Incorporating wristband into watch case

Abstract

To fix a wristband to a watch middle, more generally to a watch case.SOLUTION: A device for fixing a wristband to a watch middle includes a connecting element 11 to be connected to a wristband 10 and a watch middle 20, a pin 1 can be positioned to be retracted into a housing 11a of the connecting element, and a receiving element 21. The fixing device includes at least one insert 5, and is designed to occupy at least two configurations: a first configuration in which the pin is positioned to be retracted into the connecting element, enabling the wristband to be separated from the watch middle; and a second configuration in which the pin is positioned to project from the connecting element and is positioned in a bore 21a of the receiving element, where the insert forms an interface between the pin and the bore, and / or the housing minimizes frictional wear in rotation of the pin relative to the receiving element and / or the connecting element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fastening a wristband to a small watch case. The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one such fastening device, the fastening device being arranged between the wristband and the watch case. [Background technology]

[0002] Various devices are used to fasten the wristband to the watch case in a detachable and articulated manner. For example, in a conventional solution in the prior art, the watch case has two pairs of projections, each of which defines a housing and receives a link located at the end of the wristband. A pin extending between the two projections of one projection pair engages with the link of the wristband and holds it in position between the two projections, while allowing the wristband to be articulated relative to the watch case by pivoting around the pin.

[0003] This method of securing a wristband to a small watch case, and particularly to the watch case, should ideally achieve the following objectives: - It must be reliable, especially to prevent any unintentional removal of the wristband. - It must be robust and in particular must be protected from any wear that could impair its functionality over time. It must allow for user-friendly removal and fastening of the wristband, e.g. easy and quick replacement of the wristband. - It must have an appealing aesthetic appearance and in particular must meet the highest aesthetic requirements of the finest watches.

[0004] Although existing solutions achieve at least some of the above mentioned objectives, there is room for further improvement, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to improve this situation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, a general object of the present invention is an improved solution for fastening a wristband to a small watch body, and more generally to a small watch case.

[0006] More particularly, a primary object of the present invention is a reliable and robust solution for fastening a wristband to a miniature watch case.

[0007] A second object of the present invention is a user-friendly solution for fastening a wristband to a miniature watch case.

[0008] A third object of the invention is preferably an aesthetic solution for fastening the wristband to the watch dial. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention therefore relates to a device for fastening a wristband to a watch body, comprising a fastening element intended to be fastened to the wristband or the watch body, respectively, at least one pin capable of occupying two positions, one protruding from said fastening element and the other retracted in a housing of said fastening element, and a receiving element intended to be fastened to the watch body or the wristband, respectively, and comprising at least one hole, said fastening device comprising at least one insert, said fastening device comprising: a first configuration in which the at least one pin is in a retracted position within the connecting element, allowing the wristband to be separated from the watch case; a second configuration in which the at least one pin occupies a position protruding from the connecting element and is positioned within the at least one hole of the receiving element, the at least one insert forms an interface between the at least one pin and the at least one hole, and / or the housing minimizes frictional wear during rotation of the at least one pin relative to the receiving element and / or the connecting element, respectively; The system is designed to occupy at least two of the above configurations.

[0010] The invention is more particularly defined in the claims.

[0011] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following detailed description, which illustrates one embodiment by way of non-limiting example and which refers to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for fastening a wristband to a watch case according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an apparatus for fastening a wristband to a watch case according to an embodiment of the present invention in a wristband fastening configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the invention, including a pin in a retracted position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a fixation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a fixation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a fixation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a fixation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] To simplify the description of the present invention, corresponding or identical elements in different variant embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

[0014] The present invention is based on a device for fastening a wristband to a small watch case, or more generally to a small watch case. The fastening device comprises two complementary main elements, a connecting element and a receiving element, each of which is arranged on the wristband and the small watch case, or vice versa. The connecting and receiving elements are intended to be releasably fastened to each other, as will be explained below.

[0015] 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the invention in which the connecting element 11 takes the form of a wristband link forming a connecting link intended to be placed at the end of a wristband 10. Advantageously, the connecting link has the same shape and the same appearance as the other wristband links.

[0016] In this embodiment, the fastening device further comprises receiving elements 21 in the form of two substantially parallel protrusions arranged opposite each other on the body 20. Each protrusion comprises a hole 21a, in particular in the form of a blind hole. The holes 21a in the two protrusions are preferably arranged along substantially aligned axes. The holes preferably have a circular cross section. The openings of the two holes are arranged towards each other. The space between the two protrusions defines a housing intended to be occupied by the connecting link of the wristband. The visible outer surface of the protrusions is not modified in any way and does not have discontinuities that would detract from its appearance. However, the two holes may alternatively have the characteristics of through-holes and / or be formed with bearing surfaces and / or be arranged non-parallel to each other.

[0017] The fixing device further comprises two pins 1 intended to fix or not fix the connecting element 11 to the receiving element 21. Each pin 1 can occupy two positions, as will be explained below: a position protruding from the connecting element 11, as shown in Figure 2, and a position retracted within the housing 11a of the connecting element 11, as shown in Figure 3.

[0018] Therefore, the fixation device is designed to occupy at least two configurations. a first configuration in which pin 1 is in a retracted position within the connecting element, allowing the wristband link to be separated from the watch case; and a second configuration in which the pins 1 are held in a position protruding from the connecting element 11 and are placed in the respective holes 21a of the receiving element 21, thereby fixing the connecting element 11 and the receiving element 21 between the pins 1 and connecting the wristband to the watch case.

[0019] Each pin 1 is located in a housing 11a of the connecting element 11. The two housings 11a preferably extend along the same axis A1. Furthermore, the housings 11a are in the form of a transverse through-hole, which therefore opens into two opposite side walls or lateral surfaces 11b of the connecting element. Each housing 11a has one degree of freedom in translation, allowing the pin 1 to slide freely along the axis A1. This degree of freedom in translation allows the pin 1 to be positioned so as to protrude or retract relative to the lateral surface 11b of the connecting element 11, so as to respectively allow the connecting element 11 to be assembled and disassembled. Alternatively, each housing 11a may be in the form of a blind hole opening into the lateral surface 11b and / or have a bearing surface.

[0020] The connecting element 11 further includes a recess 2a extending from the wall of the connecting element 11 and opening into at least a portion of the pin housing 11a, allowing an operator to manipulate the pin 1 within the recess 2a. In this embodiment, the mounting element 2 takes the form of a cover intended to be placed in the recess 2a. Once placed in the recess, the mounting element 2 cooperates with the pin 1, as explained below. A fastening element 4, such as a screw, allows the mounting element 2 to be fastened to the housing 2a of the connecting element 11. For this purpose, the connecting element 11 includes an internal thread 4a. The mounting element 2 is preferably removable. Furthermore, the mounting element 2 advantageously has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess 2a, in particular a volume corresponding to or substantially corresponding to the volume of the recess 2a, so that when fastened to the connecting element 11, its visible surface continues (or matches) with the adjacent surface of the connecting element 11 and / or the receiving element 21, forming a substantially continuous surface. This configuration allows the mounting element 2 to be matched to a fastening device, optimizing the aesthetic appearance of the connecting element 11 and / or the receiving element 21. Additionally, the attachment element 2 is preferably arranged on the invisible side of the connecting element 11. For example, it is arranged on the side of the connecting link that is intended to contact the wearer's arm. Alternatively, the attachment element may take other forms, in particular protruding from the connecting element 11 and / or the receiving element 21. In a further variant, the attachment element may be fixed to the connecting element by other means, for example by nailing, gluing, clipping, welding, brazing, etc. It may therefore not be detachable, in which case it is not detachable once the wristband is attached to the torso. As will be explained below, according to another variant, the attachment element may consist of multiple parts and / or be arranged in the receiving element 21. Consequently, the recess 2a may also consist of multiple parts and / or be arranged in the receiving element 21, at least in the part of the pin housing 21a. Of course, the fastening means of the attachment element or elements must be adapted and / or correspondingly rearranged in the receiving element.

[0021] In this embodiment, each pin 1 has exactly the same shape and is symmetrically arranged in the connecting element 11. The connecting element 11 has a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the axis A1. Each pin 1 has a cylindrical central portion, a first functional portion having a cylindrical shape and arranged toward the outside of the connecting element 11, and a second functional portion having multiple functional surfaces and arranged toward the inside of the connecting element 11. The first and second portions of each pin 1 are arranged on opposite sides of the central portion. Each pin 1 is translated within the housing 11a of the connecting element so that at least a first portion thereof can occupy a protruding position protruding from a side surface 11b of the connecting element and thus occupy the position of the hole 21a of the receiving element 21. The first portion is thus intended to form a pivot 1a around which the receiving element 21 rotates relative to the connecting element 11.

[0022] Each pin 1 further includes a functional surface on a second portion opposite the first portion. In particular, a first inner end of each pin 1 on the second portion forms an abutment surface or stop 1b. The mounting element 2 includes at least one first surface defining an axial first abutment or stop 2b, which is intended to cooperate with the stop 1b of each pin 1 to hold each pin 1 in a position protruding from the side surface 11b of the connecting element 11 when the mounting element 2 is fixed to the connecting element 11. In other words, when the mounting element 2 is fixed to the connecting element 11, its first surface engages with the stop 1b of each pin 1 in the protruding position, thereby preventing the pin 1 from moving away from the side surface 11b of the connecting element 11, so that the pin 1 remains protruding.

[0023] Additionally, the second portion of each pin 1 includes a non-cylindrical portion 1c intended to cooperate with a complementary portion 3 of the mounting element 2 shown in FIG. 2 to prevent the pin 1 from rotating about axis A1 when the mounting element 2 is present. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-cylindrical portion 1c of the pin 1 has a triangular cross-section formed by three faces 1d, one or the other of which is intended to cooperate with the complementary portion 3 of the mounting element 2, thereby forming a second abutment 3 that prevents rotation of each pin 1. The rotational second abutment 3 on the mounting element 2 thus allows each pin 1 to be immobilized against rotational movement relative to the connecting element 11. The non-cylindrical portion 1c may alternatively have, for example, a square, three-lobed, or semicircular cross-section. Alternatively, the rotational second abutment 3 of the pin 1 may be located on the connecting element 11 rather than on the mounting element 2. In this type of variant, the rotating second abutment of the connecting element can cooperate with the pin 1 only in its extended position, or alternatively also in its retracted position. In a further variant, the rotating second abutment 3 of the pin 1 can also be arranged in the hole 21a so as to cooperate with the pin 1 only in its extended position. Furthermore, the various functional parts of the pin 1 can be arranged in any other way that allows for fixation according to the invention. For example, according to another design variant, the stop 1b can be in the same part as the pivot 1a, facing another part where the non-cylindrical part 1c would be arranged. Of course, this example does not limit the invention. Possible variants are described below.

[0024] In summary, in the embodiment in question, in the absence of the mounting elements 2, each pin 1 has two degrees of freedom relative to the connecting element 11: a translational movement along the axis A1 and a rotation of the pin 1 itself about the same axis A1. The fixation of the mounting elements when the pins 1 are in a position where they protrude from the connecting element 11 makes it possible to eliminate these two degrees of freedom, with the pins 1 remaining fixed in their respective protruding positions and no longer being able to rotate within the housing 11a of the connecting element 11.

[0025] The operation of the locking device according to the embodiment of the present invention is described below. When the device is in the locked configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, a craftsman can remove the attachment element 2 by loosening and removing the screw 4. This allows access to the recess 2a of the coupling element and the second functional portions of the two pins 1 at least partially disposed therein. The craftsman can then translate each pin from its extended position to its retracted position within the recess 2a. To facilitate this operation, each pin 1 preferably includes, at the level of its second functional portion, a notch or groove 1f that allows the insertion of a simple tool, such as a pin or tweezers, to manually translate the two pins and thereby guide their retraction. Of course, any other means or tool capable of actuating the two pins can be envisioned, such as a magnet. Once this operation is complete, the first functional portion of each pin 1, in particular the pivot 1a, is housed within the coupling element 11 and released from the hole 21a of the receiving element 21. The coupling element 11 can then be removed from the receiving element 21. By performing the opposite operation, the two elements can be fastened to each other.

[0026] In order to reduce the frictional wear surfaces of the articulations with respect to the connecting and receiving elements, the receiving surfaces of the pin 1 and / or the receiving element 21 which receives the pin 1 and / or the receiving surfaces of the connecting element 11 are preferably made of a material which limits frictional wear, for example advantageously a zirconia-based sintered ceramic.

[0027] Nevertheless, according to this embodiment, in order to obtain the required aesthetic finish, it is necessary that the body including its projections, and therefore the receiving element 21 and / or the connecting element 11, can be made of metal, in particular a noble metal, for example gold or platinum. Likewise, the pin may be made of steel or a noble metal. Of course, other materials are also envisaged, for example composite materials.

[0028] For this reason, the present invention uses inserts 5 that form an interface at the friction surface of the fixing device. In the described embodiment, the friction surface is located at the interface between the pivot 1a formed in the first part of the pin 1 and the bore 21a of the receiving element. In this embodiment, the inserts 5 therefore preferably take the form of tubes or bearings. They may or may not be fixed in the bore 21a. Alternatively, they may or may not be fixed to the first functional part of the pin 1. According to another design variant, the friction surface may be located at the interface between the housing 11a and the pin 1, for example, between the pivot 1a and the housing 11a of the connecting element. In this variant, the insert may optionally be fixed to the housing 11a. Alternatively, the insert may optionally be fixed to the pin 1 in the area where it rubs (frictionally) against the housing 11a.

[0029] The insert may advantageously be made of sintered ceramic, or a composite material, for example consisting of a mixture of ceramic and metal, or a polymer (for example a thermoplastic). The insert may be made entirely or partly of such a material. For example, a simple coating may be formed from such a material. The insert 5 advantageously has a hardness of at least 800 HV.

[0030] Furthermore, in the described embodiment, the pivot 1a formed in the first portion of the pin 1 includes a bearing surface that defines an axial abutment 1e between the pivot and the insert 5 to prevent contact and consequent wear between each side surface 11b of the connecting element 11 and each side wall 21b of the receiving element 21.

[0031] The invention is naturally not limited to the precise shapes of the various elements described. Thus, the pivot 1a of the pin 1 may have any other shape that allows the articulation of the two elements of the fixation device. For example, the pivot 1a may be conical or truncated conical. Of course, the shape of the insert 5 may be adapted accordingly and may therefore be complementary to the shape of the pin.

[0032] In the described embodiment, the pin is preferably rotated together with the coupling element 11 so that the friction surface of the articulation is limited to the contact point between the pin 1 and the hole 21a of the receiving element, more particularly between the pin 1 and the insert 5. Of course, the reverse is also possible, where the pin is rotated together with the receiving element 21 so that the friction surface of the articulation is limited to the contact point between the pin 1 and the housing 11a of the coupling element, more particularly between the pin 1 and the insert 5.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but is susceptible to numerous variations, and Figures 4 to 7 therefore show several alternative embodiments of the invention, of which only certain features are described.

[0034] For example, as mentioned above, the attachment element 2 may take different shapes. Figure 4 shows a top view of an embodiment corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, in which the attachment element 2 occupies a large area of ​​the connecting element 11.

[0035] Alternatively, the pin 1 may be prevented from rotating relative to the receiving element 21, and the connecting element 11 may then be rotated relative to the pin 1. In this type of variant, as shown in the variants of Figures 6 and 7 described below, the insert 5 forms the interface between the pin and the connecting element. The insert 5 is therefore housed in the connecting element 11. Furthermore, the pin may include a non-circular first portion, similar to the non-cylindrical portion 1c described above, intended to be housed in the receiving element 21 in the protruding configuration. In particular, the pin 1 may have an identical, substantially opposite shape to the pin described above, with the first portion forming a pivot housed in the housing of the connecting element, and the non-cylindrical portion oriented toward the outside of the connecting element and intended to occupy the protruding position of the receiving element in the fixed configuration. Furthermore, the portion of the pin that forms the pivot may correspond to the central portion of the pin. Figure 7 illustrates an example of such an embodiment.

[0036] According to a further variant, an attachment element can be formed on the receiving element to cooperate with a pin at the level of the receiving element. The cooperation can consist of, for example, preventing translational and / or rotational movement of the pin in at least one degree of freedom so as to hold the pin in the extended position. In one variant, one attachment element or multiple attachment elements can cooperate with the connecting element and / or the receiving element. For example, the first attachment element can include an axial first abutment and the second attachment element can include a rotary second abutment. These first and second attachment elements can be arranged on the connecting element and the receiving element, respectively, or vice versa.

[0037] For example, in this variant, an attachment element can be fixed to each protrusion of the body 20. Figure 5 shows a variant of this type, in which opposing protrusions of the body each include an attachment element 2 that is removably attached to the respective protrusion and that is arranged to cooperate with a pin to maintain its position protruding from the connecting element, in other words to prevent its translational movement back into the connecting element. In the variant shown in Figure 5, each pin 1 is prevented from rotating relative to the connecting element, at least when in the protruding position, by the connecting element, by providing a rotating second abutment 3, and rotation of each protrusion relative to each pin is achieved by an insert housed in the respective protrusion.

[0038] In a further variant, the receiving element disposed on the body portion may not have two protrusions, but may instead have a single protrusion. In this variant, the connecting element 11 disposed at the end of the wristband may have two complementary and separate side elements, each incorporating a pin 1, which are positioned on either side of the single protrusion to secure the wristband to the body portion. Figure 6 shows this type of embodiment in a fixed configuration. The attachment element 2 is disposed on the receiving element in the form of a single protrusion, and each side element of the connecting element includes a protruding pin extending into a hole in the single protrusion. The attachment element 2 immobilizes these pins in their protruding position and against rotation relative to the receiving element. Each side element of the connecting element is rotatably maintained relative to its corresponding pin and incorporates an insert 5 between the pin 1 and the housing that receives it. Finally, the body portion may include at least one protrusion, particularly one or two protrusions. Any other body configuration may be envisioned, particularly one that includes elements of the inventive fastening device that do not necessarily take the form of one or more protrusions.

[0039] In another variant, the fixing device may comprise one pin 1. Thus, the fixing device comprises at least one pin. In another variant, this at least one pin does not move translationally relative to the connecting element. In fact, the pin can be moved between its retracted position and its extended position by another movement, for example by rotation, or a combination of translational and rotational movements. Additionally, the pin can be moved with one, two or more degrees of freedom relative to the connecting element, which degrees of freedom can be reduced in its extended position.

[0040] As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, the connecting element is arranged at the end of the wristband. If the wristband includes an assembly of links, in particular metal links, the connecting element advantageously takes the form of a connecting link having the same or similar shape as the other links of the wristband, in order to give a continuous aesthetic appearance. According to a variant embodiment, the wristband may be made of a flexible material, for example leather. In that case, the connecting element can be integrated into the end of the flexible wristband, preferably in a fully or partially hidden state. Alternatively, the connecting element may take the form of a metal end piece arranged at the end of the flexible wristband.

[0041] In a further variant, the connecting element is arranged on the watch case, in particular on the case back, and the receiving element is located on the wristband. For example, the structure of the fastening device variants shown in Figures 4 to 7 may be reversed. That is, in all figures, the receiving element 21 may be a link and the connecting element 11 may be one or more protrusions on the case back.

[0042] In all the described variants, the insert may be located between the same pin and both the connecting element and the receiving element, so that the insert can completely or partially surround the pin. This type of variant allows for maximum wear reduction.

[0043] In a complementary manner, in all variants, the mounting element may comprise means acting on the pin when placed in its recess and / or when retracted from the connecting member and / or receiving member, to drive the pin to automatically translate from its retracted position to its extended position, and / or vice versa.

[0044] In all variants, the attachment element is advantageously removable. Still more advantageously, the fastening device is in a first configuration in which the wristband can be separated from the watch case when the attachment element is removed, and is in a second configuration when the attachment element is fixed to the device.

[0045] In all variants, the pin is preferably made of ceramic, in particular sintered ceramic, advantageously based on zirconia.

[0046] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, including at least one fastening device as described above. Fastening devices of this type are advantageously arranged at both ends of the watch case, in particular the case body, for releasably fastening each end of the wristband. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 pin 1b Stop 1c Non-cylindrical part 2 Mounting Elements 2a Recess 2b stop 3 Complementary parts 5 Insert 10 wristbands 11 Connected Elements 11a Housing 20 Small watch body 21 Acceptance Elements 21a hole

Claims

1. A fastening device for fastening a wristband to a watch body, comprising: a connecting element (11) intended to be connected to a wristband (10) or a watch body (20), respectively; at least one pin (1) capable of occupying a first position protruding from said connecting element (11) and a second position retracted within a housing (11a) of said connecting element (11); a receiving element (21) intended to be connected to the watch body (20) or the wristband (10), respectively, and comprising at least one hole (21a); ​​and at least one insert (5), said fastening device being designed to occupy at least a first configuration and a second configuration; In the first configuration, the at least one pin (1) occupies a retracted position within the connecting element (11) and allows the wristband to be separated from the watch case; In the second configuration, the at least one pin (1) occupies a position protruding from the connecting element and is positioned in the at least one hole (21a) of the receiving element (21), and the at least one insert (5) forms an interface between the at least one pin (1) and the at least one hole (21a) and / or the housing (11a) to minimize frictional wear during rotation of the at least one pin (1) relative to the receiving element (21) and / or the connecting element (11), respectively. A device that secures a wristband to a small watch body.

2. the at least one hole (21a) of the receiving element (21) and / or the housing (11a) of the connecting element (11) are in the form of a blind hole; The fixation device of claim 1 .

3. The second configuration of the fixing device includes at least one mounting element (2), the mounting element (2) being fixed to the connecting element (11) and / or the receiving element (21) and cooperating with the at least one pin (1) to hold the at least one pin in the first position protruding from the connecting element. The fixation device of claim 1 .

4. the at least one mounting element (2) is characterized by at least one axial first stop (2b) which cooperates with a first stop (1b) of the at least one pin (1) in the second configuration to prevent the at least one pin (1) from translating within the housing (11a) and to hold the at least one pin (1) in the first position protruding from the connecting element; The fixation device of claim 3 .

5. In the second configuration, the at least one pin (1) is immobilized against rotation relative to the connecting element (11) or relative to the receiving element (21). The fixation device of claim 1 .

6. In the first configuration of the fixing device, the at least one pin (1) is free to rotate relative to the connecting element (11), The fixation device of claim 5.

7. the at least one mounting element (2) or the connecting element (11) or the receiving element (21) cooperates with the at least one pin (1) in the second position and / or in the first position to prevent rotation of the at least one pin relative to the connecting element (11) or relative to the receiving element (21); The fixation device of claim 5.

8. the at least one mounting element (2) or the connecting element (11) or the receiving element (21) has at least one complementary portion (3) that cooperates with a non-cylindrical portion (1c) of the at least one pin (1) in the second position and / or the first position to prevent rotational movement of the at least one pin relative to the connecting element (11) or relative to the receiving element (21); The fixation device of claim 7.

9. the connecting element (11) has a recess (2a) in which at least a portion of the housing (11a) is disposed, and / or the receiving element (21) has a recess (2a) in which at least a portion of the hole (21a) is disposed, and in the second configuration, the at least one mounting element (2) occupies the recess (2a), and the at least one mounting element (2) takes the form of a cover having a volume corresponding or substantially corresponding to the volume of the recess (2a), such that a visible surface of the at least one mounting element (2) conforms to an adjacent surface of the connecting element (11) and / or of the receiving element (21) to form a substantially continuous surface; The fixation device of claim 3 .

10. The at least one insert (5) has a hardness of 800 HV or more. The fixation device of claim 1 .

11. said at least one insert (5) consisting entirely or partly of, or having a coating of, a material selected from the group consisting of sintered ceramics, composite materials, and polymers; The fixation device of claim 1 .

12. The at least one insert (5) is in the form of a tube or a bearing, The fixation device of claim 1 .

13. the connecting element (11) is a connecting link designed to be fixed to the end of a wristband, the receiving element (21) comprising at least one protrusion designed to be fixed to a torso, at least one pin (1) of the connecting link being received in a hole (21a) of the at least one protrusion by means of an insert (5) forming the interface of the fastening device, or the connecting element is at least one protrusion designed to be fixed to the torso, and the receiving element is a connecting link designed to be fixed to the end of the wristband, so that at least one pin (1) of the protrusion is received in a hole (21a) of the connecting link by an insert (5) forming the interface of the fastening device; The fixation device of claim 1 .

14. The at least one pin (1) is made of ceramic. The fixation device of claim 1 .

15. A timepiece comprising at least one fastening device according to claim 1 for releasably fastening at least one end of a wristband to a watch case, the wristband comprises a connecting link that is a connecting element (11) of the fastening device, the connecting link being designed to cooperate with at least one protrusion that is a receiving element of the fastening device arranged on the torso, such that at least one pin (1) of the connecting link is received in a hole (21a) of at least one protrusion by means of an insert (5) that forms the connecting surface of the fastening device, or the body comprises at least one protrusion, which is a connecting element (11), designed to cooperate with a connecting link of the wristband, which is a receiving element, and at least one pin (1) of the at least one protrusion is received in a hole of the connecting link by means of an insert (5) which forms the interface in the second configuration of the fastening device; clock.

16. The at least one insert (5) is wholly or partly made of a ceramic-metal mixture or has a coating thereof. The fixation device of claim 11.

17. The at least one insert (5) is made entirely or partly of a thermoplastic material or has a coating thereof. The fixation device of claim 11.

18. The tube or bearing is fixed in a hole (21a) in the receiving element or in the housing (11a) of the connecting element (11), or is fixed to at least one pin (1) of the fixing device, The fixation device of claim 12.

19. The at least one pin (1) is made of sintered ceramic.

15. The fixation device of claim 14.

20. The sintered ceramic is a zirconia-based sintered ceramic.

20. The fixation device of claim 19.

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