Watch provided with a transparent or / and translucent decorative structure, in particular a push-to-pass enamel

Abstract

The watch (2) includes a case (4), a movement (6) incorporated in the case, a lower glass (10) forming at least part of the back (12), a decorative structure (16) visible axially from the side of the front face (20) of the watch and comprising at least one transparent and / or translucent part (16a) which is visible axially through the lower glass.The watch further includes a light source (26) and a mirror (28), the light source being arranged to emit substantially in the direction of the mirror which is arranged below the light source and below a rear surface (18) of the decorative structure, the mirror receiving most of the light energy emitted by the light source, and reflecting the light from this light source in such a way that the reflected light is ultimately at least mostly incident on the rear surface of the decorative structure in at least one area (18a) defined by said at least a transparent and / or translucent part.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch equipped with a transparent and / or translucent decorative structure.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a watch with a transparent or translucent enamel decoration, in particular of the plique-à-jour type, visible from the front / upper side of this watch. Technological background

[0003] In the case of transparent or translucent enamels arranged in openings within an initially openwork structure, similar to stained glass but on a relatively small scale, the term plique-à-jour enamel is used, meaning an enamel object created using the plique-à-jour technique. This technique is similar to stained glass, as transparent or translucent enamels, often at least partially colored in various hues, are applied to various openings formed by a partitioned, openwork structure. After firing the applied enamels, the resulting object has a partitioned structure, usually metallic, whose various openings are filled with transparent or translucent enamels through which light can pass, at least partially.

[0004] Watches with plique-à-jour enamel decoration are known, particularly those with a top crystal, a bottom crystal, and a movement of reduced dimensions relative to these two crystals. Around the periphery of the movement is a flat decorative structure of plique-à-jour enamel, this structure being positioned on the side of the top crystal so as to be at least partially visible axially through both the top and bottom crystals. Thus, by looking through both crystals and the decorative structure, and by wearing the watch so that ambient light falls on the back of the decorative structure, relative to the crystal through which the observer views this decorative structure, one can observe the various enamels in transparency, which are thus backlit by the ambient light.However, when the watch is worn on the wrist, no ambient light enters through the lower glass (the glass set into the case back). The decorative plique-à-jour enamel structure is therefore not backlit, so its transparency and the brilliance of the enamels cannot be fully appreciated. Prior art documents FR 786 870 A and US 4 118 924 A disclose watches incorporating a light source coupled to a mirror. CH 702 419 A2 discloses a watch with a glass case back. Summary of the invention

[0005] The main objective of the present invention is to solve the problem mentioned above. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide a watch of the type described previously that allows the plique-à-jour enamel structure to be showcased in dimly lit spaces and even at night.

[0006] Thus, the invention relates to a watch comprising: a case, - a movement incorporated in the case, a lower glass forming at least in part the bottom of the case and extending overall in a general plane which is perpendicular to a central axis of the case, a decorative structure visible axially from the side of the front of the watch and comprising at least one transparent and / or translucent part visible axially through the lower glass. According to the invention, the watch further comprises a light source and a mirror, the light source being arranged to emit substantially in the direction of said general plane, the mirror being arranged below the light source and below a rear surface of the decorative structure. The light source and the mirror are arranged in in such a way that this mirror can receive most of the light energy emitted by the light source, when the latter is active, and can reflect the light from this light source in such a way that this reflected light is finally at least partially incident on the back surface of the decorative structure in at least one area defined by said at least one transparent and / or translucent part and then passes through said at least one transparent and / or translucent part.

[0007] Thanks to the features of the invention, the decorative structure, at least partially transparent and / or translucent, in particular a plique-à-jour enamel structure, is preserved when the internal light source in the watch is deactivated, in particular by the fact that an observer, when not wearing the watch on his wrist, can look at said at least a transparent and / or translucent part, on the front side of the watch, in the manner of a stained glass window by positioning the watch so that ambient light reaches the rear surface of said at least a transparent or translucent part of the decorative structure through the lower glass arranged in the bottom of the case.Indeed, ambient light arriving at an axial angle on the decorative structure on the front of the watch can pass through the watch and then exit through the back of the watch via the lower crystal, and vice versa. Furthermore, the decorative structure, in particular at least one transparent and / or translucent part, can be backlit by the intended light source when the watch is worn on a user's wrist and / or when the ambient light is insufficient to illuminate said at least one transparent and / or translucent part, particularly when viewed through the transparent part. The term 'backlit' is understood to mean backlighting of the decorative structure, at least in the area defined by said at least one transparent and / or translucent part, which passes through said at least one transparent and / or translucent part and exits through the front of the watch.

[0008] In a principal embodiment, the mirror is arranged to reflect light from the light source directly towards said at least one area of ​​the rear surface of the decorative structure.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the mirror is of the 'free form' type and formed by a reflective surface which is configured so that the light reflected by the mirror and incident on said at least one area of ​​the rear surface of the decorative structure is substantially uniform.

[0010] According to a preferred variant, the reflective surface of the mirror is configured so that the light reflected by said mirror is mostly incident on said at least one area of ​​the rear surface of the decorative structure.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, said mirror is a first mirror arranged, relative to said at least one transparent and / or translucent part of the decorative structure, radially on the side of the movement. The watch further comprises at least one second mirror which is arranged radially on the side opposite to that of the first mirror relative to said at least one transparent and / or translucent part of the decorative structure.

[0012] According to an advantageous variant, said at least one second mirror is formed by a piece incorporated in the box or by a part of this box, that is to say that the inner surface of such a piece or part defines the reflective surface of the second mirror, and arranged, relative to said central axis, radially beyond the edge of a bottom support surface on which the lower glass rests. Brief description of the figures

[0013] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which: there Figure 1 shows, according to a plan view, partially a first embodiment of a watch according to the invention; the Figure 2 is a first axial cross-sectional view, along line II-II of the Figure 1 , of the watch in the first embodiment; the Figure 3 is a second axial cross-sectional view, along line III-III of the Figure 1 , of the watch Figures 1 And 2 ; there Figure 4 is a perspective view of a 'freeform' type mirror incorporated into the watch of the first embodiment; the Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view, along a cutting plane identical to that of the Figure 2 , of a second embodiment of a watch according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] With reference to Figures 1 to 4We will describe below a first embodiment of a watch according to the invention.

[0015] Watch 2 includes: a case 4, a movement 6 incorporated in the case, a lower glass 10 forming at least in part the bottom 12 of the case and extending globally in a general plane 11 perpendicular to a central axis 14 of the case, and - a decorative structure 16 which is axially visible from the side of the front face 20 of the watch 2 and comprising transparent and / or translucent parts 16a, 16b visible axially through the lower glass 10. Note that only two transparent and / or translucent parts 16a, 16b have a reference, but it is obvious that they represent all the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decoration of the decorative structure. In the variant shown in the figures, the decorative structure 16 forms a plique-à-jour enamel design, similar to stained glass but executed using a technique adapted to horological dimensions. Thus, external light (particularly ambient light) striking the lower glass, which forms the case back 12, can pass axially through the watch and then exit through the front face 20. The decorative structure 16 includes an outer annular portion 17a forming a load-bearing structure that is attached to the case 4 or held by parts of the case or by a component integral with the case. In the variant shown, the annular portion 17a is arranged between a first component 4a, forming the case back 12 and a case middle, and a component 4b forming a bezel. The decorative structure 16 also includes an inner annular portion 17b that forms a support (a kind of cage ring) for the movement 6.In the upper part of the inner annular section is arranged a dial 32 above which is an analog time display 34. In a particular variant, the dial superimposed on the movement is formed by part of the decorative structure. Between the two annular sections 17a, 17b are provided various metal partitions 19 which form openings in a perforated metal piece forming the decorative structure. In these openings of various shapes are arranged enameled sections of various colors and / or tones, at least some of which are transparent and / or translucent, so as to obtain a certain abstract motif or one representing at least one object and / or living being.

[0016] Since the movement 6 is off-center relative to the central axis 14 of the case, the annular parts 17a, 17b have respective portions that are close to each other and are materially connected by a stiffening part above which is provided at least one cavity filled with an enamel 16c. This enamel 16c is part of the decoration presented by the decorative structure 16, without however participating in the plique-à-jour enamel, although it can also be transparent or translucent, since it cannot be observed in transparency because of the stiffening part.

[0017] In the variants shown, the transparent and / or translucent sections 16a, 16b are arranged around the periphery of the movement 6, so that the plique-à-jour enamel can be fully observed without any elements overlapping the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure 16 in the areas 18a, 18b of this rear surface defined respectively by the transparent and / or translucent sections. However, in another variant, in the case of an openworked movement, particularly a skeletonized mechanical movement, at least one transparent and / or translucent section of the decorative structure may be positioned above openings through the movement. Various variants are possible.

[0018] The watch 2 comprises a top glass 36 arranged on the front face 20 of the watch and covering the movement 6 and the decorative structure 16, with the exception of the outer annular portion 17a, which, in another embodiment, may be a separate piece from the decorative structure. More specifically, the glass 36 is a conventional analog watch glass that covers the dial 32 and the analog display 34 and, in addition, within the framework of the embodiment of the invention described herein, the enameled parts, more generally the decorative parts which include the transparent and / or translucent parts 16a, 16b of the decorative structure that is peripheral to the 'movement and dial' assembly. In the aforementioned other embodiment, the outer annular portion forms a rigid circle in which the decorative structure is arranged and fixed, in particular by bonding, pressing, or screws.

[0019] According to the invention, the watch 2 further comprises a light source 26 and a mirror 28, the light source being arranged to emit light substantially in the direction of the general plane 11 defined by the lower glass 10, the mirror 28 being arranged below the light source 26 and below the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure 16.The light source and the mirror are arranged so that the mirror can receive most of the light energy emitted by the light source, when the latter is active, and can reflect the light from this light source so that this reflected light 50 is finally at least partially incident on the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure, in the areas 18a, 18b of this rear surface defined by the transparent and / or translucent parts 16a, 16b, and then passes through these transparent and / or translucent parts to exit from the front side of the watch through the upper glass 36.

[0020] In a general variant, the mirror 28 is fixed directly or indirectly to the lower glass 10. In particular, this mirror is glued to the inner surface of the lower glass forming the bottom 12 of the box 4.

[0021] Thanks to the artificial lighting device incorporated in the watch according to the invention, the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decorative structure 16 can be backlit by light generated by the light source 26 and reflected by the mirror 28.

[0022] The light source 26 is preferably formed by at least one light-emitting diode (LED). This light source is powered by a battery, which can be recharged, in particular, by contactless means through the lower glass 10. Such a battery is incorporated into the movement 6 or arranged, for example, between this movement and the lower glass in a region 38 superimposed on the movement that does not pose a problem for the intended backlighting of the decorative structure 16. A flat and relatively thin battery can be considered, covering all or part of the movement and arranged against its rear face. Alternatively, a specific compartment for a battery can be provided within the movement. The light source 26 is preferably supported by the watch movement on its rear face. Thus, the light source 26 is axially superimposed on the movement 6, as in the variants shown.In particular, the electronic device including the light source is attached to the watch movement.

[0023] In advantageous embodiments, the movement is covered, on the front face 20 of the watch, by an opaque dial or by an opaque part of the decorative structure and / or, on the lower crystal 10 side, by an opaque structure or layer, in particular a metal plate 40 having a reflective underside. It should be noted that in this latter case, the light source may be supported by the metal plate, or this plate may have an opening in the region of the light source, which is then located above this plate, so that the light emitted by this source can propagate towards the mirror 28. In these advantageous embodiments, the mirror 28 is at least largely, preferably entirely, axially superimposed on the assembly formed by the movement 6 and the annular part 17b that surrounds and supports it.More generally, the mirror is at least mostly, preferably entirely axially, covered on the front face of the watch by at least one opaque section, so that it is not visible from the front to an observer. However, in another variant, the mirror is at least partially visible from the front of the watch through the upper crystal 36. The mirror 28 is a reflective element that does not, a priori, pose an aesthetic problem when viewed from the front.

[0024] In a primary variant, the light source 26 has a principal emission axis that is parallel to the central axis 14. In the variant shown, the principal emission axis of the light source coincides with the central axis 14 of the watch case. In this primary variant, the mirror 28 is axially aligned with the light source.

[0025] The activation of the light source can advantageously be carried out by a user via a control device accessible from outside the case 4 and / or automatically based on various events related to the movement or a complementary mechanism that triggers an animation. Other variations are conceivable. The main objective of the artificial lighting internal to the watch 2 is to highlight the decorative structure 16, in particular to give it a brilliance comparable to relatively intense ambient light that would pass axially through the watch via the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decorative structure, when the watch is worn on the wrist, especially in low ambient light, and even at night.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the mirror 28 is arranged to reflect light from the light source 26 directly towards at least one area, among the respective areas defined by the transparent and / or translucent portions, of the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure 16. In other words, at least a portion 50a of the reflected light 50 directly reaches said at least one area without further reflection (reflection on a polished surface or scattering on a reflective structure with some roughness, for example, a semi-matte surface). In the embodiment shown, a portion 50a of the light reflected 50 by the mirror 28 is directly incident on the rear surface of the decorative structure 16, and another portion 50b of this reflected light 50 undergoes further reflections / scattering on other reflective surfaces before at least partially reaching this rear surface.

[0027] In the variant shown of the first embodiment, a light guide is formed between the movement 6 and a region 10b of the lower glass 10 located opposite this movement. In this region 10b of the lower glass, a metallic layer 42 is deposited, preferably on the inner surface of this glass, forming a second secondary mirror, while the reflective plate 40 arranged beneath the movement forms a first secondary mirror. More generally, in this variant, a reflective structure, located at the rear of the movement or forming at least a rear portion of this movement, is arranged around the periphery of the light source 26. In particular, the mirror 28 is bonded or welded to the metallic layer 42.This metallic coating renders region 10b of the lower glass 10 opaque, thus obscuring the mirror 28 and the light source 26 located above this mirror, as well as at least partially and advantageously obscuring the entire movement 6 from an axial view. Conversely, region 10a of the lower glass 10, which is axially aligned with the transparent and / or translucent parts 16a, 16b of the decorative structure 16, is transparent. Preferably, the first secondary mirror 40 has a slightly frosted surface to promote some diffusion of the light 50b, that is, at angles that are not symmetrical with respect to the axial direction, in particular at angles that are less than symmetrical so that a maximum of the light energy from the part 50b of the reflected light 50 is incident on the second secondary mirror 42, which reflects the light towards the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure 16.

[0028] Preferably, the mirror 28 is of the 'freeform' type and formed by a reflective surface configured so that the light reflected 50 by this mirror and incident directly on the zones 18a, 18b of the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure 16 is substantially uniform. It should be noted that, in general, the distribution of light energy by the light source 26 is substantially Gaussian. Thus, to obtain a uniform distribution of the light energy directly incident on the decorative structure after being reflected by the mirror 28, it is understood that it cannot be a parallel reflection of the light rays by the mirror.This 'freeform' mirror can advantageously take into account the presence of movement 6 and the specific shape of the decorative structure arranged around its periphery to concentrate the lighting on the rear face 18 of the decorative structure and largely avoid the impact of reflected rays on the rear face of movement 6 or on the first secondary mirror 40, the latter then being less useful, or even superfluous. However, as can be seen in the . Figure 2 , in order to be able to reach areas of the rear surface 18 of the decorative structure located near the movement 6, and therefore of the inner annular part 17b, without other considerations or other specific arrangements, particularly as provided for in the second embodiment which will be described later, the presence of the secondary mirrors 40 and 42 are useful andIt is therefore advantageous to provide that a certain amount of light energy is reflected by mirror 28 towards the first secondary mirror 40. It is possible to take into account these two secondary mirrors and thus the light guide they form together to determine the free shape of mirror 28.

[0029] The reflective surface of a freeform mirror can be calculated using specialized software. This software allows for the configuration of relatively complex reflective surfaces based on data characterizing the light source and its positioning, the overall positioning of the mirror relative to a geometric plane defined by a material surface to be illuminated (particularly the underside of the decorative structure), and the desired light distribution within the geometric plane by specifying the required intensities in each elementary zone of a plurality of elementary zones forming a matrix. The dimensions of these elementary zones define a certain resolution of the calculation. To increase this resolution, the size of the elementary zones can be reduced to very small, almost point-like.One can advantageously use, for example, the 'Advanced Design Module' software, in particular the 'Raytracing LightTools' tool, among the 'LightTools Modules' software from the company Synopsis ®<, this tool being designed in particular to provide free-form reflective surfaces according to various data relating to a specific desired illumination.

[0030] Each reflective surface can be either a 'single surface' or a 'segmented surface', the latter comprising a plurality of distinct surfaces combined into a single illumination device to achieve the desired result. Specifically, two distinct surfaces are separated by an edge. The possibilities for specific illumination from a single, small light source are varied and numerous.

[0031] According to a particular variant, the reflective surface of the mirror 28, of the 'freeform' type, is configured according to a non-circular emission surface of the light source 26, which is provided to be square, projected onto a plane orthogonal to the central axis 14, in the example shown. For example, the reflective surface obtains a shape such as that shown in the Figure 4 which shows mirror 28 in perspective with level curves 54.

[0032] In a preferred variant, the 'freeform' mirror 28 is configured so that the reflected light 50 is ultimately mostly incident on the areas of the back surface 18 of the decorative structure 16 which are defined respectively by the transparent or translucent parts of this decorative structure.

[0033] With reference to the Figure 5A second embodiment of the invention will be described below. The reference elements already described in the first embodiment are identical or similar to the corresponding elements described previously and will not be described again here in detail. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment essentially by a first mirror 29 defining a reflective surface with a slightly different shape from the mirror 28 of the first embodiment, and by the arrangement of a second mirror 48 on the side opposite the first mirror 29 relative to the decorative structure 16. The first mirror 29 is arranged, relative to the transparent and / or translucent parts 16a of the decorative structure 16, on the side of the movement 6. The second mirror 48 is arranged on the side opposite the first mirror 29 relative to the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decorative structure 16.In the variant shown, the second mirror 48 is defined by a polished inner surface of a metal part of the case forming the base and the case body. In other variants where the base is a separate part of the case body, the second mirror is formed by at least one inner surface of the case body and / or the base of the case. In yet another variant, the second mirror is formed by a specific part that is incorporated into the case and arranged, relative to the central axis 14, radially beyond the edge of a bearing surface 11 of the base 12 on which the lower glass 10 rests.

[0034] In the particular variant shown, the mirror 48 has a truncated cone shape with an oblique linear profile, the truncated cone being flared upwards. The mirror 48 advantageously extends over most, preferably almost the entire height of the box between the lower glass 10 and the decorative structure 16. In other variants, the profile may be different, notably spherical or parabolic. In optimized variants, the second mirror 48 is also a freeform mirror. The first mirror 29 is configured so that at least a significant portion of the light energy it reflects propagates towards the second mirror 48, located at the periphery of the decorative structure 16.The second mirror 48 is advantageously configured so that incident light from the first mirror 29 is reflected to directly reach at least one region of the areas of the rear surface 18 defined by the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decorative structure which does not directly receive light reflected by the first mirror 29. This makes it possible to uniformly illuminate the transparent and / or translucent parts of the decorative structure, avoiding in particular a darker area at the periphery of the movement 6. Note that the outer surface of the annular part 17b, supporting the movement 6, is advantageously polished so as to be reflective.

Claims

1. A watch (2; 52) comprising a case (4), a movement (6) incorporated in the case, a first glass (10) forming at least in part the back (12) of the case and generally extending in a general plane (11) which is perpendicular to a central axis (14) of the case, a decorative structure (16) visible axially on the side of the front face (20) of the watch and comprising at least one transparent and / or translucent portion (16a, 16b) visible axially through said first glass; characterised in that the watch further comprises a light source (26) and a mirror (28; 29), the light source being arranged so as to emit substantially in the direction of said general plane, the mirror being arranged below the light source and below a rear surface (18) of the decorative structure, this light source and the mirror being arranged so that this mirror could receive the major part of the light energy emitted by the light source, when the latter is active, and could reflect the light originating from this light source so that this reflected light is finally at least partially incident on the rear surface (18) of the decorative structure in at least one area (18a, 18b) defined by said at least one transparent and / or translucent portion and then passes through said at least one transparent and / or translucent portion.

2. The watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the mirror (28) is arranged so as to reflect light originating from the light source directly towards said at least one area (18a, 18b) of the rear surface (18) of the decorative structure (16).

3. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mirror (28) is of the 'free-form' type and formed by a reflective surface which is configured so that the light reflected by the mirror and incident on said at least one area of the rear surface of the decorative structure is substantially uniform.

4. The watch according to claim 3, characterised in that the reflective surface of the "free-form" type mirror is configured as a function of a non-circular emission surface of the light source (26).

5. The watch according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that said reflective surface is configured so that said reflected light is for the most part incident on said at least one area (18a, 18b) of the rear surface (18) of the decorative structure (16).

6. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (26) has a main emission axis which is parallel to said central axis (14); and in that the mirror is axially aligned with the light source.

7. The watch according to claim 6, characterised in that said main emission axis of the light source is coincident with said central axis (14) of the case (4) of the watch.

8. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a second glass (36) arranged on the side of the front face (20) of the watch, this second glass being located above the movement (6) and the decorative structure (16).

9. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one transparent and / or translucent portion (16a, 16b) is arranged at the periphery of the movement (6).

10. The watch according to claim 9, characterised in that said light source (26) is axially superimposed on the movement (6).

11. The watch according to claim 10, characterised in that the mirror (28) is at least for the most part, preferably entirely, covered axially, on the side of the front face (20) of the watch, by at least one opaque portion.

12. The watch (52) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that said mirror is a first mirror (29) arranged, relative to said at least one transparent and / or translucent portion (16a) of the decorative structure (16), radially on the side of the movement (6); and in that the watch further comprises at least one second mirror (48) which is arranged radially on the side opposite to that of the first mirror relative to said at least one transparent and / or translucent portion (16a) of the decorative structure.

13. The watch according to claim 12, characterised in that said at least one second mirror is formed by a part incorporated in the case of the watch and arranged, relative to said central axis (14), radially beyond the edge of a bearing surface (11) of the back (12) on which the first glass (10) rests.

14. The watch according to claim 13, characterised in that said at least one second mirror (48) is defined by at least one internal surface of a middle and / or of said back or of a metal portion of the case (4) forming the back and a middle.

15. The watch according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that said at least one second mirror (48) is configured so that incident light originating from the first mirror (29) is reflected so as to reach directly at least one region of said at least one area which does not directly receive light reflected by the first mirror.

16. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a reflective layer (42) is deposited over the internal surface of the first glass (10) at the periphery of the mirror (28), respectively of the first mirror (28).

17. The watch according to claim 16, characterised in that this watch further comprises, at the periphery of the light source and opposite said reflective layer (42), a reflective structure (40) located at the rear of the movement (6) or forming a rear portion of this movement.

18. The watch according to claim 17, characterised in that the reflective structure is formed by a metal plate (40) arranged against the movement (6).

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