A portable watch, and a method for securing the watch face of a portable watch.
The portable watch design with a bezel and flexible shock-absorbing elements addresses the issue of dial cracking by absorbing impacts, enhancing protection and simplifying the securing process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
The existing fixing systems for portable timepiece dials, such as bolts or keys, transmit impact energy directly to the dial, leading to cracking and degradation due to their rigidity.
A portable watch design incorporating a bezel attached to a middle section with a flexible axial shock-absorbing element, such as an O-ring, positioned between the bezel and dial to absorb impacts, and optionally a lateral shock-absorbing element to protect against lateral impacts.
Reduces the risk of dial cracking and damage by absorbing impact energy, requiring fewer components and operations for securing the dial compared to traditional methods.
Smart Images
Figure 2026109565000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0005]
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of timepieces. In particular, the present invention relates to means for fixing the dial of a portable timepiece (e.g., a wristwatch, a pocket watch).
Background Art
[0002] In the watch industry, the dial is often fixed by bolts or keys that attach the dial to the plate of the movement of a portable timepiece. Due to the rigidity of this type of fixing system, the dial is susceptible to degradation due to impacts. In particular, almost all of the energy due to an impact from the front side is transmitted to the dial, and the dial may crack.
[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to have a method for more appropriately protecting the dial of a portable timepiece from impacts.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problems. This object is achieved by a portable timepiece and an assembly method according to the appended claims.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In certain embodiments, the portable watch further includes a lateral shock-absorbing element to protect the watch face from lateral impacts.
[0007] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. These are given as examples and are not limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is an exploded view of some components of a portable watch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view after the components shown in Figure 1 have been assembled. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the position of the axial shock absorbing element. [Figure 4] Figures 4a and 4b are views from below of a top panel and bezel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and include auxiliary elements for aligning the orientation of the top panel with respect to the bezel. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of an embodiment that includes a lateral impact absorbing element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Figure 1 shows several components that contribute to the distinctive features of one embodiment of the present invention, in particular the middle section 1 of the portable watch, the bezel 2, the dial 3, and the axial shock absorbing element 4 positioned between the bezel and the dial.
[0010] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly made by assembling components 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 1, the bezel 2 has legs 5 on its back. These legs 5 are positioned through the middle section 1 into corresponding holes 6. For example, the legs 5 are provided with screw holes, through which the bezel 2 can be screwed into the front of the middle section 1.
[0011] Figures 2 and 3 (enlarged view) show that the front panel 3 is held between the middle section 1 and the bezel 2 along its circumference. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel 3 has a flat back surface 10 that abuts against the front surface 11 of the middle section 1. The inner wall 12 of the bezel 2 is provided with a perimeter stopper 13 that is visible and reachable from the back surface 14 of the bezel 2 (when the bezel is viewed without other components). The axial shock absorption element is in the form of an O-ring 4 positioned between the stopper 13 on the bezel 2 and the perimeter 15 of the front surface 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter 15 is in the form of a narrow region parallel to the back surface 10 of the front panel, and the rest of the front surface 16 of the front panel is slightly recessed. However, the front panel can have other shapes as long as it allows for the introduction of a shock absorption element between the front panel and the bezel.
[0012] The dimensions of these components described are configured such that the axial shock-absorbing element 4 is partially compressed between the bezel 2 and the front panel 3 when the bezel 2 is fixed to the middle section 1. Partial compression is defined as compression that keeps the shock-absorbing element in a flexible state, allowing it to absorb shocks from the front while keeping the front panel on the middle section. The degree of compression varies depending on the dimensions of the components and the choice of material for the shock-absorbing element. An example of a material that can be used in this invention is Hytrel 7246 from the manufacturer Celanese.
[0013] Thanks to the elasticity of shock-absorbing element 4, the risk of the watch face cracking due to impact from the front of the portable watch is reduced.
[0014] In embodiments of the present invention, auxiliary elements are provided for aligning the orientation of the top plate. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, these auxiliary elements include two pins 20 fixed to the front surface of the middle section 1 and two non-through holes (not visible in Figure 1) on the back surface of the top plate 3, each configured to hold one of the pins 20 in its respective non-through hole. Preferably, one of the non-through holes is circular in cross-section and configured to hold one of the pins with substantially no gap between the pin and the inner wall of the hole, while the other hole is elongated. This configuration allows for slight adjustment of the orientation of the top plate and ensures that the top plate is secured without applying stress that could damage it.
[0015] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other auxiliary elements for aligning the orientation of the dial can be provided. For example, instead of aligning the orientation of the dial with respect to the middle section, an auxiliary element can be provided for aligning the orientation of the dial with respect to the bezel. This can be achieved as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Two radial notches 25 are formed in the inner wall 12 of the bezel 2 by machining. The dial 3 is provided with radial pins 26, which are fixed to the dial or manufactured integrally with the dial and fit into the notches 25 to achieve the correct orientation.
[0016] Preferably, two auxiliary elements, such as two axial pins 20 or two radial pins 26, are provided to align the orientation of the front panel, but three or more auxiliary elements can be provided to align the orientation of the front panel without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0017] By performing the following steps, components 1 to 4 can be assembled to form the assembly shown in Figure 2. - A step of positioning the middle section 1 on a support surface, preferably horizontal. In this step, the movement of a portable watch (not shown) may already be fitted into the middle section. - The next step is to place the front panel 3 on the middle section and align the orientation of the front panel with the middle section. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the correct orientation is achieved by positioning the front panel 3 so that the pins 20 fit into non-through holes provided on the back of the front panel. - The next step is to position the bezel 2 on the front panel 3 such that an axial shock-absorbing element is positioned between them. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1-3, the O-ring 4 can be positioned to contact the stopper 13 on the bezel. Preferably, the outer diameter of the O-ring 4 is selected to be slightly larger than the diameter of the inner wall 12 of the bezel. This allows the bezel to be operated with the O-ring attached and the bezel and O-ring assembly to be positioned on the front panel 3. - Subsequently, the bezel 2 is fixed to the middle section 1 using the legs 5 and holes 6, thereby partially compressing the shock-absorbing element 4 and holding the front panel 3 in the appropriate position.
[0018] When using auxiliary elements such as the pins 26 and radial notches 25 shown in Figures 4a and 4b to align the orientation of the dial with the bezel, it is first necessary to align the orientation of the dial and then assemble the bezel and dial using these auxiliary elements 25 and 26 so that a shock-absorbing element is provided between the dial and the bezel. Then, this assembly must be placed on the middle section so that the bezel can be fixed to that middle section.
[0019] When attaching external components to a portable watch, tasks such as attaching the dial and securing the bezel are performed. Since the dial is held between the bezel and the middle section by an axial shock-absorbing element, securing the dial is also necessary when attaching the external components. However, this securing method requires fewer operations and fewer components than traditional dial securing systems that use keys and bolts.
[0020] In some embodiments, in addition to axial shock absorption, lateral shock absorption is also performed. One exemplary method of implementing these embodiments is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an alignment pin 20 that is fixed to the middle part 1 and inserted into one of the non-through holes 21 in the dial 3. A circumferential groove 30 is provided on the side wall of the pin 20, and an O-ring 31 made of a flexible material fits into the groove 30. The dimensions of the illustrated components and the non-through hole 21 are configured such that the O-ring 31 is partially compressed between the depth of the groove 30 and the wall of the non-through hole 21. This configuration is applied to each alignment pin 20, thereby reducing the impact of lateral shocks on the portable watch.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 where two non-through holes 21 and two alignment pins 20 are employed, the two non-through holes 21 are preferably circular (in cross-section). The lateral shock absorption element 31 automatically positions the pin 20 at the center in the hole 21 without risk of stress.
Description of the reference numerals
[0022] 1 Middle part 2 Bezel 3 Dial 4 Axial shock absorption element 10 Back 11 Front 12 Inner wall 13 Peripheral stop 15 Peripheral part 20 Pin 21 Non-through hole 25 Notch 26 Radial pin 30 Circumferential groove 31 Lateral shock absorption element
Claims
1. A portable watch comprising a middle section (1), a bezel (2) attached to the middle section, and a front dial (3), The bezel, the front panel, and the middle section each have a front and a back. The front panel (3) is held between the middle section (1) and the bezel (2) along its periphery. An axial shock-absorbing element (4) made of a flexible material is positioned between the front panel (3) and the bezel (2). The axial shock absorbing element is partially compressed between the front panel and the bezel. Portable watch.
2. The axial shock absorbing element (4) is an O-ring arranged along the periphery of the surface plate (3). The portable watch according to claim 1.
3. The bezel (2) is screwed into the middle part (1). The portable watch according to claim 1.
4. The bezel (2) has an inner wall (12) with a perimeter stopper (13), The axial shock absorbing element (4) is held and partially compressed between the periphery (13) and the periphery (15) of the front surface of the front plate (3). The portable watch according to claim 1.
5. Furthermore, it includes an auxiliary element for aligning the orientation of the front panel (3) with respect to the middle section (1) or the bezel (2), A portable watch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. It includes an auxiliary element for aligning the orientation of the front panel (3) with the middle section (1), The auxiliary element has at least two pins (20) fixed to the front surface (11) of the middle section (1), The aforementioned pin is inserted into a corresponding non-through hole (21) provided on the back surface (10) of the front panel (3). The portable watch according to claim 5.
7. It includes an auxiliary element for aligning the orientation of the front panel (3) with respect to the bezel (2), The auxiliary element includes at least two radial pins (26) fixed to the front panel (3) or made integrally with the front panel (3), and a notch (25) provided in the inner wall (12) of the bezel (2). The radial pin (26) is inserted into the corresponding notch (25). The portable watch according to claim 5.
8. Furthermore, it includes one or more lateral impact absorbing elements (31) positioned between the middle section (1) and the front panel (3), The portable watch according to claim 1.
9. The middle section (1) is provided with at least two alignment pins (20) that are fixed to the front surface (11) of the middle section. The orientation pin (20) is inserted into a corresponding non-through hole (21) provided on the back surface (10) of the front panel (3). Each alignment pin (20) is provided with a circumferential groove (30). A lateral impact absorbing element (31) is placed in each circumferential groove (30). The aforementioned lateral impact absorbing element is partially compressed between the depth of the circumferential groove and the inner wall of the non-through hole (21). The portable watch according to claim 8.
10. The non-through hole (21) has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the alignment pin (20) extends. The portable watch according to claim 9.
11. A method for assembling the middle section (1), bezel (2), and front dial (3) of the portable watch described in claim 6, The steps include: arranging the middle section (1) on a support surface, preferably horizontal; Subsequently, the front panel (3) is placed on the middle section, and the pin (20) on the front of the middle section is inserted into the non-through hole (21) on the back of the front panel, thereby aligning the orientation of the front panel with respect to the middle section. The next step is to position the bezel (2) on the front panel (3) such that the axial shock absorbing element (4) is positioned between the bezel (2) and the front panel (3), Subsequently, the bezel (2) is fixed to the middle section (1), thereby partially compressing the axial shock absorbing element (4). A method that includes this.
12. A method for assembling the middle section (1), bezel (2), and front dial (3) of the portable watch described in claim 7, The steps include: positioning the middle section (1) on a support surface, preferably horizontal; The steps include: aligning the orientation of the front panel (3) with respect to the bezel (2) by inserting the radial pin (26) in the front panel (3) into the notch (25) in the bezel, so that the axial shock absorbing element (4) is positioned between the front panel (3) and the bezel (2); Subsequently, the assembly of the bezel (2) and the front panel (3) is placed on the middle section (1), Subsequently, the bezel (2) is fixed to the middle section (1), thereby partially compressing the axial shock absorbing element (4). A method that includes this.