Watch component, watch, and method for manufacturing watch component

Abstract

A watch component includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface, and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface, in which the first surface has a pattern formed by laser processing.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a watch component, a watch, and a method for manufacturing a watch component.2. Related Art

[0002] For example, JP-A-2016-183961 discloses a method of decorating a watch component, the method including a step of performing deep processing using a femtosecond laser and a step of forming a surface structure by, for example, grinding. The decoration performed by the two steps partially overlaps with each other. The femtosecond laser is an example of a pulse laser.

[0003] However, in the method of decorating a watch component disclosed in JP-A-2016-183961, when the watch component is processed to have a surface which is recessed, such as a recessed portion, a tool interferes with another surface, and a region which is difficult to decorate is generated.SUMMARY

[0004] A watch component according to an application example of the present disclosure includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface, and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface, in which the first surface has a pattern formed by laser processing.

[0005] A watch according to an application example of the present disclosure includes the above-described watch component and a case member which accommodates the watch component and includes a transparent portion through which the watch component is visible.

[0006] A method for manufacturing a watch component according to an application example of the present disclosure includes a step of preparing a substrate which includes a first surface facing a first direction and having a through-hole, a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface, and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface, a structure formation step of forming a mirror-finished surface around the through-hole, and a laser decoration step of forming a pattern on the first surface by laser processing, which is performed after the structure formation step.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front side of a watch. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a rear side of the watch. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a train wheel bridge of the watch. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a winding rotor of the watch. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a method for manufacturing a watch component. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for describing laser decoration of the watch component. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a front side of a watch according to a second embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS1. First embodiment

[0008] Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of a watch 1 according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front side of a watch 1; and FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a rear side of the watch 1.

[0009] The watch 1 is an electrically controlled mechanical watch. The watch 1 includes an outer case 2. The outer case 2 includes a case body 3, a cover glass (not shown), and a case back 4. The case body 3 has a cylindrical shape and has two openings. An opening on a front surface side of the two openings is sealed with the cover glass. An opening on a rear surface side of the two openings is sealed with the case back 4. A space is partitioned inside the outer case 2 by the case body 3, the cover glass, and the case back 4. A watch component is accommodated in the partitioned space of the outer case 2. The outer case 2 corresponds to a case member.

[0010] A dial 6 for displaying 12 o'watch is disposed inside the outer case 2. The dial 6 is visible from the front surface side of the watch 1 through the cover glass.

[0011] The case back 4 includes a ring-shaped frame 4A and a transparent case back glass 4B attached to the frame 4A. The case back glass 4B is an example of a transparent portion. The case back 4 allows the accommodated watch component to be visible from the rear surface side of the watch 1. The watch 1 is a so-called transparent case back wristwatch. In addition, a strap 5 is attached to the outer case 2. In FIG. 2, a state in which the strap 5 is detached is shown.

[0012] In the following description, an axis parallel to a surface of the dial 6 and parallel to a straight line of the dial 6, connecting 9 o'watch and 3 o'watch, is defined as an X axis; and an axis parallel to the surface of the dial 6 and parallel to a straight line of the dial 6, connecting 12 o'watch and 6 o'watch, is defined as a Y axis. In addition, a normal direction of the surface of the dial 6 is defined as a Z axis. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other.

[0013] In a direction parallel to the X axis, a direction from 9 o'watch to 3 o'watch of the dial 6 is a +X direction, and an opposite direction is a -X direction. In addition, in a direction parallel to the Y axis, a direction from 6 o'watch to 12 o'watch of the dial 6 is a +Y direction, and an opposite direction is a -Y direction. In addition, in a direction parallel to the Z axis, a direction from the case back 4 to the cover glass is a +Z direction, and an opposite direction is a -Z direction. A plan view from the Z axis direction may be simply referred to as "plan view".

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the watch 1 includes the dial 6 and a pointer 7 which indicates time information inside the outer case 2. The pointer 7 includes an hour hand 7A, a minute hand 7B, and a seconds hand 7C. Each pointer 7 is disposed on a +Z side with respect to the dial 6. The dial 6 is provided with graduations of each pointer 7 and a calendar window 8. A date indicator 8A is visible from the calendar window 8.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the watch 1 further includes a movement 10, a train wheel bridge 11, a winding rotor 12, and a power reserve hand 13 inside the outer case 2.

[0016] The movement 10 is disposed on the -Z side with respect to the dial 6. The movement 10 is a driving mechanism of the watch 1 and is driven by a mainspring (not shown). The movement 10 includes a plurality of train wheels (not shown).

[0017] The train wheel bridge 11 is disposed on the -Z side in the movement 10 as a part of components constituting the movement 10. The train wheel bridge 11 is a disk-shaped component which rotatably supports axes of a plurality of gears constituting the train wheel. The train wheel bridge 11 is visible from the rear surface side of the watch 1. The train wheel bridge 11 is a component which has the largest visible area from the rear surface side among the watch components disposed inside the outer case 2. Details of the train wheel bridge 11 will be described later.

[0018] The winding rotor 12 is a component having a substantially semicircular shape in the plan view, and is provided to be rotatable about an axis C of the watch 1. A circular portion is a heavy object having a large mass, and is rotatable like a pendulum. For example, the winding rotor 12 rotates in response to a movement of a wrist of a person wearing the watch 1. The winding rotor 12 rotates to wind the mainspring. The winding rotor 12 is a part of a so-called automatic winding mechanism. Details of the winding rotor 12 will be described later.

[0019] The power reserve hand 13 indicates a winding-up amount of the mainspring. The power reserve hand 13 is disposed on the -Z side with respect to the train wheel bridge 11.

[0020] The watch 1 further includes a crown 14 on an outer surface of the outer case 2. When a person rotates the crown 14, the mainspring can be wound. The power reserve hand 13 rotates in conjunction with the winding of the mainspring. When the power reserve hand 13 rotates, a position indicated by the power reserve hand 13 with respect to the train wheel bridge 11 moves. In addition, a person can move the hour hand 7A and the minute hand 7B to adjust the time or move the date indicator 8A, thereby adjusting the date by pulling the crown 14 to the +X side.1.1. Train wheel bridge

[0021] Next, the train wheel bridge 11 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The train wheel bridge 11 is an example of the watch component. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the train wheel bridge 11. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for describing a part of a surface shape of the train wheel bridge 11 visible from the -Z direction, and does not show an internal structure. In addition, in FIG. 4, in order to make it easier to understand, there is a portion where a ratio of dimensions of each part is different from the actual ratio.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the train wheel bridge 11 includes a base portion 21, a circular portion 22, and a flange portion 23.

[0023] The base portion 21 has a circular shape centered on the axis C in the plan view, and rotatably supports axes of a plurality of gears constituting the train wheel. Furthermore, the base portion 21 rotatably supports the power reserve hand 13 (see FIG. 2), and includes graduations indicating the winding-up amount of the mainspring.

[0024] The base portion 21 includes a main surface 26 and a peripheral surface 27. The main surface 26 and the peripheral surface 27 face the -Z direction, respectively. A direction in which the main surface 26 and the peripheral surface 27 face corresponds to the first direction. The main surface 26 is located on the -Z side with respect to the peripheral surface 27, and is surrounded by the peripheral surface 27 in the plan view. That is, in the Z axis direction, when the -Z side is set as an upper side and the +Z side is set as a lower side, the peripheral surface 27 is located on the lower side with respect to the main surface 26.

[0025] The circular portion 22 is a circular portion of the base portion 21, and includes an arc-shaped portion in the plan view. The circular portion 22 includes a cylindrical surface 24 and a conical surface 25. The cylindrical surface 24 is parallel to the Z axis. The conical surface 25 couples the peripheral surface 27 and the cylindrical surface 24, and faces a direction inclined at an acute angle from the -Z direction.

[0026] The flange portion 23 is a portion which is coupled to the cylindrical surface 24 and protrudes in a direction opposite to the axis C from the cylindrical surface 24. The flange portion 23 is provided on the +Z side with respect to the peripheral surface 27. The flange portion 23 has a flange shape along a periphery of the cylindrical surface 24. A portion where the flange portion 23 is not provided is partially provided on the periphery of the cylindrical surface 24.1.1.1. First level difference portion

[0027] The flange portion 23 includes a flange surface 23A. The flange surface 23A is located on the +Z side with respect to the peripheral surface 27, and faces the -Z direction. In other words, the peripheral surface 27 is located on the -Z side with respect to the flange surface 23A. A first level difference portion 28 is configured by the peripheral surface 27, the circular portion 22, and the flange surface 23A. A difference in position between the peripheral surface 27 and the flange surface 23A in the Z axis direction is a level difference in the first level difference portion 28. In the first level difference portion 28, the flange surface 23A corresponds to the first surface, and the peripheral surface 27 corresponds to the second surface. Since the circular portion 22 couples the peripheral surface 27 and the flange surface 23A, the circular portion 22 corresponds to a coupling portion in the first level difference portion 28.

[0028] Brass is used as a material of the train wheel bridge 11. The main surface 26, the peripheral surface 27, and the flange surface 23A each have a frosted pattern formed by laser processing. The frosted pattern of the peripheral surface 27 and the flange surface 23A is provided over the entire surface. In a region of the flange surface 23A where the frosted pattern is formed, there is a region which is difficult to decorate by a general decoration method. The region which is difficult to decorate is a region where a tool used for decoration interferes with the cylindrical surface 24 or the conical surface 25 and a tool cannot come into contact with the flange surface 23A. Such a train wheel bridge 11 in which the flange-shaped portion is decorated with the frosted pattern can be provided.

[0029] The conical surface 25 is a so-called diamond cut, and a surface state is a mirror-finished surface. The frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface have different light reflectivity. In the plan view, the mirror-finished surface of the conical surface 25 is positioned adjacent to the frosted pattern of the flange surface 23A, so that the contrast can be emphasized. Therefore, the train wheel bridge 11 having excellent aesthetics can be provided.

[0030] As described above, when the peripheral surface 27 and the flange surface 23A are the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface of the conical surface 25 is positioned between two surfaces including the frosted pattern in the plan view, the contrast between the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface can be further emphasized. Furthermore, when the peripheral surface 27 and the flange surface 23A form the level difference in the Z axis direction, a size of the mirror-finished surface and the manner of light reflection change depending on a viewing angle. Therefore, the train wheel bridge 11 having excellent aesthetics can be provided.

[0031] Furthermore, since the main surface 26 also includes the frosted pattern, the region of the frosted pattern is further increased with respect to the mirror-finished surface region of the conical surface 25. As a result, the contrast between the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface can be further emphasized. Therefore, the train wheel bridge 11 having more excellent aesthetics can be provided.1.1.2. Second level difference portion

[0032] The base portion 21 includes a second level difference portion 29. As shown in FIG. 4, the second level difference portion 29 is configured by the main surface 26 and a recessed portion 30. The recessed portion 30 is surrounded by the main surface 26 in the plan view and is open to the -Z side. The recessed portion 30 includes a recessed portion bottom surface 31 and a recessed portion-side wall portion 32. The recessed portion bottom surface 31 is located on the +Z side with respect to the main surface 26, and faces the -Z side. In other words, the main surface 26 is located on the -Z side with respect to the recessed portion bottom surface 31. The graduations of the power reserve hand 13 (see FIG. 3) are provided on the recessed portion bottom surface 31. The recessed portion-side wall portion 32 connects the recessed portion bottom surface 31 and the main surface 26. Since the recessed portion-side wall portion 32 couples the recessed portion bottom surface 31 and the main surface 26, the recessed portion-side wall portion 32 corresponds to a coupling portion in the second level difference portion 29.

[0033] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a part of the main surface 26 which surrounds the recessed portion 30 in the plan view is not connected, but a length of the part is clearly shorter than half of a periphery of the recessed portion 30. Therefore, the recessed portion 30 is surrounded by the main surface 26.

[0034] The main surface 26 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 face the -Z direction. The recessed portion-side wall portion 32 has a recessed portion-side surface 32A and a recessed portion inclined surface 32B. The recessed portion-side surface 32A is coupled to the recessed portion bottom surface 31, and faces a direction orthogonal to the Z axis. The recessed portion inclined surface 32B is coupled to the main surface 26, and faces a direction inclined at an acute angle from the -Z direction. A difference in position between the main surface 26 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 in the Z axis direction is a level difference in the second level difference portion 29. In the second level difference portion 29, the recessed portion bottom surface 31 corresponds to the first surface, and the main surface 26 corresponds to the second surface.

[0035] The recessed portion bottom surface 31 has a frosted pattern formed by laser processing. The frosted pattern of the recessed portion bottom surface 31 is provided over the entire surface. In a region where the frosted pattern is formed, there is a region which is difficult to decorate by a general decoration method. The region which is difficult to decorate is a region where a tool used for decoration interferes with the recessed portion inclined surface 32B or the recessed portion-side surface 32A and a tool cannot come into contact with the recessed portion bottom surface 31. An example of the region is a region B surrounded by a two-dot chain line. Since the region B is a region closer to the recessed portion-side surface 32A than a center portion in the recessed portion bottom surface 31, it is more difficult to decorate. Such a train wheel bridge 11 in which the bottom of the recessed portion 30 is decorated with the frosted pattern can be provided.

[0036] The recessed portion inclined surface 32B is a diamond cut, and a surface state is a mirror-finished surface. In the plan view, the recessed portion inclined surface 32B surrounds the recessed portion bottom surface 31. In other words, in the plan view, the mirror-finished surface surrounds the frosted pattern. Since the main surface 26 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 have the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface is positioned between two surfaces including the frosted pattern in the plan view, the same effect as the first level difference portion 28 can be obtained as described above.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the recessed portion bottom surface 31 includes a region overlapping a rotation trajectory of the power reserve hand 13. Since the recessed portion bottom surface 31 has the frosted pattern, the watch 1 having excellent visibility of the power reserve hand 13 can be provided.1.1.3. Third level difference portion

[0038] The description returns to FIG. 3. The base portion 21 includes a third level difference portion 33. The third level difference portion 33 is configured by the main surface 26, a bottom surface 34, and a coupling wall portion 35. The bottom surface 34 is a part of the peripheral surface 27, and is a region which is partially surrounded by the main surface 26 in the plan view. As described above, the main surface 26 and the bottom surface 34 face the -Z direction, and the main surface 26 is located on the -Z side with respect to the bottom surface 34. The coupling wall portion 35 couples the main surface 26 and the bottom surface 34. The coupling wall portion 35 includes a surface facing a direction orthogonal to the Z axis. A difference in position between the main surface 26 and the bottom surface 34 in the Z axis direction is a level difference in the third level difference portion 33. In the third level difference portion 33, the bottom surface 34 corresponds to the first surface, the main surface 26 corresponds to the second surface, and the coupling wall portion 35 corresponds to the coupling portion.

[0039] A plurality of through-holes 36 are provided in the bottom surface 34. The plurality of through-holes 36 include a through-hole 36A which allows a part of the movement 10 on a side opposite to the train wheel bridge 11 to be visible when the watch 1 is viewed from the case back 4 side. The plurality of through-holes 36 include a through-hole 36B in which a hole jewel is incorporated to support an axis of the train wheel. A diamond cut 37 is provided around the through-holes 36. A surface state of the diamond cut 37 is a mirror-finished surface.

[0040] The bottom surface 34 in the third level difference portion 33 has a frosted pattern formed by laser processing. The frosted pattern of the bottom surface 34 is provided over the entire surface, excluding the through-holes 36 and the diamond cut 37. In a region where the frosted pattern is formed, there is a region which is difficult to decorate by a general decoration method. The region which is difficult to decorate is a region where a tool used for decoration interferes with the main surface 26 or the coupling wall portion 35 and a tool cannot come into contact with the bottom surface 34.

[0041] That is, the bottom surface 34 has the through-holes 36 and a mirror-finished surface disposed around the through-holes 36. Furthermore, in the plan view, the frosted pattern surrounds the mirror-finished surface.

[0042] In the train wheel bridge 11, since the frosted pattern is formed over the entire surface of the bottom surface 34 recessed on the +Z side with respect to the main surface 26, the train wheel bridge 11 has excellent aesthetics. In addition, since the frosted pattern is provided at a position adjacent to the mirror-finished surface of the diamond cut 37, the train wheel bridge 11 having more excellent aesthetics can be provided. In addition, in the watch 1 including the above-described train wheel bridge 11, the frosted pattern of the bottom surface 34 and the mirror-finished surface of the diamond cut 37 are combined with a component on a side opposite to the through-holes 36, and a hole jewel or the like incorporated into the through-holes 36 to express an elegant and delicate design. Therefore, the watch 1 having excellent aesthetics can be provided.1.2. Winding rotor

[0043] Next, the winding rotor 12 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. The winding rotor 12 is an example of the watch component.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the winding rotor 12 includes a coupling portion 41, a weight portion 42, and a center shaft portion 43. The center shaft portion 43 is fixed to a bearing (not shown) provided in the train wheel bridge 11, and is rotatable about the axis C. The coupling portion 41 couples the center shaft portion 43 and the weight portion 42, and is formed in a substantially fan shape in the plan view. The weight portion 42 is continuously formed at an outer peripheral side of the coupling portion 41, and an outer periphery thereof is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis C. The weight portion 42 corresponds to an outer peripheral portion of the winding rotor 12. The winding rotor 12 is formed of tungsten as a material in an integrated manner.

[0045] The weight portion 42 includes a first rotor surface 44 and a second rotor surface 45. The first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 face the -Z direction, and positions thereof in the Z axis direction are different from each other. The first rotor surface 44 is located on the +Z side with respect to the second rotor surface 45, and is located on an outer peripheral side with respect to the second rotor surface 45. In other words, the second rotor surface 45 is located on the -Z side with respect to the first rotor surface 44. The first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 are coupled by a rotor wall portion 46. The rotor wall portion 46 includes a rotor portion-side surface 47 and a rotor portion conical surface 48. The rotor portion-side surface 47 faces a direction orthogonal to the Z axis. The rotor portion conical surface 48 couples the rotor portion-side surface 47 and the second rotor surface 45, and faces a direction inclined at an acute angle from the -Z direction. When the winding rotor 12 is the watch component, the first rotor surface 44 corresponds to the first surface, and the second rotor surface 45 corresponds to the second surface.

[0046] In the winding rotor 12, a fourth level difference portion 49 is configured by the first rotor surface 44, the rotor wall portion 46, and the second rotor surface 45. A difference in position between the first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 in the Z axis direction is a level difference in the fourth level difference portion 49.

[0047] The first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 each have a frosted pattern formed by laser processing. The frosted pattern of the first rotor surface 44 and the frosted pattern of the second rotor surface 45 are provided over the entire surface. In a region of the first rotor surface 44 where the frosted pattern is formed, there is a region which is difficult to decorate by a general decoration method. The region that is difficult to decorate is a region where a tool used for decoration interferes with the second rotor surface 45 or the rotor wall portion 46 and a tool cannot come into contact with the first rotor surface 44. The rotor portion conical surface 48 is a diamond cut. A surface state of the rotor portion conical surface 48 is a mirror-finished surface.

[0048] As described above, the first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 are the frosted pattern, and the mirror-finished surface is positioned between two surfaces including the frosted pattern in the plan view. As a result, the contrast between the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface of the rotor portion conical surface 48 can be emphasized. Furthermore, when the first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 form the level difference in the Z axis direction, the shape of the mirror-finished surface and the manner of light reflection change depending on a viewing angle. Therefore, the winding rotor 12 having excellent aesthetics can be provided.

[0049] Furthermore, a surface of the coupling portion 41 on the -Z side also has the frosted pattern formed by laser processing. As a result, the region of the frosted pattern is further increased with respect to the mirror-finished surface region of the rotor portion conical surface 48, and thus the contrast between the frosted pattern and the mirror-finished surface can be further emphasized. Therefore, the winding rotor 12 having more excellent aesthetics can be provided.

[0050] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the watch 1 in which the train wheel bridge 11 and the winding rotor 12 according to the present embodiment are incorporated, as described above, each of the train wheel bridge 11 and the winding rotor 12 has the level difference in the Z axis direction. In each level difference, a surface located on the +Z side is laser-processed to have the frosted pattern. In each surface having the frosted pattern, the positions of the surfaces relatively change by the rotation of the winding rotor 12, so that a person can feel freshness each time the person views the rear surface side of the watch 1.

[0051] In addition, in the plan view, a trajectory of the weight portion 42 during rotation overlaps the flange portion 23 and the conical surface 25 of the train wheel bridge 11. When the weight portion 42 rotates, the mirror-finished surface of the rotor portion conical surface 48 changes position, and thus a region of the mirror-finished surface of the conical surface 25 which is visible changes. As a result, a person can feel freshness each time the person views the rear surface side of the watch 1.1.3. Method for manufacturing train wheel bridge

[0052] Next, a method for manufacturing the train wheel bridge 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing the method for manufacturing the watch component. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for describing laser decoration of the watch component, and shows a state in which the flange surface 23A is decorated as an example of a processing portion.

[0053] The method for manufacturing the watch component includes a structure formation step S10, a laser decoration step S20, and a plating step S30.

[0054] In the structure formation step S10, a processing of removing a part of the material by bringing a tool into contact with the material is included, and thus a structure of the surface of the train wheel bridge 11 is formed. First, a substrate 66 which is a material of the train wheel bridge 11 is prepared. A material of the substrate 66 is brass. The prepared substrate 66 is set in an NC working machine. The substrate 66 set in the NC working machine is processed by a tool such as an end mill, and a contour, surface unevenness, and the through-holes 36 of the train wheel bridge 11 are formed. As a result, the structure of the train wheel bridge 11 is formed. The formed structure includes the first level difference portion 28, the second level difference portion 29, and the third level difference portion 33 described above.

[0055] The structure formation step S10 includes a diamond cut formation step S11. In the diamond cut formation step S11, the conical surface 25 provided in the first level difference portion 28, the recessed portion inclined surface 32B provided in the second level difference portion 29, and the diamond cut 37 provided around the through-holes 36 in the third level difference portion 33 are formed. The diamond cut is formed using a diamond cutter. The diamond cutter is a tool in which diamond fine powder is bonded by a bonding agent. The diamond cutter may be selected according to each diamond cut. Here, the surface state of each diamond cut formed at the substrate 66 is the mirror-finished surface.

[0056] In the structure formation step S10, a type of a processing device to be used is not particularly limited to the NC working machine. For example, a machining center or a composite processing machine may be used; or a lathe, a jig borer, a tapping center, or the like may be used according to the portion to be processed.

[0057] In addition, an order of the portions to be processed is not particularly limited, but it is desirable that the diamond cut formation step S11 in each level difference portion is performed after the processing of other portions in the structure formation step S10. Specifically, it is desirable that the diamond cuts of the first level difference portion 28 and the second level difference portion 29 are formed after the respective level differences are formed. It is desirable that the diamond cut of the third level difference portion 33 is formed after the level differences and the through-holes 36 are formed. In this manner, the diamond cut can be prevented from being scratched.

[0058] In addition, when the diamond cut is not required in the watch component to be manufactured, the diamond cut formation step S11 is not performed.

[0059] Next, in the laser decoration step S20, the frosted pattern is formed by a laser processing machine 60. The surface on which the frosted pattern is formed includes the surface processed in the structure formation step S10.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the laser processing machine 60 includes a laser irradiation section 61, a moving mechanism (not shown), and a control device 62. The laser irradiation section 61 includes a laser emitting unit 63 and a focusing optical system 64. The laser emitting unit 63 emits a nanosecond laser having a pulse width in a nanosecond range as a pulse laser 65. The focusing optical system 64 focuses the pulse laser 65 on a focusing portion 65A. The focusing unit 65A has a high energy density of the laser and removes metal particles from the surface of the substrate 66 to be processed. Therefore, when the pulse laser 65 is emitted to the substrate 66, a processing mark 67 is formed at the surface of the substrate 66. An irradiation direction of the laser in FIG. 7 is, for example, the +Z direction. A size of the processing mark 67 can be adjusted by a spot diameter of the pulse laser 65 controlled by the focusing optical system 64. The spot diameter is a diameter of the focusing unit 65A in the plan view.

[0061] The moving mechanism is a mechanism which moves a table on which the substrate 66 is placed. When the table is moved, the pulse laser 65 emitted from the laser irradiation section 61 is relatively moved with respect to the substrate 66. FIG. 7 shows that the frosted pattern is formed by irradiating the flange surface 23A processed in the structure formation step S10 with the pulse laser 65 to randomly dispose a large number of processing marks 67.

[0062] In the present embodiment, as set conditions of the pulse laser 65, a frequency is set to 160 kHz and the spot diameter is set to 30 µm; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and the set conditions may be appropriately set according to desired aesthetics.

[0063] As described above, the spot diameter of the pulse laser 65 is smaller than a size of the tool used in the structure formation step S10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the frosted pattern can be formed at a desired position on a surface at a lower side in the level difference, that is, a surface on a side far from the laser irradiation section 61 in the laser irradiation direction. That is, the frosted pattern can be formed over the entire surface at the flange surface 23A in the first level difference portion 28, the recessed portion bottom surface 31 in the second level difference portion 29, the bottom surface 34 in the third level difference portion 33, and the first rotor surface 44 in the fourth level difference portion 49. In addition, since the irradiation position of the pulse laser 65 is accurately controlled by the moving mechanism, the frosted pattern can be formed without scratching the diamond cut formed in the diamond cut formation step S11. Furthermore, since the processing condition is extremely stable, variation in the decoration state between the components can be suppressed. Therefore, by using the laser decoration, mass production of a stable yield can be performed.

[0064] Next, in the plating step S30, the surface processed in the structure formation step S10 and the surface decorated in the laser decoration step S20 are subjected to a plating treatment. In the plating treatment, nickel (Ni) plating is performed on a base layer, and rhodium (Rh) plating is performed on a surface layer using an electrolytic plating tank. The surface decorated in the laser decoration step S20 is white by the rhodium plating. Thereafter, a bearing, a hole jewel, and a screw are attached to the substrate 66 to form the train wheel bridge 11.

[0065] In the plating step S30, the material for the base layer plating is described as nickel; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and may be, for example, gold (Au).

[0066] In addition, in the plating step S30, the material for the surface layer plating is described as rhodium; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and may be, for example, nickel, gold, or silver (Ag), and may be selected according to desired aesthetics.

[0067] In addition, the method for manufacturing the watch component is not necessarily limited to including the structure formation step S10. That is, the substrate 66 in which the desired structure is formed may be prepared, for example, by purchasing from an external supplier. That is, the structure formation step S10 is an example of a step of preparing the substrate 66.

[0068] As described above, in the laser processing, the processing can be performed even in a region where the processing cannot be performed by a tool which comes into contact with the material and interferes with another surface, by setting a condition such as the spot diameter and the irradiation direction of the laser light. Therefore, for example, a watch component in which the entire surface recessed as in the recessed portion 30 is decorated can be provided.

[0069] In addition, for example, a watch component in which the frosted pattern is decorated on the surface recessed as in the recessed portion 30 can be provided.2. Second embodiment

[0070] A watch 100 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a front side of the watch 100. The watch 100 is different from the watch 1 according to the first embodiment in that the second level difference portion 29 is provided on a dial 101 and the watch 100 includes a bezel 102. The dial 101 and the bezel 102 are examples of the watch component.

[0071] The watch 100 includes an outer case 2. The outer case 2 includes a case body 3, a cover glass (not shown), and a case back 4. The case body 3 has a cylindrical shape and has two openings. An opening on a front surface side of the two openings is sealed with the cover glass. An opening on a rear side of the two openings is sealed with the case back 4. The outer case 2 accommodates the watch component in a space partitioned by the case body 3, the cover glass, and the case back 4.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, the dial 101 is provided with a second level difference portion 29 and a power reserve hand 13. The second level difference portion 29 in the present embodiment is configured by a main surface 103 of the dial 101 and a recessed portion 30. That is, the main surface 103 in the present embodiment corresponds to the second surface. The recessed portion 30 includes a recessed portion bottom surface 31 and a recessed portion-side wall portion 32. A frosted pattern is formed at the main surface 103 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 by laser processing. The recessed portion-side wall portion 32 has a diamond cut. In the present embodiment, a direction in which the main surface 103 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 face corresponds to the first direction.

[0073] Brass is used as a material of the dial 101. In the dial 101, the main surface 103 and the recessed portion 30 may be integrally formed or may be configured to be separate. In a case of being separate, the main surface 103 and the recessed portion-side wall portion 32 may be configured by bonding a plate material on which the main surface 103 and the recessed portion-side wall portion 32 are formed and a plate material including the recessed portion bottom surface 31.

[0074] The watch 100 includes the bezel 102. The bezel 102 includes a first surface facing the +Z direction and a second surface facing the +Z direction and located on the +Z side with respect to the first surface, which are not shown. A diamond cut is provided between the first surface and the second surface in a plan view. A frosted pattern is formed at the first surface and the second surface by laser processing.

[0075] In this manner, for example, a watch 100 including a watch component in which the entire surface recessed as in the recessed portion 30 is decorated on the front side can be provided.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the watch 100 is not particularly limited to including both the second level difference portion 29 provided on the dial 101 and the bezel 102, and may include at least one of the second level difference portion 29 or the bezel 102.

[0077] The first embodiment and the second embodiment are described above. In the above-described embodiments, the pattern to be decorated on the surface of the train wheel bridge 11 and the dial 101 is described as the frosted pattern, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The pattern to be decorated may be set according to the design, and may be, for example, a grain pattern, a perrage pattern, or a spin pattern.

[0078] In addition, the frosted pattern is described as being formed at both the main surface 26 and the peripheral surface 27 in the first level difference portion 28, the frosted pattern is described as being formed at both the main surface 26, 103 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 in the second level difference portion 29, the frosted pattern is described as being formed at both the main surface 26 and the bottom surface 34 in the third level difference portion 33, and the frosted pattern is described as being formed at both the first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 in the fourth level difference portion 49, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. In each level difference portion, a first pattern processed by laser processing may be formed at the first surface, and a second pattern processed by laser processing may be formed at the second surface. The second pattern is a pattern different from the first pattern.

[0079] In addition, in the first embodiment, the main surface 26 and the peripheral surface 27 in the first level difference portion 28 both face the -Z direction, the main surface 26 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 in the second level difference portion 29 both face the -Z direction, the main surface 26 and the bottom surface 34 in the third level difference portion 33 both face the -Z direction, and the first rotor surface 44 and the second rotor surface 45 in the fourth level difference portion 49 both face the -Z direction; and in the second embodiment, the main surface 103 and the recessed portion bottom surface 31 in the second level difference portion 29 both face the +Z direction; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. That is, the direction in which the first surface faces and the direction in which the second surface faces in each level difference portion are not limited to being completely matched. When the direction in which the first surface faces is defined as the first direction, the direction in which the second surface faces may include a component of the first direction. The direction in which the second surface faces corresponds to the second direction.

[0080] In addition, the diamond cut is not limited to being provided in the first level difference portion 28, the second level difference portion 29, the third level difference portion 33, and the fourth level difference portion 49.

[0081] In addition, the train wheel bridge 11, the winding rotor 12, the dial 101, and the bezel 102 are described as examples of the watch component; but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the case body 3, the case back 4, or the strap 5 may be used. That is, it may be a watch component on which a pattern can be formed, and the watch component may include a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface, and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface, in which the first surface has the pattern formed by laser processing.

[0082] In addition, the materials of the train wheel bridge 11 and the dial 101 are described as brass, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. In the train wheel bridge 11 and the dial 101, a suitable metal may be used. For example, German silver, titanium, stainless steel, copper, silver, aluminum, duralumin, nickel, pure iron, steel, or an alloy thereof can be used.

[0083] In addition, the material of the winding rotor 12 is described as tungsten; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and a metal having desired quality may be used. In addition, the winding rotor 12 is described as being integrally formed; but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and for example, the coupling portion 41 and the weight portion 42 may be configured to be separate. In this case, for example, the material of the coupling portion 41 may be brass and the material of the weight portion 42 may be tungsten.

[0084] In addition, when the material of the watch component is German silver, the plating step S30 may not be performed in the manufacturing flow of the watch component. This is because oxidation of the surface of German silver is relatively unlikely to occur.

Claims

1. A watch component comprising: a first surface facing a first direction; a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface; and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface has a pattern formed by laser processing.

2. The watch component according to claim 1, wherein the pattern includes a frosted pattern.

3. The watch component according to claim 2, wherein the coupling portion includes a mirror-finished surface.

4. The watch component according to claim 1, further comprising: a recessed portion which is surrounded by the second surface in a plan view, wherein the first surface is a bottom portion of the recessed portion.

5. The watch component according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion includes an arc-shaped portion in a plan view, and the first surface has a flange shape.

6. The watch component according to claim 1, wherein the first surface has a through-hole, and a mirror-finished surface disposed around the through-hole, and the pattern surrounds the mirror-finished surface in a plan view.

7. The watch component according to claim 3, wherein the second surface has a frosted pattern formed by laser processing.

8. A watch comprising: the watch component according to claim 1; and a case member which accommodates the watch component and includes a transparent portion through which the watch component is visible.

9. The watch according to claim 8, wherein the watch component is a train wheel bridge, the case member includes a case back including the transparent portion, the watch further comprises a winding rotor which is rotatable about an axis and has an arc-shaped outer peripheral portion on an outer peripheral side, the outer peripheral portion has a first rotor surface facing the first direction and a second rotor surface facing the first direction and located on the first direction side with respect to the first rotor surface, and the first rotor surface is decorated by laser processing.

10. A method for manufacturing a watch component, comprising: preparing a substrate which includes a first surface facing a first direction and having a through-hole, a second surface facing a second direction including a component in the first direction and located on a first direction side with respect to the first surface, and a coupling portion which couples the first surface and the second surface; forming a mirror-finished surface around the through-hole; and forming a pattern on the first surface by laser processing, which is performed after the formation of the mirror-finished surface.

11. The method for manufacturing a watch component according to claim 10, wherein the pattern includes a frosted pattern.

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