Patek Philippe Sa Geneve

Csem Centre Suisse D'electronique Et De Microtechnique Sa Recherche Et Developpement

Patek, Philippe Sa

Csem Centre Suisse D'electronique Et De Microtechnique Sa

Frédéric Maier

Sylvain Jeanneret

Stéphane Von Gunten

Jean-Pierre Musy

James Hide

Thierry Conus

David Chabloz

Jean-Luc Bucaille

Alessandro Vandini

Jean-Baptiste Le Bris

Michel Belot

Andreas Kuoni

Stéphane Oes

Nicolas Boule

Emmanuel Dupas

Sebastien Lani

Anthony Krüttli

Sébastien Lani

Séverine Domange

Laurent Guillot

The invention relates to a method implemented by a computer terminal for assisting the setting of a mechanism of a mechanical timepiece (). The method comprises the following steps: i) capturing an image or a sequence of images of the mechanical timepiece () by means of a computer equipment () comprising an image acquisition device () and a display area (); determining the setting to be made according to said image or sequence of images, and displaying on the display area () of the computer device () a sequence of instructions for said setting of the mechanism.

Method and system for assisting in the adjustment of a mechanical timepiece

Disclosed is a display mechanism for a timepiece, including a frame, an aperture which is fixed relative to the frame and a first and a second display disc each bearing indications, characterized in that it makes it possible to display the indications of the first and second discs alternately through the aperture. The invention also relates to a timepiece movement including such a mechanism, and to a timepiece such as a wrist watch, a pocket watch, a clock or a miniature clock including such a timepiece movement.

Display mechanism with a single aperture

Timepiece hand

A method for producing a timepiece spring includes the following steps: producing a piece based on silicon, having the desired shape of the timepiece spring; thermally oxidising the piece; deoxidising the piece; annealing the piece in a reducing atmosphere; forming a silicon oxide layer on the piece.

Method for producing a silicon-based timepiece spring

A balance of a timepiece including an adjustment face provided with at least one recess provided for receiving a projected material for an implementation of an adjustment of the rate of the timepiece notably by the modification of the inertia and of the unbalance of the balance, the recess including an opening and a back notably a solid back or a back fully or partially forming an orifice, the back being at most partially visible from a position defined above the opening notably on a central axis of the opening.

Balance of a timepiece

The method for manufacturing timepiece hairsprings according to the invention comprises the following successive steps: a) forming hairsprings in a wafer, b) forming a thermal compensation layer on the hairsprings, c) identifying the hairsprings having a stiffness within a predetermined range, d) optionally, detaching from the wafer the hairsprings identified in step c), e) modifying the other hairsprings so that the stiffness of at least some of them is within the predetermined range, f) detaching from the wafer these other hairsprings and, if they have not been detached in step d), the hairsprings identified in step c). This method makes it possible to reduce manufacturing dispersions between the hairsprings.

Method for manufacturing timepiece thermocompensated hairsprings of precise stiffness

A timepiece mechanism includes a first energy source with a regulating member, a second independent energy source, a control member driven by the second energy source, and a blocking device controlled by the first energy source to block the second energy source and release it to allow the control member to be displaced by jumps powered by the second energy source. The blocking device includes first and second mobile parts kinematically interconnected, the first mobile part including a drive device, the second mobile part including a stopping device; a rotating drive member connected to the first energy source and cooperating with the drive device to displace the mobile parts, alternately in opposite directions; and a rotating blocking member connected to the second energy source and cooperating with the stopping device to be blocked by the second mobile part and released at the determined times by second mobile part movement.

Timepiece mechanism

Disclosed is a flexible-pivot mechanical component of the type with separate intersecting blades, particularly for timepieces. The mechanical component includes an attachment portion and a movable portion that are connected by first and second resilient blades that intersect in a contactless manner at an intersecting point. The flexible-pivot mechanical component is combined with an adjustment unit making it possible to adjust the position of the intersecting point.

Flexible-pivot mechanical component and timekeeping device including same

A method of manufacturing a timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, comprises a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The method may comprise forming at least one member in or at the periphery of the structure, of a material different from that of the structure. This member is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity of the structure as a mold.

Method for making a timepiece component

A timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, having a structure made according to a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The component has at least one member formed in or at the periphery of the structure and made of a material different from that of the structure. This member is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity of the structure as a mold.

Timepiece component and method for making same

A driving member for a timepiece movement includes a shaft, and a drum and a rotating member both mounted on the shaft. The drum and the rotating member are able to rotate with respect to each other and include teeth on their periphery. First and second superposed spiral springs have outer ends fixed to the drum and to the rotating member respectively and inner ends connected to each other to connect the springs in series. The drum and the rotating member fit together at least in the area of the peripheral wall of the drum so as to together form a closed housing containing the springs.

Driving member for a timepiece movement

A balance spring-collet assembly for a timepiece movement comprises a collet () and a balance spring () attached at its inner end to the collet (). The collet () is capable of being mounted onto a shaft (). The external periphery of the collet () defines abutments () against which the inner turn of the balance spring () may come to rest during a shock before the elastic limit of the inner turn is exceeded. The abutments () are situated at respective distances (Ra, Rb, Rc) from the center (O) of the shaft () that increase in the direction (D) of the balance spring () from the inside to the outside starting at the point () of junction between the balance spring () and the collet ().

Spiral/collet assembly for a horological movement

A regulating device including a balance () and a plane hairspring () for a time piece movement, the plane hairspring () including a stiffened portion () in its outer turn () that is arranged to cause the deformations of the turns to be substantially concentric. The spacing (d) between a terminal portion of the outer turn () and the last-but-one turn () of the hairspring () is large enough for said last-but-one turn () to remain free radially during expansions of the hairspring () up to amplitudes corresponding substantially to the maximum angle of rotation of the balance () in the movement.

Growing community of inventors

Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Frédéric Maier