The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd

Adamant Technologies Sa

Nivarox-far S.a.

Cédric Faure

Pierpasquale Tortora

Simon Springer

Loïc Curchod

Michel Willemin

Philippe Dubois

Philippe Rychen

Christian Manasterski

Vladislav Spassov

Gérard Rossier

Werner Haenni

The invention relates to a timepiece including, in addition to a crystal (), the following external elements: a back (), a middle (), a dial () and two bracelet strands (), at least one of these external elements comprising at least one part made of an at least partially transparent or translucent ceramic material, the timepiece further including at least two point light sources () releasing heat, each light source () being capable of being separately switched on/off and being disposed in or directly beneath said at least one external element comprising the ceramic material, each light source () producing light that passes through the ceramic material of said external element, and wherein each light source () is configured to produce localised light on a point or quasi-point area () of the ceramic material of the external element concerned, so as to produce localised illumination on said external element.

Timepiece with localized illumination

Provided is a timepiece including, in addition to a crystal, the following external elements: a back (), a middle part (), a dial (), and two bracelet strands (), at least one of these external elements includes a body formed of a first portion made of a first opaque material and of a second portion made of a second partially transparent or translucent material. The first material being integral with the second material and the timepiece also includes at least one light source () producing light which passes through the second portion made of a partially transparent or translucent ceramic material comprising zirconia.

Timepiece comprising an external element provided with a zirconia portion

A substrate includes a final silver-plated surface protected against silver tarnishing by a protective coat having a thickness between 1 nm and 200 nm, the protective coat includes a first coat of AlOdeposited on said final silver-plated surface and having a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, and on the first coat of AlO, a second coat of TiOhaving a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, the substrate including a coat of a silver and copper alloy comprising between 0.1% and 10% by weight of copper with respect to the total weight of the alloy, forming said final silver-plated surface, said coat of a silver and copper alloy having a thickness between 1000 nm and 3000 nm. Embodiments also relate to a method for manufacturing such a substrate.

Substrate comprising a silver-plated surface protected against silver tarnishing and method for manufacturing such a substrate

Set of luminous display hands for a portable object which houses an electrical energy supply source, the set of luminous display hands including first and second superposed luminous display hands each provided with a hole for the passage of a drive arbour, the drive arbour of the second luminous display hand being arranged concentrically inside the drive arbour of the first hand with insertion of an insulating layer between the two drive arbours, the first and second luminous display hands respectively carrying a first and a second light source, the first pole of the first light source being electrically connected to a first terminal of the power supply source via the drive arbour of the first luminous display hand, the second pole of the first light source being connected to the first pole of the second light source via a contact piece, and the second pole of the second light source being connected to the second terminal of the power supply source via the drive arbour of the second luminous display hand.

Set of luminous display hands for a portable object such as a watch or a measuring instrument

A modular electrochemical cell having two interchangeable assemblies each with a support structure defining a cylindrical recess and having a fitting for connecting a pipe to the assembly. A disc-shaped electrode is arranged inside each recess and the assemblies are arranged relative to each other so that their respective electrodes face each other. A modular insert is inserted between the assemblies to define an open space between the electrodes and to distribute fluid to a plurality of openings spaced from each other along an edge of this open space. Securing members secure together the two assemblies and the modular insert, and passages in the support structures convey fluid between the fittings and the modular insert.

Growing community of inventors

Cortaillod, Switzerland

Cédric Faure