Clock dial, clock and clock dial assembly method

Abstract

A connecting ring (2) for a dial (10) of a watch (90) includes a connecting first part (21) having a plastically deformable connecting element (210) intended to be in a state of bearing a weight on a second part (11) formed on the dial plate (1), the dial plate being: a lower first surface (12) intended to be located inside the watch (90); an opposing upper second surface (13) intended to be visible; A second part (11) connecting the first and second faces and forming the peripheral contour of the dial plate. (2) connecting rings.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting ring for a watch dial. The present invention also relates to a watch dial plate. The present invention also relates to a watch dial comprising such a ring and / or such a plate. The present invention also relates to a watch comprising such a dial and / or such a ring and / or such a plate. The present invention further relates to a method for assembling or constructing such a watch or such a dial. [Background technology]

[0002] A dial for a watch according to the prior art is described in Reference 1. Such a dial includes a foot welded under the dial plate, intended to fix the dial plate in the case of the watch, for example, using a screw. This solution has the drawback of requiring a material that is compatible with the material from which the dial is made, as well as requiring laborious manufacturing and assembly operations, particularly welding the foot and screwing it to the frame. Furthermore, there is a risk of creating a statically unstable situation if the assembly is not perfectly accurate. Finally, this solution is not compatible with certain watches, such as watch cases with multiple mechanical functions, where the available volume is very limited and the passage of screws for fixing the dial is limited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3339970 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 2743783 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 2730636 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting ring for a timepiece dial and / or a timepiece dial plate, which allows an improvement over previously known mechanisms. In particular, the present invention proposes a simple and robust mechanism that allows a reliable and repeatable fastening of the timepiece dial plate to the connecting ring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the present invention For watches The dial is a claim 1 is defined as follows.

[0010] Various embodiments of the watch dial are defined in claims 2 to 5. 11 is defined as follows.

[0011] The clock according to the present invention is 12 is defined as follows.

[0012] The method for assembling a timepiece dial or a timepiece according to the present invention is as set forth in claim 1. 13 is defined as follows.

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, two embodiments of the watch. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a timepiece. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the dial of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the dial plate of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the dial plate of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dial connecting ring of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dial connecting ring of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the dial of the first embodiment, showing the dial positioned near the timepiece movement blank. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the timepiece. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a first detailed view showing a cross section of the dial of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a second detailed view showing a cross section of the dial of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dial plate of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a dial connecting ring according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a detailed partial perspective view of the dial connecting ring of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A first embodiment of a watch 90 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] The timepiece 90 is, for example, a small timepiece, in particular a wristwatch.

[0017] The watch 90 includes a watch movement 30 and a watch dial 10 that are intended to be placed within a watch case to protect them from the external environment.

[0018] The clock movement 30 may be an electronic movement or a mechanical movement, especially an automatic movement.

[0019] The timepiece dial 10 comprises a dial plate 1 and a connecting ring 2 for connecting the dial 10. The dial plate 1 is assembled to the connecting ring 2 by riveting and / or setting. The connecting ring 2 is intended to connect the dial plate 1 to a movement 30, in particular to a movement blank 3 of the movement 30.

[0020] The dial plate 1 and the connecting ring 2 are configured to be mechanically connected or fixed to each other, in other words, the dial plate 1 and the connecting ring 2 are configured to be connected, preferably by a telescopic connection or a full connection.

[0021] The connecting ring in turn constitutes the connecting support or connecting interface between the movement and the dial plate.

[0022] By "mechanical connection" is meant any connection that does not rely on adhesive, welding or brazing steps, which can be tedious and difficult to reproduce.

[0023] The connecting ring 2 for the dial 10 of the watch 90 comprises a connecting first part 21 arranged with a connecting element 210 which is plastically deformable and intended to be in a state of applying weight to a second part 11 formed in the dial plate 1.

[0024] The dial plate 1 of the dial 10 of the watch 90 is intended to be attached to the connecting ring 2. a lower first face 12 intended to be located inside the watch 90; - the opposing upper second face 13, which is intended to be visible; a second part 11 connecting the first and second faces and forming the peripheral contour of the dial plate; Includes:

[0025] The second part 11 comprises at least a third surface 110 inclined relative to the lower first surface 12 and / or the upper second surface 13 of the dial plate 1. The at least one third surface 110a is designed to cooperate with a plastically deformable connecting element 210 and is intended to be in a state of bearing weight against the at least one third surface 110.

[0026] Here, the watch dial has an axis A. This axis is the axis of rotation or symmetry of the dial. Axis A points in a direction z perpendicular to the dial plate. If the dial does not have a symmetrical or rotational shape, axis A passes through the center of the dial (defined by the center of mass). If the dial plate is not planar, direction z and axis A are perpendicular to a plane passing through the lower first surface or the upper second surface. For example, such a plane may be tangential to the lower first surface or the upper second surface. For example, such a plane may pass through the periphery of the lower first surface or the periphery of the upper second surface.

[0027] By applying the weight of the plastically deformable connecting element 210 against the second part 11 formed in the dial plate 1, in particular against at least one third surface 110, it is possible to achieve a mechanical connection of the plate to the connecting ring.

[0028] More specifically, the connecting part 21 has a connecting element 210 intended to rest against a third surface 110 formed in the peripheral contour 11 of the dial plate 1. The peripheral contour 11 may be defined as the surface connecting a first surface 12 intended to be located inside the watch and an opposing upper second surface 13 intended to be visible to the wearer of the watch.

[0029] The third faces 110 are inclined, that is, the normal to at least a portion of these surfaces is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the axis A.

[0030] The third surface 110 extends in a direction not perpendicular to the first surface 12 and is inclined from said first surface 12 towards the inside of the dial plate 1. In other words, progression along the third surface 110 away from the first surface 12 and / or reducing the distance to the second surface 13 reduces the distance from the axis A or from the centre of the first surface 12 or reduces the distance from the axis A or from the centre of the second surface 13 (the reduction being measured parallel to the first surface 12 or parallel to the second surface 13).

[0031] In the first embodiment, the connecting element 210 of the ring 2 takes the form of a tongue, more particularly, the connecting element 210 of the ring 2 takes the form of a tongue formed from the annular portion.

[0032] The connecting portion 21 has the form of an annular portion that projects in the vertical direction z from a horizontal or substantially horizontal support surface 211 that is intended to comprise the outer or peripheral portion of the lower first surface 12 of the dial plate 1 on which it bears its weight.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the number of tongues 210 is three (more clearly shown in FIG. 5). The tongues are distinguished from one another by the references 210a, 210b, 210c. The tongues 210a, 210b, 210c are intended to cooperate with the third faces 110a, 110b, 110c, respectively, of the peripheral contour 11 of the dial plate 1 (more clearly shown in FIG. 3). Naturally, the number of tongues may vary depending on the expected holding force in the connecting ring of the dial plate and / or depending on the structural requirements.

[0034] The tongues 210a, 210b, 210c may be obtained directly by machining the connecting part 21. In particular, each tongue is formed or defined by a set of slots 214a, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e, 214f ​​actually machined in the connecting part 21. This set of slots is located on both sides of each tongue. These slots open in a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 212 that is parallel or substantially parallel to a support surface 211 that forms one end of the connecting part 21 in the vertical direction z. In this way, each slot actually forms a crenellated wall in the connecting part 21.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in a cross section passing through a plane perpendicular to the support surface 211, the width or thickness L' of the tongue is preferably less than the width or thickness L of the portion 21 in the same cross section. More preferably, the width L' is less than L / 2.

[0036] Thanks to their width L' and each slot adjacent to each tongue, the tongues 210a, 210b, 210c have a shape that is plastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the respective face 110a, 110b, 110c of the dial plate 1. This direction is indicated, for example, diagrammatically in Figure 2 by the bold arrows.

[0037] As mentioned above, preferably, the surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c extend in a direction not perpendicular to said first surface 12 and are inclined from the first surface 12, in particular towards the inside of the dial plate 1. More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c are advantageously located between the surfaces 111 and 112 which extend from the end of the contour 11 at right angles to the first surface 12 and the second surface 13. Such a shape ensures that, once these tongues are plastically deformed, they are advantageously accommodated within the thickness e of the dial plate.

[0038] Preferably, surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c form an angle α with respect to surface 111 or axis A, where α is preferably between 20° and 70°, for example equal to 60°. In other words, at least one third surface 110 is inclined by an angle α with respect to a line perpendicular to the lower first surface 12 of dial plate 1 and / or to a line perpendicular to the upper second surface 13, where α is between 20° and 70°, for example equal to 60°.

[0039] Furthermore, the surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c extend at an angle β in the plane of the dial plate 1, this angle being measured from the axis A, where β is preferably less than 45°, and preferably less than 20°. Preferably, these surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c are angularly indexed between the plate 1 and the ring 2. Even more preferably, these surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c are evenly spaced about the axis A. Alternatively, these surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c are not evenly spaced about the axis A, thereby providing a safety measure when positioning the dial plate on the connecting ring. In other words, the third surface is formed in a notch 113 formed in the peripheral contour of the plate.

[0040] Alternatively, the angle β may of course be 360°, since the contour 11 of the dial plate 1 forms only one face 110 .

[0041] The plate 1 may be mounted, as shown, so as to bear against the surface 211 of the ring under the effect of plastic deformation of the tongues 210a, 210b, 210c. Advantageously, the plate 1 may further comprise a surface or land 15, located between the first surface 12 and a further lower surface 14, perpendicular to the first and second surfaces and defining, for example, a second contour of the plate. This surface 15 may cooperate with a vertical surface or opening 23 of the ring 2 with minimal clearance in order to guide the dial plate 1 into the ring. In this way, the function of fixing the plate 1 relative to the ring 2, performed by the tongues 210a, 210b, 210c and the respective surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c belonging to the ring 2 and the dial plate 1, respectively, is separable from the guiding function performed by the surfaces 23 and 15 of the ring 2 and the dial plate 1, respectively.

[0042] Advantageously, the surface 212 of the portion 21 of the ring 2 may be intended to react to axial forces, in particular axial impacts. In particular, the surface 212 may be a surface parallel to the first and second surfaces 12 and 13, intended to abut against a surface of the case body of the watch. Once the dial 10 is assembled in the watch case, the surface 212 of the ring 2 may be hidden, for example, by a flange of the case body. Preferably, a surface intended to abut and cooperate with the surface 212 is formed below the flange of the case body. Advantageously, the ring 2 may also include a surface 213 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces 12 and 13, intended to cooperate with a surface of the case body perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces 12 and 13. Thus, the guidance of the dial 10 into the watch case may take place directly between the dial 10 and the case. Such a solution is therefore particularly advantageous with regard to the precision with which the dial is assembled in the watch case, making it possible to reduce the accumulation of tolerances involved in assembly.

[0043] Furthermore, the dial ring 2 also has the advantage of making it possible to assemble the dial to the timepiece movement 30 without assembly screws or feet that require clearance on the top surface of the movement. To achieve this, the ring 2 advantageously includes a skirt 22 that preferably includes at least one elastic element 220, as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, this elastic element 220 extends partially over the height of the skirt 22. In the embodiment of the dial assembly device described in WO 2007 / 024994, this elastic element 220 is furthermore formed in particular to cooperate with a protrusion 31 that protrudes from the periphery of the movement blank 3 of the movement 30. This elastic element 220 may, for example, take the form of a blade embedded at each end and oriented tangentially to the axial axis. To achieve this, the elastic element 220 may be formed by a slot 221 formed in the skirt 22. Preferably, the skirt 22 includes three elastic elements 220. Preferably, these three elements are evenly distributed around the axis A of the dial. The dial may be attached or clipped to the movement 30, in particular to the movement blank 3, by deformation of an elastic element on contact with the projection 31.

[0044] Optionally, the skirt 22 of the connecting ring 2 also includes a surface 222 arranged at right angles or substantially at right angles to the first and second surfaces. This surface 222 is intended to abut against a surface 33 of the movement blank 3, which is also arranged at right angles or substantially at right angles to the first and second surfaces. The function of these elements is to ensure that the dial 10 is angularly indexed relative to the movement blank. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting ring 2 may cooperate directly with the case body or any part of the watch to enable angular positioning of the dial 10 within the watch.

[0045] A second embodiment of a watch 90' will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] The timepiece 90' ​​is, for example, a small timepiece, in particular a wristwatch.

[0047] The watch 90' includes a watch movement 30' and a watch dial 10' that are intended to be placed within a watch case to protect them from the outside environment.

[0048] The clock movement 30' may be an electronic movement or a mechanical movement, especially an automatic movement.

[0049] The timepiece dial 10' comprises a dial plate 1' and a connecting ring 2' for connecting the dial 10'. The dial plate 1' is assembled to the connecting ring 2' by riveting and / or setting. The connecting ring 2' is intended to connect the dial plate 1' to a movement 30', in particular to a movement blank 3' of the movement 30'.

[0050] The dial plate 1' and the connecting ring 2' are configured to be mechanically connected or fixed to each other, in other words, the dial plate 1' and the connecting ring 2' are configured to be connected, preferably by a telescopic connection or a full connection.

[0051] The connecting ring in turn constitutes the connecting support or connecting interface between the movement and the dial plate.

[0052] By "mechanical connection" is meant any connection that does not rely on adhesive, welding or brazing steps, which can be tedious and difficult to reproduce.

[0053] The connecting ring 2' for the dial 10' of the timepiece 90' ​​comprises a connecting first part 21' on which a connecting element 210' is arranged, which is plastically deformable and intended to be in a state of applying weight to a second part 11' formed on the dial plate 1'.

[0054] As for the dial plate 1' of the dial 10' of the watch 90', it is intended to be attached to a connecting ring 2'. a lower first face 12' intended to be located inside the watch 90'; - the opposing upper second face 13', which is intended to be visible; a second part 11' connecting the first and second faces and forming the peripheral contour of the dial plate; Includes: The second part 11' comprises at least a third surface 110' inclined relative to the lower first surface 12' and / or the upper second surface 13' of the dial plate 1'. The at least one third surface 110' is designed to cooperate with a plastically deformable connecting element 210' and is intended to be in a state of bearing weight against the at least one third surface 110'.

[0055] Here, the watch dial has an axis A'. This axis is the axis of rotation or symmetry of the dial. Axis A' points in a direction z' perpendicular to the dial plate. If the dial does not have a symmetrical or rotational shape, axis A' passes through the center of the dial (defined by the center of mass). If the dial plate is not planar, direction z' and axis A' are perpendicular to a plane passing through the lower first surface or the upper second surface. For example, such a plane may be tangential to the lower first surface or the upper second surface. For example, such a plane may pass through the periphery of the lower first surface or the periphery of the upper second surface.

[0056] By applying the weight of the plastically deformable connecting element 210' against the second part 11' formed in the dial plate 1', in particular against at least one third surface 110', it is possible to achieve a mechanical connection of the plate to the connecting ring.

[0057] More specifically, the connecting portion 21' has a connecting element 210' intended to rest against a third surface 110' formed in a peripheral contour 11' of the dial plate 1'. The peripheral contour 11' may be defined as the surface connecting a first surface 12' intended to be located inside the watch and an opposing upper second surface 13' intended to be visible to the wearer of the watch.

[0058] For example, the third surface 110' extends in a direction that is not perpendicular to the first surface 12' and is inclined from said first surface 12' towards the inside of the dial plate 1'. In other words, progression along the third surface 110' that moves away from the first surface 12' and / or reduces the distance to the second surface 13' reduces the distance from the axis A or from the center of the first surface 12' or reduces the distance from the axis A' or from the center of the second surface 13' (the reduction being measured parallel to the first surface 12' or parallel to the second surface 13').

[0059] The third faces are inclined, that is, the normal to at least a portion of these surfaces is neither parallel nor perpendicular to axis A'.

[0060] In a second embodiment, the connecting elements 210' of the ring 2' take the form of feet 210'. In particular, the feet may be hollowed and / or shaped to be deformed by the formation of the riveted joint, as indicated by the thick arrows in Figure 9 which indicate the mechanical plastic deformation action.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 13, the number of feet is seven, and they are designated 210a', 210b', 210c', 210d', 210e', 210f', 210g' as shown in Figure 12. The feet are formed on ledges or protrusions 21a', 21b', 21c', 21d', 21e', 21f', 21g' of the connecting part 21' that protrude towards the outside of the ring 2' in a plane horizontal or substantially horizontal to a surface 211' intended to have the outer part or peripheral part of the lower first surface 12' of the dial plate 1' on which the weight is to be applied, or in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to a surface 211' intended to have the outer part or peripheral part of the lower first surface 12' of the dial plate 1' on which the weight is to be applied. Furthermore, each of these feet projects from face 211' towards the outside of the dial in the vertical direction z or in a direction substantially parallel to direction z. Preferably, as shown in Figure 9, each of these feet includes an opening to minimize the thickness of the material forming the foot and / or to allow a tool to be inserted into the opening to plastically deform the walls of the foot so that feet 210a', 210b', 210c', 210d', 210e', 210f', 210g' can be firmly pressed against the respective face 110a', 110b', 110c', 110d', 110e', 110f', 110g' of dial plate 1'. Thus, preferably, feet 210a', 210b', 210c', 210d', 210e', 210f', 210g' include openings 215a', 215b', 215c', 215d', 215e', 215f', 215g', respectively. Preferably, these openings are coaxial with the respective feet. Preferably, the feet are cylindrical, and in particular each takes the form of a hollow cylinder. The feet are preferably considered to be rivets.

[0062] By way of example, FIG. 9 shows a partial cross section of the dial in the region of the foot 210a' of the axis Aa', which is located on a ledge 21a' formed in the connecting portion 21' of the ring 2.

[0063] Preferably, faces 110a', 110b', 110c', 110d', 110e', 110f', 110g' of dial plate 1' are arranged on ledges or protrusions 11a', 11b', 11c', 11d', 11e', 11f', 11g' respectively that protrude towards the outside of plate 1' in a plane parallel to faces 12' and / or 13' of plate 1' or in the plane of faces 12' and / or 13' of plate 1'.

[0064] Preferably, surfaces 110a', 110b', 110c', 110d', 110e', 110f', and 110g' comprise circular or conical sections. Alternatively, surfaces 110a', 110b', 110c', 110d', 110e', 110f', and 110g' have a round or conical shape. More preferably, these surfaces are inclined relative to their respective axes Ai', forming an angle α'. By way of example, FIG. 9 shows a defined angle α' of approximately 45°. The angle is measured between a straight generatrix of inclined surface 110a' and axis Aa', or between a straight generatrix of inclined surface 110a' and axis A' perpendicular to first surface 12' or perpendicular to first surface 13'. The angle α' can be between 20° and 70°, inclusive. For example, α' can be equal to 45° or 60°.

[0065] Preferably, the protrusions 11a', 11b', 11c', 11d', 11e', 11f', 11g' extend at an angle β' in the plane of the dial plate 1', this angle β' being measured from the axis A' and is preferably less than 20°, and preferably less than 10°.

[0066] The projections of the plate 1' and / or the ring 2' may be evenly or unevenly distributed around the axis A'.

[0067] Preferably, the dial plate 1' is guided with minimal clearance in the connecting ring 2' via a contour 11' of the plate 1', which is intended to cooperate with a guide surface 24' of the connecting portion 21' of the ring 2', as shown in Figure 10. Alternatively or additionally, other surfaces 15' and 23' of the plate 1' and ring 2', respectively, may perform this guiding function.

[0068] In addition to the plastically deformable elements in the form of feet, the ring 2' comprises a skirt 22' corresponding to the skirt 22 of the ring 2 of the first embodiment. The skirt 22' comprises at least one elastic element 220' extending partly over the height of the skirt 22'. This elastic element 220' may, for example, take the form of a blade embedded at each end and oriented tangentially to the axial axis. To achieve this, the elastic element 220' may be formed by a slot 221' formed in the skirt 22'. Preferably, the skirt 22' comprises three elastic elements 220'. Preferably, these three elements are evenly distributed around the axis A' of the dial 10'.

[0069] Like the ring of the first embodiment, the ring 2', and in particular the connecting portion 21', may also comprise a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 212', shown in FIG. 10, intended to react to axial forces, in particular axial impacts. In particular, this surface 212' may be intended to abut against a surface of the case body of the watch. Once the dial 10' is assembled in the watch case, the surface 212' of the ring 2' may be hidden, for example, by a raised portion of the case body. Preferably, a surface intended to cooperate with the surface 212' is formed below the raised portion of the case body.

[0070] The ring 2' may further comprise a vertical or substantially vertical surface 213' intended to cooperate with a vertical or substantially vertical surface of the case body. The guidance of the dial 10' into the watch case may therefore take place directly between the dial 10' and the case. Such a solution is therefore particularly advantageous with regard to the precision with which the dial is assembled into the watch case, making it possible to reduce the accumulation of tolerances involved in the assembly.

[0071] Optionally, the skirt portion 22' of the connecting ring 2' also includes a vertically or substantially vertically oriented surface 222', shown in FIG. 13, which surface is intended to abut against a similarly vertically or substantially vertically oriented surface of the movement blank.

[0072] The implementation of a method for assembling or constructing the above-mentioned dial or the above-mentioned timepiece is described below.

[0073] This method is - Supply of dial plate 1;1', - Supply of connecting ring 2;2', -Placement of the dial plate on the connecting ring, - plastic deformation of the connecting element 210; 210', The steps include:

[0074] The plastic deformation is preferably achieved by performing mechanical actions on the connecting elements, which may be performed by the watchmaker using a tool, which may be a setting or riveting tool or a riveting hammer.

[0075] In all embodiments, the dial plate advantageously has a disk shape centered on axis A, A'. Of course, the dial plate may be non-circular. For example, the dial plate may be polygonal, square, or rectangular. Furthermore, the dial plate may or may not be planar.

[0076] In any embodiment, the solution for manufacturing the dial advantageously envisages assembling a dial plate 1, 1', which may be made of a ceramic material, in particular zirconia or alumina, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent ceramic, or a ceramic composite material based on yttrium-stabilized zirconia and Dy / Eu-doped strontium aluminate. The plate may be made of "luminescent zirconia," as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,699,492. Alternatively, the plate 1 may be made of a composite material. In a further variant, the plate 1 may be made of stone, in particular onyx, opal, turquoise, sapphire, or mother-of-pearl. Preferably, the Vickers hardness of such a dial plate is greater than 600 HV, or greater than 700 HV, or greater than 800 HV.

[0077] In any embodiment, the connecting rings 2, 2' themselves are preferably made of metal or a metal alloy. They may be made of brass. Alternatively, they may be made of a gold alloy. Preferably, the Vickers hardness of such rings is 180 HV or less, or 150 HV or less, or 100 HV or less. As a further option, the connecting rings 2, 2' may be made of steel, in particular Nivaflex®.

[0078] In any embodiment, preferably the ratio of Vickers hardness between the material selected for the dial plate and the material selected for the connecting ring is 3 or greater, or 4 or greater, or 5 or greater.

[0079] In all embodiments, the dial 10;10' has the advantage that, thanks to the rigid nature of the dial plate 1;1', it does not require a support plate positioned underneath the entire surface of the dial plate. This allows for various aesthetic changes to be made to the rigid dial plate by applying a layer of varnish visible on or underneath the dial plate. For example, the daytime and / or nighttime appearance of the dial can be altered by applying a layer of fluorescent and / or phosphorescent varnish to the underside 14;14' of the dial plate 1;1', for example, made of "luminous zirconia." Instead of a varnish layer, it is also conceivable to place a second rigid plate, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent, between the plate 1 and the dial ring 2 or underneath the plate 1.

[0080] In any embodiment, the dial plate and the connecting ring are configured and / or arranged such that after the plastically deformable connecting element 210; 210' has been plastically deformed, the plastically deformable connecting element 210; 210' does not protrude beyond the upper second surface 13; 13'.

[0081] In all embodiments, the dial plate does not form part of the connecting ring and vice versa.

[0082] Thanks to the above-mentioned solution, dial plates made of brittle materials can be reliably and repeatedly fastened by riveting or setting.

[0083] The above solution is suitable for all types of dial-plate materials, especially for brittle materials such as ceramics.

[0084] Thanks to the above solution, an easily manufacturable and user-friendly integration can be incorporated into any timepiece compatible timepiece, including wristwatches, having a very small volume.

[0085] The above-described solution makes it possible to achieve a reliable and robust fixing of the dial to the movement blank or watch case.

[0086] Throughout this specification, "horizontal" means perpendicular to the axes A; A'.

[0087] Throughout this specification, "perpendicular" means parallel to the axis A; A'.

Claims

1. A dial (10; 10') for a timepiece (90; 90') comprising a dial plate (1; 1') and a connecting ring (2; 2'), said connecting ring comprises a connecting first part (21; 21') with a plastically deformable connecting element (210; 210') intended to be in a state of bearing on a second part (11; 11') formed on said dial plate (1; 1'), said dial plate comprises a lower first face (12; 12') intended to be placed inside the watch (90; 90'), an opposing upper second face (13; 13') intended to be visible, and said second part (11; 11') connecting said first and second faces and forming the peripheral contour of said dial plate, The second part (11; 11') includes at least one third surface (110; 110') inclined relative to the lower first surface (12; 12') and / or the upper second surface (13; 13'), the at least one third surface being located between a first perpendicular surface (111) extending perpendicular to the lower first surface and a second perpendicular surface (112) extending perpendicular to the upper second surface, and the connecting element (210) is housed within the thickness of the dial plate when the connecting element (210) applies a weight to the second part (11; 11').

2. A watch dial as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting element includes a tongue portion (210) or an annular portion (210).

3. 2. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein said connecting element comprises a foot (210').

4. A timepiece dial as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting ring is made of metal or a metal alloy, and / or the connecting ring has a Vickers hardness of 180 HV or less, and / or the connecting element (210; 210') is intended to be in contact with a third surface (110; 110') inclined relative to the lower first surface (12; 12') and / or the upper second surface (13; 13') of the dial plate (1; 1').

5. A timepiece dial according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said connecting ring comprises a skirt (22; 22') comprising at least one elastic element (220; 220') for connecting to the timepiece movement (30).

6. A timepiece dial as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one third surface (110; 110') is designed to cooperate with the connecting element (210; 210') which is plastically deformable and intended to be in a state where it applies weight to the at least one third surface (110; 110').

7. 7. A timepiece dial according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one third face (110; 110') is inclined by an angle α relative to said lower first face (12; 12') and / or relative to said upper second face (13; 13') of said dial plate (1; 1'), wherein α is comprised between 20° and 70°.

8. 8. A timepiece dial according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said at least one third face comprises several faces formed in a notch (113) formed in said second part (11; 11') of said dial plate.

9. The dial plate is made of a ceramic material, and / or the dial plate is made of a composite material; and / or the dial plate may be made of stone or made of mother-of-pearl, and / or the dial plate has a Vickers hardness greater than 600 HV; A timepiece dial according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A watch dial as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ratio of the Vickers hardness of the material of the dial plate to the Vickers hardness of the material of the connecting ring is 3 or more.

11. A timepiece dial as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dial plate and the connecting ring are configured and / or arranged so that after plastic deformation of the plastically deformable connecting element (210; 210'), the plastically deformable connecting element (210; 210') does not protrude beyond the upper second surface (13; 13').

12. A watch (90) comprising a watch dial as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for assembling a timepiece dial according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a timepiece according to claim 12, said method comprising: providing said dial plate (1; 1'), providing said connecting ring (2; 2'), placing the dial plate on the connecting ring; plastically deforming said connecting element (210; 210'), A method comprising the steps of:

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