Lightweight and robust watch parts

Abstract

We provide watch components, particularly external watch components, that are lightweight, robust, and compatible with the aesthetic requirements of high-end watches. [Solution] A method for manufacturing a watch component, comprising the steps of: manufacturing an unfinished frame 10a including a through-opening 11; manufacturing at least two unfinished inserts 20b; forming an assembled assembly 30b by inserting each unfinished insert 20b into the through-opening 11 of the unfinished frame 10a with minimal play; casting the assembled assembly 30b in a mold 201 such that each unfinished insert 20b is welded to at least one other unfinished insert 20b in order to connect with the frame 10 and form an inseparable structure; and finishing machining to achieve the final dimensions and finish of the watch component.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing watch parts, wherein the method is A manufacturing of an unfinished frame (10a) including a through-opening (11), To manufacture at least two unfinished inserts (20b), Each unfinished insert (20b) is inserted into the through-opening (11) of the unfinished frame (10a) with minimal play to form the assembled assembly (30b). In order to form a structure that is inseparable from the frame (10), the assembled assembly (30b) is cast in a mold (201) such that each unfinished insert (20b) is welded to at least one other unfinished insert (20b). In order to achieve the final dimensions and finish of the aforementioned watch parts, finishing machining is performed. Steps including A method for manufacturing watch parts.

2. The step of manufacturing an unfinished frame (10a) involves forming a reworked portion (16) and a finished portion (15), and the finishing machining step involves leaving the finished portion (15) as is and modifying or removing the reworked portion (16). A method for manufacturing a watch component as described in claim 1.

3. The mold (201) is positioned and oriented at the bottom of the mold (201) to accommodate the unfinished frame (10a) of the assembled assembly (30b), and includes a portion that forms a reference element (203) that complements the reworked portion (16) of the unfinished frame (10a) so as to form a sealing interface that prevents the material of the unfinished insert (20b) from covering the reworked portion (16) of the unfinished frame (10a). A method for manufacturing a watch component as described in claim 2.

4. The method includes, before carrying out the step of casting the assembled assembly, a step of assembling at least one protective element (60) to the unfinished frame (10a) of the assembled assembly (30b) in order to protect all or part of the assembled assembly, in particular the reworked portion (16) of the unfinished frame (10a), and / or the opening of the frame, and / or the finished portion (15), in particular the opening of the frame designed to be at the same height as the through opening of a control device such as a push button or winding crown, and / or the method includes, before carrying out the step of casting the assembled assembly, a step of assembling at least one protective element (60) to the unfinished frame (10a) of the assembled assembly (30b) in order to reinforce the unfinished frame (10a) and maintain its integrity during the casting step. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The unfinished frame (10a) defines the internal housing (12), and the protective element (60) is advantageously assembled with the unfinished frame (10a) to seally close the opening of the internal housing (12). A method for manufacturing a watch component as described in claim 4.

6. The step of casting the assembled assembly (30b) includes a heating step to allow the unfinished inserts (20b) to flow, and a compression step to fill the through-openings (11) of the frame with the material of the unfinished inserts, and to weld the unfinished inserts (20b) together and optionally fix them to the frame, wherein the heating step is optionally a controlled heating step. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The step of manufacturing the unfinished frame (10a) is carried out by machining, 3D printing, casting, or sintering, and optionally includes rework using machining means to achieve the final accuracy of at least the finished portion (15) of the unfinished frame (10a). A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The step of manufacturing the unfinished frame (10a) includes forming the unfinished frame (10a) which includes through openings (11) that appear on the outside of the unfinished frame (10a), communicate with each other, and optionally do not appear on the inside of the housing (12) of the unfinished frame (10a). A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The method for manufacturing a frame (10) includes recesses (12b, 13a) for positioning seals at the interface with other components such as glass, a back cover, or protective elements. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The manufacture of the unfinished insert (20b) includes machining or casting from the same block using a material having a lower melting point than the material of the unfinished frame (10a). A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The manufacturing of the unfinished insert (20b) includes forming additional thickness or excess material on its external parts, wherein the unfinished insert (20b) is independent of each other or connected to each other by the excess material. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The aforementioned watch components are parts of the watch movement, such as the case body (30), strap, bezel, case back, dial components, or blanks or plates. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The watch component is a case body (30), and the unfinished frame (10a) defines an internal housing (12) intended to receive a watch movement and includes at least one portion that forms at least one device (12) for fastening the case back and / or glass and / or bezel and / or control members and / or strap. A method for manufacturing a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. The reworked portion (16) includes a support surface, a cylinder, and a flat section located on the upper side of the inner housing (12) of the case body, and the method includes a finishing step of removing the reworked portion (16) to form a device for fastening glass by machining the deposit and flange, A method for manufacturing a watch component as described in claim 13.

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