Montres Rolex S. A.

Rene Besson

Claude-Eric Leuenberger

Jean Ortelli

Frank G Vernay

The wrist watch comprises essentially a battery (10), two electric motors (11, 12) which moves the hands (13, 14, 15) on the one hand and a disk of dates (16) on the other hand, an electronic circuit (23) and a watch-type microprocessor (22). When there is a determination by the electronic circuit (23) of the end of the life of the battery, the microprocessor powers the motor (12) in such a manner that the date displayed in the window (17) of the watch is displaced with respect to its normal position.

Time-keeping instrument, in particular an analog-type electric wrist

An electronic watch having an electronic circuit to perform advanced features that is able to distinguish between a first case in which an access code for entry into a programming mode has been correctly entered and the programming operation has been correctly done, from a second case in which the access code has not been correctly entered and/or the programming has not been done correctly. Access to a programming mode of a perpetual calendar feature built into the watch is controlled by requiring at least one manipulation of a time-setting rod in view of its attribution to at least one function other than the functions of correction of the date and day, and to control the watch in the manner of an ordinary watch in the second case and to attribute, in this case to at least one manipulation of the rod, the functions of correction of date and day.

Perpetual calendar watch with analog time display

Wristwatch

The device for implementing the method for the automatic initialisation of the date display of a perpetual calendar electronic watch comprising a face fitted with a window and a date disk permits, every time the watch stops, at the moment the electronic circuit is reconnected, the automatic identification of the date appearing in the window, by optically analysing a code attributed to this date and by memorizing this data by means of the electronic circuit. This optical device (10) comprises a source (11) emitting a beam of light (12), reflective surfaces (13) fixed onto the date disk (15) and a receiver (14). The beam (16) reflected by a surface (13) is intercepted by the receiver (14) which supplies a signal to the electronic circuit (17) which controls an electronic motor (18) driving the disk (15) by a system of reduction gears (19, 20).

Automatic initialisation method for at least the date display, a device

The device for performing the method for detecting the zero position of a hand of a quartz watch with analogue display enables a beam of light to be generated and directed onto a reflective surface integral with a moving part bearing the hand, the reflected beam to be received on a detector and the position for which the output signal of the detector is maximal to be determined to make it correspond to the zero position of the hand when assembling the watch. This device comprises a source (1) emitting a beam of light (2) and a receiver (3) which intercepts the reflected beam (4) returned by a very reflective area (5). This area is integral with a surface of a moving part (6), for example the wheel bearing the second hand and, depending on the position of this wheel, the reflective surface may occupy a position (5) or an adjacent position (5') staggered by less than one step. The signals from the detector (3) are transmitted to an electronic ciruict (7) connected to an electric motor ( 8) which drives the moving body (6) by means of a train of wheels (9).

Method for detecting the zero position of a hand of a quartz watch with

This device is specified for a wrist watch, comprising at least one bi-directional electric motor, at least one mechanism coupled to this motor to drive a day disk (12) and a date disk (10), and at least one electronic circuit designed to transmit control impulses to this motor. This mechanism comprises a drive wheel (11) coupled to the motor and two date fingers (14, 15) pivoting respectively on two axes (16, 17) borne by said drive wheel (11) to increment, and decrement respectively, the date disk (10). The drive wheel (11) also bears a control wheel (22) for a day star (13) designed to increment, or respectively decrement, the day disk (12) by means of said day star (13). The control wheel (22) for the day star is concentric with the drive wheel (11) and integral with the latter when it rotates in one direction or the other.

Device for controlling and correcting the display of the day and date

Method for programming the perpetual calendar of a watch and a watch for

The chronometer comprises a face (11) having a first sector (14) which bears reference marks (12A) and a second sector (15) bearing reference marks (12B). A single hand is designed to move at a first speed between the starting point M of reference marks (12A) and the final point 30 of these reference marks and at a second speed between the starting point 30 of reference marks (12B) and the final point 0 of these reference marks. The displacement of the hand over the first sector lasts exactly nine minutes and thirty seconds. The displacement of the hand over the second sector lasts thirty seconds. This chronometer is specially designed to control the preparation time preceding the start of regattas.

Chronometer for starting races, particularly regattas

A device for controlling or correcting the readout of the day of the week or date for an analog watch, comprising a crown cogged on the inside and integral with a date or day disk, a bi-directional drive motor and a drive wheel coupled to the drive motor, the drive wheel having two opposite spring-loaded clicks and an arcuate slot in which a fixed stud is engaged, the stud cooperating with the edges of the slot to limit the travel of the drive wheel. The drive mechanism of the date or day disk can thus be recentered automatically after the watch has stopped while simultaneously compensating the rated steps of the motor.

Growing community of inventors

Geneva, Switzerland

Rene Besson