Method for manufacturing a timepiece component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a timepiece component (10), characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: providing (E1) a support (1); forming (E2) at least one locating pin (2) in relief on the support (1) at the location of at least one receiving surface (3) intended to receive an attachment; preparing (E3) at least one attachment (11), by forming at least one locating slot (12) in the attachment (11), the at least one locating slot (12) corresponding to the at least one locating pin (2); assembling (E4) the at least one attachment (11) on the at least one receiving surface (3) of the support (1) such that the at least one locating slot (12) in the at least one attachment co-operates with the at least one locating pin (3) on the support in order to guide the positioning and, optionally, the orientation of the at least one attachment.

Description

[0001] Manufacturing process of a watch component

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watch component, in particular a dial. It also relates to a watch component as such and to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch component.

[0003] The production of a watch component, such as a dial, must meet several constraints. A first constraint is naturally mechanical, the watch component must withstand the mechanical stresses it will undergo. A second constraint is dimensional, the watch component must be small, for example suitable for a wristwatch, in particular have a very small thickness in the case of a dial for example. A third constraint is aesthetic, the component must achieve an attractive appearance, particularly if it is visible from the outside of the watch. To do this, it is known to proceed by adding an added element to a component blank, this added element forming an indicator and / or a decorative element. Such an added element must also meet mechanical and aesthetic constraints.Finally, the watch component must be robust, must be able to be manufactured reliably and as simply as possible.

[0004] Thus, the object of the present invention is to propose a solution for manufacturing a watch component, particularly suited to a dial, which best meets the aforementioned constraints.

[0005] More specifically, the invention aims to define a solution for manufacturing a watch component allowing advantageous fixing of at least one added element. The invention also aims to define a simple and robust solution for manufacturing a watch component comprising at least one added element.

[0006] To this end, the invention is based on a method of manufacturing a watch component, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

[0007] Provide a support;

[0008] Form at least one raised male keyway on the support at the level of at least one housing intended to receive an added element;

[0009] Prepare at least one insert, by forming at least one female key on the insert, said at least one female key corresponding to said at least one male key;

[0010] Assemble the at least one insert on the at least one housing of the support, so that the at least one female key of the at least one insert cooperates with the at least one male key of the support to guide the positioning and possibly the orientation of the at least one insert.

[0011] The invention also relates to a watch component, in particular a dial, comprising a support and at least one added element assembled to the support, characterized in that the support comprises at least one male keying device in one piece and integral with the support, and in that the at least one male keying device is positioned in a through opening of the at least one added element.

[0012] The invention is more particularly defined by the claims.

[0013] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0014] Figure 1a represents a top view of a support resulting from a first step of a method for manufacturing a watch component according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 1b represents a sectional view (AA) of the support according to the first step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Figure 2a represents a top view of the support resulting from a second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 2b represents a sectional view (AA) of the support resulting from the second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 3a represents a top view of an added element resulting from a third step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 3b represents a sectional view (AA) of an added element resulting from the third step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 4a represents a top view of an assembly of the added element and the support resulting from a fourth step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0020] Figure 4b represents a sectional view (AA) of an assembly of the added element and the support resulting from the fourth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 5a represents a top view of the watch component resulting from a fifth and optionally sixth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure 5b represents a sectional view (AA) of the watch component resulting from the fifth and optionally sixth steps of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Figure 6a represents a top view of a support resulting from a second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 6b represents a sectional view (AA) of the support resulting from the second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 7a represents a top view of an added element resulting from a third step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 7b represents a sectional view (AA) of an added element resulting from the third step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 8a represents a top view of the watch component resulting from a fifth and optionally sixth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 8b represents a sectional view (AA) of the watch component resulting from the fifth and optionally sixth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 9a represents a top view of a support resulting from a second step of a method of manufacturing a watch component according to a first variant of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Figure 9b represents a sectional view (AA) of the support resulting from the second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the first variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 10a represents a top view of a support resulting from a second step of a method of manufacturing a watch component according to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 10b represents a sectional view (AA) of the support resulting from the second step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the second variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 11a shows a top view of a first decorative plate used in a dial manufacturing process.

[0032] Figure 11b shows a top view of a second decorative plate used in a dial manufacturing process.

[0033] Figure 11 c represents a top view of a dial comprising the superposition of the two decorative plates respectively of figures 11 a and 11 b and a support. Figure 11 d represents a sectional view (AA) of the dial formed from the superposition of figure 11 c.

[0034] Figure 12a represents a top view of a first decorative plate used during the third step of a method of manufacturing a watch component according to a third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 12b represents a top view of a second decorative plate used during the third step of a method of manufacturing a watch component according to the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0036] Figure 12c represents a top view of the watch component resulting from a fourth step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 12d represents a sectional view (AA) of the watch component resulting from the fourth step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Figure 12e represents a sectional view (AA) of the watch component resulting from the fourth step of the method of manufacturing a watch component according to a variant of the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Figure 12f represents a top view of a second watch component resulting from a fourth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention. Figure 12g represents a sectional view (AA) of the watch component resulting from the fourth step of the method for manufacturing a watch component according to another variant of the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figures 13a to 13g represent top views of watch components according to other variants of the embodiments of the invention.

[0041] To simplify the description, we will conventionally use the vertical direction as the direction perpendicular to the plane of a timepiece (to the plane of the dial for example), that is to say the direction in which a user looks at the timepiece to read the time. The adjectives "above" and "upper" will be used for the positioning relative to the timepiece allowing the time to be read, according to the vertical direction, in opposition to the adjectives "below" and "lower". By extension, these definitions will be used for a watch assembly forming a sub-assembly of a timepiece, even outside their positioning within a timepiece, by referring to the intended positioning of this watch assembly within a timepiece.

[0042] The adjective "transverse" will be used to designate a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. A sectional view designates a view in the transverse direction, at the level of the section indicated.

[0043] Furthermore, to facilitate reading and description, the same references will be used in the different embodiments and their variants for identical or equivalent elements.

[0044] The invention advantageously relates to a method for manufacturing a watch component. The invention will be described in the context of the manufacture of a dial by way of example. It could be implemented for the manufacture of another watch component, in particular a display component. Figures 1 a to 5b illustrate a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Figures 1 a and 1 b represent a support 1, respectively in top view and in section, which is used for the manufacture of the watch component, in a first step of the manufacturing method consisting of providing E1 with a support. In the context of this example of manufacturing a dial, this support 1 is a base plate of a dial, substantially flat and of small thickness, for example between 0.1 and 4 mm, or even between 0.2 and 1 mm. This support is preferably a solid plate, in particular self-supporting. It can be made of metal or a metal alloy, for example brass, gold, platinum, gold alloy or titanium alloy. Alternatively, it can be made of ceramic, such as zirconia, in particular yttria-containing zirconia.Optionally, all or part of its upper surface, in particular when it is at least partially visible to the watch wearer, may be decorated by various means, such as by a machined decoration, in the form of Paris nails, hooping, perlage, or obtained by other mechanical means, such as sandblasting or polishing. All or part of its upper surface may be covered by a layer deposited by any means, such as lacquering, electroplating, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), spraying (allowing a liquid to be vaporized into fine droplets under the effect of air overpressure), or by sol-gel process.Alternatively, or in addition, the support, i.e. the base plate of the future dial, may have all or part of its upper surface decorated by one or more added elements, and in particular by a decorative dial plate, which may be a thin plate with a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm, for example made of mother-of-pearl. As a further variant, the upper face of the support may be machined to provide it with certain functions or decorations, for example counterbores, pitting, borders. Alternatively, this preparation of the upper surface of the support may be implemented in the second step E2 described below. Similarly, the cutting of the outer contour of the support, so as to give it its final shape, and / or any other intervention on its surface, may be carried out during this first step E1 or at any other time in the process, particularly in a final finishing step E6 which will be detailed later.The underside of the support can already have any geometry suitable for its future use; alternatively, the necessary machining (for example, counterbores) can be carried out later, in particular during step E2 or E6.

[0046] Figures 2a and 2b show the support 1, respectively in top view and in section, after a step comprising the formation E2 of a male key 2 in relief on the support, at the level of a housing 3 intended to receive an added element. In this embodiment, the housing 3 corresponds to the flat upper surface of the support, thus forming a flat and simple receiving surface. As a note, this housing 3 corresponds in this exemplary embodiment to the entire surface of the support 1 which will remain on the finished watch component 10 after the cutting of the support 1 in its final format. This housing 3 is identified by a dotted outline in Figure 2a. As a note, a dotted outline around the key 2 indicates the location of the future machining which will be described later.

[0047] Alternatively, the housing 3 may be in the form of a cavity, and be obtained for example by making a hollow in the upper surface of the support. Such a housing 3 then comprises walls delimiting a housing. Advantageously, such a housing 3 has the exact shape of the outline of a future added element intended to be integrated into this housing. Thus, optionally, the second step of forming E2 of a male keying device also comprises the formation of a housing 3 at the level of the upper surface of the support. Alternatively, the housing 3 is formed on the contrary by a receiving surface raised relative to the rest of the support 1.

[0048] This second step comprises the formation E2 of a male key 2 and also optionally comprises the more general preparation of the upper face of the support, including a housing, as mentioned above. Thus, the bottom of the housing is the surface of the support on which the added element will rest. According to the invention, at least one male key is arranged projecting from the upper surface of the housing, outside the sole contour. In other words, the male key is not constituted by all or part of the sole contour of the housing. In other words, the contour of the housing does not constitute by itself a male key according to the invention. The male key has a difference in level between the upper top of the male key and the upper surface of the housing at the level of the male key.

[0049] The production of the male keying device 2 can be obtained by several methods. According to this embodiment, the male keying device 2 is presented in positive relief relative to the housing concerned and even in certain variants in positive relief relative to the upper surface of the support. It can be attached to this surface, and fixed by any means, for example by gluing. Alternatively, it can be manufactured on the support for example by localized galvanic growth or electroforming. As a further variant, the male keying device 2 can be formed with the support itself in a single step, for example by a process of casting the material of the support in a mold, or by embossing. As a further variant, the male keying device 2 could be machined in the support 1.Such machining could for example form a housing 3 by lowering the entire upper surface of the support (as illustrated by Figure 2b), or locally to form a recess (as illustrated by Figure 10b), while retaining an unmachined portion within the housing, thus forming the male key. In this first example, standard machining is implemented to thin the base plate forming the support, with the exception of the area intended to serve as the male key 2, as illustrated by Figure 2b. In these latter embodiments, the key and the support form a single-piece assembly. The key is even integral with the rest of the support, i.e. there is continuity of material between the key and the rest of the support.

[0050] Figures 3a and 3b represent an insert 11 obtained by a third step of the manufacturing method, comprising the preparation E3 of the insert 11, by forming a female key 12 on the insert 11, said at least one female key 12 corresponding to said male key 2.

[0051] In this embodiment, the added element is obtained by cutting into a decorative dial plate, in the form of a thin plate of low thickness. This thickness is advantageously less than or equal to 1 mm. It can measure between 0.1 and 1 mm, or even between 0.2 and 0.6 mm. It may be presented in a material chosen from a stone, a fine stone, a semi-precious or ornamental stone, a precious substance of organic origin, a mineral, a substance of organo-mineral origin, a gem, a rock, a fossil material, such as for example a mother-of-pearl, a shell, a mangano-calcite, a lepidolite, a silicified wood, a coral, amber, a pearl, a sphalerite, a fluorite, an agate, an alexandrite, an amethyst, an anatase, an aventurine, a chalcedony, a chrysoberyl, a chrysoprase, a citrine, a jasper, a tiger's eye, an opal, a quartz, a sapphire, a spinel, an aragonite, an azurite, a malachite, a crocoite,an apatite, a lazulite, a turquoise, an aquamarine, a beryl, a tourmaline, a carnelian, an obsidian, or a snowflake obsidian; a metal or a metal alloy, such as ferrite or meteorite; a technical ceramic based on zirconia and / or alumina, pigmented or not; a sapphire crystal, which may or may not be engraved; a synthetic material such as artificial leather or a weave / fabric based on synthetic fibers / threads or neoprene skin; forged carbon or composite carbon (in particular with decorative fibers or lines). The decorative plate may consist of several stacked elements: it may be a coated material, such as an enameled support, in particular an enameled ceramic; the decorative plate may, on the reverse (on its lower part) have a functional layer,such as a layer of lacquer or varnish to contribute to the final appearance and color (for a partly translucent / transparent decorative plate such as certain mother-of-pearl or stones). In its multi-layer configuration, the decorative plate may for example consist of a stone, such as opal, the underside of which has a layer of lacquer, itself on mother-of-pearl; or it may for example consist of mother-of-pearl on a layer of varnish, on glue, on a plate of electroplated palladium-plated brass. Alternatively, any combination of these different layers may be considered.,

[0052] In this embodiment of a dial, the decorative plate used advantageously has a non-uniform, anisotropic, or even unique decoration. Such a decoration thus comprises visible intrinsic structures 14, for example naturally defined by the mother-of-pearl used, locally varying its color and reflections. Such structures can take on different aspects, giving rise for example to lineage aspects on a lined mother-of-pearl, or “cloud” aspects on a pearly white mother-of-pearl. These structures can also, as a variant, come from a natural decoration of a meteorite which has Widmanstatten figures (or Thomson structures). The decorative plate is advantageously a natural decoration. As a variant, on its upper part, a decorative plate can be produced, for example by depositing a layer by printing, pad printing, or by machining a relief, or by any other means of decoration, on a base plate made of metal or any other chosen material.Alternatively, the decorative plate used to form or cut the insert may have a uniform appearance. The invention naturally does not relate to the particular appearance of the decorative plate and the insert used.

[0053] This third preparation step E3 of the added element 11 optionally comprises a step consisting of giving it its final geometry, in particular its final external contour, which is circular in the chosen embodiment. Optionally, it may comprise an intervention on its visible surface. This preparation step E3 always comprises a step consisting of forming a female keying device 12, adapted to cooperate with the male keying device 2 of the support 1. In this embodiment, the female keying device 12 is in the form of a through opening in the thickness of the added element 11. It has a cross-section whose contour corresponds to that of the male keying device. In this embodiment, the female keying device 12 is furthermore arranged in the central part of the added element 11. Alternatively, the female keying device could be blind.

[0054] Figures 4a and 4b represent the assembly of the added element 11 on the support 1, respectively in top view and in section, after a step comprising the assembly E4 of the added element 11 on the housing 3 of the support 1, so that the female key 12 of the added element 11 cooperates with the male key 2 of the support 1, to guide the positioning and possibly the orientation of the added element 11. In this assembly step, the projection of the support forming the male key 2 is provided to be inserted into the complementary opening present on the added element 11 and forming the female key 12. Advantageously, the key 2, 12 adjust with less play to ensure the correct positioning of the added element 11 relative to the support 1.

[0055] Optionally, this assembly step E4 may also include a step of securing the added element 11 to the support 1, by any means, for example by gluing.

[0056] On the other hand, in this step, two situations can be distinguished. In a first situation, the added element is of an isotropic nature, for example by considering the appearance of its upper surface which does not require a particular orientation, for example because it is of homogeneous visible appearance. In this first situation, it is considered that the added element 11 can be positioned in any orientation on the support 1. For this, the polarizers have only a positioning function, and not an orientation function. They can thus have a so-called isotropic shape, in particular cylindrical. As a note, the outline of the added element 11 being circular, it also does not impose a particular orientation. Thus, in this first situation in which the polarizers allow any orientation of the added element 11, they are called “isotropic” polarizers.According to a second situation, on the contrary, it is desired to position the added element 11 in a particular orientation, which produces a particular optimal effect. This may be the case when the visible appearance of the added element 11 is anisotropic, as shown in the embodiment according to the first variant of the first embodiment, in which the visible surface of the added element 11 has structures 14 oriented in a particular direction. In such a case, it may be considered that the orientation of the added element 11 has a significant impact on the final appearance of the watch component, and it may be desired to choose a particular orientation considered optimal.For this purpose, the polarizers have a particular shape which imposes a single possible relative positioning, or even a finite number of possible orientations of the added element 11 relative to the support 1, particularly when the number of possible orientations corresponds to the degree of symmetry of a pattern present on the added element. In such an embodiment, the positioning of the added element 11 is not only guided but also oriented by the polarizers 2, 12, which are referred to as “anisotropic” polarizers. In the particular embodiment shown, the positive relief formed on the upper surface of the support 1 is here a tetrahedron, of triangular cross-section. The polarizers according to this first variant are thus anisotropic.

[0057] The manufacturing method according to this first variant of the first embodiment implements a fifth step which comprises the elimination E5 of the male 2 and female 12 keying pins. Indeed, in this first variant, the keying pins have fulfilled their function of guiding and orienting the added element 11 and are no longer useful on the finished watch component 10. In this first variant embodiment, the keying pins are thus described as sacrificial. According to a possible embodiment of this step, the keying pins are eliminated by machining, forming a through opening in the total thickness of the watch component, that is to say both the thickness of the added element 11 and the support 1, this including any material interposed between the added element 11 and the support 1, such as the securing means and / or any decorative or functional layer.This machining produces an opening whose cross-section corresponds at least to the dimensions of the polarizers, or is of a shape large enough to exceed the contour of the polarizers. At the end of this step, the added element 11 is assembled to the support 1 at the desired location and according to the desired positioning, and the polarizer has been completely removed. As a note, this opening forms, for example, the future location of the barrel of the hands of a timepiece in which it will be integrated according to the embodiment variant of a dial.

[0058] The manufacturing method can then implement an optional step comprising the termination E6 of the watch component resulting from the fifth step E5. This termination here comprises the cutting of the support 1 and optionally of the added element 11, to give them their final geometry if this has not been done previously. It can comprise the addition of any coating, and / or any mechanical action on the surface, such as polishing, machining, drilling, to decorate and / or give an additional function to the upper surface of the finished watch component 10. In the example shown of the dial, it is thus possible for example to drill / machine the added element 11 and the support 1 (and any interposed materials) to fix appliques. It is also possible to pad print the upper surface of the added element and / or the rest of the upper surface of the watch component in order to affix a mark to it by transfer.

[0059] Figures 5a and 5b represent the finished watch component 10, after implementation of the last two steps E5, E6 described above. The added element 11 occupies the entire upper surface of the watch component in this embodiment, and can fulfill a particular functionality and / or form a decorative element of the watch component 10. It is thus a decorative dial plate. Alternatively, the added element 11 could occupy only a part of the upper surface of the finished watch component 10, another part being formed by the upper surface of the support 1, outside the housing 3. In this case, this upper surface of the support 1 could also have undergone treatments to add functionalities and / or decorative elements to it, in addition to the added element 11, as described previously.

[0060] As a note, the last two steps E5 and E6 can be carried out with the same machining equipment, and possibly carried out in the same step, by the same operation. For this, it is possible to use a CNC machining center, or alternatively, a laser. Additional steps can be implemented in this or these final steps: for example, it is possible to drill the watch component then position appliques, it is possible to inscribe markings by pad printing, and to carry out all the other classic steps of manufacturing a watch component such as a dial.

[0061] The first variant of the first embodiment of the invention, described above, makes it possible, for example, to obtain a dial decorated with a decorative dial plate made of colored mother-of-pearl having a structure, by means of an added element. This natural decoration obtained by the added element being anisotropic, its orientation is scrupulously chosen by aesthetic experts. The method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain in a simple and very advantageous manner the predefined orientation of the decoration on the finished dial.

[0062] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the first variant of the first embodiment described above. For example, the housing of the support could use several projecting portions forming several male keyways, the insert element likewise comprising several corresponding female keyways. Furthermore, many materials are possible, for the support as for the insert element, as mentioned above.

[0063] Figures 6a to 8b represent steps in manufacturing a timepiece component according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention. This second variant differs mainly from the first variant in that the polarizing elements are not sacrificial. Thus, the male polarizing element 2 arranged on the surface of the support 1, as represented by Figures 6a and 6b, is retained on the finished timepiece component 10, represented by Figures 8a and 8b. Advantageously, this polarizing element forms an index, indicating 9 o'clock on the finalized dial. Thus, this male polarizing element 2 first fulfills the function of guiding and / or orienting the added element 11 in the method of manufacturing the timepiece component 10, then fulfills the function of an index on the finished timepiece component 10. According to the illustrated example, the male polarizing element 2 has a star shape, and the polarizing elements are anisotropic, as in the first variant.Thus, by choosing a gold support and with a method allowing the male key 2 to be formed in a single piece with the rest of the support, and by choosing a mother-of-pearl insert, the result is a star-shaped gold index on a mother-of-pearl dial, with the method according to this second embodiment variant. As a note, the male key 2 can have different heights relative to the thickness of the insert 11 at the location of the key 12: the male key 2 can be flush with the surface of the insert 11, as illustrated in figure 8b, but it could alternatively be raised or recessed relative to this surface, or even not have a constant height. As a note, in this second variant, the female key is not centered on the insert 11. Its positioning is chosen according to the functionality chosen for the male key 2.Figures 7a and 7b thus represent the formation of the added element 11. The housing 3 is identified by a dotted outline in Figure 6a.

[0064] A second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that several separate added elements are assembled on the same support to manufacture a watch component.

[0065] The method implements a first step consisting of providing E1 with a support 1, which is also a dial blank in this example. As a note, this component in a substantially finished form is called a “component blank”. This dial blank comprises a base 5 made of metal, for example gold, covered with a uniformly colored surface layer 4, of isotropic structure, for example enamel or lacquer, as can be seen in Figures 9a and 9b. Thus, in an advantageous embodiment, the support 1 is an enameled 18-carat gold dial base plate, with a uniformly colored enamel. Its diameter can be between 15 mm and 150 mm, or even between 20 mm and 45 mm. Preferably, the support 1 generally has its final shape from this first step of the method.

[0066] Figures 9a and 9b represent more precisely the support 1 after the implementation of the second preparation step E2 of the support 1. This second step forms three housings 31, 32, 33 within the upper face of the support 1. Each housing 31, 32, 33 comprises a keying device 21, 22, 23, centered on its respective housing. For this, machining using a laser makes it possible to thin the support locally to form the recessed housings 31, 32, 33. For this, the surface layer 4 of enamel is machined and removed at these housings, as well as part of the thickness of the base 5 of gold. In this machining, the central areas of each housing 31, 32, 33 are not removed, but projections are retained, according to a predefined shape, to form the predefined male keying elements 21, 22, 23. These male keying elements 21, 22, 23 are thus formed on the support, and more particularly on the upper surface of their respective housings 31, 32, 33.In this embodiment, the polarizers are anisotropic, advantageously tetrahedral in shape.

[0067] The subsequent steps E3, E4, E5 of the method are not shown but correspond to the first embodiment. Each housing 31, 32, 33 receives an added element, which is positioned according to a chosen orientation thanks to the keying devices. The latter are sacrificial and are finally removed, leaving a final opening intended to receive a needle barrel. Indeed, each added element represents a decorative counter plate, or more simply a particular counter, on the dial. As a note, the added elements are secured to the support independently of the presence of a keying device. In this first embodiment variant, the three keying devices 21, 22, 23 of each housing are identical to each other. In this embodiment, the three added elements are considered interchangeable with each other, that is to say that each added element can be positioned in any of the housings 31, 32, 33.However, each insert is positioned in a unique predefined orientation within a housing, due to anisotropic keying.

[0068] Figures 10a and 10b represent a support 1, respectively in top view and in section, after a step comprising the formation E2 of male keying pins 2 in relief on the support, and of several housings intended to each receive an added element, according to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0069] This example illustrated by figures 10a and 10b differs from the previous one in that the support 1 is formed only from the base 5, uncovered, unglazed. The same three circular housings 31, 32, 33 are formed, each comprising a male keying member 21, 22, 23. This second variant also differs from the first variant in that these male keying members 21, 22, 23 are not identical, which allows them to accept only one chosen added element. In other words, the different added elements are not interchangeable. As a variant for the purpose of illustration, the entire upper surface of the support 1, outside the three circular housings 31, 32, 33, forms a fourth housing 34 intended to receive a fourth added element. This fourth housing 34 does not have a protruding key, such as that used in the invention, because its particular shape, and the three housings 31, 32, 33 which it encompasses, fulfill a key function.

[0070] A support such as that illustrated in Figures 10a and 10b has the advantage of allowing the integration of three to four added elements cut into the same decorative dial plate, which will be described later. If we consider such a decorative dial plate, of circular shape identical to the circular shape of the support 1, it is then possible to cut three added elements at the precise locations corresponding to the three circular housings 31, 32, 33 arranged on the support, then to assemble them to the support while maintaining their respective positioning identical to their initial positioning on the decorative plate, thanks to the different keying devices. It is also possible to maintain the precise orientation of each of the three added elements as it was present on the initial decorative plate.Thus, in the context of a decorative plate with anisotropic decoration, the rendering obtained by the three elements added to the support corresponds exactly to the initial natural rendering. Finally, the residual decorative plate obtained after cutting the three circular added elements intended respectively for the three housings 31, 32, 33 forms a fourth added element, intended for positioning on the fourth housing 34. By the method used according to this second variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the four added elements substantially reconstitute the initial decorative plate, with the original positioning and orientation of the four added elements relative to each other, possibly positioned on the support at different heights in the vertical direction, or alternatively positioned at the same height. This specific variant is not illustrated.According to another variant not illustrated, the four inserts also substantially reconstitute the initial decorative plate, as described above, with the original positioning and orientation of the four inserts relative to each other; in this other variant, the four inserts are positioned on the support in housings delimited by borders (to obtain an effect comparable to the partitioning of enamels), and the respective upper surfaces of the four inserts can be positioned at different heights in the vertical direction or at the same height in the vertical direction.

[0071] The invention further allows the implementation of a third variant of the second embodiment of the invention. To introduce this third variant, Figures 11a to 11d represent a solution for forming a dial which has an attractive appearance. Figure 11a represents a first decorative plate 101, for example made of mother-of-pearl, of circular shape, in which three circular insert elements, such as those used to form three counters according to the second variant described above, have been cut out. The first decorative plate 101 made of mother-of-pearl thus comprises three circular openings 102, 103, 104.

[0072] Figure 11 b represents a second decorative plate 111 made of mother-of-pearl, of the same format as the first decorative plate 101, on which three circular zones 112, 113, 114 have been identified by a dotted outline, these zones corresponding to the locations of the three circular openings of the first decorative plate 101.

[0073] Figure 11 c shows a top view of a dial embodiment in which the first decorative plate 101 is superimposed on the second decorative plate 111, these two decorative plates being positioned on a dial base plate 100. The three circular openings 102, 103, 104 of the first decorative plate 101 respectively reveal the three circular areas 112, 113, 114 of the second decorative plate 111. This results in a very attractive visual effect, obtained by the combination of the two decorative plates, for example made of mother-of-pearl. Advantageously, the mother-of-pearls chosen may be different, selected by the aesthetic experts to obtain an optimal aesthetic result.An important aspect of this achievement is the coherence between them of the three circular zones 112, 113, 114 visible from the second mother-of-pearl plate, which are arranged according to their natural orientation, which is implicitly perceived by the orientation of the structures 115 visible from the mother-of-pearl, and which allows us to visually glimpse their belonging to the same decorative plate.

[0074] Figure 11 d illustrates a dial 110 obtained from this assembly of the two decorative plates 101, 111, mounted on a dial base plate 100. A disadvantage of this solution is that it produces a thick dial, due to the superposition of the three layers formed by the base plate 100 and the two decorative plates 101, 111.

[0075] The third variant of the second embodiment makes it possible to manufacture a dial producing the same aesthetic appearance as that described above, while minimizing the overall thickness of the dial.

[0076] Figure 12a shows a first decorative plate 101 made of mother-of-pearl, of circular shape, in which three circular inserts 102, 103, 104, such as those used to form three counters according to the second variant described above, will be cut out, according to a contour identified in dotted lines. The first residual decorative plate 101 made of mother-of-pearl will thus comprise three circular openings at the locations of the three inserts 102, 103, 104 after they have been cut out.

[0077] Figure 12b represents a second decorative plate 111 in mother-of-pearl, of the same format as the first decorative plate 101, on which three dotted circular zones have been identified, corresponding to three circular added elements 112, 113, 114, these zones corresponding to the locations of the three circular openings of the first decorative plate 101.

[0078] Figures 12c and 12d represent the dial obtained by the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention, after implementing the step consisting of assembling E4 of the method, by applying four added elements on a support 1. First of all, three added elements 112, 113, 114 correspond to the circular added elements cut out on the second decorative plate represented by figure 12b. These three additions are made with different and anisotropic male keying devices 21, 22, 23, so as to guarantee the unique positioning of these three added elements 112, 113, 114 on the support 1, which appear in the same relative arrangement as on the second decorative plate 111 before their cutting, that is to say in their natural positioning. As a note, corresponding female keyways are naturally made in these three added elements 112, 113, 114, as described previously.On the other hand, the first residual decorative plate 101, after removal of the three circular inserts 102, 103, 104, forms the fourth insert on the dial. As shown in Figure 12d, these four inserts 112, 113, 114, 101 are all positioned in the same plane. The invention thus makes it possible to achieve a similar visual effect, seen from above (but with different reliefs), to that of Figure 11c described above, while minimizing the thickness of the dial.

[0079] Figure 12e illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the support 1 comprises recessed housings at the level of receiving the three circular inserts 112, 113, 114 which form counters on the dial. These recessed areas can be obtained by machining. This results in a slightly different level between the three circular inserts 112, 113, 114 and the fourth insert 101, the upper surfaces of which are not in the same plane. The invention thus makes it possible to achieve a similar visual effect, seen from above (but with different reliefs), to that of figure 11c described above, while minimizing the thickness of the dial.

[0080] There are other embodiment variants. Thus, the support 1 may be in several distinct parts, for example comprising a dial plate T and at least one distinct 1” insert support, as illustrated in Figure 12g. In such a variant, each of the inserts 112, 113, 114 is positioned on a respective 1” insert support, so as to form counters, which will be attached to the dial plate 1’, previously machined to receive such counters. Thus, the system of keying devices which is the subject of this invention makes it possible to position an insert 113 on its insert support 1” and therefore on the support 1. Then, if the support thus decorated is a counter which must be fixed to a dial plate 1’ in a precise position, another indexing method can be implemented. More generally, any means of fixing the insert support(s) 1” on a dial plate is implemented.As a note, an additional advantage of this embodiment comes from the fact that it is possible to manufacture a second dial in parallel by associating the second residual decorative plate 111 and the three added elements 102, 103, 104 on a support 1, as shown in figure 12f.

[0081] Finally, this third embodiment variant can naturally be extended. It relates more generally to a method for manufacturing a watch component, characterized in that the step consisting of preparing E3 at least one added element prepares at least two or three first added elements cut from the same first decorative plate, and prepares at least two or three second added elements cut from the same second decorative plate, said first and second added elements having the same shape between them and being cut according to identical locations on their respective first and second decorative plates, in that the female keying pins of these at least two or three first and second added elements are anisotropic and different within the same decorative plate,and in that the step E4 of assembling the at least one added element first assembles the second residual decorative plate on a support, then said at least two or three first added elements on said support, at the locations of the second decorative plate where the at least two or three second added elements have been cut out, the keying devices allowing them to be positioned in a respective position and orientation which corresponds to their initial position and orientation on said first decorative plate.,

[0082] Finally, the invention relates in all cases to a method of manufacturing a watch component, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

[0083] - Provide E1 with a support;

[0084] - Form at least one male key E2 in relief on the support at least one housing intended to receive an added element; - Prepare E3 at least one added element, by forming at least one female key on the added element, said at least one female key corresponding to said at least one male key;

[0085] - Assemble E4 the at least one added element on the at least one housing of the support, so that the at least one female key of the at least one added element cooperates with the at least one male key of the support to guide the positioning and possibly the orientation of the at least one added element;

[0086] - Optionally, eliminating E5 said at least one male and female keying device after the step consisting of assembling E4 the at least one added element on the at least one housing of the support, the at least one male and female keying device being sacrificial;

[0087] - Optionally, finish E6 the watch component, by machining the at least one added element and / or the support to give them their final geometry; and / or by adding a function and / or a decoration to the surface of the watch component, at the level of the at least one added element and / or the support; and / or by adding a coating; and / or by polishing the surface of the watch component; and / or by machining the surface to add one or more appliques; and / or by pad printing the surface of the watch component.

[0088] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and their variants described above. These variants and embodiments may, for example, be combined with each other. In all cases, the polarizers may be sacrificial or not. The added elements and the support may have any other geometry. Figures 13a to 13g illustrate other exemplary embodiments.

[0089] Figure 13a illustrates for example a dial on which three added elements are fixed according to the invention by different and isotropic polarizing devices, so that each added element can only be arranged on a single housing of the support but in any orientation in this housing. Figure 13b illustrates for example a dial on which three added elements are fixed according to the invention by different and anisotropic polarizing devices, so that each added element can only be arranged on a single housing of the support and in a predefined orientation in this housing.

[0090] Figure 13c illustrates for example a dial on which three added elements are fixed according to the invention by identical and isotropic keying devices, so that each added element can be arranged on any housing of the support and in any orientation in this housing, which is suitable for this example for which the three added elements are identical and isotropic.

[0091] Figure 13d illustrates for example a dial on which two inserts are positioned according to the invention by identical and anisotropic keying devices, so that each insert can be arranged on any housing of the support but according to a predefined orientation in this housing. As a note, this example uses only two inserts. In all embodiments, it is possible to use any number of inserts, one, two, three, four, or more. In addition, one insert is square in shape. Naturally, any shape other than circular is possible for the inserts of the invention.

[0092] Figure 13e illustrates for example a dial on which an anisotropic insert is fixed by a single anisotropic key, so that the insert can only be arranged in a predefined orientation in its housing on the support.

[0093] Figure 13f illustrates for example a dial on which an isotropic insert is fixed by a single isotropic keying device, so that the insert can be arranged in any orientation in its housing on the support. As a variant allowing to obtain an identical result, the keying device can be anisotropic. Figure 13g illustrates for example a dial on which three inserts are fixed according to the invention by identical and anisotropic keying devices, so that each insert can be arranged on any housing of the support but in a predefined orientation in this housing.

[0094] Alternatively, it is possible to have three added elements, two of which are identical and interchangeable, and not the third. The person skilled in the art will naturally be able to identify the numerous combinations provided by the invention.

[0095] Alternatively, it is possible to create a female key on the support, and to form a male key on the added element(s). Such a variant applies to all the embodiments and their variants described previously.

[0096] Alternatively, it is possible to use the same principle to superimpose several inserts on a support in the vertical direction. The inserts to be superimposed can, for example, have the same female key geometry.

[0097] Alternatively, in cases where the keying system is not sacrificial and the male keying is not to be visible on the component, the female keying could be blind.

[0098] The invention also relates to a timepiece component as such, obtained by a manufacturing method according to the invention. Indeed, in the embodiments for which the polarizer is not sacrificial, the invention makes it possible both to implement the advantageous manufacturing of the timepiece component by the invention, while obtaining an advantageous result, notably characterized by the fact that the timepiece component comprises a visible polarizer, positioned in an opening of an added element, this polarizer forming a single-piece assembly integral with the support of the timepiece component. In other words, the polarizer is in the same material as the support, and does not come from a separate element which would have been fixed to the support. Advantageously, the polarizer has been manufactured with the support in a single operation. Naturally, the timepiece component can comprise several visible polarizers, for possibly several added elements.

[0099] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece component.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Provide (E1) a support (1); - Form (E2) at least one male key (2) in relief on the support (1) at the level of at least one housing (3) intended to receive an added element; - Prepare (E3) at least one added element (11), by forming at least one female key (12) on the added element (11), said at least one female key (12) corresponding to said at least one male key (2); - Assembling (E4) the at least one added element (11) on the at least one housing (3) of the support (1), so that the at least one female keying device (12) of the at least one added element cooperates with the at least one male keying device (3) of the support to guide the positioning and possibly the orientation of the at least one added element.

2. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one male (2) and female (12) keying device are isotropic or anisotropic.

3. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two female keying devices respectively associated with at least two separate added elements intended to be assembled to the support (1), the at least two female keying devices being: - Isotropic and identical, or - Isotropic and different, or Anisotropic and identical, or Anisotropic and different.

4. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one male (2) and female (12) keying element are sacrificial, and in that it comprises an additional step consisting of eliminating (E5) said at least one male (2) and female (12) keying element after the step consisting of assembling (E4) the at least one added element (11) on the at least one housing (3) of the support (1).

5. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said additional step of eliminating (E5) said at least one male (2) and female (12) keying element comprises machining passing through at least said at least one added element (11) and said support (1) at the level of said at least one male (2) and female (12) keying element so as to eliminate them from the watch component (10).

6. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one female keying device (12) forms an opening passing through the at least one added element (11), and in that the at least one male keying device (2) is positioned in said opening so as to remain visible on the watch component (10).

7. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one male key (2) is arranged projecting from the upper surface of the at least one housing (3).

8. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step consisting of forming at least one male key (E2) on the support (1) forms at least two or three male keying devices (2), in that the step of preparing (E3) at least one insert (11) prepares at least two or three inserts (112, 113, 114) cut from the same decorative plate (111), in that the female keying devices (12) of these at least two or three respective inserts (112, 113, 114) are anisotropic and different, so that the step of assembling (E4) the at least one insert assembles said at least two or three inserts (112, 113, 114) on the support (1), positioning them in a respective position and orientation which correspond to their initial position and orientation on said decorative plate (111).

9. A method of manufacturing a watch component (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step of preparing (E3) at least one added element prepares at least two or three first added elements (102, 103, 104) cut from the same first decorative plate (101), and prepares at least two or three second added elements (112, 113, 114) cut from the same second decorative plate (111), said first and second added elements (102, 103, 104; 112, 113, 114) having the same shape between them and being cut at identical locations on their respective first and second decorative plates (101; 111), in that the female keying pins (12) of these at least two or three first and second added elements (102, 103, 104; 112, 113, 114) are anisotropic and different within the same decorative plate (101;111), and in that the step of assembling (E4) the at least one added element (11) assembles the second decorative plate (111) remaining on said support (1), and said at least two or three first added elements (102, 103, 104) on said support (1), at the locations of the second decorative plate (111) where the at least two or three second added elements (112, 113, 114) have been cut out, the female keying pins (12) allowing them to be positioned according to a position and a; respective orientation which corresponds to their initial position and orientation on said first decorative plate (101).

10. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step consisting of assembling (E4) the at least one added element (11) comprises securing the at least one added element (11) to the support (1), in particular by gluing.

11. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step consisting of preparing (E3) at least one added element (11) forms said at least one female keying device (12) by machining.

12. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of forming (E2) at least one male keying device (2) in relief on the support (1) comprises fixing the male keying device (2) to the support (1), in particular by gluing, or manufacturing the male keying device (2) on the support (1) by localized galvanic growth or electroforming, or by manufacturing simultaneously with the manufacturing of the support (1) by casting in a mold or embossing, or by machining the support (1), by lowering the surface of the support around the male keying device.

13. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a subsequent step consisting of finishing (E6) the watch component (10), by machining the at least one added element (11) and / or the support (1) to give them their final geometry; and / or by adding a function and / or a decoration to the surface of the watch component (10), at the level of the at least one added element (11) and / or the support (1); and / or by adding a coating; and / or by polishing the surface of the watch component (10); and / or by machining the surface to add one or more appliques; and / or by pad printing the surface of the watch component (10).

14. A method of manufacturing a timepiece component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one added element (11) has a non-uniform and / or non-homogeneous and / or anisotropic visible surface, in particular originating from a part of a decorative plate chosen from a stone, a fine stone, a semi-precious or ornamental stone, a precious substance of organic origin, a mineral, a substance of organo-mineral origin, a gem, a rock, a fossil material, such as for example mother-of-pearl, a shell, a mangano-calcite, a lepidolite, a silicified wood, a coral, amber, a pearl, a sphalerite, a fluorite, an agate, an alexandrite, an amethyst, an anatase, an aventurine, a chalcedony, a chrysoberyl, a chrysoprase, a citrine, a jasper, a tiger's eye, an opal, a quartz, sapphire, spinel, aragonite, azurite, malachite, crocoite, apatite, lazulite, turquoise,an aquamarine, a beryl, a tourmaline, a carnelian, an obsidian, or a snowflake obsidian; a metal or a metal alloy, such as ferrite or meteorite; a technical ceramic based on zirconia and / or alumina, pigmented or not; a synthetic material such as artificial leather or sapphire crystal, which may or may not be engraved; a weave / fabric based on synthetic fibers / threads or a neoprene skin; forged carbon or composite carbon, in particular with decorative fibers or lines; a decorative plate made of a coated material, such as an enameled support, such as a glazed ceramic; a decorative plate comprising on its lower part a functional layer, such as a layer of lacquer or varnish to contribute to the final appearance and color, in particular for a decorative plate which is partly translucent / transparent such as certain mother-of-pearl or stones; a stone plate, such as an opal,the underside of which has a layer of lacquer, itself placed on mother-of-pearl; a plate comprising mother-of-pearl placed on a layer, varnish, and / or on glue, and / or on a plate of palladium-plated brass by electroplating.

15. Method for manufacturing a watch component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the watch component (10) is a dial.

16. Method of manufacturing a watch component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one added element (11) forms a decorative counter or dial plate.

17. Watch component (10), in particular a dial, comprising a support (1) and at least one added element (11) assembled to the support (1), characterized in that the support (1) comprises at least one male keying device (2) in one piece and integral with the support (1), and in that the at least one male keying device (2) is positioned in a through opening of the at least one added element (11).

18. Timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a timepiece component (10) according to the preceding claim.

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