Locatable watch with mechanical display

Abstract

To provide a location-identifiable watch having means for easily finding it when lost. The watch has a strap for wearing the watch on a user's wrist, a case attached to the strap and closed by a transparent lens, the case containing a dial fixed relative to the case, hands for indicating the time, and a mechanical display with a mechanism 7 supplied with energy by energy storage means and configured to rotate the hands. The watch further comprises an electronic circuit 8 and an antenna 9 configured to wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information to a device remote from the watch. The antenna 9 is located within the case, which contains a support 11 for the antenna 9 and is made of a material that is transparent to electromagnetic signals.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch with a mechanical hand display. [Background technology]

[0002] Wristwatches are known as devices that tell the time to the user. Among these, watches with mechanical displays contain moving parts, i.e., hands, to indicate the time. The display consists of a fixed dial with moving hands whose position indicates the time. They usually have hour and minute hands. Watches can also be fitted with a second hand.

[0003] There is a need for an easy way to find a mechanical watch when lost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for easily finding a mechanical display watch when lost.

[0005] To this end, the present invention provides a strap for attaching the watch to a user's wrist; A case attached to a strap and closed by a transparent lens, A dial fixed to the case, At least two needles; an energy storage means; a mechanism configured to rotate a hand relative to a dial, the mechanism being supplied with energy by an energy storage means; and We propose a watch with a mechanical display.

[0006] The watch is characterized in that the case further contains electronic circuitry configured to generate an identification signal representative of the watch's identity, and connected to an antenna configured to receive the identification signal and wirelessly emit an electromagnetic signal representative of the identity.

[0007] The watch is further characterized in that at least a portion of the case covering the antenna is transparent to electromagnetic signals.

[0008] Thanks to the electronic circuitry and antenna, as well as the parts of the case that are transparent to electromagnetic signals, the watch is able to emit signals that make it possible to detect its presence and therefore to identify its location.

[0009] The timepiece according to the invention has an analog display, i.e. the time is displayed by hands, and the display is mechanical, i.e. the hands are moving parts of the timepiece and not hands displayed on a screen. In other words, in the timepiece according to the invention, the moving elements, i.e. the hands, indicate the time information. The hands are preferably located between the dial and the lens. The hands are positioned so that they can be seen by the user through the lens.

[0010] The needle is made of a solid material, such as a metal or a polymer.

[0011] The hands are configured to indicate time information, for example, one hand is configured to indicate hour information on the dial and the other hand is configured to indicate minute information on the dial.

[0012] The dials and hands are located inside the case but are positioned so that they are visible to the user through a lens. To achieve this, the lens is made of a material that is transparent to visible light, for example, the lens is a glass plate.

[0013] The watch includes a strap for wearing on an adult's or child's wrist, and is therefore a wristwatch.

[0014] The energy storage means is preferably an electric cell such as a battery or a button cell. The energy storage means can also be a spring for storing energy in mechanical form. The energy stored in the energy storage means is used to provide the energy required by the timepiece mechanism to turn the hands.

[0015] Preferably, the electronic circuits of the watch are also supplied with energy by an energy storage means, in which case the energy storage means is a battery or an electric cell. Alternatively, the watch may include another energy storage means in electrical form, such as a battery or an electric cell, for powering the electronic circuits.

[0016] The portion of the case that covers the antenna may be made of one or more materials that are transparent to electromagnetic signals.

[0017] Preferably, the entire case is made of a material that is transparent to UHF (ultra high frequency) electromagnetic waves. Alternatively or simultaneously, the case is made of a material that is transparent to VHF (very high frequency) and / or SHF (centimeter wave) waves.

[0018] The case houses the dials, hands, mechanism, electronic circuitry and antenna. Preferably, the case is hermetically sealed, for example watertight and airtight.

[0019] Within the scope of this specification, electromagnetic waves refer to those that comply with international standards implemented by the International Telecommunications Union.

[0020] VHF waves have frequencies between 30 MHz and 300 MHz.

[0021] UHF waves have frequencies between 300 MHz and 3 GHz.

[0022] SHF waves have frequencies between 3 GHz and 30 GHz.

[0023] The case may include a watch lens, in which case the lens is part of the case, e.g., the portion of the case mentioned above includes a section of the lens or is included in the lens.

[0024] The electronic circuit and antenna of the watch are configured to generate an identification signal and an electromagnetic signal so that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by a first device located away from the watch. Preferably, the electromagnetic circuit and antenna are configured to emit an electromagnetic signal so that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by the first device at an air distance of at least 10 meters, preferably at least 25 meters. This means that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by the first device when the watch is located within a radius of 10 meters, preferably 25 meters, of the first device and the only obstacle separating the first device from the watch is air. The first device is configured to receive the electromagnetic signal, so that the presence of the watch can be detected. For example, the first device is a smartphone.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the watch antenna is configured to emit electromagnetic signals at ultra-high frequency (UHF), preferably between 2400 MHz and 2483.5 MHz, which allows communication using the Bluetooth® standard. Bluetooth® technology has the advantage of allowing short-range, energy-efficient communication between the watch and the first device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be combined with the embodiment of the previous paragraph, the watch antenna is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal in the ultra wide band (UWB), preferably at frequencies between 3100 MHz and 10600 MHz, more preferably at frequencies between 6000 MHz and 8500 MHz. The use of an ultra wide band signal means that the watch can be located very accurately by the first device when the watch is a short distance away from the first device.

[0027] Preferably, at least one top surface of the antenna faces directly onto the case, meaning that the top surface of the antenna faces the case, thereby improving the efficiency of the electromagnetic signal radiated by the antenna. Preferably, there is no intermediate part constituting an electromagnetic shield that at least partially prevents the propagation of the electromagnetic signal and separates the top surface of the antenna from the case.

[0028] For example, the top surface of the antenna directly faces a portion of the case that covers the antenna, which is transparent to electromagnetic signals.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the watch, the case further houses a support for the antenna, the support being transparent to electromagnetic signals and arranged to prevent displacement of the antenna relative to the case and electronic circuitry, which improves the energy efficiency of the watch for emitting an electromagnetic signal of a given amplitude, since the electromagnetic signal is less likely to be obstructed / attenuated by surrounding conductive elements such as the energy storage means or elements of the electronic circuitry.

[0030] The support therefore holds the antenna in a fixed position within the case. Preferably, when the antenna is received or supported by the support, the support is configured to maintain the relative position of the antenna with respect to the electronic circuitry, so as to separate the antenna and the electronic circuitry by a non-zero distance. Preferably, when the antenna is received or supported by the support, the support is configured to maintain the relative position of the antenna with respect to the electrical energy storage means (cell or battery), so as to separate the antenna and the electrical energy storage means by a non-zero distance. Preferably, the non-zero distance separating the antenna from the electronic circuitry and / or the electrical energy storage means is greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 5 mm. This avoids interference or attenuation of electromagnetic signals with conductive elements of the watch.

[0031] The support holds the antenna, which may be flexible and / or fragile, within the watch. It is configured to prevent contact between the conductive antenna and the electronic circuitry, and between the conductive antenna and the electrical energy storage means (battery). The support makes the watch more shock-resistant and prevents the risk of short circuits within the watch.

[0032] The support preferably has an annular shape, in this way the arched antenna follows the shape of the support, which may further be configured to surround the mechanism of the timepiece.

[0033] Preferably, the support includes a groove for receiving the antenna. Accordingly, the groove has a recess suitable for receiving the antenna. The shape of the recess is preferably complementary to the shape of the antenna. For example, the recess is arranged to at least partially surround the antenna. For example, the recess surrounds the lower surface of the antenna opposite the upper surface, as well as the side of the antenna that joins the lower and upper surfaces of the antenna. For example, the lower surface of the antenna directly contacts the bottom of the groove in the support.

[0034] Preferably, the support has a notch for receiving a connecting conductor between the antenna and the electronic circuit. This support improves the compactness of the watch and allows the antenna and the electronic circuit to be combined in a compact and advantageous manner. In particular, it is therefore possible to hold watches of standard size, regardless of the arrangement of the localization means shown. For example, the watch will extend as a disk with a diameter of 25 mm or less and a height of 10 mm or less.

[0035] For example, the top surface of the support is provided with a groove and the side surface of the support is provided with a notch for receiving the connecting conductor. Preferably, the antenna and the electronic circuit are separated by the support.

[0036] Preferably, the case of the watch further comprises an on / off button for the electronic circuit to start or stop the generation of the identification signal by the electronic circuit, thereby conserving energy by turning off the electronic circuit when the watch is not in use or is not in danger of being lost.

[0037] The on / off button is preferably also configured to start or stop the antenna from emitting an electromagnetic signal. The button is configured to be pressed by a user. In response to successive presses of the button by the user, the electronic circuit is configured to successively generate or stop generating an identification signal. The watch is configured so that when the electronic circuit generates (or does not generate) an identification signal, the antenna radiates (or does not transmit) an electromagnetic signal (respectively).

[0038] Preferably, the watch case is completely transparent to electromagnetic waves.

[0039] Preferably, the case of the watch is made of a polymer that is transparent to electromagnetic waves, such as plastic, for example the case is made entirely of polymer. Preferably, the case is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0040] The watch according to the invention is preferably a quartz watch, but it may also be a watch with a mechanical movement.

[0041] A quartz clockwork comprises, for example, an electronic oscillator controlled by a quartz crystal.

[0042] Preferably, the antenna has an arch shape.

[0043] Preferably, the antenna is planar, i.e. has a flat shape, in other words the antenna is contained in a plane or is flattened.

[0044] The antenna preferably extends along the inner periphery of the case. Preferably, the antenna extends along a circular arc, the angle at the center of the circular arc being 90° to 270°, preferably 130° to 180°. It is preferably semicircular. The aforementioned connecting conductors can be positioned asymmetrically with respect to the antenna, for example, at a position one-third along the antenna, to facilitate coupling and assembly.

[0045] The invention also provides methods for determining the location of a watch according to the invention. Preferably, these methods are computer-implemented.

[0046] In a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises: wirelessly emitting an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information by an antenna located within the watch case; receiving an electromagnetic signal by a first device remote from the watch; and determining, by the first device, a location of the clock in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, and displaying the determined location of the clock on a screen of the first device.

[0047] For example, the first device is a smartphone.

[0048] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna is ultra-wideband (UWB), preferably at a frequency between 3100 MHz and 10600 MHz, more preferably at a frequency between 6000 MHz and 8500 MHz, which allows for more accurate location of the watch.

[0049] In the method according to the invention, the determination of the position of the watch by the first device and the display of the position of the watch determined by the first device are performed in response to the reception of an electromagnetic signal by the first device, the electromagnetic signal received by the first device including the identification information of the watch, which may be based on an identification signal generated by an electronic circuit of the watch and representing the identification information of the watch.

[0050] In a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises: wirelessly emitting an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information by an antenna located within the watch case; receiving an electromagnetic signal by a first device remote from the watch; In response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, determining, by the first device, a location of the first device and transmitting, to the second device, a second signal further representing the determined location of the first device based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device; receiving the second signal by the second device and displaying the location of the first device on a screen of the second device.

[0051] The second device is separate from the watch and the at least one first device, for example, the second device is a smartphone, for example, the second device belongs to the owner of the watch.

[0052] For example, determining the location of the first device is performed by geolocation circuitry of the first device.

[0053] The second signal may be transmitted by the first device to the second device over a wireless communications network, possibly via a server.

[0054] The second signal is preferably an electromagnetic signal.

[0055] This method has the advantage that it works even when the first device cannot accurately determine the location of the watch, which can happen if the watch is too far from the first device. For example, this is the case when the watch is located at a distance from the first device that is greater than the maximum transmission range of an ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal. In this case, the watch can be configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the first device using the Bluetooth® standard. As a result, the location of the watch will be less accurate, but it can be achieved when the first device is located at a greater distance from the watch.

[0056] The first device then detects the presence of the clock within a certain perimeter around the first device, but is unable to determine its exact location relative to the first device. The first device then transmits its location to the second device, providing the second device with the clock's approximate location.

[0057] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously or at different times by several first devices that are remote from the watch. In this way, it is possible to use multiple first devices to determine the location of the watch even when the watch is being moved. For example, the first device is a smartphone, carried by a user different from the user of the watch and the second device, and connected to the second device, for example, via a telecommunications network and a server.

[0058] The second device is configured to receive a second signal further representing the location of the first device based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device. Thus, the second signal includes the identification information of the watch and the location information of the first device. The second device is configured to display the location of the first device, which is the approximate location of the watch, based on the second signal.

[0059] This allows a user of the second device to find the watch by leveraging the proximity between the first device and the watch, for example, even when the first device is worn by different people. Thus, the user of the second device does not need to be near the watch to detect it, nor does the user of the first device need to contact the user of the first device to find the watch.

[0060] For example, the first device may be a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by several first devices. In this case, the position of the watch can be determined, for example, by more accurate trigonometry.

[0061] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server having a database that associates identification information of the watch with identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises the steps of: determining, by the server, the second device based on the identification information of the watch and the database in response to the server receiving the second signal; and transmitting, by the server, the identification of the watch and the location of the first device to a second device determined by the server.

[0062] The signal transmitted by the server may be a second signal, which may be another signal representing the identity of the watch and the location of the first device.

[0063] In this second embodiment of the method according to the invention, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna is preferably ultra-high frequency (UHF), preferably at a frequency between 2400 MHz and 2483.5 MHz.

[0064] In a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises: wirelessly emitting an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information by an antenna located within the watch case; receiving an electromagnetic signal by a first device remote from the watch; determining, by the first device, a location of the watch in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, and transmitting, by the first device, a second signal representing the identity of the watch and the determined location of the watch to the second device; receiving the second signal by a second device and displaying the clock position on a screen of the second device.

[0065] Determining the position of the clock by the first device may include determining a relative position of the clock with respect to the first device in combination with determining the position of the first device.

[0066] The second device is separate from the watch and at least one of the first and second devices, for example, the second device is a smartphone, for example, the second device belongs to the owner of the watch.

[0067] In one example, the second device is configured to allow the second device to display the location of the clock, and the first device is configured to prevent the first device from displaying the location of the clock.

[0068] For example, determining the location of the first device is performed by geolocation circuitry of the first device.

[0069] The second signal may be transmitted wirelessly to the second device, for example via a wireless communications network that may include a server. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the clock based on the relative position of the clock with respect to the first device and the position of the first device.

[0070] Preferably, the method is performed using several first devices. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the clock based on relative positions of the clock to the first devices and the positions of the first devices. By using several first devices, the position of the clock can be determined more accurately.

[0071] An advantage of this method is that it allows for accurate location of the watch. In the method, the watch can be configured to transmit an ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal to the first device.

[0072] The first device determines a relative position of the clock with respect to the first device. The first device also determines a position of the first device, for example, by geographic location. Based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the clock thus determined, the position of the clock can be determined. Determining the position of the clock based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the clock can be performed by the first device, the second device, or a separate server.

[0073] The first device generates and transmits a second signal to the second device based on the location of the first device and the relative location of the clock thus determined, the second signal being further based on the signal representing the identity of the clock.

[0074] The second signal is preferably an electromagnetic signal.

[0075] The second device then displays the location of the watch, allowing a user of the second device to find it.

[0076] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously or at different times by several first devices that are remote from the watch. In this way, it is possible to use multiple first devices to determine the location of the watch even when the watch is moved. For example, the first device is a smartphone, possibly carried by a user remote from the user of the watch and the second device, and connected to the second device.

[0077] The second device is configured to receive a second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the at least one first device, the second signal including the identification information of the watch and the watch position information, and to display the position of the watch based on the second signal.

[0078] This allows a user of the second device to find the watch by leveraging the proximity between the first device and the watch, for example, even when the first device is worn by different people. Thus, the user of the second device does not need to be near the watch to detect it, nor does the user of the first device need to contact the user of the first device to find the watch.

[0079] For example, the first device is a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by a plurality of first devices, each of which determines the location of the watch in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal and each of which transmits a separate second signal representing the watch's identification information and location. In this case, the transmission is preferably via a server that receives all the second signals, determines the location of the watch based on the second signals, and transmits the watch's location and identification information to the second device.

[0080] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server having a database that associates identification information of the watch with identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises the steps of: determining, by the server, the second device based on the identification information of the watch and the database in response to the server receiving the second signal; and transmitting, by the server, the identification information of the clock and the location of the clock to a second device determined by the server.

[0081] The signal sent by the server may be a second signal, which may be another signal representing the identity of the watch and the location of the watch.

[0082] Preferably, in the third embodiment of the method according to the invention, the electromagnetic signal radiated by the antenna is ultra-wideband (UWB), preferably at a frequency between 3100 MHz and 10600 MHz, more preferably at a frequency between 6000 MHz and 8500 MHz.

[0083] Within this specification, the terms "locating" and "location" are used interchangeably with the terms "determine a position" and "position."

[0084] Within the scope of this specification, location information of a device, such as a watch or a first device, may include, for example, the geographic coordinates of the device.

[0085] The use herein of the verb "comprise" and its variations and conjugations does not in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those stated. The use herein of the indefinite article "a", "an" or the definite article "the" to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

[0086] All preferred embodiments, all features and all advantages of an embodiment of the method according to the invention may be substituted mutatis mutandis for other embodiments of the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0087] All preferred embodiments, features and advantages of the timepiece according to the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the method according to the invention and vice versa. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0088] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic exploded view of the components of a timepiece according to the invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic exploded view of the components of a timepiece according to the invention;

[0090] The drawings of the figures are not necessarily to scale. Like elements are generally designated by like reference numerals in the figures. Within this specification, the same or similar elements may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings should not be considered limiting, even if these numbers or letters appear in the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0091] Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention In this section, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail. The latter will be described with reference to particular embodiments and figures, but the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings or figures described below are only schematic and are not limiting.

[0092] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used herein solely to distinguish between different elements and therefore do not imply any order between them.

[0093] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the components of a watch according to the invention. The watch comprises two sections of a strap 1, each of which is attached to the case and includes means (not shown) for closing the strap around the wearer's wrist. The watch case 2 comprises a cover 2'' which comes into contact with the case through an intermediate part 2'. The case 2 is closed by a lens 3, which is a glass plate. The lens allows the viewer to see the watch hands 5, which are located between the watch dial 4 and the lens. The hands are rotatable relative to the dial 4 and the case 2 and are rotated by the watch mechanism 7, which is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 1 shows three hands, which indicate the hours, minutes and seconds, respectively. The parts or components shown in FIG. 2 form part of the module 12 shown in FIG. 1.

[0094] The watch is provided with an on / off button 10 for the electronic circuit 8, shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, so that the user can activate or terminate the emission of electromagnetic signals by the antenna 9 by successively pressing the button.

[0095] The case 2 is made of a non-conductive polymer so that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna 9 can pass through it without being attenuated by it. The case 2 houses the hands 5, the dial 4, and a module 12 which houses the mechanism 7, the electronic circuit 8 and the battery 6 for powering the electronic circuit 8 and the mechanism 7. As explained above, a watch according to the invention can also be equipped with two separate batteries: one to power the electronic circuit 8 and the other to power the mechanism 7 of the watch.

[0096] The module 12 also includes a support 11 for the antenna 9, as shown in FIG. 2. The support has an annular shape. The upper surface of the support has a groove 11' for receiving the antenna 9. The shape of the groove 11' is complementary to the shape of the antenna 9. The groove 11' has an arched recess. The groove 11' extends along an arc with a central angle of 145° to 170°. When the watch is assembled, the antenna is received in the groove so that the groove surrounds the underside of the antenna opposite the upper surface 9'. The groove also surrounds the side of the antenna that joins the upper surface 9' and the underside of the antenna 9. The support 11 is positioned so that the antenna 9 is separated from the mechanism 7 by a shoulder extending along the groove 11'.

[0097] The support 11 is disposed so as to separate the antenna 9 from the electronic circuit 8. In practice, the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit are disposed on either side of the support 11, spaced apart by a distance of 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0098] The antenna 9 is supported in direct contact with the upper surface of the support 11. The circuit 8 is in direct contact with the lower surface of the support.

[0099] One side of the support 11 is provided with a notch 11 ″ for receiving a connecting conductor between the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit 8 .

[0100] The notch 11'' makes it possible to separate the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit 8 by the support, while at the same time optimizing the volume occupied by the support 11 and making the watch more compact.

[0101] The support 11 is made from a single block of material that is transparent to electromagnetic signals.

[0102] The case 2 is watertight and airtight when closed by the glass.

[0103] The antenna 9 is arch-shaped. It extends along the arc of a circle with a central angle of 130° to 170°. The antenna 9 is planar. It has an upper surface 9' that faces the case when the watch is in its assembled configuration. The upper surface 9' is not oriented toward the electronic circuit 8 or the battery 6 to avoid electromagnetic shielding of the electromagnetic signal by them. The upper surface 9' is oriented toward the case so that no intermediate portion separates the inner surface of the case from the antenna's upper surface 9', which would provide an electromagnetic shielding effect that attenuates the electromagnetic signal. In this way, the electromagnetic signal radiated by the watch has a maximum amplitude. Preferably, the antenna's upper surface 9' faces directly toward the inner surface of the case, i.e., it does not have any intermediate portion.

[0104] Once the electronic circuitry is activated and the antenna emits an electromagnetic signal representative of the watch's identity, the watch forms part of a system making it possible to identify its geographic location and to carry out the method according to the invention. The watch's location can thus be determined and communicated to the user.

[0105] For example, the antenna is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal according to the Ultra Wideband and / or Bluetooth® standard, which signal is detectable by a first device, such as a smartphone, located in the vicinity of the watch, for example within a radius of 10 m or 50 m from the watch, and which represents the identity of the watch, i.e. allows the identification of the watch that emitted the electromagnetic signal.

[0106] The smartphone is further configured to determine the location of the watch in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal, either by detecting that the watch is within a particular radius of it (as a result of receiving a Bluetooth® signal) or by precisely calculating the watch's position relative to it (as a result of receiving an ultra-wideband signal).

[0107] The smartphone may belong to the watch owner or to a third party unknown to the watch owner. If the smartphone belongs to the watch owner, it may display the watch's location relative to the smartphone so that the watch owner can find it.

[0108] If the smartphone belongs to a third party, the smartphone can transmit a second signal representing some information about the location of the watch. For example, the location information can be its own location, or the location of the watch calculated based on its own location and the relative location of the watch to the smartphone, or the relative location of the watch to a smartphone that is distant from the smartphone's location. The third party's smartphone generates and emits a second electromagnetic signal, which is transmitted to a second device, such as the watch's owner's smartphone, representing the location information of the watch as well as the watch's identification information.

[0109] The second signal can be transmitted by the first device to the second device, for example, via a wireless telecommunications network including a server. The server is configured to determine the second device to which the second signal is to be transmitted, for example, based on the identification information of the watch, such that the identification information and location information of the watch are transmitted to a predetermined second device. For example, the server can perform this operation by means of a server database that associates the identification information of the watch with the identification information of the second device.

[0110] The watch owner's smartphone can display the watch's location so that the owner can find it again. The advantage of this method is that the watch owner does not need to contact multiple third-party phones located near the watch in order to find it, but can use them to identify the watch's location.

[0111] In summary, the present invention relates to a locatable watch and a method for locating a watch, the watch having a strap 1 for wearing the watch on a user's wrist, a case 2 attached to the strap and closed by a transparent lens 3, the case 2 containing a dial 4 fixed relative to the case 2, a mechanical display with hands 5 for indicating the time and a mechanism 7 supplied with energy by energy storage means 6 and configured to rotate the hands 5. The watch further comprises an electronic circuit 8 and an antenna 9 configured to wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identity to a device remote from the watch. The antenna 9 is located within the case 2, which further includes a portion covering the antenna and is made of a material that is transparent to electromagnetic signals.

[0112] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples illustrated and / or described above, but its scope is more broadly defined by the claims introduced below.

[0113] While the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are purely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated or described above, but rather its scope is more broadly defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A watch with a mechanical display, a strap (1) for attaching the watch to a user's wrist; A case (2) attached to the strap (1) and closed by a transparent lens (3), a dial (4) fixed relative to the case (2); At least two needles (5); an energy storage means (6); a case (2) containing a mechanism (7) configured to be supplied with energy by the energy storage means (6) and to cause rotational movement of the hand (5) relative to the dial (4); Equipped with the case (2) further contains an electronic circuit (8) configured to generate an identification signal representative of the identity of the watch and connected to an antenna (9) configured to receive the identification signal and wirelessly emit an electromagnetic signal representative of the identity; A watch characterized in that at least a portion of said case (2) covering said antenna (9) is transparent to said electromagnetic signals.

2. 2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein said antenna (9) is configured to emit said electromagnetic signals at frequencies of ultra-high frequency (UHF), preferably between 2400 MHz and 2483.5 MHz.

3. 2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein said antenna (9) is configured to radiate said electromagnetic signals in ultra-wideband (UWB), preferably at frequencies between 3100 MHz and 10600 MHz, more preferably at frequencies between 6000 MHz and 8500 MHz.

4. 2. A watch according to claim 1, wherein at least one upper surface of said antenna (9) faces directly towards said case (2).

5. 2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the case (2) further comprises an on / off button (10) for the electronic circuit (8) for starting or stopping the generation of the identification signal by the electronic circuit (8).

6. 2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the case (2) is made of a polymer such as plastic.

7. 10. The watch of claim 1, which is a quartz watch.

8. 2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (9) has an arch shape.

9. 9. A watch according to claim 8, wherein said antenna (9) extends along an arc of a circle, the angle of said circle at the centre of said arc being between 90° and 270°, preferably between 130° and 180°.

10. 2. A watch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case (2) further contains a support (11) for the antenna (9), the support being transparent to the electromagnetic signals and arranged to prevent displacement of the antenna (9) relative to the case (2) and the electronic circuit (8).

11. 11. Timepiece according to claim 10, wherein said support (11) comprises a groove (11') for receiving said antenna (9).

12. 12. Timepiece according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the support (11) comprises a notch (11'') for passing a connecting conductor between the antenna (9) and the electronic circuit (8).

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