Animated timepiece

Abstract

A timepiece movement is disclosed which may comprise a going train, and a mechanism having a first cinematic connection with the going train and arranged to drive an indicator member in a stealthy rotational movement, the latter being activated periodically with a predefined period. The mechanism may also comprise a first wheel-and-pinion unit comprising a first wheel at least indirectly in engagement with the going train, a second wheel-and-pinion unit, mounted coaxially with the first wheel-and-pinion unit and, having at least one stop region and a second wheel, these being integral in rotation. A second cinematic connection connects the second wheel to the indicator member, an elastic member connecting the first wheel-and-pinion unit to the second wheel-and-pinion unit in such a way that its degree of tension is a function of respective angular positions of the first and second wheel-and-pinion units. The mechanism may further comprise locking means designed to prevent the second wheel-and-pinion unit from rotating between two successive movements of the indicator member, as well as release means designed to act on the locking means, in each period, in order to release them momentarily and permit stealthy rotation of the second wheel-and-pinion unit through a predefined angle The mechanism may also comprise a retarding device acting on the second wheel-and-pinion unit in such a way as to limit its speed of stealthy rotation.