Assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case

Abstract

Timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one bracelet strand (30) extending in a longitudinal direction and removably attached to a caseband (20), which thus occupies a first attachment configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand (30) is attached to the caseband (20) and a second assembly configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand (30) is detached from the caseband (20), characterized in that: - the caseband (20) comprises at least one horn (21), comprising a transverse opening (21a), - the timepiece comprises at least one attachment element (1), separate from the caseband (20) and from the at least one bracelet strand (30), comprising a transverse opening (1a), - the end of the at least one bracelet strand (30) comprises at least two connecting portions (31), in particular at least two connecting links,projecting in the longitudinal direction at the end of the at least one bracelet strand (30) and being transversely separated from each other by a space, the at least two connecting portions (31) each comprising transverse openings (31a) passing through, - in the first fixing configuration, at least one hinge pin (2) is housed in said transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21), in said transverse opening (1a) of the at least one fixing element (1), and in said transverse openings (31a) of respectively the at least two connecting portions (31) of the bracelet, so as to keep the middle (20), the at least one bracelet strand (30) and the at least one fixing element (1) fixed to each other, - in the first fixing configuration,a locking means (3) locks the at least one hinge axis (2) in rotation relative to the at least one horn (21) and relative to the at least one fixing element (1) or relative to the connecting portions (31), so that respectively only the at least two connecting portions (31) of the at least one bracelet strand (30) or the at least one horn (21) and the at least one fixing element (1) are movable in rotation about the at least one hinge axis (2).,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a timepiece comprising an advantageous assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case, in particular on a watch case middle.

[0002] Various devices are used to attach a bracelet strand in a removable and articulated manner to a case of a wristwatch. For example, according to a common solution of the prior art, a watch case has two pairs of horns, each pair of horns delimiting a housing for receiving a link arranged at the end of a bracelet strand. An axis extending between the two horns of a pair of horns engages with this link of the bracelet strand, holding it in position between these two horns, while allowing the relative articulation of the bracelet strand and the watch case, by pivoting around this axis.

[0003] Such an attachment of a bracelet strand to a watch case, particularly to a case middle, should ideally achieve the following objectives: It must be reliable, particularly to avoid any untimely detachment of the bracelet strand; It must be robust, and in particular prevent any wear which would deteriorate its functionality over time; It must allow user-friendly removal and attachment of a bracelet strand, allowing for example its replacement easily and quickly; It must have an attractive aesthetic appearance, particularly be compatible with the aesthetic requirements of high-end watchmaking.

[0004] Existing solutions at least partially achieve the above objectives, but remain perfectible. Thus, the present invention aims to improve these existing solutions.

[0005] Thus, the general object of the invention is an improved solution for fixing a bracelet strand to a watch case, more generally to a watch case.

[0006] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a reliable and robust solution for attaching a strap strand to a watch case.

[0007] A second object of the invention is a user-friendly solution for attaching a strap strand to a watch case.

[0008] Preferably, a third object of the invention is an aesthetic solution for attaching a bracelet strand to a watch case.

[0009] To this end, the invention is based on a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one bracelet strand extending in a longitudinal direction and removably attached to a case middle, which thus occupies a first attachment configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand is attached to the case middle and a second assembly configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand is detached from the case middle, characterized in that: the case middle comprises at least one horn, comprising a transverse opening, the timepiece comprises at least one fastening element, distinct from the case middle and from the at least one bracelet strand, comprising a transverse opening, the end of the at least one bracelet strand comprises at least two connecting portions, in particular at least two connecting links, projecting in the longitudinal direction at the end of the at least one bracelet strand and being transversely separated from each other by a space, the at least two connecting portions each comprising transverse through openings, in the first fastening configuration, at least one hinge pin is housed in said transverse opening of the at least one horn, in said transverse opening of the at least one fastening element, and in said transverse openings of respectively the at least two connecting portions of the bracelet,so as to keep the middle part, the at least one bracelet strand and the at least one fixing element fixed to each other, in the first fixing configuration, a locking means blocks the at least one articulation axis in rotation relative to the at least one horn and relative to the at least one fixing element or relative to the connecting portions, so that respectively only the at least two connecting portions of the at least one bracelet strand or the at least one horn and the at least one fixing element are movable in rotation around the at least one articulation axis.

[0010] The invention is more precisely defined by the claims.

[0011] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which: There figure 1 represents a perspective view from below of the assembly in a configuration for attaching a bracelet strand to a watch case according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of the assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case according to the first embodiment of the invention. The figure 3 represents a partially truncated perspective view of the assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case according to the first embodiment of the invention. The figure 4 represents a side sectional view of an assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure 5 represents a top view of an assembly of a bracelet strand on a watch case according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0012] To simplify the presentation of the invention, identical or corresponding elements of the different embodiment variants bear the same references.

[0013] By convention, we will call the "longitudinal direction" the direction in which the bracelet strand extends from the watch case, considering the timepiece and its bracelet placed on a plane, which will be called by convention the "horizontal plane". The transverse direction will designate the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in the horizontal plane. The vertical direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0014] THE figures 1 à 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, in which a particular arrangement allows the assembly of a bracelet strand 30 on a caseband 20 of a timepiece, by means of a fixing element 1.

[0015] According to this first embodiment, the bracelet strand 30 extends in a longitudinal direction, and comprises links articulated together, each composed of different meshes. In this embodiment, a link comprises five meshes, distributed in the transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. More precisely, each link comprises two edge meshes 34, two intermediate meshes 33, and a center mesh 32. These five meshes are articulated together via a hinge pin. In addition, the two intermediate meshes 33 are offset by half a mesh in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet relative to the two edge meshes 34 and the center mesh 32.This offset allows the assembly of such a link with another similar link, the two intermediate links of this other link being able to be articulated on the two edge links 34 and the center link 32, coming in the extension of the two intermediate links 33. When the bracelet strand 30 is assembled, it has a continuous appearance in which the distinction between the different links is barely perceptible. The bracelet strand ultimately consists of five rows of links. Each row comprises links aligned in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, these rows are juxtaposed in the transverse direction, two directly neighboring rows being offset from each other in the longitudinal direction by half a link. The end link of the bracelet strand 30, visible on the . figures 1 And 2, is intended for attachment to the caseband 20 of a timepiece. The intermediate links 33 of this end link project relative to the entire bracelet strand 30, and form two connecting links of the bracelet strand. More generally, the bracelet strand 30 could have a geometry other than these two connecting links at its end, provided that it comprises at least two connecting portions 31 at this end. In this first embodiment, the bracelet strand 30 therefore comprises two connecting portions 31 which are formed by said two connecting links.

[0016] On the other hand, in this first embodiment, the middle part 20 of the watch case comprises two traditional horns 21, arranged to receive the assembly of the bracelet strand 30. The distance between the two horns 21, called the inter-horn distance, is preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, or even less than or equal to 15 mm, or even less than or equal to 10 mm, for example of the order of 10 mm or of the order of 9 mm. Finally, a fastening element 1, distinct from the middle part 20 and the bracelet strand 30, is positioned intermediately between the middle part 20 and the bracelet strand 30, and participates in the assembly of the bracelet strand 30 on the middle part 20.

[0017] According to this first embodiment, the fixing element 1, particularly visible on the figure 2 , comprises a base intended to be housed between the two horns 21 of the middle part. The fixing element 1 is configured for positioning with little or no degree of freedom relative to the middle part. For this, its base has a volume defined to take place, in an adjusted manner, between the two horns 21 of the middle part 20. For this, this base comprises lateral flanks 1d configured to come into contact with the internal flanks 21b of the horns 21, so that the fixing element 1 has no freedom of movement in the transverse direction, extending from one horn 21 to the other. On the other hand, the base of the fixing element 1 comprises a surface intended to come into contact with the surface of the middle part arranged between the two horns, thus matching the curvature of this surface of the middle part.In addition, this surface of the base comprises a projecting connecting portion 1c, in the form of a rib, intended to cooperate with a complementary hollow portion 22 of the middle 20, visible in the . figure 3 , in particular a groove machined between the two horns 21 of the middle 20. Alternatively, the hollow portion could be arranged on the base of the fixing element 1 and the complementary projection at the surface of the middle 20. This cooperation between this connecting portion 1c projecting from the fixing element 1 and the hollow portion of the middle prevents or limits any movement in a vertical direction of the fixing element 1, while preventing its rotation. The fixing element is not limited to the characteristics described above. It could alternatively comprise only one or a subset of these characteristics.

[0018] The fastening element 1 further comprises a projecting portion 1e, extending from the base, in a longitudinal direction, away from the middle 4. This projecting portion 1e is substantially parallel to the horns 21 in the fastening configuration of the assembly. This projecting portion 1e is arranged in the central part of the fastening element, which is symmetrically arranged on either side of this projecting portion 1e. Furthermore, this projecting portion 1e advantageously has a shape similar to a mesh portion of the bracelet strand 30, to produce a visual effect of continuity with the bracelet strand 30.

[0019] The assembly of the bracelet strand 30 and the middle 20 is carried out by means of a hinge pin 2 and the fastening element 1 described above. This hinge pin 2 cooperates in fact with these three separate components 1, 20, 30. For this, the hinge pin comprises ends housed respectively in transverse openings 21a, preferably blind, arranged in the flanks 21b of the two horns 21. This hinge pin 2 then passes through transverse openings 31a of each connecting portion 31 of the bracelet strand 30, that is to say the intermediate links at the end of the bracelet strand in this embodiment. Then, the hinge pin 2 passes through a transverse opening 1a of the projecting central part 1e of the fastening element.As a note, by this arrangement, the articulation axis 2, which extends transversely from one horn 21 to the other, makes it possible to finalize the fixing of the fixing element 1 on the middle part 20, while maintaining the bracelet strand 30 in an articulated manner on this assembly formed of the fixing element 1 and the middle part 20.

[0020] According to this first embodiment, the articulation axis 2 is a conventional bar which comprises a body 2b and at least one end portion forming a pivot 2a on one end, preferably two pivots 2a, respectively on each end. Each pivot 2a is slidably mounted within the body 2b. An elastic element 2c, such as a coil spring, visible on the figure 3 , is housed inside the body 2b, so as to exert a force on the pivot(s) 2a, tending to keep it or them in a projecting position beyond the body 2b. The total length of the articulation axis 2 is consequently slightly greater than the distance between the horns, so that the pivots 2a can be housed within the bores 21a (in their projecting position).

[0021] The length of the body 2b is provided so as to extend beyond the flanks 1b of the projecting part 1e of the fixing element 1, so as to cooperate with the transverse openings 31a of the connecting portions 31. The hinge pin 2 is thus free to be able to slide along the transverse opening 1a of the projecting part of the fixing element 1, at least during a phase of assembly of this assembly. Each pivot 2a of the hinge pin 2 is provided so as to be able to be positioned alternately projecting or set back from the external flank 31b of the connecting portions 31, so as to respectively allow a first configuration of fixing the bracelet strand 30 on the middle part 20, and a second assembly configuration, in which the bracelet strand 30 can be secured to or detached from the middle part 20.Each connecting portion 31 is therefore crossed by the articulation axis 2 and, consequently, assembled between a flank 1b of the fastening element and an internal flank 21b of a horn 21. In the first fastening configuration where the bracelet strand 30 is fixed to the middle 20, each pivot 2a takes place within the blind transverse opening 21a arranged in the internal flank 21b of each of the horns 21. This configuration is stable due to the elastic holding effect exerted by the elastic element 2c. As a note, in the first fastening configuration, all the aforementioned openings 21a, 1a, 31a are therefore aligned in the same direction, coaxially, along an axis A1. The articulation axis 2 is then arranged in this transverse direction of axis A1, extending from one horn 21 to the other.The articulation axis 2 may be made of a metal alloy such as steel or a super-alloy, a composite or a precious metal, such as gold or platinum, or may be made of a material which limits wear by friction, such as sintered ceramic, advantageously based on zirconia.

[0022] In addition, in order to reduce wear on the friction surfaces during articulation, the articulation axis 2 is locked in rotation relative to the fixing element 1 and relative to the middle 20. For this, a locking means 3 of the articulation axis 2 is used, without which the articulation axis would be free to rotate around its longitudinal axis, thus rubbing against the facing surfaces of the middle 20 and the fixing element 1. In this first embodiment, the locking means 3 essentially comprises a screw, screwed into a thread 3a arranged in the central part of the base of the fixing element 1, in a longitudinal direction. Such a screw is arranged so as to open perpendicularly into the through opening 1a of the fixing element 1 until it comes into contact with the articulation axis 2 in the first fixing configuration. This configuration is particularly illustrated by the figure 3 . In the fixing configuration, the body 2b of the hinge pin 2 is thus tightened by the screw so as to be blocked in rotation and in translation within the through opening 1a. Consequently, the body 2b of the hinge pin 2 no longer has any degree of freedom relative to the fixing element 1, and indirectly relative to the horns 21 of the middle part 20. Preferably, the thread 3a is machined so as to conceal the screw forming the locking means 3 when the bracelet strand 30 is assembled to the middle part 20. More preferably, the screw of the locking means 3 is a headless screw so that it can be completely embedded in the thread 3a. Thus, in this first embodiment, the screw of the locking means 3 is hidden or concealed between the two horns 21 when the bracelet strand 30 is assembled to the middle 20. In this way, the screw can advantageously not be unscrewed intentionally and / or accidentally.In addition, hiding or concealing the screw of the locking means 3 makes it possible to avoid spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the assembly. In a complementary and optional manner, the movement of the screw of the locking means 3 in the tightening direction can be limited by an axial stop machined within the tapping 3a and / or the screw 3. This axial stop makes it possible to define the optimal tightening of the articulation axis, and in particular to avoid excessive tightening of the articulation axis 2, by controlling the axial position of the screw.

[0023] Finally, in this first embodiment, only the connecting portions 31 retain freedom of rotational movement relative to the articulation axis 2, thus allowing the articulation of the bracelet strand 30 around this articulation axis 2, and therefore relative to the middle 20 and to the fixing element 1.

[0024] In addition, according to this first embodiment, optionally, an insert 4 is arranged at each interface of the articulation axis 2 with a connecting portion 31, in order to reduce wear at each of these interfaces. Thus, friction occurs at the contacts between the articulation axis and one or more inserts 4. Advantageously, an insert 4 is preferably in the form of a tube or a bearing, fixed or simply positioned within the transverse opening 31a of a connecting portion 31. The transverse opening 31a may comprise a bearing surface 31d whose function is to limit the axial displacement of the insert 4 and to control its position within the connecting portion 31, in an embodiment in which the insert 4 is not fixed to the connecting portion 31. Alternatively, an insert 4 may or may not be fixed to the body 2b of the articulation axis 2.Advantageously, the body 2b of the articulation axis 2 extends so as to cooperate with such an insert 4 at the level of a transverse opening 31a of a connecting portion 31.

[0025] As a note, by this arrangement, the articulation axis 2 makes it possible to form, in the second assembly configuration, a solid assembly comprising the fixing element 1 and the connecting portions 31 of the bracelet strand 30, and the optional inserts 4. The translational locking of the articulation axis 2 in fact makes it possible to prevent these elements from becoming detached.

[0026] Finally, the connecting portions 31 are therefore articulated relative to the middle 20 and to the fixing element 1 by cooperation of the body 2b of the articulation axis 2 with the inserts 4. The wear of this articulation is thus a function of the inserts 4. In order to minimize this wear, these inserts are advantageously made of a suitable material. For example, the inserts 4 may be made of sintered technical ceramic, based on zirconia. Alternatively, an insert may be made of a composite material, for example formed from a mixture of ceramic and a metal, or a polymer (thermoplastic for example). An insert may be formed entirely from such a material, or in part. For example, such a material may form a simple coating. Advantageously, an insert 4 has a hardness greater than or equal to 800 HV.As a note, this use of inserts advantageously makes it possible to produce the case middle, including its horns, as well as the fastening element 1, and even the connecting portion 31, in metal, in particular in precious metal, such as gold or platinum, in order to obtain the desired aesthetic rendering. In particular, the connecting portions 31 may be in the same material as the links of the bracelet strand. Similarly, the hinge pin 2 may be in steel or precious metal. Thus, such inserts 4 make it possible to reduce the wear of components such as the case middle 20, the bracelet strand 30, as well as the hinge pin 2 made of materials such as steel, a composite or a precious metal, such as gold or platinum. Naturally, other materials are conceivable, such as composite materials.

[0027] As a note, the connecting portions 31 preferably comprise a cutout 31c on their rear face, hidden from a wearer of the bracelet, this cutout 31c opening onto their transverse opening 31a, so that the pivots 2a are accessible by a user or a watchmaker. Thus, using a conventional watchmaker's tool such as tweezers, a pin or a spring bar fork, the pivots 2a can be manually positioned set back from the external flank 31b of the connecting portion 31, by acting against the elastic element 2c, so as to allow the bracelet strand 30 to be removed from the middle 20. Alternatively, such a cutout could be made in a horn 21 of the middle 20 or in the fixing element 1, to similarly allow the end portion forming a pivot of the articulation axis to be actuated.

[0028] More generally, the solution according to the invention is advantageously provided so that the assembly and disassembly of the bracelet strand 30 can be carried out in a conventional manner. The pivots 2a may in particular comprise a notch or a groove sized so as to receive the watchmaking tool and facilitate the action of positioning the pivots 2a in the recess. Preferably, when the bracelet strand 30 is removed from the caseband 20, the hinge pin 2 can be removed from the fixing element 1 by loosening the screw of the locking means 3. However, this solution is advantageous in that it allows the bracelet strand 30 and the fixing element 1 to be held together, by means of the hinge pin 2, in the second assembly configuration. Such a solution thus facilitates the handling and assembly of this assembly.The connecting portion 31 and the fixing element 1, connected together by the articulation axis 2, thus in effect form a fixing device remaining integral with the end of the bracelet strand 30, which can easily take place between the two horns 21 of the middle 20. This advantage is found in the other embodiments.

[0029] There figure 4 represents an assembly according to a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment by the locking means 3 only, the other components remaining substantially identical. In this second embodiment, the rotational locking of the body 2b of the articulation axis 2 is implemented by a keying-type arrangement. To do this, the tapping 3a is arranged in a direction substantially orthoradial to the axis A1, so that its peripheral wall opens substantially tangentially to the peripheral wall of the transverse opening 1a. The body 2b of the articulation axis comprises a groove 2d which extends in a direction orthoradial to the axis A1 and which is intended to be aligned with the tapping 3a. Thus, a screw of the locking means 3 is housed in the groove 2d of the articulation axis 2.More specifically, the screw comprises a portion 3b at its end, preferably cylindrical, intended to be housed against the groove 2d. This arrangement allows the screw to block with less play the rotation and translation of the body 2b of the articulation axis 2 relative to the fixing element 1. In this way, the body 2b of the articulation axis 2 no longer has any degree of freedom relative to the fixing element 1. In this embodiment, the bottom of the tapping 3a advantageously fulfills the function of a stop, so that the screw of the locking means 3 abuts axially against the bottom of the tapping 3a at the end of tightening, in order to control its axial position and allow it to be tightened within the tapping 3a without excessively constraining the articulation axis 2.

[0030] The invention has been illustrated for a case middle 20 comprising two horns 21. However, the invention is not limited to such a case middle geometry 20. By way of example, the figure 5represents a third embodiment, in which the middle part comprises a single horn 21, with two blind or through transverse openings 21a (which may in particular form a single through transverse opening) arranged at its two opposite faces, oriented along a transverse axis A1. To adapt to this middle part, the fastening element 1 comprises two projecting parts 1e, symmetrically arranged around the horn 21, at a distance from the horn 21 substantially equal to the width of a link of the bracelet strand. These projecting parts 1e comprise blind transverse openings 1a at their internal surface, always oriented along the axis A1. In this embodiment, the geometries of the horn 21 and the projecting parts 1e are therefore reversed relative to the previous embodiments.As a note, the two projecting parts 1e can be arranged on a single fastening element 1 or respectively on two separate fastening elements 1. The bracelet strand 30 can remain identical to that of the first two embodiments. The two connecting portions 31 of the bracelet strand 30 are housed around the horn 21, respectively between the horn 21 and a projecting part 1e. In this third embodiment, two articulation axes 2 are arranged along the axis A1, respectively to fix each connecting portion 31 in the horn 21 and on a projecting portion 1e. Each articulation axis 2 comprises at least one pivot 2a positioned in a transverse opening 21a of the horn 21, and a body 2b arranged in a projecting part 1e and at least partly through a transverse opening 31a of a connecting portion 31.On the other hand, each articulation axis 2 is blocked in rotation by a blocking means 3 arranged at the level of a projecting part 1e.

[0031] This third embodiment thus comprises two locking means 3, cooperating respectively with each hinge pin 2. Each locking means 3 can be presented according to one of the solutions of the two previous embodiments. At least one insert 4 is further arranged in each connecting portion 31, operating as described in the first embodiment. As a note, in this embodiment, the horn 21 of the middle part 20 is positioned in the space between the two connecting portions 31 of the at least one bracelet strand 30, and no longer a projecting part 1e of the fixing element 1 as in the previous embodiments.

[0032] According to an alternative embodiment, the transverse position of the projecting parts 1e and the transverse position of the connecting portions 31 can be reversed.

[0033] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the precise geometry of the various elements represented.

[0034] As mentioned previously, according to one embodiment, the connecting portions are arranged at the end of a bracelet strand. Two connecting portions have been described by way of example. The bracelet strand could alternatively comprise more than two connecting portions, in particular three, and more generally at least two.

[0035] On the other hand, when the bracelet strand comprises an assembly of links, in particular metal links, a connecting portion is advantageously in the form of a connecting link, arranged at the end of the bracelet strand, advantageously projecting, which comprises a shape identical or similar to other links of the bracelet strand, to give a continuous aesthetic rendering. The invention has been illustrated with a bracelet comprising five rows of links. Naturally, it could be applied to a bracelet comprising another number of rows of links, for example three. The connecting portions are advantageously links of the bracelet. However, as a variant, they could be distinct from the links of the bracelet, have a different geometry than these links.Thus, in the case where the bracelet strand comprises rigid links linked together in an articulated manner, it may comprise at least three or five rows of links extending longitudinally, these rows of links being juxtaposed and offset from each other so that two directly juxtaposed links, belonging to two rows of distinct links directly juxtaposed, are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. The connecting portions are advantageously formed by at least two end links, forming connecting links, belonging respectively to two rows of intermediate links separated by at least one row of links, so that said two end links are separated from each other by a space corresponding to the width of at least one link.

[0036] According to an alternative embodiment, the bracelet strand may be made of a flexible material, for example leather or a polymer (elastomer, thermoplastic, thermoplastic-elastomer). In this case, the connecting portions may be arranged at the end of the flexible bracelet strand, and may be made of a material such as steel, a composite or a precious metal, such as gold or platinum, or of a material which limits wear by friction, such as sintered ceramic, advantageously based on zirconia. Alternatively, the connecting portions 31 could be part of a bracelet strand 30 made of a flexible material, these connecting portions 31 also being made of this flexible material. Advantageously, at least one insert 4 would be arranged within it.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention has been illustrated with traditional case middles, with one or two horns. Naturally, such a horn could have any other geometry, not necessarily standardized. Similarly, the case middle could have any other geometry belonging to a watch case.

[0038] Advantageously, the arrangement on the case middle comes in the extension of the bracelet strand, and comprises a total width substantially equal to the width of the bracelet strand, measured in the transverse direction. Thus, the distance measured from an outer or inner end, preferably outer, of a first horn to the outer or inner end, preferably outer, of a second horn corresponds substantially to the width of the bracelet, in the case of a case middle with two horns as described in the first two embodiments.Alternatively, in the case of a case middle with a single horn, as described in the third embodiment, the distance measured from an outer or inner end, preferably inner, of a first projecting part to the outer or inner end, preferably inner, of a second projecting part, these projecting parts belonging to one or two fastening elements, corresponds substantially to the width of the bracelet.

[0039] As mentioned above, the arrangement may comprise one or two or more hinge pins. It thus comprises at least one hinge pin. Each hinge pin may have any geometry other than that shown. For example, the hinge pin may be wholly or partly non-cylindrical and comprise, for example, a square, trilobal or half-moon cross-section, so as in particular to block its rotation within its respective housing. The pin may also comprise at least one bearing surface to form an axial stop allowing precise positioning within its housing. Its pivot(s) are advantageously integrated into at least one horn of the caseband.

[0040] A locking means is used to prevent rotation of the axis relative to certain components, as described, in order to limit wear. Indeed, advantageously, it is sufficient to maintain a possible rotation of the bracelet strand relative to the watch case, either by rotation of the bracelet strand around the hinge axis, or by rotation of the watch case relative to this hinge axis. In the embodiments described, the locking means acts on the axis at the level of the fixing element. Alternatively, it could therefore act at the level of a horn or at the level of a connecting portion of the bracelet strand: in the latter case, the hinge axis 2 would therefore be fixed within the connecting portions 31, and free to rotate at the level of the fixing element and at least one horn. Optionally, one or more inserts are arranged at the level of the hinge axis where the rotations are free, to form robust and controlled friction surfaces.

[0041] On the other hand, the locking means may be implemented by a solution other than those described. For example, it may comprise a non-circular section of the articulation axis, cooperating with a corresponding section of the transverse openings 31a of respectively the at least two connecting portions 31 or of the transverse opening of the at least one projecting part of the fixing element and / or of the transverse opening of the at least one horn, so as to lock the articulation axis in rotation relative to the fixing element and / or to the at least one horn. As a variant or in addition, the locking means may comprise an added element, in particular a key or a screw as described above, opening into a transverse opening so as to come into contact with the articulation axis for its locking in rotation and possibly in translation, by friction and / or by forming an obstacle.

[0042] The fastening element makes it possible to complete the case middle and / or the bracelet strand, to form a separate and complementary element facilitating the attachment of the bracelet strand to the watch case. Thus, the fastening element could have any shape allowing the reception of a hinge pin. It can be associated with a watch case using several approaches. For example, this association can be a simple interlocking without attachment, by a shape allowing the degrees of freedom to be limited or eliminated, the hinge pin(s) then ensuring its retention. Alternatively, the fastening element can be attached to the watch case by a fastening means, such as a screw, clipping, driving, gluing or welding.

[0043] An optional insert has been considered to minimize frictional wear. Such an insert could be, in whole or in part, non-cylindrical and include, for example, a square, trilobal or half-moon cross-section, so as to notably block its rotation within its respective housing or with respect to the axis. An insert could also include at least one bearing surface to form an axial stop allowing precise positioning within its housing.

Claims

1. Timepiece, in particular wristwatch, comprising at least one bracelet strand (30) extending in a longitudinal direction and removably attached to a case middle (20), which thus occupies a first attachment configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand (30) is attached to the case middle (20) and a second assembly configuration in which the at least one bracelet strand (30) is detached from the case middle (20), characterized in that: - the case middle (20) comprises at least one horn (21), comprising a transverse opening (21a), - the timepiece comprises at least one fastening element (1), distinct from the case middle (20) and from the at least one bracelet strand (30), comprising a transverse opening (1a), - the end of the at least one bracelet strand (30) comprises at least two connecting portions (31), in particular at least two connecting links, projecting in the longitudinal direction at the end of the at least one bracelet strand (30) and being transversely separated from each other by a space, the at least two connecting portions (31) each comprising transverse openings (31a), - in the first fastening configuration, at least one articulation axis (2) is housed in said transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21), in said transverse opening (1a) of the at least one fastening element (1),and in said transverse openings (31a) of respectively the at least two connecting portions (31) of the bracelet, so as to keep fixed together the middle part (20), the at least one bracelet strand (30) and the at least one fixing element (1), - in the first fixing configuration, a locking means (3) blocks the at least one articulation axis (2) in rotation relative to the at least one horn (21) and relative to the at least one fixing element (1) or relative to the connecting portions (31), so that respectively only the at least two connecting portions (31) of the at least one bracelet strand (30) or the at least one horn (21) and the at least one fixing element (1) are movable in rotation about the at least one articulation axis (2)., 2. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatin the first fastening configuration, a horn (21) of the middle part (20) or a projecting part (1e) of the at least one fastening element (1) comprising the transverse opening (1a) is positioned in said space between the two connecting portions (31) of the at least one bracelet strand (30).

3. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insert (4), in particular a tube or a bearing, is arranged in the transverse openings (31a) of respectively each connecting portion (31) of the at least one bracelet strand (30) or in the transverse opening (1a) of at least one fixing element (1) and / or in the transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21) to form an interface in the first fixing configuration and limit wear by friction.

4. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatsaid insert (4) is entirely made of sintered technical ceramic, or of composite material formed from a mixture of technical ceramic and a metal or a polymer, or comprises a coating of sintered technical ceramic, or of composite material formed from a mixture of technical ceramic and a metal or a polymer, and / or has a hardness greater than or equal to 800 HV.

5. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the at least one bracelet strand (30) comprises rigid links linked together in an articulated manner, and comprises at least three or five rows of links extending longitudinally, these rows of links being juxtaposed and offset from each other so that two directly juxtaposed links, belonging to two separate rows of links directly juxtaposed, are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction, the at least two connecting portions (31) consisting of two end links belonging respectively to two rows of links separated by at least one row of links, so that said two end links are separated from each other by said space corresponding to the width of at least one link; or - the at least one bracelet strand (30) is flexible, and comprises the at least two connecting portions projecting at its end.

6. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first fixing configuration, the locking means (3) locks the at least one articulation axis (2) in translation in the transverse direction.

7. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the second assembly configuration, the locking means (3) locks the at least one articulation axis (2) in translation in the transverse direction so as to maintain the at least one fixing element (1) assembled to the at least two connecting portions (31).

8. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe locking means (3) consists of: - a non-circular section of the at least one articulation axis (2), cooperating with a corresponding section of the transverse openings (31a) of respectively the at least two connecting portions (31) or of the transverse opening (1a) of the at least one projecting part (1e) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or of the transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21), so as to lock the at least one articulation axis (2) in rotation relative to the at least two connecting portions (31) or to the at least one fixing element (1) and / or to the at least one horn (21), or - an added element, in particular a headless screw,opening into the transverse opening (31a) of respectively the at least two connecting portions (31) or the transverse opening (1a) of the at least one projecting part (1e) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or the transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21) so as to come into contact with the at least one articulation axis (2) for its locking in rotation and possibly in translation, by friction and / or obstacle., 9. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first fixing configuration, the locking means (3) is arranged so as to be hidden or concealed and inaccessible, to avoid accidental unlocking.

10. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe locking means (3) is a screw, screwed into a thread (3a) arranged in the transverse opening (31a) of respectively the at least two connecting portions (31) or of the transverse opening (1a) of the at least one fixing element (1) and / or of the transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21), and in that the locking means (3) and / or the tapping (3a) comprises a stop making it possible to define the optimal tightening of the articulation axis (2) in the first fixing configuration.

11. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first fixing configuration, the at least one fixing element (1) is positioned in a housing of the middle part (20) to implement a connection without a degree of freedom between the at least one fixing element (1) and the middle part (20), or in thatin the first fixing configuration, the at least one fixing element (1) is fixed to the middle part (20) by a fixing means, such as screwing, driving, gluing, or clipping.

12. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing element (1) comprises a base having a volume defined to fit, in an adjusted manner, between the two horns (21) of the middle part (20) in the case of a middle part (20) with two horns (21), and / or in that the fixing element (1) comprises a base comprising a surface intended to come into contact with the surface of the case (20) thereby matching the curvature of this surface of the case (20), and / or in thatthe fixing element (1) comprises a base comprising a projecting connecting portion (1c), in particular in the form of a rib, respectively a hollow portion, intended to cooperate with a complementary hollow portion (22), respectively a complementary projection, of the middle part (20).

13. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one articulation axis (2) comprises at least one end portion forming a pivot (2a) held projecting under the effect of an elastic element (2c), such as a coil spring, this at least one end portion forming a pivot (2a) being housed in a transverse opening (21a) of the at least one horn (21) in the first fixing configuration.

14. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatit comprises a cutout (31c) in a connecting portion (31), a horn (21) of the middle (20) or in the at least one fixing element (1), to enable the at least one end portion forming a pivot (2a) projecting from the at least one articulation axis (2) to be actuated, and to bring it from its projecting position to a retracted position, against the force exerted by the elastic element (2c), to pass from the first fixing configuration to the second assembly configuration and vice versa.

15. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle (20) comprises two horns (21) each comprising a blind transverse opening (21a), in that the at least one fixing element (1) comprises a single projecting part (1e) arranged between said two horns (21) and extending substantially parallel to said two horns (21), in the first fixing configuration, and in thatthe at least one bracelet strand (30) comprises two connecting portions (31) respectively arranged between a horn (21) and the projecting part (1e) of the at least one fixing element (1), in the first fixing configuration, so as to align the blind transverse openings (21a) of the two horns (21), the transverse through opening (1a) of the at least one fixing element (1) and the two transverse through openings (31a) of respectively each of the two connecting portions (31), all these openings receiving the at least one articulation axis (2) in the first fixing configuration.

16. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in thatthe middle part (20) comprises a single horn (21) comprising at least one transverse opening (21a) passing through, the fixing element(s) (1) comprise two projecting parts (1e) arranged respectively on either side of the horn (21) and extending substantially parallel to said horn (21), in the first fixing configuration, and the at least one bracelet strand (30) comprises two connecting portions (31) respectively arranged between the horn (21) and a projecting part (1e), in the first fixing configuration, so as to align the at least one transverse opening (21a) of the horn (21), the blind transverse openings (1a) of respectively each of the two projecting parts (1e) and the two transverse openings (31a) passing through respectively each of the two connecting portions (31), all these openings receiving the at least one hinge pin (2) in the first fixing configuration.

17. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total width of the at least one bracelet strand (30) measured in the transverse direction is equal to the distance from an outer or inner end of a first horn (21) to the outer or inner end of a second horn (21) in the case of a middle part (20) with two horns (21) or is equal to the distance measured from an inner or outer end of a first projecting part (1e) to the inner or outer end of a second projecting part (1e) of the at least one fastening element (1) in the case of a middle part (20) with a single horn (21).

Images