Electronic timepiece

Abstract

An electronic timepiece whose minimum dislay changing time interval is relatively long and is on the order of five seconds to two minutes such, as for example, an hour minute display liquid crystal timepiece or a two hand display crystal timepiece. This timpeiece is capable of measuring a time interval between changeable displays so as to calculate a pitch or stepping rate thereof by means of a display means. A driving circuit for driving the display means is supplied with a detecting repetition pulse having a pulse of a width such that the display means is not responsive to such a degree that naked eyes can follow the display. The detecting repetition pulse is delivered from a detecting signal generation circuit which is supplied with an output from an intermediate stage of a frequency division circuit. Measurements are provided for: (1) preventing a magnetic field generated from a driving coil of a step motor from being delivered into the movement; (2) predominantly passing the detecting repetition pulse when the detecting repetition pulse is superimposed on a driving pulse; (3) adjusting the pulse width of the driving signal; (4) moving hands of the dislay means by means of alternate pulses; (5) changing over an interval of the driving pulse from a shorter interval to a longer interval; (6) setting and aligning a minute hand by means of a winding crown; (7) adjustably fitting hands to a hand shaft; (8) holding a minute drive control circuit in phase with the step motor, and; (9) displaying a second return to zero operation which defines the minute hand.