Modular watch

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular watch (1) comprising at least one case (10), a case back (11), a display module (12) including a dial, time display means, a crystal, and first magnetic gearing means, a watch movement module (13) including a watch movement with second magnetic gearing means arranged to cooperate with the magnetic gearing means of the display module (12), and first and second strap strands attached to the case (10) at a pair of lugs (20, 30). According to the invention, the display module (12) and the watch movement module (13) are mounted one on top of the other, said display module (12) being fixedly mounted against the case (10) and the watch movement module (13) being movably mounted for rotation between the case back (11) and the display module (12) to set the time.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a modular mechanical part.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a modular mechanical watch made up of several interchangeable modules. Technological background

[0003] The appearance of a watch is generally determined by the shape and / or color of the case, the crown, possibly the crystal, the dial, and the hands. The strap can also contribute to the watch's aesthetic appeal.

[0004] Nowadays, it is particularly interesting for the wearer to be able to modify the appearance of their watch in order to match their outfit, for example, or to distinguish themselves from other watch models.

[0005] It is therefore advantageous to offer a watch whose appearance can be easily modified and / or personalized by the wearer to adapt to current fashion.

[0006] Similarly, the case is often subject to scratches or various forms of wear when the watch is worn daily, while the movement remains in perfect condition. Therefore, when the case is too damaged or worn, the wearer should have it replaced at a specialist shop.

[0007] For example, document EP 0862 098 describes a modular watch that allows for relatively easy modification of its appearance. Such a watch comprises a display module housing the dial, hands, and a protective glass, and a movement module containing the internal mechanism. The two modules are designed to be detachable from one another. This allows the display module to be changed while retaining the movement module.

[0008] While this solution is partially satisfactory, a problem arises regarding the watertightness between the two modules. Indeed, the watertightness of such a watch is far from reliable due to the multiple axes extending outside the watch module. Similarly, this solution presents a problem when replacing the display case, as this requires disconnecting the display hands, resulting in a desynchronization of the hands that becomes apparent when the watch module is reassembled. Document DE 2 263 742 A1 discloses a prior art example for a watch with modules and magnetic gearing means between the modules. Summary of the invention

[0009] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a modular watch whose appearance is easily modifiable by the wearer, with reliable water resistance and which does not require adjustment of the watch after replacing a module.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a modular watch comprising at least: a case; a case back; a display module comprising a dial, time display means, a crystal and first magnetic gearing means; a watchmaking module comprising a watch movement with second magnetic gearing means arranged to cooperate with the magnetic gearing means of the display module; first and second strap strands attached to the case at a pair of lugs.

[0011] According to the invention, the display module and the clock module are mounted one on top of the other, said display module being fixed against the case and the clock module being mounted mobilely in rotation between the back and the display module to perform the time setting.

[0012] In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention: The magnetic gearing means include a first minute wheel having at least one magnet, said first minute wheel being arranged to cooperate with a second minute wheel of the second magnetic gearing means, said second minute wheel also having at least one magnet; the display and timekeeping modules are both waterproof; the timekeeping module includes angular positioning teeth cooperating with elastic means fixed to the display module or the case to retain the timekeeping module in a determined angular position; the time display means include an hour hand and a minute hand; the modular watch includes means for locking the timekeeping module against rotation, said locking means being formed by a portion of the strap strands between each pair of lugs of the case cooperating with the timekeeping module;The means for preventing rotation include a groove formed on the outer periphery of the clock module; the groove formed on the outer periphery of the clock module comprises N x 60 notches, N being strictly greater than zero; the upper face of the clock module that faces the display module is closed by a non-ferromagnetic plate; the clock module comprises a mechanical movement or a quartz movement; the center of rotation of the clock module, the center of rotation of the first minute wheel, and the center of rotation of the second minute wheel are coaxial. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of a modular watch according to the invention; the figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view of a modular watch according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] There figure 1 Figure 1 illustrates a modular watch according to the invention. The watch comprises a case 10, a case back 11, a display module 12 including a dial 2, time display means, a crystal 5, and a watchmaking module 13 including a watch movement. The watch 1 also includes two strap strands X and Y attached to the case 10 at two pairs of lugs 20 and 21, the strands being secured by means of a bar. The watch 1 may also include a rotating or non-rotating bezel 14.

[0015] The display means conventionally include an hour hand 3 and a minute hand 4. The display means may also include a seconds hand, but setting the time then becomes less convenient.

[0016] The watch module 13 is arranged to receive a mechanical movement or a quartz movement and includes first gearing means adapted to ensure the rotation of the hour hand 3 and minute hand 4 of the display module 12 around a rotation axis A. The display module includes the dial 2, the hands 3, 4, the crystal 5 and second gearing means cooperating with the first gearing means of the watch module 13.

[0017] The first and second gearing means take the form of magnetic wheels forming a magnetic transmission between the display module and the clock module.

[0018] These magnetic gearing means are particularly well suited to such a modular watch and allow easy assembly or disassembly between the two modules 12, 13 without worrying about any coupling of axes to drive the hands, or desynchronization of the hands, or a problem of sealing.

[0019] Indeed, magnetic transmission makes it possible to construct the display module 12 and the clock module 13 waterproof, the latter not requiring the use of a shaft (or several coaxial shafts) of transmissions between them to drive the display hands.

[0020] In a conventional manner, the hour and minute hands 3, 4 each comprise a plate 30, 40 extending parallel to the dial 2, the end of which is arranged to indicate the current hour and minutes on the dial. The hands 3, 4 also include a cylindrical section, called a cannon 31, 41, whose axis of symmetry coincides with the axis of rotation A, each cannon being respectively fixed to an hour wheel 122 and a minute wheel 120.

[0021] Conventionally, the minute hand's barrel 41 extends in the same direction as the hour hand's barrel 31, with the minute hand's barrel 41 fitting into the hour hand's barrel 31. In this way, each hand is adapted to be driven in rotation around the same axis of rotation A.

[0022] According to the invention, the first and second gearing means are in the form of magnetic wheels, each wheel having at least one magnet 121, 131 on its periphery. Advantageously, the magnetic wheels comprise a first minute wheel 120 having at least one magnet 121, the first minute wheel 120 being arranged to cooperate with a second minute wheel 130 of the second magnetic gearing means, the second minute wheel 130 also having at least one magnet 131.

[0023] The watch module is closed, on the side facing the display module or the top face, by a non-ferromagnetic plate such as a sapphire crystal. The underside of the watch module can be closed by a conventional metal case back, a sapphire crystal to reveal the movement, or even be a single piece with the module.

[0024] As can be seen on the Figures 1 And 2The watch module 13 has, on its lower face, two successive shoulders 134, 135 arranged to cooperate with the base 11. Such an arrangement allows a simple and reliable assembly while permitting the rotation of the watch module 13 relative to the base 11.

[0025] The display module 12 is placed on top of the watch module 13 and is fixed against the case 10. The display module 12 can be fixed to the case 10 by placing it from below or above the case 10 and held by a bezel 14 for example.

[0026] In the case where the display module 12 is placed from below the case 10, the latter is indexed relative to the case 10 via positioning means such as a protrusion 123 attached to the display module 12 and arranged to cooperate with a notch 124 formed in the case 10. The display module 12 is then held between the case 10 and the watch module 13 once the case back 11 is fixed to the case 10.

[0027] In the case where the display module 12 is placed from the top of the case 10, the latter is also indexed relative to the case 10 via positioning means such as a protrusion 123 attached to the module 12 and arranged to cooperate with a notch 124 formed in the case 10. In order to keep the display module 12 in place on the case 10, a bezel 14 is screwed onto the case 10 over the display module 12, and the watch module 13 is held between the case 10 and the case back 11 once the latter is fixed to the case 10.

[0028] Of course, other methods of mounting the display module can be used without requiring deep modifications, for example a thread can be arranged on the internal wall of the case 10 to screw the display module 12 into it.

[0029] A modular watch 1 according to the invention includes means for locking the watch module 13 against rotation. Advantageously, the locking means are formed by a portion of the strap strands between each pair of lugs 20, 30 of the case. Each portion is arranged to cooperate with the watch module, the watch module 13 comprising a groove 40 formed on its outer periphery arranged to cooperate with the locking means.

[0030] Advantageously, the fluting corresponds to a multiple of the timer with Nx60 notches to allow precise positioning of the minute hand, N being strictly greater than zero.

[0031] Thus, in the resting state or in the locked position, the portions of the bracelet strands between each pair of lugs 20, 30 rest against the outer perimeter and prevent the rotation of the latter.

[0032] According to a first embodiment, the bracelet strands are made from an elastomer material to maximize friction forces and provide reliable locking of the watch module.

[0033] According to a second embodiment, at least one strap strand includes a rigid lug cooperating with the watch module, the lug fitting between a notch of two grooves and totally blocking the watch module.

[0034] To allow the rotation of the watch module 13, and to move into a so-called free rotation position, it is enough to pinch at least one strap strand near a pair of lugs 20, 30 to rotate the strand around the bar attaching it to the case or to rotate the strand under the watch to release the lug from a notch and thus free the rotating watch module.

[0035] Such locking mechanisms are therefore particularly well suited for a modular watch and to prevent unintentional rotation of the watch module and causing a change in the time.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the watch module includes an annular toothed angular positioning toothing (not shown in the figures), at the periphery of its upper face (i.e. the face in contact with the display module), the toothing cooperating with elastic means attached to the display module to retain the watch module in a determined angular position.

[0037] According to the invention, the clock module 13 is mounted to rotate between the case back and the display module 12 to set the time. To set the time, it is sufficient to rotate the entire clock module.

[0038] Since the center of rotation of the clock module is the same as that of the first and second minute wheels carrying the magnets, a rotation of the module will cause a rotation of the minute hand on the display module. According to the invention, one complete revolution of the clock module is equivalent to one complete revolution of the minute hand. Of course, a different gear ratio could be considered depending on the requirements.

[0039] This type of construction has the advantage of simplifying the watch movement's architecture and minimizing areas at risk of compromising water resistance. Indeed, such a watch does not have a crown or pushers with O-ring seals. Thus, only one seal remains: a crystal gasket or case back gasket to close the watch module.

[0040] Indeed, all the components usually used to set the time are no longer necessary, and only the minimum remains, namely the kinematic chain going from the barrel to the escapement.

[0041] Thanks to these different aspects of the invention, we have a modular watch that can be easily customized by the wearer without worrying about the transmission between the movement and the hands, or about a problem of water resistance.

[0042] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example and is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Modular watch (1) comprising at least: - a middle (10); - a back (11); - a display module (12) comprising a dial, time display means, a crystal and first magnetic gear means for driving the time display means; - a horological module (13) comprising a horological movement with second magnetic gear means arranged to cooperate with the magnetic gear means of the display module (12); - first and second bracelet strands integral with the middle (10) at a pair of horns (20, 30); the display module (12) and the horological module (13) are mounted one on top of the other, said display module (12) being mounted such that it is fixed against the middle (10), the modular watch being characterised in that the horological module (13) is mounted such that it can rotate between the back (11) and the display module (12) in order to set the time.

2. Modular watch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnetic gear means comprises a first minute wheel having at least one magnet, said first minute wheel being arranged to cooperate with a second minute wheel of the second magnetic gear means, said second minute wheel also having at least one magnet.

3. Modular watch (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display module (12) and horological module (13) are both water-resistant.

4. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the horological module comprises an annular angular positioning toothing cooperating with resilient means integral with the display module (12) or the middle (10) to retain the horological module in a determined angular position.

5. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the time display means comprise an hour hand (3) and a minute hand (4).

6. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises means for locking the rotation of the horological module (13), said locking means being formed by a portion of the bracelet strands between each pair of horns (20, 30) of the middle and cooperating with the horological module.

7. Modular watch (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the rotation locking means comprise a groove (40) formed on the outer periphery of the horological module (13).

8. Modular watch (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the groove (40) formed on the outer periphery of the horological module (13) comprises Nx60 notches, N being strictly greater than zero.

9. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the face of the horological module facing the display module is closed by a non-ferromagnetic plate.

10. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the horological module (13) comprises a mechanical movement or a quartz movement.

11. Modular watch (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the centre of rotation of the horological module (13), the centre of rotation of the first minute wheel and the centre of rotation of the second minute wheel are coaxial.

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