Photochromic Dial for Skeleton Watch Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Skeleton watches with transparent or perforated dials struggle with low time-reading contrast and illegible logos in bright conditions due to the lack of visibility between the horological movement and hands.
Innovation Solution
A watch design featuring a photochromic dial that darkens under UV radiation, becoming opaque to enhance hand visibility, while remaining transparent in low UV conditions to reveal the movement, using materials like photochromic-coated polymer films or glass with silver halide compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dial is made transparent or perforated to reveal the horological movement, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the readability of time and logos deteriorates in bright conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The dial transitions from a static transparent state to a dynamic photochromic state that automatically adjusts its opacity based on UV radiation levels. This dynamic adaptation allows the dial to switch between revealing the movement (aesthetic mode) and providing high contrast for readability (functional mode), resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appeal and readability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the dial material from permanently transparent to photochromically variable. By using photochromic materials that change their light transmission properties in response to UV radiation, the dial can adjust its transparency parameter dynamically, enabling both aesthetic display and clear readability under different lighting conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If the dial remains transparent to maintain visibility of the horological movement, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the contrast between hands and dial deteriorates in bright conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The photochromic dial undergoes color and transparency changes in response to UV radiation. In bright conditions, the dial darkens and becomes opaque, creating high contrast with the hands for accurate time reading. In lower light conditions, the dial remains transparent, allowing visibility of the horological movement while maintaining sufficient contrast for readability.
3Shape
If a traditional transparent dial is used, then the skeleton watch aesthetic is achieved, but logos and brand names become illegible in bright light
Solution Approach 1:
The dial dynamically adjusts its optical properties to maintain logo legibility while preserving the skeleton watch aesthetic. When UV radiation is detected, the photochromic material darkens to provide high contrast for logos and text. When UV radiation is low, the dial remains transparent to showcase the movement, thus maintaining the skeleton aesthetic. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between aesthetic presentation and information legibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves readability of time and logos in varying brightness conditions by dynamically adjusting the dial's opacity in response to UV exposure, ensuring clear hand contrast and reduced reflections.
Implementation Method 1
the photochromic plate darkens under the effect of UV radiation, and lightens under the effect of ambient heat, and this in an indefinitely reversible manner
Data Source
AI summary
A skeleton watch includes a horological movement housed in a watch case, the horological movement being arranged to rotate at least one hand, the horological movement being covered by a dial, and the dial being disposed between the horological movement and the at least one hand. The dial includes a photochromic plate so that the horological movement is visible when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation below a first threshold value and the horological movement is masked when the photochromic plate is exposed to an amount of UV radiation above a second threshold value.