How watches are manufactured

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a wristwatch (1) includes the steps of: making available a clockwork mechanism (2); providing a housing body (3) with a cavity (4) adapted to contain the clockwork mechanism (2), at least partly made of a metal material; making available a crystal (5) adapted to be applied above the cavity (4); making available a case back (6) adapted to be applied below the cavity (4); making available at least one polymer material; co-molding the polymer material with the housing body (3), the co-molded polymer material defining a coating (7) on at least part of the housing body (3) and at least partly concealing the appearance of the housing body (3); placing at least part of the clockwork mechanism (2) in the cavity (4); and applying the crystal (5) and the case back (6) to the housing body (3) to close the cavity (4) above and below.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wristwatch. [Background technology]

[0002] As is well known, a wristwatch generally has a case, the function of which is to house and protect the clockwork mechanism, keeping it in place and protecting it from shocks and contact with unwanted elements.

[0003] Generally, the case has at least one central body called the "carluss", which is closed at the top by a transparent element called the "crystal", and at the bottom by a so-called "case back". The carluss is a cylindrical element with a cavity adapted to house the clockwork mechanism. The case back, on the other hand, forms the bottom of the case and is generally intended to be in contact with the wearer's wrist when the watch is worn. Finally, the crystal is the upper part of the case, which is intended to remain visible so that the user can see the time indicated by the clockwork mechanism.

[0004] There are well-known watches that are considered to be of high quality, in which the case is made of metallic material. The use of metallic material has the advantage of making it possible to make watches whose dimensions undergo only limited changes when the temperature to which they are subjected changes, thereby allowing the case to seal well.

[0005] However, metal materials have some aesthetic drawbacks because they are difficult to mold and have essentially only one color, thereby reducing the possibility of aesthetic customization of the watch. Therefore, metal materials are not very suitable for making watches with complex and distinct aesthetic shapes.

[0006] A further drawback of metal is that its extreme rigidity transmits shocks and vibrations from the case directly to the clockwork mechanism, thereby increasing the risk of damage or failure of the watch.

[0007] Wristwatches are also known whose cases are made of plastic material. Plastic material, as opposed to metal, has the advantage of being easily moldable, which allows watches to be made with a variety of aesthetic configurations and colors. In addition, plastic material can effectively absorb any shocks and vibrations, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the clockwork mechanism compared to metal materials.

[0008] On the other hand, plastic materials have the disadvantage that they are not very durable and are subject to large fluctuations in size when the temperature to which the watch is subjected changes, thereby not ensuring good sealing of the watch against the ingress of liquids, in particular water. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to devise a method for manufacturing a wristwatch that results in a wristwatch with good durability, while at the same time providing a high degree of aesthetic customization to satisfy various aesthetic requirements of users.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a method for manufacturing a watch that can ensure that the watch is hermetically sealed against the ingress of liquids such as water, while offering a high degree of aesthetic customization.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to devise a method for manufacturing a wristwatch that is able to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an equally cost-effective solution within a configuration that is simple, rational, easy and affordable to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The aforementioned goal is achieved by the present method for manufacturing a wristwatch having the features of patent claim 1.

[0013] The aforementioned goal is achieved by a watch having the features of patent claim 8.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for manufacturing a watch, again illustrated by way of non-limiting example, by way of representation in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a wristwatch manufactured according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the watch case shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wristwatch of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the case of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mold used to perform a common molding step according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring in detail to these figures, the reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a watch manufactured by the method for manufacturing a watch according to the invention.

[0017] The method comprises a step of making available a clockwork mechanism 2. The clockwork mechanism 2 is configured to indicate the time. Preferably, the clockwork mechanism 2 is of the analogue mechanism type, although it cannot be excluded that this clockwork mechanism can be of other types, for example digital.

[0018] The method comprises the step of providing and making available in an enclosure body 3 a cavity 4 adapted to store the clockwork mechanism 2. In particular, the enclosure body 3 is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the clockwork mechanism 2 inside the cavity 4. Additionally, the enclosure body 3 is configured to allow the clockwork mechanism 2 to be mounted inside the cavity 4 in order to maintain the clockwork mechanism 2 in a fixed position.

[0019] Advantageously, the containment body 3 is at least partly made of a metallic material. Preferably, the containment body 3 is made entirely of a metallic material, such as steel or a similar material.

[0020] The method also includes the step of making available a crystal 5 adapted to be applied above the cavity 4. The crystal 5 is intended to remain visible during use so that the user can see the time indicated by the clockwork mechanism 2.

[0021] In the context of this disclosure, the terms "upward" and "downward", "vertically" and "horizontally" as used in reference to wristwatch 1 are meant to refer to the situation in which a wristwatch is normally used, i.e., worn by a user and positioned as in Figure 3.

[0022] Preferably, the term "crystal" refers to the substantially transparent case element of a watch, which is intended to protectively cover the dial and allow the user to see the time.

[0023] The method also includes making available a case back 6 adapted to be applied below cavity 4. Specifically, case back 6 is adapted to be positioned opposite crystal 5. During use, case back 6 is adapted to be positioned against the wrist of a user.

[0024] Advantageously, the method includes the step of having available at least one polymeric material.

[0025] Advantageously, the method comprises a step of co-molding a polymer material with the housing body 3, the co-molded polymer material defining an at least partial coating 7 of the housing body 3 and at least partially hiding the appearance of the housing body 3. In particular, the coating 7 is realized by a polymer material that is co-molded with the housing body 3. The coating 7 and the housing body 3 form the so-called case 8 of the watch 1.

[0026] This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a case 8 that has the advantages of metal while at the same time having the advantages of polymer material. In particular, the metal housing body 3 provides great strength and a very effective seal. These characteristics also make it possible to create a watch that is substantially waterproof, as will be seen later in this disclosure. The coating portion 7 made of a co-molded polymer material gives the watch 1 a high degree of customization, which allows the production of watches with a variety of different aesthetic configurations, even very complex configurations, thereby achieving the creation of more aesthetically appealing and customizable watches according to the preferences of the end purchaser.

[0027] The method comprises the step of placing at least a part of the clockwork mechanism 2 in the cavity 4. In particular, this step involves attaching the clockwork mechanism 2 to the containment body 3 and placing it at least a part of the clockwork mechanism 2 in the cavity 4.

[0028] Additionally, the method includes the step of applying a crystal 5 and a back case 6 to the housing body 3 to close the cavity 4 above and below.

[0029] This step is carried out after positioning the clockwork mechanism 2.

[0030] Preferably, the positioning and applying steps are carried out after the co-molding step, i.e. the clockwork mechanism 2 is placed in the cavity 4 after the coating 7 has been co-molded with the housing body 3. Consequently, the application of the crystal 5 and case back 6 takes place after the positioning of the clockwork mechanism 2 and the subsequent co-molding.

[0031] Advantageously, the crystal 5 and the case back 6 are applied sealingly to the housing body 3, so as to close off the cavity 4 in a waterproof manner. In other words, the crystal 5 and the case back 6 apply a seal to the housing body 3 so as to substantially seal off the cavity 4 to prevent the flow of at least a fluid, such as water.

[0032] As the housing body is made of metal, such a sealed connection is very effective even when the watch 1 is subjected to large temperature changes.

[0033] 1-3, the coating portion 7 has a pair of tabs 9 configured to connect with each end 10a, 10b of the strap 10. In practice, co-molding the polymer material with the containment body 3 results in the coating portion 7 being provided with the pair of tabs 9. In other words, the pair of tabs 9, which are part of the coating portion 7, are also created during co-molding of the polymer material with the containment body 3.

[0034] The method includes the steps of providing a strap 10 with a pair of end portions 10 a , 10 b for use, and connecting the end portions 10 a , 10 b of the strap 10 to the tabs 9 of the coating portion 7 .

[0035] For this purpose, each tab 9 comprises a releasable connection means 11 for each end 10a, 10b of the strap 10. In particular, the connection means 11 are provided with a receiving seat 12 adapted to receive in a releasable manner the end 10a, 10b of the strap 10. In particular, the receiving seat 12 is shaped to be connected to the end 10a, 10b of the strap 10 by an interlock.

[0036] Preferably, the receiving seat 12 has a groove 13 cut transversely to the tab 9. The groove 13 extends between a pair of side openings 14. Each of the pair of side openings 14 is adapted to allow the end 10a, 10b of the strap to be inserted by sliding it into the groove 13.

[0037] The receiving seat 12 includes an engagement element 15 adapted to engage the ends 10 a , 10 b of the strap 10 to secure the ends 10 a , 10 b of the strap 10 within the receiving seat 12 .

[0038] 1, each end 10a, 10b of strap 10 can be inserted laterally and sized within its respective receiving seat 12. More specifically, insertion of ends 10a, 10b is performed by holding case 8 stationary and sliding ends 10a, 10b into side openings 14 until they occupy and size receiving seats 12, thereby allowing engaging elements 15 to engage strap 10.

[0039] To disengage the ends 10 a , 10 b from the receiving seat 12 , it is sufficient to manually force the ends 10 a , 10 b out of the receiving seat 12 by disengaging the engagement element 15 from the strap 10 .

[0040] As envisaged above, the clockwork mechanism 2 is a system configured to indicate the time. Clockwork mechanisms 2 are well known in the art, and therefore their operation will not be described in detail further on in this description. Preferably, the clockwork mechanism 2 is of the analog type.

[0041] The clockwork mechanism 2 has at least one dial 16. The dial 16 is a substantially flat element on which time-indicating symbols such as hours, minutes, seconds or other functions are marked. The dial 16 is positioned facing the crystal 5 so as to be viewable by the user.

[0042] The clockwork mechanism 2 comprises one or more hands 17 which are associated in a rotating manner with the dial 16, thereby indicating the hours, minutes and preferably seconds on the dial, as will be shown later.

[0043] The hand 17 is driven by a central mechanism comprising a motor and a series of gears located between the motor and the hand 17, transmitting its rotary motion according to a preset rotational speed, depending on whether the hand is adapted to indicate hours, minutes or seconds.

[0044] As can be seen in Figure 3, the clockwork mechanism 2 has at least one crown 18. The crown 18 is operatively connected to the hands 17 and controls and adjusts the positioning of the hands 17. The crown 18 is adapted to be grasped by a user so that the time can be set.

[0045] Advantageously, the coating 7 is provided with a passage hole 19 for the crown 18 and is adapted so that the crown 18 can be accessed from outside the coating 7 .

[0046] Positioning the clockwork mechanism 2 involves connecting the crown 18 to the housing body, preferably by means of a screw connection.

[0047] Suitably, the method comprises the step of making available a cover element 20 for the crown 18. Additionally, the method comprises the step of applying the cover element 20 to cover the crown 18.

[0048] Advantageously, the cover element 20 is also made of a polymer material. In particular, the method preferably provides for co-molding of the polymer material with the crown 18 to make the cover element 20, thereby applying the cover element to the crown 18.

[0049] Thus, the cover element 20 is applied to the crown 18 and closes the hole in a waterproof manner.

[0050] Preferably, the watch 1 comprises at least one bezel 21, which is movably and rotationally coupled to the housing body 3 for rotating substantially around the dial 16. The bezel 21 is provided with at least one display scale for reading time data. More preferably, the watch 1 comprises a pair of bezels 21, which are arranged concentrically with one another and surround one another.

[0051] The bezel 21 is attached to the housing body 3 so as to substantially surround the dial 16 .

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the containment body 3 has a substantially ring-shaped configuration that bounds the cavity 4. However, it cannot be excluded that the containment body 3 may have a different configuration.

[0053] Additionally, the housing body 3 has a pair of access openings 22, 23 facing each other to the cavity 4. In particular, the housing body 3 has an upper opening 22 intended to be closed by the crystal 5 and a lower opening 23 intended to be closed by the back case 6.

[0054] The housing body 3 has an upper end portion 24 and a lower end portion 25, which are disposed adjacent the upper opening 22 and the lower opening 23, respectively. The end portions 24, 25 are adapted to form a sealed connection with the crystal 5 and the case back 6, respectively.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the case back 6 is a substantially plate-like element that is adapted to close the lower opening 23 of the housing body 3 and thereby form the bottom of the case 8 of the watch 1 .

[0056] Preferably, the back case 6 is at least partially made of metal.

[0057] Preferably, the back case 6 is removably associated with the housing body 3. For this purpose, fastening means are provided for fastening the back case to the housing body 3. For example, the fastening means may be a number of holes made in the back case and / or in the housing body and adapted to receive fastening members, such as screws.

[0058] As envisaged above, the coating 7 is made by co-molding a polymer material with the containment body 3 .

[0059] To this end, the co-molding step advantageously comprises the sub-step of making available at least one mold 26, which mold 26 defines at least one chamber 27 having a predetermined shape. The chamber 27 is adapted to receive the containment body 3 and, with the containment body 3, to define a compartment 28 surrounding at least a portion of the containment body 3. In effect, the mold 26 has a dedicated space intended to be occupied by the containment body 3. Once the containment body 3 is placed in the predetermined space, the walls of the containment body 3 and of the mold 26 define the compartment 28. The compartment 28 is intended to receive the polymer material so that it surrounds the containment body 3.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 4, the shaping of the mould 26 is predetermined in order to obtain, as a result of the common moulding, the above-mentioned coating 7. By varying the shaping of the mould 26, it is possible to vary the configuration of the coating 7 and therefore of the aesthetic appearance of the watch 1 obtained by the method according to the invention.

[0061] Once the desired configuration of the watch 1 has been established, a mold is created shaped so that the section 28 has the negative shape relative to the coating 7 .

[0062] Next, the method includes positioning the containment body 3 in the chamber of the mold 26 to define the compartment 28 .

[0063] At this point, the method includes injecting a molten polymeric material into compartment 28. The injected polymeric material thus occupies substantially the entire compartment 28 and shapes itself according to the shape of the casting.

[0064] Finally, the method includes a step of cooling the polymer material, thereby hardening it and allowing it to retain its predetermined shape, thereby achieving the desired coating 7 .

[0065] As can be seen in Figure 2, the coating 7, which is preferably co-molded with the containment body 3, has a substantially ring-shaped configuration surrounding the containment body 3. In particular, the coating 7 is substantially concentric with the containment body 3. In effect, the coating 7 has a substantially circular side wall and wraps around the containment body 3.

[0066] However, it cannot be excluded that according to the mould used to make the coating 7 it may have a different configuration.

[0067] The coating 7 has a pair of openings which communicate with openings in the housing body 3 so that the crystal 5 and back case 6 can be attached to the housing body 3 .

[0068] As envisaged above, advantageously, the common moulding between the coating 7 and the housing body 3 makes it possible to obtain a watch whose colour and / or configuration can be customised.

[0069] Therefore, preferably, the step of making available a polymer material includes selecting a polymer material from a plurality of polymer materials having different colors. In this way, coating portion 7 changes its color depending on the selected polymer material. In other words, the method includes making available a plurality of polymer materials having mutually different colors, from which the polymer material used to manufacture watch 1 can be selected.

[0070] In terms of shape, the step of making available a mold 26 includes selecting a mold 26 from a plurality of molds 26 having differently shaped chambers 27. The coating 7 changes its configuration depending on the selected mold 26. In other words, the method includes making available a plurality of molds having different colors from which the mold 26 used to manufacture the watch 1 can be selected.

[0071] Preferably, the method includes producing a plurality of watches 1 having different colors and / or shapes from one another. To this end, at least one watch 1 is produced by selecting a polymer material having a particular color and / or by selecting a mold 26 having a particular shaping. Another watch 1 is produced by selecting a different polymer material having a different color and / or by selecting a different mold 26 having a different shaping.

[0072] The invention also relates to a wristwatch 1.

[0073] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the wristwatch 1 includes: Clockwork mechanism 2, a containment body 3, at least partly made of a metallic material, provided with a cavity 4 adapted to contain the clockwork mechanism 2; a crystal 5 applied to the containment body 3 above the cavity 4; a back case 6, which is applied to the housing body 3 below the cavity 4; Equipped with.

[0074] These elements have already been described above.

[0075] Advantageously, the watch 1 comprises a coating 7 of the housing body 3 made of a polymer material co-molded with the housing body 3, at least partially concealing the appearance of the housing body 3. The coating 7 has also been described in detail above.

[0076] As envisaged above, the crystal 5 and case back 6 are sealingly applied to the housing body 3 and close the cavity 4 in a waterproof manner.

[0077] The watch 1 also comprises a strap 10 adapted to be wrapped around a user's wrist, the strap 10 extending between a pair of ends 10a, 10b.

[0078] Suitably, as envisaged above, the coating 7 comprises at least a pair of tabs 9, each of which is adapted to make a connection to one of the ends 10a, 10b of the strap 10.

[0079] It has been confirmed in practice that the described invention achieves its intended purpose. This fact is particularly emphasized by the method for manufacturing a watch. It is possible to obtain a watch that has good durability and at the same time satisfies the various aesthetic requirements of the user. In particular, the method makes it possible to develop a manufacturing method for a watch that can guarantee that the watch is waterproof and at the same time has a high degree of aesthetic customization.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a wristwatch (1), comprising: making the clockwork mechanism (2) available; providing a housing body (3) with a cavity (4) adapted to contain said clockwork mechanism (2), said housing body (3) being at least partly made of a metallic material and being made available; making available a crystal (5) adapted to be applied above said cavity (4); making the back case (6) available and adapted to be applied below said cavity (4); providing at least one polymeric material; co-molding said polymer material with said containment body (3), said co-molded polymer material defining a coating (7) on at least a portion of said containment body (3) and at least partially hiding the exterior appearance of said containment body (3); placing at least a part of said clockwork mechanism (2) in said cavity (4); and applying the crystal (5) and the back case (6) to the housing body (3) to close the cavity (4) above and below; A method comprising:

2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the crystal (5) and the back case (6) are applied to seal the housing body (3) and close the cavity (4) in a waterproof manner.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coating (7) comprises a pair of tabs (9) adapted to connect with each end (10a, 10b) of the strap (10).

4. The step of co-molding includes: a sub-step of making available at least one mold (26) for defining at least one chamber (27) having a predetermined shape, said chamber (27) adapted to receive said containment body (3) and, together with said containment body (3), defining a compartment (28) around at least a portion of said containment body (3); a sub-step of positioning said containment body (3) in said chamber (27) to define said compartment (28); and a sub-step of injecting said polymer material in a molten state into said compartment (28), 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of making available a polymer material comprises selecting the polymer material from a plurality of polymer materials having different colors, and the coating portion (7) changes its color depending on the selected polymer material.

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of making available a mold (26) comprises selecting the mold (26) from a plurality of molds (26) having chambers (27) with different shapes from each other, and the coating part (7) changes its configuration depending on the selected mold (26).

7. providing a pair of ends (10a, 10b) on the strap (10) for use; and connecting the ends (10a, 10b) of the strap (10) to the tabs (9) of the coating part (7); 7. The method according to claim 1, comprising:

8. A wristwatch (1), Clockwork mechanism (2), a containment body (3) provided with a cavity (4) adapted to contain said clockwork mechanism (2), at least partly made of a metallic material; a crystal (5) applied to said containment body (3) above said cavity (4); a back case (6) applied to the storage body (3) below the cavity (4); Equipped with The watch (1) is characterized in that it comprises a coating (7) of the housing body (3) made of a polymer material co-molded with the housing body (3), at least partially concealing the appearance of the housing body (3).

9. 9. Wristwatch (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the crystal (5) and the case back (6) are adapted to seal the housing body (3) and close the cavity (4) in a waterproof manner.

10. a strap (10) adapted to be wrapped around a user's wrist, said strap (10) extending between a pair of ends (10a, 10b); 10. A wristwatch (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the coating (7) comprises at least one pair of tabs (9), each configured to connect with one of the ends (10a, 10b) of the strap (10).

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