Asulab S.a.

Smh Management Services Ag

Pierre Magnin

Beatrice Michel

The invention concerns a nickel free stainless steel alloy having a ferritic and magnetic structure, characterised in that it contains at least 0.4% in weight of nitrogen, and at most 0.5% in weight of nickel, the remainder being formed of iron and the inevitable impurities. The invention also concerns an external part for a watch made of such a steel alloy.

Ferritic stainless steel and external part for a watch made thereof

The invention concerns a zirconia based ceramic article having a core of ZrO2 and/or partially reduced ZrO2, characteriZed in that it includes, over at least part of its surface, a superficial layer integral with said article, the thickness of said superficial layer including a plurality of regions of which one external region is formed of zirconium carbide having a metallic appearance.

Zirconia based ceramic article as wear-resistant exterior part for

A finished or semi-finished item in sintered zirconia is characterized by a metallic appearance obtained by placing a previously shaped and sintered zirconia item in its finished or semi-finished shape in an oven in which there is a plasma containing hydrogen, bringing the item to a temperature of around 800.degree. C. or more, and maintaining the item at this temperature for a period of time from around a quarter of an hour to three hours, preferably two hours.

Method for obtaining a zirconia based item

A method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished item in sintered zirconia having a metallic appearance comprises the steps of providing at least one previously shaped and sintered zirconia item in its finished or semi-finished shape, placing the item in an oven in which there is a plasma containing hydrogen, bringing the item to a temperature of around 800.degree. C. or more, and maintaining the item at this temperature for a period of time from around a quarter of an hour to three hours, preferably two hours.

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Cugy, Switzerland

Pierre Magnin