opening 8020 of the first hour cam 802, corresponding to the minutes preceding a reference time corresponding to a predetermined reference position of the displays 3, 4, 5, of the watch 200, at a time at which the pawl 801 can rest on the second minute cam 803 for a rotation corresponding to the last minutes before reaching this reference time, and until it is blocked in the wolf-tooth opening 8030 of the second minute cam 803, the blocking corresponding to the reference display position.

[0150] The time-setting mechanism controlled by the clock 100 is arranged to set the time of the displays 4, 5, of the watch 200, in a clockwise direction, to the exact time by re-arming the rack 801.

[0151] The interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200 is further arranged to reconnect the finishing train with the display train, by engaging the clutch mechanism 806 to re-arm the rack 801 or complete the re-arming of the rack 801.

[0152] The cooperation between the jumper 804 and the star allows the displays to be maintained in each step, and allows the rake 801 to be re-armed without loss of the display.

[0153] The star, carried by the minute display 5, is either a thirty-tooth star cooperating with a single-tooth 804 jumper, or a fifteen-tooth minute cannon pinion cooperating with a single tooth at a time of a double 8040 jumper comprising two teeth, or else comprises a number of teeth which corresponds to the whole number of predetermined steps contained in an hour.

[0154] The clutch mechanism 806 advantageously comprises a friction spring 809.

[0155] More particularly, this clutch mechanism 806 is a chronograph clutch mechanism, comprising a clamp 821 whose function is to ensure engagement and disengagement, under the control of a column wheel 840 which controls the angular separation of the arms of the clamp 821, 822, for the opening or closing of the clamp, corresponding respectively to disengagement or engagement.

[0156] As in the heart and hammer version, the sympathetic assembly 1000 includes a controller mechanism, inside or outside the watch 200, for controlling the setting of the displays in the reference position.

[0157] More particularly, this function controller is capable of occupying at least two positions, the first corresponding to the start of the function where the controller is arranged to control the disengagement of the finishing gear train, and stop the balance of the resonator, and the second corresponding to the end of the function where the controller is arranged to release the clutch and the balance.

[0158] More particularly, the function controller is integrated into the watch 200, and comprises either a rotary controller, of the column wheel type 840, controlled by the interface, with two to five successive stable positions, or a back-and-forth controller, of the shuttle type, controlled by the interface, with two successive stable positions.

[0159] More particularly, the function controller is external to the watch 200 and is housed in the clock 100, and the watch 200 only has a reciprocating cam controlled by the interface and returning to rest by default, and has a stable rest position, and one to three controlled positions.

[0160] Specifically, the function controller features a snail and a two-position cam.

[0161] In a first particular variant, called step-by-step time setting, the sympathetic assembly 1000 is arranged to allow step-by-step time setting. More particularly, this sympathetic assembly 1000 comprising a sympathetic clock 100 and at least one associated sympathetic watch 200 is designed to perform the following functions: starting the stopped watch when it is placed on the clock; winding the watch with the assurance of a minimum of twelve hours of autonomy when it is removed from the clock; keeping the watch running when it is on the clock; setting the time of the watch when it is placed on the clock or on demand, to within plus or minus 15 seconds; keeping the watch on time while it is on the clock; the possibility of deactivating the function for possible storage of the stopped watch on the clock.

[0162] In this first variant, the time setting step by step can be done at the request of the user at the control means 300, and / or automatically, that is to say controlled by the clock 100, in particular by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, in particular and not limited to an hour display of the clock 104, and a minute display of the clock 105. The command carried out by the clock 100 can be periodic, or linked to an additional mechanism set by the user, called an alarm type, similar to an alarm mechanism; this command carried out by the clock 100 is only executed if a watch 200 is present in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position.

[0163] Setting the time is of interest to the user, except for demonstration purposes, only if the watch 200 is not completely disarmed. Therefore, setting the time generally follows a re-arming, or more generally, a recharging of the watch 200. This description is simplified by the use of the terms “winding” or “re-arming” for any charging or respectively recharging of energy.

[0164] The watch 200 conventionally comprises displays, 3, 4, 5, and in particular and not limited to an hour display for the watch 4, and a minute display for the watch 5. The figures illustrate non-limiting variants where these displays are hands.

[0165] More particularly, the command carried out by the clock 100, or the action of the user on the control means 300, has as its first effect to position one of the transmission lines in a position corresponding to the setting of the time. One of the transmission lines is then able to impart to a time-setting mechanism, which is internal to the watch 200, the movement(s) necessary to accurately achieve the display of the current time.

[0166] The invention is set out below in a non-limiting embodiment, in which one of the transmission lines between the clock and the watch comprises a first actuator of the clock 501, which is arranged to cooperate with a first actuator of the watch 901 for controlling the start or stop of the watch, and another of these transmission lines comprises a second actuator of the clock 502 which is arranged to cooperate with a second actuator of the watch 902, in particular a pusher or the like, which incrementally provides the positioning movement. In another embodiment, these pushers may be the same. In another embodiment, another transmission line comprises a third actuator of the clock 503, arranged to cooperate with one of the actuators of the watch.

[0167] The watch 200 comprises a resonator 10, which comprises at least one inertial mass 15; the present description concerns the most common case of a balance-spring type resonator, where the inertial mass 15 is a balance.

[0168] The watch 200 is equipped with a stop mechanism 20, arranged to stop the movement of the resonator 10, in particular by pressing an arm, or a leaf spring, or another actuator, on the inertial mass 15 or on a suitable element of the resonator. More particularly, this stop mechanism 20 is a stop-seconds mechanism 25 comprising a stop lever.

[0169] The clock 100 comprises a stop control mechanism 120, which is arranged to transform the step-by-step time setting command carried out by the user or by the clock 100, into a sequence, the first step of which is a control action of the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200.

[0170] The stop control mechanism 120 of the clock 100 is arranged to control a movement of one of the transmission lines to identify the time setting action, and to control the transfer of an impulse or torque to the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200.

[0171] The time setting sequence is as follows: to set the time, the resonator 10 is stopped, in particular the balance wheel 15 of the watch 200, is stopped and the displays of the watch 200 return to the reference position, in particular 12:00, instantly; the hour 4 and minute 5 displays of the watch 200 then reach, in successive steps, a restart display position which corresponds to the instantaneous exact time, increased by the value of at least one additional step imposed by the mechanism, in particular a two-minute step; at the passage of the next two minutes, that is to say at the moment corresponding to the restart display position which has just been reached, the resonator 10, in particular the balance wheel 15, of the watch, is released by the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200, in particular by this stop-seconds mechanism 25.

[0172] To do this, the watch 200 recognizes the movement of the transmission line between the clock 100 and the watch 200 in the time-set position, a first actuator of the watch 901 (in particular a pusher or similar) actuates the stop lever of the stop-seconds mechanism 25, which stops the resonator 10 and the watch 200. This first actuator of the watch 901 is advantageously also a control mechanism of at least one hammer or similar, and causes the positioning of the hour 4 and minute 5 displays of the watch 200 in the reference position, by bringing into cooperation, for each adjusted timepiece quantity, a hammer with a heart carried by a cannon-pinion.

[0173] Thus, more particularly, the step-by-step time setting comprises a sequence of steps, described here with numerical values ​​of the step which are in no way limiting: When the time setting order is given by the user at the control means 300, or given by the clock 100 itself, the control means 300, or a clock movement 900 which the clock 100 comprises, activates the stop control mechanism 120, which immediately controls the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200, via the first pusher 901.

[0174] The resonator 10 is then stopped, in the particular case illustrated here the inertial mass 15 is stopped.

[0175] The watch 200 comprises at least one display 3, 4, 5; more particularly and non-limitingly, the present description relates to the adjustment of an hour display of the watch 4, and of a minute display of the watch 5.

[0176] The watch 200 comprises a reset mechanism 500, which is arranged to return at least one display 3, 4, 5, of the watch, in particular the hour display of the watch 4 and the minute display of the watch 5, to a reference position, in particular for example the position at the reference position, in particular 12:00, that is to say twelve hours and zero minutes, or, as visible on the figures 27 to 33 , the 10:10 position, that is, ten hours and ten minutes, or any other value. Unless otherwise indicated, in this description, the reference position is this reference position of 12:00, twelve hours and zero minutes.

[0177] More particularly, this reset mechanism 500 is arranged to return each display 3, 4, 5 of the watch to its reference position.

[0178] In a non-limiting embodiment, this reset mechanism 500 comprises, for each display 3, 4, 5, a core 401, 702, 703, which is integral in rotation with this display 3, 4, 5, and the reset mechanism 500 comprises at least one hammer 402, 701, which is arranged to cooperate in support with this core 401, 702, 703, during activation of the reset mechanism 500; preferably this hammer 402, 701, is returned by a hammer spring 403 which tends to move it away from the core 401, 702, 703, in normal operation.

[0179] In a particular variant, the hammer 402, 701, is unique, and common to all the hearts 401, 702, 703, which the watch 200 comprises for the different watch sizes to be adjusted.

[0180] The stop mechanism 20 thus controls, simultaneously with the stopping of the watch 200, the resetting of its display by activating its resetting mechanism 500 to return each display 3, 4, 5, to its reference position.

[0181] Thus each display 3, 4, 5, of the watch 200 instantly takes the reference display position, for example the twelve o'clock and zero minute position.

[0182] Another transmission line is then driven by the clock to impose a particular display on the watch; instead of being carried out continuously, this drive is carried out in steps. This other transmission line comprises a second actuator of the watch 902, which here operates in a back-and-forth movement; this execution is one of the possibilities, non-limiting, of controlling the time setting of the watch.

[0183] Subsequently, by means of this second actuator of the watch 902, the clock 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, in steps of a given value, for example two minutes, and therefore indirectly drives, through the minute display of the watch 5, the hour display of the watch 4, until the display on the watch corresponds to a restart display position which corresponds to the exact instantaneous time which is the value of the instantaneous display visible on the clock 100, increased by at least one additional step, therefore here two minutes.

[0184] This mechanism works in a similar way to a date corrector: watch 200 has a corrector linked to a minute wheel, and clock 100 activates a second actuator of watch 902 which presses this corrector the number of times necessary to reach the instantaneous time, increased by the value of the step, here two minutes. This linear movement resembles the operation of a bicycle pump. The reference setting on the clock is done in a similar way to that carried out by a minute repeater mechanism on demand, with palpation of the hour and minute snails that the clock conventionally includes.

[0185] The two-minute steps are a non-limiting example, and, in this example, the number of steps to be taken, for two-minute steps, is then variable between 0 and 359 steps (60 / 2 * 12). During this phase, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch is positioned precisely using a star, in particular but not limited to 30 teeth; we will see later the advantageous case of a 15-tooth star. More generally, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is precisely positioned by the combination of a star secured to the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of this star and the number of teeth of this jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0186] The operation of the first actuator of the watch 901 can be used to ensure the resetting of the hammer 402, 701.

[0187] Subsequently, the clock 100 waits for the next passage to the next two minutes, in order, at this precise moment which corresponds to the restart display position which was previously set, to release the stop lever by means of the first pusher 901, and thus allow the watch to run at the exact time. Thanks to the stop seconds, this time setting is very precise.

[0188] Indeed, this same passage to the following two minutes has the effect of modifying the state of the stop control mechanism 120, and of controlling a movement of the start / stop control transmission line, to identify the end action of the time setting, and to control the transfer of an impulse or a torque to the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200.

[0189] In the embodiment where the sympathetic pendulum 100 comprises a first selection shaft 1 and at least one second drive shaft 2, the watch 200 recognizes the movement of one of the transmission lines in the end-of-time-setting position, the first upper half-shaft 12 re-activates the stop lever of the stop mechanism 20, which releases the resonator 10 and the watch 200, the running of which resumes instantly.

[0190] In short, by a first interface, the pendulum 100 stops the inertial mass 15, in particular the balance, of the watch 200, in particular by a stop-second lever mechanism 25.

[0191] Subsequently, by a second mechanism, the clock 100 drives in steps, here in steps of two minutes, the minute display of watch 5 of watch 200, and by its intermediary the hour display of watch 4 of watch 200, until these displays reach and together indicate the exact instantaneous time plus two minutes.

[0192] Then, clock 100 waits for the next two-minute change to release the stop lever, thus allowing watch 200 to run on time.

[0193] The watch is thus set very precisely.

[0194] In short, the step-by-step process of setting the time of such a nice 200 watch involves different steps described below.

[0195] 1A: We determine a value of a pre-determined autonomy that the watch 200 must have at any time after a first winding in the event of the clock 100 being removed.

[0196] 1B: A predetermined time setting step value is determined.

[0197] 1C: We define a reference position of the displays 3, 4, 5, of the watch 200.

[0198] 1D: The link mechanism is equipped with at least two separate transmission lines, one for transferring energy or movement, and the other for selecting a function to be performed or a display quantity to be adjusted, each transmission line having an interface with a pendulum actuator in the pendulum 100 and at least one watch actuator in the watch 200.

[0199] 1E: The watch 200 is placed in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position allowing the clock 100 to detect the presence of the watch 200, and to perform a first winding of the watch 200 to trigger the starting of the watch 200 if the watch 200 is stopped when it is placed on the clock 100.

[0200] 1F: The clock 100 winds the watch 200 so as to guarantee the pre-determined autonomy of the watch 200 when it is removed from the clock 100.

[0201] 1G: And the clock 100 sets the time of the watch 200, either when the watch 200 is placed on the receptacle 150, or when passing at a predetermined time on the clock 100, or at the request of a user acting on a control means 300 that the clock 100 or the watch 200 comprises, or on command of a clock movement 900 that the clock 100 comprises.

[0202] 1H: And the clock 100 positions a transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and actuates in successive steps, each of the value of this predetermined step, a transmission line capable of imparting to a time-setting mechanism internal to the watch 200 any movement necessary to accurately achieve the display of the current time.

[0203] 1I: The clock 100 keeps the watch 200 running as long as the watch 200 is on the clock 100, in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position.

[0204] 1J: More particularly, the clock 100 and / or the watch 200 are equipped with a control means arranged to allow the user to deactivate the time-setting function and the winding function for storing the stopped watch on the clock.

[0205] 1K: More particularly, the time setting is controlled step by step by a periodic mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, or linked to an alarm mechanism, or alarm type, set by the user.

[0206] 1L: More particularly, the sympathetic assembly 1000 is equipped with a first transmission line which comprises a first actuator of the pendulum 501, which is arranged to cooperate with a first actuator of the watch 901 for controlling the start or stop of the watch, and a second transmission line which comprises a second actuator of the pendulum 502 which is arranged to cooperate with a second actuator of the watch 902, which provides the positioning movement incrementally.

[0207] 1M: More particularly, the sympathetic assembly 1000 is equipped with a first transmission line which comprises a first actuator of the pendulum 501, which is arranged to cooperate with a first actuator of the watch 901 for controlling the engagement or disengagement of the display of the watch 200 relative to the resonator without stopping the latter, and with a second transmission line which comprises a second actuator of the pendulum 502 which is arranged to cooperate with a second actuator of the watch 902, which provides the positioning movement incrementally.

[0208] 1N: More particularly, a single actuator is produced constituting both the first actuator of the watch 901 and the second actuator of the watch 902.

[0209] 10: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with a stop mechanism 20, and the clock 100 is equipped with a stop control mechanism 120, which is arranged to transform the step-by-step time setting command carried out by a user or by the clock 100, into a sequence, the first step of which is a control action of the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200, the stop control mechanism 120 of the clock 100 being arranged to control a movement of a transmission line to identify the time setting action, and to control the transfer of an impulse or a torque to the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200.

[0210] 1P: More particularly, for the actuation, in successive steps, of the transmission line to the time-setting mechanism internal to the watch 200, a time-setting sequence is carried out according to which the stop control mechanism 120 of the clock 100 controls the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200 to stop the resonator 10 before carrying out the time-setting, and to control a zero-reset mechanism 500, with which the watch 200 is equipped, to instantly recall the displays 3, 4; 5, of the watch 200 to their reference position, then the advancement of the displays 3, 4, 5 is controlled, in successive steps, to a restart display position which corresponds to the exact instantaneous time readable on the clock 100, increased by a value corresponding to a predetermined step, or an integer number of predetermined steps, imposed by the mechanism.And the passage of the clock 100 to the time corresponding to the restart display position changes the state of the stop control mechanism 120, and controls a movement of the start / stop control transmission line, to identify the end action of the time setting, and controls the transfer of an impulse or a torque to the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200 to release it and restart the resonator 10.

[0211] 1Q: More particularly, to carry out the reset, the watch 200 recognizes the movement of the transmission line between the clock 100 and the watch 200 in the time-setting position, and a first actuator of the watch 901 actuates the stop mechanism 20 which stops the resonator 10 and the watch 200, the first actuator of the watch 901 constituting a control mechanism of at least one hammer, to cause the positioning of at least one hour display 4 and one minute display 5, in the reference position, by bringing into cooperation, for each adjusted horological quantity, a hammer 402; 701, with a heart 401, 702, 703, integral in rotation with a display and carried by a cannon-pinion.

[0212] 1R: More particularly, to carry out the time setting sequence, the pendulum 100 drives another transmission line to impose a particular display on the watch 200, this other transmission line comprises a second actuator of the watch 902, which operates in a reciprocating motion, and, by means of the second actuator of the watch 902, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 of the watch 200, by an integer number of predetermined steps, and drives, through the minute display of the watch 5, the hour display of the watch 4 of the watch 200, until the display on the watch 200 corresponds to the restart display position.

[0213] 1S: More specifically, to carry out the time-setting sequence, the 100 clock is equipped with a mechanism for driving hour and minute snails by the 900 movement, and a mechanism for sensing the instantaneous hour and minute, as on a minute repeater mechanism on demand.

[0214] 1T: More particularly, to carry out the time-setting sequence, the clock 100 is equipped with a drive mechanism by the movement 900 of a single minute snail driven at a speed of one revolution in twelve hours, or one revolution in twenty-four hours, comprising a number of steps corresponding to the chosen minute step multiplied by 12 or 24, and a mechanism for feeling the instantaneous minutes as on a minute repeater mechanism on demand.

[0215] 1U: More specifically, a predetermined step of two minutes is chosen, and the number of steps to be taken is variable between 0 and 359 steps, during which the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is positioned precisely using a star with 30 teeth or 15 teeth and which can then be made up of the cannon pinion itself.

[0216] 1V: More particularly, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is precisely positioned by the combination of a star integral with the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of the star and the number of teeth of the jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0217] 1W: More particularly, a clock 100 is implemented which comprises a first selection shaft 1 and at least one second drive shaft 2, and the watch 200 is arranged to recognize the movement of one of the transmission lines in the end-of-time-setting position, and comprises a first upper half-shaft 12 which controls the stop mechanism 20 to release the resonator 10.

[0218] A second variant, called winding by periodic impulse and with the time-setting function, concerns the periodic winding of the watch 200, when the watch is in the receptacle 150 of the clock 100, by a winding value which corresponds to the duration of a period, plus a safety duration.

[0219] The general objectives are the same as for the first variation of step-by-step time setting.

[0220] In an advantageous embodiment, a winding identical to that which is carried out at each period is also triggered when the time is set on the watch, either at the request of the user or at the request of the time base of the clock 100, to ensure the operation of the watch 200 after the time has been set. This winding is then carried out prior to the time-setting operation.

[0221] This principle requires the presence, at the level of the watch 200, of a safety mechanism, such as a sliding flange type barrel, to prevent the barrel spring from breaking under overload. In a more complex execution, a power reserve measuring mechanism can prevent unnecessary or harmful winding of the barrel.

[0222] For example, and without limitation, periodic winding is carried out with a period of twelve hours, therefore twice a day, for an arming value greater than the periodic winding period, for example an arming value of thirteen hours, so as to have thirteen hours of autonomy.

[0223] The execution of a periodic type winding can be done at the request of the user at the level of the control means 300, and / or automatically, that is to say controlled by the clock 100, in particular by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays 104, 105, of the clock 100. The command carried out by the clock 100 can be periodic, or linked to an additional mechanism set by the user, an alarm mechanism, or an alarm type mechanism; this command carried out by the clock 100 is only executed if a watch 200 is present in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position.

[0224] The execution of a periodic type winding can be triggered by a user action during a time setting request, or by a command from the clock 100 itself for the same purpose.

[0225] More particularly, it is by one of the transmission lines between the clock and the watch, or by a third interface such as a crown, that the clock 100 drives the winding train of the watch 200 by a number of turns equivalent to thirteen hours of autonomy, in the present example. This autonomy allows the watch 200 to operate if the user immediately wears his watch, provided that it is equipped with an automatic winding mechanism ensuring the additional winding, even if this watch 200 was disarmed beforehand, before the request to set the time.

[0226] If the 200 watch is automatic, it will continue to wind while being worn.

[0227] If watch 200 remains in its receptacle 150 on clock 100, it continues to run until the next periodic winding, in our advantageous example, after twelve hours.

[0228] It can be noted that, in an extreme case, the winding can go down so that the chronometry is worsened, but if the winding period is coupled with a time-setting period, this loss is not harmful to the user.

[0229] It should also be noted that, after approximately 50 cycles, the maximum winding of the watch, for example 60 hours, will be reached, the watch will therefore operate continuously between 48 and 60 hours of winding and the barrel flange is then required to slide for two hours per day, which is much less than for normal wear of an automatic watch, and does not generate undue wear of the mechanism.

[0230] This periodic winding is very simple, and preserves the watch's energy storage mechanism, while ensuring availability for the benefit of the user.

[0231] In short, the method of winding by periodic impulse such a sympathetic watch 200 comprises different steps described below.

[0232] 2A: A winding period is determined, and when the watch is in the receptacle 150, a periodic winding of the watch 200 is carried out with a period equal to the winding period, with a winding value which corresponds to the duration of a winding period, plus a safety duration.

[0233] 2B: More particularly, a winding identical to the periodic winding which is carried out at each winding period is triggered, either during a time-setting operation of the watch 200 by the clock 100, or at the request of a user acting on a control means 300, or on command of a clock movement 900 which the clock 100 comprises, to ensure the continued operation of the watch 200 after the time-setting operation, the winding being carried out prior to the time-setting operation.

[0234] 2C: More particularly, the pendulum 100 keeps the watch 200 running as long as the watch 200 is on the pendulum 100, in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position.

[0235] 2D: The clock 100 and / or the watch 200 are equipped with a control means arranged to allow the user to deactivate the time setting function and the winding function for storing the stopped watch on the clock.

[0236] 2E: The 200 watch is equipped with a safety mechanism, a sliding flange barrel or a power reserve measuring mechanism, to prevent the barrel spring from breaking under overload and to prevent unnecessary or damaging winding of the barrel.

[0237] More specifically, a twelve-hour arming period is chosen.

[0238] 2F: More specifically, we choose an arming value of thirteen hours, including an arming period of twelve hours, and a safety duration of one hour, so as to have a total of thirteen hours of autonomy.

[0239] 2G: More particularly, we choose a periodic type of automatic winding, controlled by the clock 100, either periodically by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, or by the triggering of an additional mechanism set by the user, at a time defined by the user in an alarm mechanism or in an alarm type mechanism.

[0240] 2H: More specifically, a periodic winding is triggered, either by a user action during a time setting request, or by a time setting command from the clock 100.

[0241] 2I: The clock 100 drives the winding train of the watch 200 by one of the transmission lines, or by a third interface controlling the rotation of a crown included in the watch 200, by a number of turns adequate to constitute a winding value equal to the sum of the winding period and the safety duration, so as to allow immediate operation of the watch 200, even if the user immediately wears the watch 200, and even if the watch 200 was disarmed beforehand, before the time setting request.

[0242] 2J: More particularly, the winding period is reduced to a threshold at which the chronometry of the watch 200 is degraded, and the winding period is coupled with a time-setting period, so that the loss of chronometric performance is not harmful to the user.

[0243] More particularly, the connecting mechanism is produced comprising at least two separate transmission lines between the clock 100 and the watch 200.

[0244] More particularly, this sympathetic assembly 1000 is produced with a watch 200 comprising at least one resonator 10, and a display train and a finishing train, and either a stop mechanism 20 arranged to stop the operation of the resonator 10, or a clutch mechanism making it possible to separate the display from the finishing train, or both such a stop mechanism 20 and such a clutch mechanism, and the watch 200 comprising at least one hour display 4 and one minute display 5.

[0245] A third variant, called relative time setting, concerns the execution of the time setting on demand, and automatically periodically, for example twice a day, controlled by the clock 100.

[0246] The general objectives are the same as for the first variation of step-by-step time setting.

[0247] At each period, the clock 100 drives the displays 4, 5 of the watch 200 backward by a value ensuring that the displays move to a position of twelve o'clock and zero minutes, for example by a value of thirteen hours for setting the time of a twelve-hour hour display. Each of these displays 4, 5 is locked upon passing the reference position of twelve o'clock and zero minutes by a pawl. More particularly, this reference position is adjustable, as is the locking position of the pawl specific to at least one display 4, 5, more particularly to each display 4, 5.

[0248] The clock 100 drives the displays of the watch 4, 5, to the correct time, with an accuracy of around ± 20 seconds.

[0249] The execution of this time setting on demand, and automatically in a periodic manner, can be done at the request of the user at the level of the control means 300, and / or automatically, that is to say controlled by the clock 100, in particular by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays 104, 105, of the clock 100. The command carried out by the clock 100 can be periodic, or linked to an additional mechanism set by the user, an alarm mechanism or an alarm-type mechanism; this command carried out by the clock 100 is only executed if a watch 200 is present in the receptacle 150, in the transfer position.

[0250] By means of a crown-type interface or similar, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, and by this drives the hour display of the watch 4, in the counterclockwise direction, abbreviated SIAM, by the equivalent of thirteen hours so as to guarantee the passage of the hours through the reference position, in particular at twelve o'clock and zero minutes. When passing from the position at twelve o'clock and zero minutes, or, advantageously when passing from a neighboring position, called the preparation position, for example from the position at twelve o'clock and fifteen minutes, a pawl unlocks and blocks the minute display at the reference position, in particular 12:00. The drive by the hour pendulum, on the thirteen-hour course in the counterclockwise direction, continues on a friction system.This principle is the inverse principle of the principle which makes it possible to set the striking time of an alarm clock exactly to the minute, by combining two cams, one which is an hour cam and which has an opening corresponding to a period of time of approximately a quarter of an hour before the time planned for the execution of the strike, this opening being arranged to cooperate with a pin for the continuation of the drive by the movement of the single minute cam which triggers the strike at the exact minute set beforehand, as readable in document EP2073076B1 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET.

[0251] Subsequently, through an appropriate interface, the clock 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 in the normal clockwise direction, abbreviated SAM, and through it the hour display of the watch 4, until they reach the exact time. It should be noted that the time setting accuracy depends heavily on the play and the roundness of the time setting gear, it is estimated at approximately + / - 15 to 20 seconds per minute.

[0252] More particularly, the reference position and / or the preparation position is adjustable, as is the locking position of at least one pawl, in particular of each pawl.

[0253] In short, the method of setting the relative time of such a sympathetic watch 200 comprises different steps described below.

[0254] 3A: We define a reference position of the displays 3, 4, 5, of the watch 200.

[0255] 3B: The time is set, either on request by action of a user on a control means 300 included in the clock 100 or the watch 200, or automatically in a periodic manner controlled by the clock 100.

[0256] 3C: And, to carry out the relative time setting, the pendulum 100 drives the displays 4, 5 of the watch backwards, in an anti-clockwise direction, with a stroke sufficiently large to ensure that the displays 4, 5 pass through the reference position.

[0257] 3D: For a 200 watch displaying over twelve hours, we choose the race with a value greater than twelve hours, particularly but not exclusively for twice-daily time setting.

[0258] 3E: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with, in particular but not limited to for each of its displays 4, 5, a pawl arranged to block at least one display 4, 5, when it passes into the position corresponding to the reference position.

[0259] 3F: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to at least one display, or for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to each display.

[0260] More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the reference position.

[0261] 3G: More particularly, we choose a periodic type of automatic time setting, controlled by the clock 100, either periodically by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, or by the triggering of an additional mechanism set by the user, at a time defined by the user in an alarm mechanism or in an alarm type mechanism.

[0262] 3H: More specifically, a periodic time setting is triggered, either by a user action during a time setting request, or by a time setting command from the clock 100.

[0263] 3I: More particularly, through an interface, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, and by this drives the hour display of the watch 4, in the counterclockwise direction, to come and block the minute display at the reference position, the drive by the pendulum 100 of the hours continuing on a friction system.

[0264] 3J: More particularly, then, by an appropriate interface, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 this time in the normal clockwise direction, and by it the hour display of the watch 4, until they reach the exact time.

[0265] 3K: More particularly, a preparation position is defined, close to the reference position, upon passing which a pawl is unlocked, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the preparation position.

[0266] 3L: More particularly, the sympathetic assembly 1000 is equipped with a first transmission line which comprises a first actuator of the pendulum 501, which is arranged to cooperate with a first actuator of the watch 901 for controlling the engagement or disengagement of the display of the watch 200 relative to the resonator 10 without stopping the latter, and with a second transmission line which comprises a second actuator of the pendulum 502 which is arranged to cooperate with a second actuator of the watch 902, which provides the positioning movement.

[0267] 3M: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with a stop mechanism 20 to keep the inertial mass 15 of the resonator 10 stationary during time setting.

[0268] 3N: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with a clutch mechanism to ensure the starting of the displays 4; 5 without the inertial mass 15 of the resonator 10 being stopped during the time setting.

[0269] In a fourth variant, called winding by relative time setting, the winding is done during the thirteen hours of counterclockwise rotation of the relative time setting of the watch, explained above. It is done in the same way, on demand and automatically twice a day. The thirteen hours of counterclockwise rotation of the displays 4, 5 of the watch ensure the winding of the watch for a period of thirteen hours.

[0270] This fourth variant allows time setting and winding to be carried out with a single rotating interface.

[0271] The time setting function is triggered by a user action on the clock (on demand), or by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the clock displays (periodic).

[0272] By means of a crown-type interface or similar, the clock 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 and the hour display of the watch 4 counterclockwise by the equivalent of thirteen hours for relative time setting. This rotation can be used to wind the barrel, advantageously by thirteen hours.

[0273] Two solutions are proposed: or the interface drives the manual winding train in addition to the counterclockwise rotation of the displays; or the finishing train includes a ratchet wheel, which allows the barrel to be wound when the displays rotate in the opposite direction.

[0274] The first option is simple to implement. It has a ratchet system so that the clockwise rotation of the relative time setting displays can be done, but the ratchet system is not located in the finishing gear.

[0275] The second option is interesting because it only requires a ratchet wheel in the going train. The time-setting friction must allow the transfer of torque from the winding; the typical cannon-pinion torque is about 1N.mm, and the typical torque on the cannon-pinion for maximum winding is 3N.mm. A clutch system can replace the classic time-setting friction.

[0276] This invention allows for winding for a period of thirteen hours when setting the time on demand, and for a period of thirteen hours when setting the time periodically.

[0277] In short, the process of winding by relative time setting of such a sympathetic watch 200 comprises different stages described below.

[0278] 4A: A reference position of the displays of the watch 200 is defined.

[0279] 4B: Winding is carried out by setting the time, or at the request of a user by action on a control means 300 included in the clock 100 or the watch 200, or automatically in a periodic manner controlled by the clock 100, and, to carry out the relative time setting which allows winding, the clock 100 drives the displays 4, 5 of the watch backwards, in an anticlockwise direction, with a stroke sufficiently large to ensure that the displays 4, 5 pass through the reference position.

[0280] 4C: More specifically, for a 200 watch displaying over twelve hours, the race with a value greater than twelve hours is chosen, particularly but not exclusively for twice-daily time setting.

[0281] 4D: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with, for each of its displays 4, 5, a pawl arranged to block this display 4, 5, when it passes into the position corresponding to the reference position.

[0282] 4E: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to at least one display, or for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to each display.

[0283] 4F: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the reference position.

[0284] 4G: More particularly, we choose a periodic type of automatic time setting, controlled by the clock 100, either periodically by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, or by the triggering of an additional mechanism set by the user, at a time defined by the user in an alarm clock or alarm clock type mechanism.

[0285] 4H: More specifically, a periodic time setting is triggered, either by a user action during a time setting request, or by a time setting command from the clock 100.

[0286] 4I: More particularly, through an interface, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, and by this drives the hour display of the watch 4, in the counterclockwise direction, to come and block the minute display at the reference position, the drive by the pendulum 100 of the hours continuing on a friction system, to ensure the defined winding. In particular, a preparation position is defined, close to the reference position, upon passing through which the pawl is unlocked, to come and block the minute display.

[0287] 4J: More specifically, when the displays are rotated counterclockwise, the interface winds the barrel. And, either the pawl is external to the going train and the interface drives, in addition to the displays, the manual winding train that the watch 200 comprises, or the going train comprises a ratchet wheel that allows the barrel to be wound by the display train and the part of the going train located between the ratchet wheel and the barrel when the displays rotate counterclockwise.

[0288] In a fifth variant, called permanent time setting, the time setting, like the winding, only takes place on demand.

[0289] In this variant, the watch 200 is necessarily equipped with a stop mechanism 20, arranged to stop the movement of the resonator 10, in particular by pressing an arm, or a leaf spring, or another actuator, on the inertial mass 15 or on a suitable element of the resonator. More particularly, this stop mechanism 20 is a stop-seconds mechanism 25 comprising a stop lever.

[0290] The stop lever is activated.

[0291] The clock drives the displays back thirteen hours; they are blocked when passing the reference position, in particular 12:00, by pawls.

[0292] These thirteen hours of reverse rotation also ensure the winding of the watch as before.

[0293] The clock then drives the displays to the time, with an accuracy of around ± 20 seconds.

[0294] The clock then continues to drive the displays until the watch is unlocked on the clock.

[0295] Unlocking the watch on the clock releases the stop lever.

[0296] This fifth variant avoids constant operation of the watch (excluding display), daily winding and time setting, the functions being carried out only once, from the request until the watch is taken.

[0297] The time setting function is triggered by a user action on the clock (on demand) only.

[0298] Using a second interface (push-button type), the clock stops the watch and disengages the display (cannon pinion clutch).

[0299] By a first interface (crown type), the clock drives the minute display and by it the hour display counterclockwise by the equivalent of thirteen hours, so as to guarantee the passage of the hours to the reference position, in particular 12:00, and to guarantee a minimum winding greater than twelve hours of power reserve, in particular with a value of thirteen hours of power reserve, in a manner similar to the fourth variant. A little before reaching the reference position, in particular 12:00, in reverse, for example when passing the 12:15 position, or similar, a pawl unlocks and blocks the minute at the reference position, in particular 12:00; the drive by the clock of the thirteen hours counterclockwise continues on a friction system.

[0300] Subsequently, through the first interface, the clock drives the minute display, and through it the hour display until they reach the exact time. Note that the time setting accuracy depends heavily on the play and the roundness of the time setting gear, it is estimated at ±20 seconds per minute.

[0301] Subsequently, through the first interface, the clock drives the displays at real speed as long as the watch is not unlocked from the clock for wearing.

[0302] When the watch is unlocked for wear by the user, the clock, through the second interface, releases the stop lever and the display clutch, the watch is independent again.

[0303] This invention has the advantage of saving wear and tear from the operation of the watch when it is on the clock.

[0304] It also guarantees a minimum of thirteen hours of battery life regardless of when the watch is picked up.

[0305] In short, the process of winding by permanent time setting of such a sympathetic watch 200 comprises different stages described below.

[0306] 5A: A reference position of the displays of the watch 200 is defined.

[0307] 5B: The time is set only on demand by action of a user on a control means 300 included in the clock 100 or the watch 200, or automatically in a periodic manner controlled by the clock 100, and, to set the time, the clock 100 drives the displays 4, 5 of the watch backwards, in an anticlockwise direction, with a stroke sufficiently large to ensure that the displays 4, 5 pass through the reference position; or the clock 100 controls means of the watch 200 which are arranged so as to ensure the movement of the displays towards the reference position by means of hearts.

[0308] 5C: Through an interface, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, and through it drives the hour display of the watch 4, in the counterclockwise direction, to come and block the minute display at the reference position, the driving by the pendulum 100 of the hours continuing on a friction system, and then, through a suitable interface, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 this time in the normal clockwise direction, and through it the hour display of the watch 4, until they reach the exact time in continuous rotation. More particularly, a preparation position is defined, close to the reference position, upon passing through which a pawl is unlocked, for this blocking of the minute display.

[0309] 5D: The user's action on the control means 300 actuates the stop mechanism 20 to stop the operation of the resonator 10, prior to the driving of the displays 4, 5, to the reference position, and, after the displays 4, 5 of the watch 200 have reached the instantaneous time, the clock 100 drives the displays 4, 5, as long as the watch 200 is in the transfer position in the receptacle 150, and the removal of the watch 200 from the receptacle 150 dissociates it from the clock 100 and generates the release of the stop mechanism 20 to authorize the operation of the resonator 10.

[0310] 5E: Displays 4, 5 are thus driven counterclockwise to the reference position.

[0311] 5F: When the user acts on the control means 300, the pendulum 100 actuates the stop mechanism 20 via an all-or-nothing interface to stop the operation of the resonator 10.

[0312] 5G: More particularly, for the reverse drive of the displays 4, 5, the pendulum 100 drives the displays 4, 5, through a movement transmission interface, and, after the displays 4, 5 have reached the instantaneous time, in a normal clockwise direction, the pendulum 100 drives the displays 4, 5, at real speed as long as the watch 200 is in the transfer position in the receptacle 150, and the removal of the watch 200 from the receptacle 150 dissociates it from the pendulum 100 and generates the disengagement between the movement transmission interface and the displays 4, 5.

[0313] 5H: More specifically, for a 200 watch displaying over twelve hours, we choose the race with a value greater than twelve hours, particularly but not exclusively for twice-daily time setting.

[0314] 5I: More particularly, the watch 200 is equipped with, for each of its displays 4, 5, a pawl arranged to block this display 4, 5, when it passes into the position corresponding to the reference position.

[0315] 5J: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to at least one display, or for adjusting the locking position of the pawl specific to each display.

[0316] 5K: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the reference position.

[0317] 5L: More particularly, we choose a trigger for permanent automatic time setting, controlled by the clock 100, either periodically by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the displays of the clock 100, or by the triggering of an additional mechanism set by the user, at a time defined by the user in an alarm clock type mechanism.

[0318] 5M: More particularly, such permanent time setting is triggered, either by an action of the user during a time setting request, or by a time setting command by the clock 100.

[0319] 5N: More particularly, the control means 300 is equipped with an adjustment means for adjusting the preparation position.

[0320] 50: More particularly, the winding is carried out only on demand during a user action on the control means 300 during the permanent time setting which allows the winding.

[0321] A sixth variant, called data capture for on-demand time setting, aims to enable the time displayed by the clock to be read and to transmit the information to the watch within the framework of the sympathetic clock operating modes described in the first, third, and fifth variants above. figures 8 to 12 illustrate this data collection on the clock for on-demand time setting.

[0322] This sixth variant uses a mechanism which allows the reading of the difference between the current time and the reference time, chosen arbitrarily and not exclusively at 12:00 for all the variants exposed, and which also allows the transmission of information on the value of this difference to the watch, so as to index it after a reset to the reference position, in particular 12:00, of its displays. Advantageously, this transmission can give either the exact difference, or the total of the difference and an offset necessary for setting the time to the top second.

[0323] This sixth variant is presented here in a similar way to the first variant called step-by-step time setting; we will see that it is also valid for the third and fifth variants.

[0324] Let us recall that, according to the first variant, the time setting function is triggered by an action of the user on the clock (on request at the level of the control means 300) or by a mechanism linked to the rotation of the clock displays (periodic). Via the first interface, the clock stops the resonator 10, in particular the balance 15 of the watch (balance stop lever mechanism), and actuates a hammer mechanism bringing the hour display of the watch 4 to 12 o'clock, and by it the minute display of the watch 5 to 00 minutes. Subsequently, via the second interface (pushbutton), the clock drives in two-minute steps the minute display of the watch 5, and by it the hour display of the watch 4, until these displays 4 and 5 reach and indicate the exact time increased by a non-limiting step of two minutes. This function can ensure the hammer is reset.During this phase, the minute wheel is precisely positioned using a star wheel, particularly a 30-tooth or 15-tooth star wheel. The clock then waits for the next two-minute interval to release the stop lever and allow the watch to run on time.

[0325] A first embodiment of this sixth variant comprises a single cam 601 at the level of the clock 100, and performs the time setting step by step.

[0326] The 100 clock has a snail cam 601 making one revolution in twelve hours, and having 360 steps 6010 on its circumference, or one step every two minutes. This cam is integral with the clock display (one revolution in twelve hours).

[0327] The clock 100 comprises a feeler 602, in particular a lever, which comprises at a first end a rack 603, and at a second opposite end a feeler finger 604 with a beak 605. The latter is held by default in a rest position, which corresponds to the reference time, added to an offset corresponding to any gear play and to a possible additional jump to allow the time setting function with stop seconds according to the first variant. This feeler 602 is advantageously held with an adjustment eccentric (not shown) allowing the watchmaker to easily compensate for these plays.

[0328] The adjustment can also advantageously be carried out with a fine adjustment rake according to the teachings of application EP20158326.7 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET.

[0329] When the user requests the time to be set, or when the clock itself requests this time setting, the proposed time setting cycle includes a phase of setting the watch to the reference position, 12:00 for example.

[0330] The feeler 602 carrying the feeler finger 604 is subjected to the action of return means, and in particular of an elastic return means such as a spring.

[0331] As soon as this reference setting is carried out, the pendulum 100 releases the feeler 602, which is driven in rotation by this return means, not shown in the figures. The feeler 602 rotates until it comes to a stop on one of the 360 ​​bearings 6010 of the cam 601. This rotation corresponds exactly to the number of two-minute steps separating the reference time from the time displayed on the pendulum.

[0332] This rotation is transmitted in a non-limiting manner by an interface, in particular of the back-and-forth type, to the watch and its display or its minute display. In a variant, the interface can also be rotary instead of back-and-forth.

[0333] At the end of the function, the clock 100 rearms and returns the feeler 602 to its rest position by a mechanism similar to the known grand sonnerie mechanisms, and is ready for a new function.

[0334] A second embodiment of this sixth variant comprises two cams 610 and 620 in the clock 100, and performs the time setting step by step.

[0335] A 360-position cam, as used in the first embodiment, remains a difficult element to manufacture, and necessarily bulky, even in the context of a clock.

[0336] The operation of this second embodiment is similar to that of the first single-cam mode, but compensates for the difficulty of manufacturing the cam: thus the clock 100 has two cams: a first hour cam 610 making one revolution in twelve hours and having on its circumference 12 steps 6100 of one hour each, and a second minute cam 620 making one revolution in one hour and having 30 steps 6200 of two minutes each. These cams are integral with the clock display, respectively the hour display 104 (one revolution in twelve hours) and the minute display 105 (one revolution in one hour).

[0337] The clock 100 also comprises two feelers: a first feeler 630 arranged to cooperate with the first hour cam 610, and a second feeler 640 arranged to cooperate with the second minute cam 620. These two feelers are maintained by default in a rest position which corresponds, for the first hour feeler 630 to the reference time plus an offset corresponding to any gear play, and for the second minute feeler 640 to a possible additional jump to allow the time setting function with a stop-second mechanism 25 according to the first variant.

[0338] As soon as the watch 200 has been set to the reference time, the clock 100 releases the feelers 630 and 640 until they come to bear on their respective cams 610, 620. This rotation is transmitted to an interface and to the watch 200, in particular by means of a differential gear train 680, one of the reasons of which has a ratio of 1 / 12 with respect to the other, in order to accumulate the values ​​of the two cams. An output of this differential mechanism 680 is arranged to drive a second actuator 502, in particular but not limited to by means of a second control cam 684.

[0339] More particularly, this second actuator 502 comprises a crank and a connecting rod arranged to push and pull a second control stem 512 which this second actuator 502 comprises, so as to give the second control stem 512 a back-and-forth movement for setting the time of such a watch 200. In a variant, the second control stem 512 is returned towards the second cam 684 by second elastic return means 513.

[0340] In a variant, the pendulum 100 comprises at least one electromechanical or electronic movement, which is arranged to control the movement of an output wheel set which is arranged to drive such a second actuator 502, in particular but not limited to by means of a second control cam 684.

[0341] This rotation is transmitted by this interface to the 200 watch and its 5 minute display.

[0342] At the end of the function, the clock 100 rearms and returns the two feelers 630 and 640 to their rest positions, by a mechanism similar to the known grand sonnerie mechanisms, and is ready for a new function.

[0343] In short, the process of taking data from the clock 100 for setting the time on demand from the watch 200 comprises different steps described below.

[0344] 6A: A reference position of the displays of the watch 200 is defined.

[0345] 6B: The clock 100 sets the time of the watch 200, either when the watch 200 is placed on the receptacle 150, or when passing at a predetermined time on the clock 100, or at the request of a user acting on a control means 300 that the clock 100 or the watch 200 comprises, or on command of a clock movement 900 that the clock 100 comprises, and the time displayed by the clock 100 is read for the transmission of the time information to the watch 200, by implementing a reading mechanism at the level of the clock 100, which reads the difference between the current time and the reference time, and which is arranged to transmit the information of the value of this difference to the watch 200, so as to index it after setting to the position of reference of its displays 4, 5.

[0346] 6C: More specifically, the reading mechanism is arranged to transmit the information of the value, or of the exact deviation, or of a corrected deviation which is the total of the deviation and an offset necessary for setting the time to the top second.

[0347] 6D: More particularly, a predetermined time-setting step value is determined, and the clock 100 positions a transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and actuates, in successive steps, each of the predetermined step value, a transmission line capable of imparting to a time-setting mechanism internal to the watch 200 any movement necessary to accurately achieve the display of the current time.And, for the actuation in successive steps of the transmission line to the time-setting mechanism internal to the watch 200, a time-setting sequence is carried out according to which the stop control mechanism 120 of the clock 100 controls the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200 to stop the resonator 10 or disengage the finishing gear of the display gear before carrying out the time-setting, and to control a zero-reset mechanism 500 which the watch 200 comprises to instantly recall the displays 3, 4, 5, of the watch 200 to their reference position.

[0348] 6E: Then the advancement of displays 3, 4, 5 is controlled, in successive steps, until a restart display position which corresponds to the exact instantaneous time readable on clock 100, increased by a value corresponding to a predetermined step, or an integer number of predetermined steps, imposed by the mechanism.

[0349] 6F: Then the passage of the clock 100 to the time corresponding to the restart display position modifies the state of the stop control mechanism 120, and controls a movement of the start / stop control transmission line, to identify the end action of the time setting, and controls the transfer of an impulse or a torque to the stop mechanism 20 of the watch 200 to release it and restart the resonator 10 or engage the finishing gear to the display gear.

[0350] 6G: More particularly, to carry out the reset, the watch 200 recognizes the movement of the transmission line between the clock 100 and the watch 200 in the time-setting position, and a watch 200 is used, a first actuator of the watch 901 of which actuates the stop mechanism 20 which stops the resonator 10 and the watch 200, this first actuator of the watch 901 constituting a control mechanism of at least one hammer, to cause the positioning of at least one hour display 4 and one minute display 5, in the reference position, by cooperation, in particular for each adjusted horological quantity, of a hammer 402, 701, with a heart 401, 702, 703, integral in rotation with one of the displays, and more particularly but not limited to carried by a cannon-pinion.

[0351] 6H: More particularly, to carry out the time setting sequence, the pendulum 100 drives another transmission line to impose a particular display on the watch 200, this other transmission line comprises a second actuator of the watch 902, with which the watch 200 is equipped, and which operates in a back-and-forth movement, and, by means of the second actuator of the watch 902, the pendulum 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5 of the watch 200, by an integer number of predetermined steps, and drives, through the minute display of the watch 5, the hour display of the watch 4 of the watch 200, until the display on the watch 200 corresponds to the restart display position.

[0352] 6I: More particularly, to carry out the time-setting sequence, the clock 100 is equipped with a mechanism for driving hour and minute snails by the movement 900, and with a mechanism for sensing the instantaneous hour and minute on demand.

[0353] 6J: More particularly, to carry out the time-setting sequence, the clock 100 is equipped with a drive mechanism for a single minute snail driven at a speed of one revolution in twelve hours, or one revolution in twenty-four hours, by the movement 900, comprising a number of steps corresponding to the chosen minute step multiplied by 12 or 24, and a mechanism for sensing the instantaneous minutes.

[0354] 6K: More specifically, a predetermined step of two minutes is chosen, and the number of steps to be taken is variable between 0 and 359 steps, during which the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the 200 watch is positioned precisely using a star with 30 teeth or 15 teeth and which can then be made up of the cannon pinion itself.

[0355] 6L: More particularly, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is precisely positioned by the combination of a star integral with the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of the star and the number of teeth of the jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0356] 6M: More particularly, when the clock 100 drives the minute display of the watch 5, it also ensures the re-arming, at least partially, of at least one hammer 402, 701, or of each hammer 402, 701.

[0357] 6N: More particularly, to carry out the probing of the instantaneous hour and minute, a clock 100 is used which comprises a single snail cam 601 making one revolution in twelve hours, and comprising three hundred and sixty bearings 6010 on its circumference, i.e. one bearing per two minutes, the single snail cam 601 being integral with the display of the clock 100 which makes one revolution in twelve hours, and the clock 100 comprises a feeler 602, subjected to the action of elastic return means, and which comprises at a first end a rack 603, and at a second opposite end a feeler finger 604 with a beak 605, which feeler 602 is held by default in a rest position, which corresponds to the reference time, added to a positive or zero offset corresponding to possible gear play and to a possible additional jump to allow a setting function to be carried out. the time with stop seconds, and, when the user requests the time to be set,or when the clock 100 requests the time to be set, the time-setting cycle begins with a phase of setting the reference of the watch 100 to the reference position, and, as soon as this reference setting is carried out, the clock 100 releases the feeler 602, which rotates until it comes to a stop on one of the bearings 6010 of the cam 601, according to a rotation which corresponds exactly to the number of steps separating the reference time from the time displayed on the clock 100.,

[0358] 6O: More particularly, at the end of the function, the pendulum 100 rearms and returns the feeler 602 to its rest position, and is ready for a new function.

[0359] 6P: More particularly, to carry out the probing of the instantaneous hour and minute, a clock 100 is used which comprises a first hour snail cam 610 making one revolution in twelve hours and comprising on its circumference twelve steps 6100 of one hour each, and a second minute snail cam 620 making one revolution in one hour and comprising thirty steps 6200 of two minutes each, which cams 610 and 620 are secured respectively to the hour display of the clock 104 making one revolution in twelve hours and to the minute display of the clock 105 making one revolution in one hour, the clock 100 comprising a first feeler 630 arranged to cooperate with the first hour cam 610, and a second feeler 640 arranged to cooperate with the second minute cam 620, the first feeler 630 and the second feeler 640 being maintained by default in a rest position which corresponds,for the first feeler 630 of the hours to the reference time added with a positive or zero offset corresponding to possible gear play, and for the second feeler 640 of the minutes to a possible additional jump to allow the time setting function with a stop second mechanism 25, and, when the user requests the time setting, or when the clock 100 requests the time setting, the time setting cycle begins with a phase of setting the reference of the watch 200 to the reference position, and, as soon as this reference setting is carried out, the clock 100 releases the first feeler 630 and the second feeler 640 until they come to bear on their respective cam 610, 620, in a rotation which is transmitted to an interface and to the minute display 5 of the watch 200, by means of a differential gear 680, one of the reasons for which has a ratio of 1 / 12 to the other, in order to accumulate the values ​​of the two cams 610, 620.,

[0360] 6Q: More particularly, at the end of the function, the pendulum 100 rearms and returns the first feeler 630 and the second feeler 640 to their rest position, and is ready for a new function.

[0361] A seventh variant, called setting the reference time of the displays, and illustrated by the figures 13 to 18 , proposes a solution for the function of returning to the reference position, in particular 12:00, of the displays of the watch 200, a function which is necessary for the implementation of the first, third, and fifth variants above.

[0362] This is to allow the execution of a cycle, for a first movement of an interface between the watch 200 and the clock 100, a corrector for example, to carry out the following functions in the watch 200 at any time: disengage the display gear from the finishing gear; bring the displays to a reference position, for example 12:00; maintain this position as precisely as possible; enable a time-setting function (which will be detailed later); use this time-setting function to re-arm a hammer; or deactivate this hammer.

[0363] On a second movement of the interface between watch 200 and clock 100: engage the display gear on the finishing gear; if necessary, rearm the hammer.

[0364] For this purpose, the 200 watch includes: a hammer 701, similar to a chronograph hammer, which has an armed position where it is held by a pawl and tensioned by a spring, and an active position where it comes to bear on the periphery of a first hour cam 702, in the shape of a heart, so as to force it into rotation up to its smallest radius; this first hour cam 702, in the shape of a heart, is similar to those used in chronograph mechanisms.This first hour cam 702 is carried by the hour wheel 708; a second minute cam 703 in the shape of a truncated heart, carried by the minute display 705; a jumper 704 cooperating in support with a 30-tooth star integral with the minute display (not shown in the figures); a 30-tooth star carried by the minute display (not shown in the figures); a cannon pinion 705, which can act as a star, in particular a 15-tooth star cooperating with a double jumper 7040, as visible on the . figure 17 ; a clutch mechanism 706 between the display gear train 705-707-708 and the finishing gear train 710, comprising a friction spring 709 in the particular case illustrated by the figures; a mechanism controlling the three phases of the function (not shown in the figures).

[0365] The cycle is carried out in three phases: triggering of the setting to the reference position, in particular 12:00, and disengaging by the interface, in the position of the figure 15 ; maintaining the position of the displays for setting the time, isolating or resetting the hammer; clutching and if necessary resetting the hammer via the interface.

[0366] In the first phase, the interface actuates the clutch 706 to its disengaged position, as seen in the figure 16 .

[0367] The interface then releases the hammer 701, which takes the hour display via the first heart cam 702, and the minute display via the timer, to the reference position, in particular 12:00.

[0368] The typical timer set allows an error of the order of 3 minutes on the position of the minute display relative to that of the hours: ±1.5 minutes, depending on the direction of zeroing transmitted by the hammer on the heart, as visible on the figures 13 and 14 .

[0369] Advantageously, an additional heart-shaped minute cam 703 works at the end of the hammer 701 function, and guarantees the position to the nearest minute.

[0370] In the second phase, the jumper 704 and the 30 star maintain the position of the display at the reference position, namely 12:00, and at all subsequent positions in two-minute correction steps. In our example, the 15-tooth cannon pinion advantageously replaces the 30 star, working with a double jumper according to the representation visible in figure 17 .

[0371] The mechanism can re-arm the hammer without loss of display, and time setting can be done in two-minute steps.

[0372] In the third phase, the interface can release the clutch, and reconnect the finishing gear with the display gear.

[0373] Thus the option of two cam-cores makes it possible to improve the precision of the operation.

[0374] There figure 18 illustrates a BREGUET 1050 chronograph clutch mechanism, comprising a clamp 721 whose function is to ensure engagement and disengagement, under the control of a column wheel 740 which controls the angular separation of the clamp arms 721 and 722, for opening or closing the clamp, and therefore disengagement or engagement.

[0375] This seventh variant allows the use of a time-setting mechanism, and allows the display train to be disengaged from the finishing train, and to re-engage them with each other.

[0376] The construction is simplified in the case of the advantageous use of the road toothing for the star function.

[0377] In short, the process of setting the reference time of the displays involves different steps described below.

[0378] 7A: We define a reference position for the displays.

[0379] 7B: A watch 200 is used comprising a clutch mechanism 706 between a display train 705, 707, 708, and a finishing train 710, and comprising a hammer 701 movable between an armed position where it is retained by a pawl and tensioned by a spring, and an active position where the hammer 701 is arranged to bear on the periphery of a first hour heart-cam 702 carried by an hour wheel 708 which the watch 200 comprises, so as to force the first hour heart-cam 702 into rotation up to its smallest radius.

[0380] And we execute a cycle comprising three phases: 7C: a first phase during which, by a first movement of an interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, the clutch mechanism 706 is disengaged by the interface which actuates it to its disengaged position, and, after disengaging the clutch 706, the interface releases the hammer 701, which takes the hour display 4 via the first heart-cam 702, and, via the timer, the minute display 5 to the reference position, 7D: a second phase where the position of the displays 4, 5 is maintained, for setting the time, isolating or re-arming the hammer 701, 7E: and a third phase where, by a second movement of the interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, to reconnect the finishing train with the display train, the clutch mechanism 706 is engaged by the interface which actuates it towards its engaged position and during which third phase it is possible to rearm the hammer 701 via the interface.

[0381] 7F: More particularly, at the end of the stroke of hammer 701, the latter comes into cooperation with a second heart-shaped minute cam 703 in the shape of a truncated heart and secured to the minute display 5, to guarantee the position to the nearest minute.

[0382] 7G: More particularly, a predetermined time setting step value is determined, and, during the second phase, the position of the display is maintained in the reference position, by cooperation between a jumper 704 and a star, which the watch 200 comprises, then in each subsequent position step by step, to allow the rearming of the hammer 701 without loss of the display.

[0383] 7H: More specifically, the star chosen, carried by the minute display 5, is either a thirty-tooth star cooperating with a single-tooth 704 jumper, or a fifteen-tooth minute cannon pinion cooperating with a single tooth at a time of a double 7040 jumper comprising two teeth.

[0384] 7I: More particularly, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is precisely positioned by the combination of a star integral with the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of the star and the number of teeth of the jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0385] 7J: More particularly, the clutch mechanism 706 is equipped with a friction spring 709.

[0386] 7K: More particularly, a chronograph clutch mechanism is used as clutch mechanism 706, comprising a clamp 721 whose function is to ensure engagement and disengagement, under the control of a column wheel 740 which controls the angular separation of the arms of the clamp 721, 722, for the opening or closing of the clamp, corresponding respectively to disengagement or engagement.

[0387] 7L: More particularly, a three-phase controller mechanism is used. More particularly, this controller mechanism comprises at least one column wheel 740.

[0388] As an alternative to this seventh variant, an eighth variant, called reference time setting, illustrated by the figures 19 to 21, proposes another solution for the function of returning to the reference position, in particular 12:00, of the displays of the watch 200, a function which is necessary for the implementation of the first, third, and fifth variants above.

[0389] This also involves enabling the execution of a cycle, for a first movement of an interface between the watch 200 and the clock 100, a corrector for example, to perform the following functions in the watch 200 at any time: disengage the display gear from the finishing gear; bring the displays to a reference position, for example 12:00; maintain this position as precisely as possible; enable a time-setting function (which will be detailed later).

[0390] And, on a second movement of the interface between the watch and the clock, engage the display gear on the finishing gear.

[0391] We use a 200 watch comprising: a rack 823 meshed with an hour wheel 808 secured to the time display of the watch 4, and carrying an hour cam 802 comprising a wolf tooth notch, a pawl 801 which is held in contact with the hour cam 802 by a pawl spring 8010, where the rake 823 is arranged to detent clockwise from the hour wheel 808, and is driven by a return spring 825.

[0392] The watch 200 also includes a rack pinion 824 or hour pinion, which rack pinion 824 is arranged to drive and wind the rack 823, which clicks at each tooth, during normal operation of the watch 200 when the watch 200 is not cooperating with the clock 100.

[0393] The watch 200 also comprising a clutch mechanism 806 between a display train 805; 807; 808 and a finishing train 810.

[0394] And, at any time, the reference time of the watch 200 is set by a cycle comprising three phases, consisting of: a first phase during which the setting in the reference position is triggered, by a first movement of an interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, the reference time setting of the displays 4, 5 of the watch 200 is carried out, and the clutch mechanism 806 is disengaged by the interface which actuates it towards its disengaged position which allows the rack 823 to drive the hour display and minute display gear of the watch 200 in an anticlockwise direction, over as many revolutions as necessary, until the pawl 801 encounters the wolf-tooth opening of the hour cam, this blocking corresponding to the reference display position, a second phase where the position of the displays 4, 5 is maintained, for setting the time, and where the time setting mechanism controlled by the clock 100 carries out the setting the time of the displays 4, 5,of the watch 200 clockwise towards the exact time by re-arming the rack 801, and a third phase where, by a second movement of the interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, to reconnect the finishing gear with the display gear, the clutch mechanism 806 is engaged by the interface which actuates it towards its engaged position and during which third phase it is possible to re-arm the rack 801 or to complete the re-arming of the rack 801, started during the second phase, by the interface.

[0395] More particularly, a watch 200 is used comprising a watch hour display 4 carrying an hour cam 802 comprising an opening 8020, a second minute cam 803 carried by the watch minute display 805, and comprising a wolf tooth opening 8030 or a notch 831.And the clutch mechanism 806 is disengaged in its disengaged position, which allows the rack 823 to drive the hour display and minute display gear train of the watch 200 counterclockwise, over as many revolutions as necessary, until the pawl 801 encounters the opening 8020 of the first hour cam 802, corresponding to the minutes preceding the reference time, at a time at which the pawl 801 can rest on the second minute cam 803 for the rotation corresponding to the last minutes before reaching the reference time, and until it locks in the wolf-tooth opening 8030 of the second minute cam 803, the lock corresponding to the reference display position.

[0396] The watch 200 also includes a jumper 804 arranged to cooperate with a star, in particular a 30-tooth star integral with the minute display wheel 805, in a manner similar to the seventh variant, and includes a mechanism controlling the three phases of the function

[0397] The cycle is thus carried out in three phases: triggering the setting to the reference position, in particular 12:00, and disengaging via the interface; maintaining the position of the displays for setting the time; engagement, and if necessary resetting of the pawl 801 via the interface.

[0398] During normal operation of the watch, excluding sympathetic function, the hour pinion 824 drives and winds the rack 823, which clicks at each tooth, as visible on the figures 19 And 20 .

[0399] In the first phase, the interface actuates the clutch 806 to its disengaged position, as seen in the figure 21 .

[0400] The clutch releases the hour display gear train and the minute display, which is driven counterclockwise by rack 823.

[0401] The display gear train, driven counterclockwise by rack 823, can potentially make more than one revolution of the hour wheel (hour display), and more than twelve revolutions of the cannon-pinion (minute display) linked by the minute track.

[0402] In the second phase, the time-setting mechanism can perform its function clockwise to the correct time by re-winding the rack 801. If re-winding is not completed by setting the time, it is completed by the normal rotation of the watch display clockwise.

[0403] In the third phase, the interface can release the clutch, and reconnect the finishing gear with the display gear.

[0404] In short, the process of setting the reference time involves different steps described below.

[0405] 8A: We define a reference position for the displays.

[0406] 8B: We use a 200 watch comprising: a rack 823 meshed with an hour wheel 808 secured to the time display of the watch 4, and carrying an hour cam 802 comprising a wolf tooth notch, a pawl 801 which is held in contact with the hour cam 802 by a pawl spring 8010, where the rake 823 is arranged to detent clockwise from the hour wheel 808, and is driven by a return spring 825.

[0407] The watch 200 also includes a rack pinion 824 or hour pinion, which rack pinion 824 is arranged to drive and wind the rack 823, which clicks at each tooth, during normal operation of the watch 200 when the watch 200 is not cooperating with the clock 100.

[0408] The watch 200 also comprising a clutch mechanism 806 between a display train 805; 807; 808 and a finishing train 810.

[0409] And, at any time, the reference time of the watch 200 is set by a cycle comprising three phases, consisting of: 8C: a first phase during which the setting in the reference position is triggered, by a first movement of an interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, the reference time setting of the displays 4, 5 of the watch 200 is carried out, and the clutch mechanism 806 is disengaged by the interface which actuates it towards its disengaged position which allows the rack 823 to drive the hour display and minute display gear of the watch 200 in an anticlockwise direction, over as many revolutions as necessary, until the pawl 801 encounters the wolf-tooth opening of the hour cam, this blocking corresponding to the reference display position, 8D: a second phase where the position of the displays 4, 5 is maintained, for setting the time, and where the time setting mechanism controlled by the clock 100 sets the time for displays 4, 5,of the watch 200 clockwise towards the exact time by re-arming the rack 801, 8E: and a third phase where, by a second movement of the interface between the clock 100 and the watch 200, to reconnect the finishing gear with the display gear, the clutch mechanism 806 is engaged by the interface which actuates it towards its engaged position and during which third phase it is possible to re-arm the rack 801 or to complete the re-arming of the rack 801, started during the second phase, by the interface.

[0410] 8F: More particularly, a predetermined time setting step value is determined, and, during the second phase, the position of the display is maintained in the reference position, by cooperation between a jumper 804 and a star, which the watch 200 comprises, then in each subsequent position step by step, to allow the rearming of the rack 801, without loss of the display.

[0411] 8G: More specifically, the star, carried by the minute display 5, is chosen either as a thirty-tooth star cooperating with a simple 804 jumper with one tooth, or as a fifteen-tooth minute cannon pinion cooperating with a single tooth at a time of a double 8040 jumper with two teeth.

[0412] 8H: More specifically, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of the 200 watch is precisely positioned by the combination of a star attached to the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth on the star and the number of teeth on the jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0413] 8I: More particularly, the clutch mechanism 806 is equipped with a friction spring 809.

[0414] 8J: More particularly, a chronograph clutch mechanism is used as clutch mechanism 806, comprising a clamp 821 whose function is to ensure engagement and disengagement, under the control of a column wheel 840 which controls the angular separation of the arms of the clamp 821, 822, for the opening or closing of the clamp, corresponding respectively to disengagement or engagement.

[0415] 8K: More specifically, a three-phase controller mechanism is used.

[0416] 8L: More particularly, a controller mechanism is used which comprises at least one column wheel 840.

[0417] A ninth variant relates to a method and mechanism for setting the hour and minute displays step by step. The invention proposes a solution for the function of setting the time of the displays of the watch in two-minute steps following a reset to the reference position, in particular 12:00, as described in the seventh and eighth variants. It is controlled by the interface of a sympathetic clock, the data acquisition mechanism for setting the time of which is as described in the sixth variant above.

[0418] This is, again, to allow the execution of a cycle, for a first movement of an interface between the watch and the clock, a corrector for example, to carry out the following functions in the watch at any time: bring the displays to a position corresponding to the current time, by a number of steps defined in relation to the original position, for example 12:00; bring the displays to a position corresponding to the current time increased by an offset allowing the waiting for a second beep releasing the watch resonator for precise time setting.

[0419] This description relates to a non-limiting construction of a mechanism setting the time in two-minute steps. Steps of 1 minute, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 minutes are also possible.

[0420] The watch features: a corrector 932 coinciding with the clock interface or another element allowing a back-and-forth movement to be transmitted; a lever 931 comprising an arm 921 capable of driving the cannon pinion by a back-and-forth movement; a jumper 904 maintaining the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions; a 30-tooth star carried by the minute display for two-minute steps, in a manner similar to the seventh variant; a clutch mechanism 906 between the display train 905-907-908 and the finishing train 910 which is in the open position for setting the time and can be closed when the watch is in operation, in a manner similar to the seventh or eighth variant.

[0421] In the particular embodiment illustrated by the figures, a 15-tooth cannon pinion 905 is advantageously used, which is also necessary to replace the 30-tooth star. This option is not limiting and the star must be defined according to the desired number of steps per minute. Ze=60min / 2min. therefore the 15-tooth cannon pinion has 30 stable positions thanks to the double jumper 904 described in the figure 25 , and to the staggering of the two offset support surfaces 922 and 923 of the arm 921 of the rocker 931.

[0422] In the initial state, the first stable position therefore corresponds to the display obtained following the return to the reference position, i.e. 12:00 in this example.

[0423] The clutch is in the open position relative to the 910 finishing gear as seen in figure 24 The display is therefore independent of the watch's gear train. This gear train is also stopped by the stop lever during the function.

[0424] As for the time-setting function, the clock, according to the sixth variant, transmits via its interface a defined number of movements necessary to reach the current time, in two-minute steps. It also transmits one or two additional steps to allow for the waiting time until the top second.

[0425] The clock interface works with the watch's corrector 932, which drives the lever 931. This lever 931 is constructed to drive the 30 star by one step, or, in the alternative embodiment, the 15 pinion by half a step.

[0426] The 931 lever drives the 15-tooth pinion over 80% of the pitch, and returns to its rest position, the jumper then ensures the remaining travel, with the remaining 20% ​​of the current pitch, and positions the pinion for the next half-pitch, as seen on the figure 25 .

[0427] This execution meets the desired time setting functions, it allows the clock to move the displays in two-minute steps to the current time, and to add an offset.

[0428] In short, the process of setting the hour and minute displays step by step involves different steps described below.

[0429] 9A: We define a reference position for the displays.

[0430] 9B: A watch 200 is used comprising a corrector 932 cooperating with an interface of the clock 100 for the transmission of a back-and-forth movement, a lever 931 capable of driving the cannon pinion of the minute display 5 by one tooth per back-and-forth movement, and a jumper 904 maintaining the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions, the watch 200 further comprising a clutch mechanism 906 between a display train 905, 907, 908 and a finishing train 910.And, at any time, the clock 100 is able to bring the displays 4, 5, either to a position corresponding to the current time read on the clock 100 by driving the teeth of the minute display 5 by the lever 931, by a number of steps defined relative to the reference position, or to another position corresponding to the current time increased by an offset allowing the waiting for a second signal allowing the stop mechanism 20 to release the resonator 10 of the watch 200 by the partial driving of the minute display 5 by the lever 931 which only performs part of the travel corresponding to each tooth, the rest of the travel of each tooth to complete the indexed rotation of the minute display 5 then being performed under the impulse of the jumper 904.

[0431] 9C: A predetermined time setting step value is determined.

[0432] 9D: The cannon pinion or minute wheel of the watch 200 is precisely positioned by the combination of a star attached to the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a jumper with one or more teeth, the number of teeth on the star and the number of teeth on the jumper together defining the value of the predetermined step.

[0433] 9E: More particularly, the cannon pinion or minute wheel of watch 200 is driven by the combination, on the one hand, of a star secured to the cannon pinion or minute wheel, and a lever or a driver or a rack, the movement of which is controlled by clock 100.

[0434] 9F: More particularly, in a first phase, the pendulum 100 controls the stop mechanism 20 to stop the resonator 10, brings the displays 4, 5 into the reference position, and positions the clutch mechanism 906 in the open position relative to the finishing gear train 910 which is then independent of the gear train of the watch 200.

[0435] 9G: More particularly, in a second phase, the clock 100 transmits via its interface a defined number of movements necessary to reach the current time, by a whole number of predetermined steps.

[0436] 9H: More particularly, in a second phase, the clock 100 transmits via its interface a defined number of movements necessary to reach the current time, by an integer number of predetermined steps, plus one or two movements corresponding to one or two additional predetermined steps to allow the waiting time until the top second allowing the stop mechanism 20 to release the resonator 10 of the watch 200.

[0437] 9I: More particularly, a watch 200 is used whose lever 931 is arranged to drive a thirty-tooth star with one step, or a fifteen-tooth pinion with a half step.

[0438] 9J: More particularly, a watch 200 is used, the lever 931 of which is arranged to drive a pinion of fifteen teeth by a half step, and drives the pinion of fifteen teeth over 80% of the travel, and returns to its rest position, the jumper 904 ensuring the remaining 20% ​​of the travel in progress, and positions the pinion of fifteen teeth for a next half step.

[0439] 9K: More particularly, a watch 200 is used which comprises a mechanism for setting the time by constant steps, and comprises a corrector 932 coinciding with the interface of the clock 100 or another element making it possible to transmit a back-and-forth movement, a lever 931 capable of driving the cannon pinion by a back-and-forth movement, a jumper 904 arranged to maintain the position of the minute display in the interval of the driving functions, a star carried by the minute display with a number of teeth according to the value of the required step, a clutch mechanism 906 between the display train 905, 907, 908, and the finishing train 910 and which is in the open position for setting the time and can be closed during operation of the watch 200, the interface of the clock 100 being arranged to cooperate with the corrector 932 of the watch 200 which drives the lever 931 which is arranged to drive the star by one step, or by half a step.

[0440] 9L: More specifically, we use a 200 watch whose star is formed by the minute cannon pinion.

[0441] The seventh and eighth variants implement a function controller to ensure the execution of functions in the different phases: In the seventh variant, the function controller has three positions: start of function: it controls the disengagement of the going train, stops the balance wheel, and releases the hammer; time-setting function: it arms the hammer; end of function: it releases the clutch and the balance wheel.

[0442] In the eighth variant, the controller has two positions: start of function: it controls the disengagement of the finishing gear, and stops the balance wheel; end of function: it releases the clutch and the balance wheel.

[0443] The invention proposes, without limitation, different embodiments, with either a specific controller integrated into the watch, similar to those used in chronographs, or a controller external to the watch, integrated into the clock.

[0444] For the controller integrated into the watch, you can use: a rotary controller, column wheel type, controlled by the interface (with two to five successive stable positions: 1-2-3-1-2-3-1 etc.); a back-and-forth controller, shuttle type, controlled by the interface (two successive stable positions: 1-2-1-2-1 etc.).

[0445] When the controller is in the clock, the watch only has a back-and-forth cam controlled by the interface and returning to rest by default (a stable rest position, and one to three controlled positions: 1-2-3-2-1-2-3 etc.).

[0446] The execution with a column wheel is well suited to the seventh variant. For example, a column wheel with three positions is chosen, which are successively selected by the clock via the sympathetic interface. This column wheel controls three levers in the manner of chronographs; these levers control the clutch, the stop lever, and the hammer or hammers, or are part of these mechanisms. These levers are constructed to rest on the columns of the column wheel so as to be activated as needed.

[0447] The different positions are: position 0: initial and final: clutch active, stop lever inactive, and hammer cocked; position 1: return to the reference position, notably 12:00: clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer released; position 2: time setting: clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer cocked; position 0: return after complete rotation.

[0448] This execution can be applied to the eighth variant with a two-position column wheel.

[0449] The second execution with a simple shuttle is sufficient for the eighth variant where two positions are sufficient, and can replace the column wheel.

[0450] The execution in which the controller is in the clock is well suited to the seventh variant: the three-position column wheel, described above, is functionally replaced by a three-level snail, which is located in the clock. This snail controls a reciprocating cam in the watch via a friendly interface. This cam controls the clutch, the stop lever, and the hammer or hammers, as required.

[0451] The different positions are: position 0: initial and final: clutch active, stop lever inactive, and hammer cocked; position 1: return to the reference position, notably 12:00: clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer released; position 2: time setting: clutch inactive, stop lever active, and hammer cocked; position 0: return to zero of the cam.

[0452] This execution with a controller external to the watch is interesting, because it prevents the watch from remaining in position 1 or position 2, when the watch is unexpectedly removed from the clock (during the execution of the function).

[0453] The construction is adapted to prevent the hammer from falling when moving to position 1 when returning to position 0.

[0454] This execution in which the controller is in the clock can be applied to the eighth variant, with a snail and a two-position cam.

[0455] In short, such a controller responds to the desired time setting functions, allows the disengagement of the display of the finishing gear, and their engagement, allows the hammer to be controlled if necessary, and allows the stop lever to be controlled.

[0456] Naturally, the use of such a controller is also applicable to the other variants described above.

[0457] Thus, these different variants make it possible to fulfill the following functions: starting the stopped watch when it is placed on the clock; ensuring a minimum autonomy of twelve hours when the watch is removed from the clock to be worn; keeping the watch running when it is on the clock; setting the time of the watch when it is placed on the clock or on demand, with an accuracy of the order of ±15s; keeping the watch on time while it is on the clock; in a variant, the sympathetic assembly 1000 includes an option with a disengagement mechanism, in order to be able to deactivate the function for storing the stopped watch on the clock.

[0458] More particularly, the first interface comprises a first external actuator in the clock, and a first internal actuator in the watch.

[0459] Similarly, the second interface has a second external actuator in the clock, and a second internal actuator in the watch.

[0460] Similarly, the third interface has a third external actuator in the clock, and a third internal actuator in the watch.

[0461] Similarly, if we generalize to a higher number of interfaces, the nth interface has an nth external actuator in the clock, and an nth internal actuator in the watch.

[0462] The pleasant set, as well as the different processes, corresponding to as many different usage scenarios, described above, are based on clocks and watches that do not have a chime.

[0463] We understand that it is possible to create such a nice ensemble with a striking clock, and / or a striking watch.

[0464] Striking mechanisms have the advantage of providing precise references for time setting, which can be imagined for setting the time of nice watches.

[0465] However, precautions must be taken.

[0466] The striking snails can be used for the time-setting mechanism; in an example of a time-setting operation carried out in five-minute steps, the corresponding snail must have 144 five-minute steps, and will not be used for the striking mechanism. In a striking mechanism, the hour snail is in principle jumping with the surprise mechanism, so a priori even the drive is special. The watch can be striking, but this makes the system a little more complex because it is necessary to isolate the striking mechanisms during the sympathetic operation where the sympathetic clock 100 and the sympathetic watch 200 cooperate, because the striking mechanisms would sound continuously during the time-setting operation and risk causing the mechanism to jam.

[0467] Under this condition of interposition of insulators, which makes the execution more complex, the realization of such a mechanism for a striking watch is possible; the striking snails of the watch would then be driven by the sympathetic time setting.

[0468] Only the basic functions of winding and setting the time have been explained in this description; the transfer of other information concerning other quantities is of course possible by extrapolation: second time zone, day-night display, AM / PM, date, and more generally calendar elements, or others.

Claims

1. A method for step-by-step time-setting of a sympathique watch (200) by a sympathique pendule (100) forming together a sympathique assembly (1000) comprising a mechanism for connecting with at least two separate transmission lines between said pendule (100) and said watch (200), one for power or movement transfer, and the other for selecting a function to be performed or a display variable to be adjusted, each transmission line comprising an interface with a pendule actuator in said pendule (100) and at least one watch actuator in said watch (200), and active when said watch (200) is deposited in a receptacle (150) comprised in said pendule (100), in a transfer position, said watch (200) comprising at least one resonator (10), and display and finishing gear trains, and either a stop mechanism (20) designed to stop the running of said resonator (10), or a coupling mechanism enabling the display to be detached from the finishing gear train, or else both such a stop mechanism (20) and such a coupling mechanism, and said watch (200) comprising at least one hour display (4) and one minute display (5), from which a reference position is defined, characterised in that said pendule (100) sets the time of said watch (200), either when said watch (200) is deposited on said receptacle (150), or when transitioning to a predetermined time on said pendule (100), or as controlled by a horology movement (900) comprised in said pendule (100), and characterised in that a predetermined time-setting step value is determined and said pendule (100) positions a said transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and actuates, in successive steps, each of the value of said predetermined step, a second said transmission line capable of imparting to a time-setting mechanism internal to said watch (200) any movement necessary to precisely achieve the display of the current time.

2. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 1, characterised in that a said watch (200) is used, comprising a corrector (932) engaging with an interface of said pendule (100) for the transmission of a to-and-fro motion, a lever (931) capable of driving the cannon-pinion of said minute display (5) by one tooth in a to-and-fro motion, and a jumper spring (904) maintaining the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions, and in that, at any time, said pendule (100) is able to move said displays (4; 5), either to a position corresponding to the current time read on said pendule (100) by driving the teeth of said minute display (5) by said lever (931), by a number of steps defined in relation to said reference position, or else to another position corresponding to the current time increased by an offset making it possible to wait for a seconds pip enabling said stop mechanism (20) to release said resonator (10) on said watch (200).

3. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said watch (200) is deposited in said receptacle (150), in said transfer position enabling said pendule (100) to detect the presence of said watch (200), and in that said pendule (100) sets the time of said watch (200), either when said watch (200) is deposited on said receptacle (150), or else at a predetermined time on said pendule (100), or by controlling a horology movement (900) comprised in said pendule (100), and said pendule (100) positions a said transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and actuates in successive steps, each of the value of said predetermined step, a said transmission line capable of imparting to an internal time-setting mechanism of said watch (200) any movement necessary to precisely achieve the display of the current time.

4. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a value of a pre-determined autonomy that said watch (200) must have at all times is determined after a first winding in the event of said pendule (100) being removed, and in that depositing said watch (200) in said receptacle (150), in said transfer position enables said pendule (100) to carry out a first winding of said watch (200) to trigger the starting of said watch (200) if said watch (200) is stopped when it is deposited on said pendule (100), and in that said pendule (100) winds said watch (200) so as to guarantee said pre-determined autonomy of said watch (200) when it is removed from said pendule (100).

5. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said time setting is controlled step by step by a periodic mechanism connected to the rotation of the displays of said pendule (100), or else connected to an alarm type mechanism.

6. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that a first actuator of the pendule (501) on a first said transmission line, engages with a first actuator of the watch (901) for controlling the starting or stopping of the watch, and in that a second actuator of the pendule (502) on a second said transmission line engages with a second actuator of the watch (902), which incrementally provides the positioning movement.

7. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the step-by-step time-setting control performed by a user or by the pendule (100), is transformed by a stop control mechanism (120) of the pendule (100) into a sequence in which the first step is a control action of the stop mechanism (20) of the watch (200), a movement of a said transmission line to identify the time-setting action, and the transfer of an impulse or of a couple to said stop mechanism (20) of said watch (200) being controlled by said stop control mechanism (120) of the pendule (100).

8. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 7, characterised in that, for the actuation in successive steps of said transmission line to said internal time-setting mechanism of said watch (200), a time-setting sequence is carried out according to which said stop control mechanism (120) of said pendule (100) controls said stop mechanism (20) of said watch (200) to stop said resonator (10) before setting the time, and to control a reset mechanism (500), with which said watch (200) is equipped, to instantly return said displays (3; 4; 5), of said watch (200) to their said reference position, then said displays (3; 4; 5) are advanced, in successive steps, to a restart display position which corresponds to the exact instantaneous time readable on said pendule (100), increased by a value corresponding to a said predetermined step, or an integer of said predetermined steps, imposed by the mechanism, and in that the passage of said pendule (100) to the time corresponding to said restart display position changes the state of said stop control mechanism (120) and moves the start / stop control transmission line to identify the end-of-time-setting action, and transfers an impulse or a couple to said stop mechanism (20) of said watch (200) to release it and restart said resonator (10).

9. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 8, characterised in that, to carry out the reset, said watch (200) recognises the movement of the transmission line between said pendule (100) and said watch (200) in the time-setting position, and a first actuator of the watch (901) actuates said stop mechanism (20) which stops said resonator (10) and said watch (200), said first actuator of the watch (901) constituting a control mechanism for at least one hammer, to cause the positioning of at least one hour display (4) and one minute display (5) in said reference position, by engaging, for each adjusted horological variable, a hammer (402; 701) with a heart-piece (401; 702, 703), integral in rotation with a display and carried by a cannon-pinion.

10. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that, to carry out said time-setting sequence, said pendule (100) drives another transmission line to impose a particular display on said watch (200); said other transmission line comprises a second actuator of the watch (902), which operates in a to-and-fro motion, and, by means of said second actuator of the watch (902), the pendule (100) drives the minute display of the watch (5) of the watch (200), by an integer of said predetermined steps, and drives, through said minute display of the watch (5), the hour display of the watch (4) of said watch (200), until the display on said watch (200) corresponds to said restart display position.

11. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 10, characterised in that, to carry out said time-setting sequence, said pendule (100) comprises a mechanism for driving hour and minute snails by said movement (900), and a mechanism for sensing the instantaneous hour and minute.

12. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that, to carry out said time-setting sequence, said pendule (100) is equipped with a drive mechanism, by the movement (900), of a single minute snail driven at a speed of one revolution in twelve hours, or one revolution in twenty-four hours, comprising a number of steps corresponding to the chosen minute step multiplied by 12 or 24, and a mechanism for sensing the instantaneous minutes.

13. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 3 to 12, characterised in that a said predetermined step of two minutes is chosen, and the number of steps to be carried out is variable between 0 and 359 steps, during which the cannon-pinion or the minute wheel of said watch (200) is positioned precisely by means of a 30-tooth or 15-tooth star and which can then be made up of the cannon-pinion itself.

14. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 3 to 12, characterised in that the cannon-pinion or the minute wheel of said watch (200) is precisely positioned by the combination of a star integral with said cannon-pinion or minute wheel, and of a jumper spring with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of said star and the number of teeth of said jumper spring together defining the value of said predetermined step.

15. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 7 and any of claims 3 to 14, characterised in that a said pendule (100) which comprises a first selection arbor (1) and at least one second drive arbor (2) is used, and in that said watch (200) is designed to recognise the movement of one of the transmission lines in the end-of-time-setting position, and comprises a first upper half-arbor(12) which controls said stop mechanism (20) to release said resonator (10).

16. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 2 or a claim dependent on claim 2, characterised in that a said watch (200) comprising a corrector (932) engaging with an interface of said pendule (100) is used for the transmission of a to-and-fro motion, a lever (931) capable of driving the cannon-pinion of said minute display (5) by one tooth in a to-and-fro motion, and a jumper spring (904) maintaining the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions, said watch (200) also comprising a coupling mechanism (906) between a display gear train (905; 907; 908) and a finishing gear train (910), and in that, at any time, said pendule (100) is able to move said displays (4; 5), either to a position corresponding to the current time read on said pendule (100) by driving the teeth of said minute display (5) by said lever (931), by a number of steps defined in relation to said reference position, or else to another position corresponding to the current time increased by an offset making it possible to wait for a seconds pip enabling said stop mechanism (20) to release said resonator (10) on said watch (200).

17. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 16, characterised in that a partial drive of said minute display (5) is performed by said lever (931), which performs only part of the stroke corresponding to each tooth, the remainder of the stroke of each tooth to complete the indexed rotation of said minute display (5) then being performed under the impulse of said jumper spring (904).

18. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that a predetermined time-setting step value is determined, characterised in that, the cannon-pinion or the minute wheel of said watch (200) is precisely positioned by the combination of a star integral with said cannon-pinion or minute wheel, and of the jumper spring (904) with one or more teeth, the number of teeth of said star and the number of teeth of said jumper spring together defining the value of said predetermined step.

19. The step-by-step time-setting method according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that, in a first phase, said pendule (100) controls said stop mechanism (20) to stop said resonator (10), returns said displays (4; 5) to said reference position, and positions said coupling mechanism (906) in the open position relative to said finishing gear train (910) which is then separate from said watch (200) gear train.

20. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 18 or 19 according to 18, characterised in that, in a second phase, said pendule (100) transmits through its interface a defined number of displacements necessary to reach the current time, by an integer of said predetermined steps.

21. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 18, or according to a claim dependent on claim 18, characterised in that, in a second phase, said pendule (100) transmits through its interface a defined number of displacements necessary to reach the current time, by an integer of said predetermined steps, plus one or two displacements corresponding to one or two supplementary predetermined steps to allow for the waiting time until the seconds pip enabling said stop mechanism (20) to release said resonator (10) on said watch (200).

22. The step-by-step time-setting method according to claim 18, or according to a claim dependent on claim 18, characterised in that said lever (931) is arranged to drive a thirty-tooth star by one step, or a fifteen-tooth pinion by a half step.

23. A sympathique assembly (1000) for using the method according to any of claims 16 to 22, characterised in that said watch (200) comprises a mechanism for setting the time in constant steps, and comprises a corrector (932) engaging with the interface of said pendule (100) or another element making it possible to transmit a to-and-fro motion, a lever (931) capable of driving the cannon-pinion of said minute display (5) by one tooth in a to-and-fro motion, a jumper spring (904) arranged to maintain the position of the minute display in the interval of the drive functions, a star carried by the minute display with a number of teeth depending on the value of the required step, a coupling mechanism (906) between said display gear train (905, 907, 908), and said finishing gear train (910) and which is in the open position for the time setting and can be closed in operation of said watch (200), the interface of said pendule (100) being designed to engage with said corrector (932) of said watch (200) which drives said lever (931) which is arranged to drive said star by one step, or by a half step, said pendule (100) being able, at any time, to move said displays (4; 5), either to a position corresponding to the current time read on said pendule (100) by driving the teeth of said minute display (5) by said lever (931), by a number of steps defined in relation to said reference position, or else to another position corresponding to the current time increased by an offset making it possible to wait for a seconds pip enabling said stop mechanism (20) to release said resonator (10) on said watch (200).

24. The sympathique assembly (1000) according to claim 23, characterised in that said star is formed by the minute cannon-pinion.

Images