WO2007098616A1

WO2007098616A1 - Watch, particularly a wrist watch

Info

Publication number: WO2007098616A1
Application number: PCT/CH2006/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Antoniazzo
Original assignee: Gilles Antoniazzo
Priority date: 2006-03-01
Filing date: 2006-03-01
Publication date: 2007-09-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch and, in particular, a wrist watch, with means (3) for continual determination of standard time and means (4) for continual display of standard time. This watch has an open state, in which standard time is continuously displayed, and a closed state, in which standard time is not displayed, like a watch whose glass can be covered over by a cover such that the hands can no longer be seen, for example. A manoeuvring member (8) allows the user to place the watch in the open state and means (7) are provided for restoring it to the closed state after consultation of standard time. The watch also includes means (5) for measuring a time interval and said means are connected during functioning to the means (7) for restoring to the closed state, such that a measurement of the duration of the closed state is initiated at the moment of the transition to the closed state.

Description

Watch, including wristwatch

The invention relates to a watch according to the preamble of the independent claim 1.

A watch always includes means for the continual determination of the legal time and means for viewing this legal time, it being understood that it must be correctly set so that the legal time it displays corresponds to the actual legal time. An exception are the watches that determine the legal time by receiving a radio signal containing the legal time information. In general the legal time indicates the time of day from midnight on a 24 hour scale. However, there are also watches that indicate the legal time on a scale of 12 hours only, it being understood that this scale is traveled twice during the duration of a day.

There are watches, where the legal time, although it is continually determined, is not continually visualized. This is the case of watches with reversible housing or watches with time indicators that are recoverable by a cover, for example. These watches have an open state, in which the legal time is visualized, that is to say visually perceptible by the user who watches the watch, and a closed state, in which the legal time is not displayed.

The purpose of the lid of a pocket watch or a reversible housing is often aesthetic: the cover or the back of the reversible housing can be provided with decorative elements, for example. But they produce another result: When the user consults his watch he not only learns what time he is, because he must first make a manipulation to put it in open state he is also more directly aware of the fact that he consults his watch.

It is an objective of the invention to complete this perceptibility of the awareness of the time of a perceptibility of periods of time that the user of a watch passes without referring to the legal time.

This objective is achieved by a watch with the features of claim 1. It has an open state in which the legal time is continuously displayed and a closed state in which the legal time is not displayed, as well as a maneuvering member which allows its user to put it from the closed state to the open state in order to read the legal time. In addition, it includes means for subsequently returning it to the closed state, as well as means for measuring and displaying the duration of the closed state: means for measuring a time interval are connected in operation means for the closed state, such that a measurement of the duration of the closed state is initiated during the transition to the closed state. Viewing this duration of the closed state gives the user of the watch a feeling of the actual duration of a period during which he did not use his watch. It is an aspect of the passage of time that is made perceptible. The user of the watch benefits from the fact that he gets a new awareness of the use he makes of his time and this awareness can have a therapeutic effect and / or have a favorable influence on his lifestyle. . Other objects of the invention and preferred embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings which represent exemplary embodiments, namely

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a wristwatch with an actuator for putting it in the open state and an actuating member for putting it in the closed state.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a watch according to FIG. 1, with an actuator for changing the state of the watch and an actuator for visualizing the duration of the closed state,

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a watch according to FIG. 2, with a single actuator for changing the state of the watch and for controlling the display of the duration of the closed state,

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a watch according to FIG. 3, with early visualization of the duration of the closed state,

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a watch according to FIG. 3, with means for automatically setting it in the closed state,

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a watch according to FIG. 3, with alternative variants for producing and displaying the time, FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a complete work train of a mechanical construction of a watch according to the diagram of FIG. 4,

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of various components of the wheels of the wheel of FIG. 7 in three states of operation of this wheel, and

Figure 9 the representation of the mobile A according to the left part of Figure 8, with means for achieving the closed state by immobilization of the mobile for the display of legal time.

Figures 1 to 6 schematically show functional elements of a wristwatch, as well as connections between these different elements, which are represented by lines. The lines without arrows represent connections for the transmission of information, while the lines with arrows represent connections in operation between different elements.

FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a first example of a wristwatch according to the invention. It comprises a housing 1 with a bracelet 2, and inside the housing 1 a unit 3 for determining the legal time which is connected to a unit 4 for viewing the legal time, and a unit 5 for measuring the time. duration of a time interval which is connected to a unit 6 for viewing the duration of this interval.

The units 3, 5 for the determination of the legal time and for the measurement of the duration of an interval can be carried out in any technology, in general it is either a mechanical realization, an electronic realization or a combination of the two. . Unless the legal time is received from the outside in the form of a signal containing this information (including a radio signal), its determination requires an oscillator whose frequency, which must be known and constant, serves as a reference. Both units can use the same oscillator or separate oscillators.

For the measurement of the duration of a time interval, an alternative to counting the number of oscillations, for example by a counting wheel in a mechanical embodiment, is the calculation of the difference between the legal time of the beginning of the interval and the legal time of its end. Such a calculation can be performed by digital electronics components and in particular by a microprocessor.

Whatever the technology that is implemented for measuring the duration of a time interval, such a measurement always assumes the triggering of the measurement at the beginning of the interval. The watch comprises an operating member 7, which is connected in operation to the unit 4 for viewing the legal time, so that it allows the user to put it in the closed state by manipulation of this time. actuating member 7. The same operating member 7 is at the same time connected in operation to the unit 5 for measuring the interval time, so that a measurement of the duration of the closed state is initiated. during the transition of the watch from its open state to its closed state.

The operating member 7 is schematically represented in the form of a pusher, as is known for example chronographs, but it could be any other maneuvering device that allows the user to put the watch in the closed state by a manual operation. It may be a mechanical actuator or any electronic sensor for detection of manipulation by the user. If, for example, the means 4 for viewing the legal time include an electronic display, LCD or other, which needs a power supply to be operational, it could be an electrical switch, which is connected by a conductive wire to the display for the power supply of the latter, allowing the user to cut this power to put the watch in the closed state.

It then matters little if certain elements of this concrete embodiment such as the conducting wire or the switch are considered as forming part of the display unit 4, the actuator 7 or a connecting means between the two: all that matters is that the operating member 7 is connected in operation to the means 4 for the display of the legal time, so that the actuator allows the user to put the watch in the closed state. There are in particular cases where the connection between the operating member 7 and the means 4 for viewing the legal time is not represented by a particular physical connection means: it is for example the case of a watch with a display that is recoverable from a lid.

Such a cover is the operating member 7, since it is handled by the user of the watch during the transition to the closed state. At the same time it makes, in the logic of the diagram of Figure 1, part of the display unit 4, since in this diagram it is assumed that it is this display unit which has an open state and a closed state. Thus, another operating member 8, also connected in operation to the legal time display unit 4, is provided, which allows the user to put the watch in the open state for the consultation of the legal time. About of these actuators we will also discuss below the closure member 7 and the opening member 8.

In the example of a watch with a lid, the opening member 8 may for example be a pusher for unlocking the lid, which can be hinged to the housing at a point of its periphery and provided with a spring. so that it opens automatically as soon as it is unlocked. It will be recalled that the closing member 7, which in this example comprises the lid, is also connected in operation to the unit 5 for measuring the interval time, so that a measurement of the duration of the closed state is initiated during the transition to the closed state. Various concrete solutions for making this connection are within the reach of those skilled in the art, which could in particular include elements for the detection of the closing of the lid, for example at the level of the locking of the closed lid.

The visualization of legal time always assumes the existence of means 9 for the display of this legal time. This display 9 can be analog or digital, the classic example of an analog display for wristwatches includes time indicators that turn around a display axis in front of a dial. As regards the technical means making it possible to prevent the display of the legal time, it is necessary to distinguish, in a general manner, between opaque objects which make it possible to cover the display 9, thus rendering it invisible, and means to ensure that the display shows anything other than legal time, or nothing at all.

The first of these means groups, which includes watches with a lid and those with a reversible case, also includes the possibility of using a watch glass with a transparent state and an opaque state, for example a glass consisting of two parallel polarization filters, the degree of transparency of which can be varied by relative rotation of the two filters. The peculiarity of this group of solutions is, that the legal time is continuously displayed, and that in the closed state this display is only made invisible.

The second of said groups of means are those that affect the display of legal time. If it is an electronic display, whether digital or analog, it can usually be turned off, by power failure or otherwise, so that it displays nothing. This is a possibility that has already been mentioned. If it is a mechanical display with needles 10 or other time indicators, these time indicators can be immobilized in a given position, for example at the 12 o'clock position, so that the legal time n is more visualized.

Another possibility for the realization of a closed state of a watch is to immobilize the display 9 of the legal time at a given moment, so that it continues to display the time of that moment, while the legal time continues to flow. From this moment the display of the legal time no longer displays the legal time and the watch is therefore in the closed state. In other words, it is the legal time of the moment of the last setting in the closed state which continues to be displayed in the closed state. With this solution the display 9 legal time, immobilized in the closed state, offers a particular symbolic force: it represents the image of a time that has stopped.

In combination with a maneuvering member 7 which allows the user to put his watch in the closed state at a time of its choice, this impression of a virtual stoppage of time is particularly strong, if the immobilization of the display is noticed by the user when he puts the watch in the closed state. For this reason the time display of such a watch preferably has a resolution of at least one second. That is, it is an analog display with seconds indicator 10 or a digital display that displays the seconds, at least. In this way the user immediately perceives that the display is immobilized. The effect is even more striking if the resolution of the legal time display is at least half a second.

The actuator 7 allows the user to close his watch knowingly, at a time of his choice. In combination with the mode of realization of the closed state which has just been presented, which symbolizes a stop of time, the express closure of the watch by its user becomes a symbolic act: By stopping (virtually) the legal time, the The user opens a space of time for which he knows in advance that he will not need to consult the legal time. It can especially be a space of time in which it will affect a certain activity, more or less determined, it may be a period of reflection or a period during which he will exercise a leisure activity like painting, for example. The visualization of the duration of the closed state allows him to know the time that this period has lasted, which gives him, among other things, a better awareness of his use of time. It is clear that this last result is obtained independently of the embodiment of the closed state.

The determination of the duration of the closed state can take place continuously, which is always the case if it is performed by an oscillation counter and not by calculating the time difference between two discrete moments. The display of this duration, on a display interval 11, can also take place continuously, allowing the user to know at any time during the closed state how long it is that his watch is in this state. In this case the measurement of the duration of the closed state at a given moment takes place by reading the duration which is indicated on the interval display 11 at this precise moment.

Figure 2 shows the diagram of a watch according to Figure 1, which however has only one operating member 12 for changes of state. The means 6 for viewing the duration of the closed state are additionally connected in operation to an actuator 13 which allows the user to provide this visualization.

The actuator 12 allows the user to change the state of his watch, in both directions. If the watch is in the closed state it can operate the actuator 12 to put it in the open state, and vice versa. The symbol of an electric switch 14, with a contact blade 15 tilting between two positions, represents in this diagram the two states, open and closed, of the watch. It is possible for a watch to include such an electrical switch, but there are also many other possibilities for making an actuator 12 with this feature. For example, here again, the operating member 12 may be an opaque cover which covers the watch glass in the closed state. In the absence of a spring for the automatic opening of the lid, it must be moved manually not only to put the watch in the closed state, but again to return it to the open state. This cover can be hinged to the edge of the housing 1 of the shows, but it can also be detachable, so that in the open state it is completely separated from the housing.

At the beginning of a closed state period of a watch according to the diagram of Figure 2, the duration of this period is not displayed. The means 6 for this display are operatively connected to at least one actuator 13, which allows the user to provide this visualization at a time after the transition to the closed state. In particular, if the closed state is characterized by the immobilization of the display of the legal time 9, creating in the user the feeling of a stop of the time as described above with reference to FIG. 1, it is preferable that first, after the closed state, no reference to the legal time flow is displayed, not even the duration of the closed state.

The display of the duration of the closed state can be ensured in different ways: On the one hand, a continuous display of this duration can be activated, as has already been described above. In this case, the same operating member 13, or a complementary operating member, can further enable the deactivation of such a continuous display which is in progress. The inactive state of the means 6 for the continuous display of the duration of the closed state can be achieved by the same kind of means as the closed state of the watch; the display can be made invisible by an opaque cover means, or the state of the display itself can be affected, in particular by immobilizing the time indicator (s) or by resetting them. On the other hand, the interval time whose visualization is ensured can be the duration of the closed state period until the actuation of the operating member 13 by which this visualization is ensured. With the first of these variants, the measurement of the duration of the closed state takes place at the moment when the user reads what is displayed on the interval display 11, and therefore at a time after the activation of the means. 6, 11 for viewing this duration. On the other hand, with the second variant, this measurement takes place at the moment of actuation of the control means 13 and it is the result of this measurement which is displayed on the interval display 11.

FIG. 3 represents the diagram of another watch, which is distinguished from the watch according to the diagram of FIG. 2 because the display of the duration of the closed state is ensured by the actuation of an actuator lβa which allows at the same time to control the state transitions, having on this subject the same functionality as the ^" maneuvering member 12 for the state transitions of a watch according to Figure 2. Here again the contact blade An electrical switch symbolizes the two states, open and closed, of the watch, it being understood that a watch according to this scheme may include such a switch but that this is not necessarily the case. this subject with reference to FIG. 2, also applies to FIG. 3 and more generally to FIGS. 1 to 6, which all represent functional diagrams.

The actuator lβa is connected in operation to means 6 for displaying the duration of the closed state, so that at the time of transition from the closed state to the open state the duration of the closed state is displayed. The transition to the open state marks the end of a period of the closed state and it is therefore the total duration of a closed period of the closed state that is visualized. The manipulation of a single actuator lβa is sufficient to return the watch to the open state and ensure the same time the display of the duration of the closed state period that precedes.

An example of a watch with this feature is, here again, a watch with an opaque lid: In the closed state this lid covers and the legal time display and the interval display, so that's by opening this cover, that the two displays are at the same time made visible.

FIG. 4 represents the diagram of a watch according to FIG. 3, that is to say with a single actuator for the state transitions and to ensure the display of the duration of the closed state. But this watch has three phases of operation that follow one another: one that corresponds to the open state and two consecutive phases during which the watch is in the closed state. With each actuation of the operating member 16b the watch goes to the next operating phase. The duration of the closed state is not displayed at the beginning of a closed state period and it is with the passage of the first to the second phase of operation of the closed state that this visualization is ensured.

In a watch that corresponds to this model, the transition to the open state could also be performed automatically, a short time (a few seconds, for example) after viewing the duration of the closed state. Such an automation would not change the fact that viewing the duration of the closed state is here an intermediate step necessary for the delivery of the watch in the open state, making this state transition a more formal procedure . An example of a mechanical embodiment of a watch of this type is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Figure 5 shows the diagram of a watch according to Figure 3, with means for its automatic setting in the closed state. The means for making the closed state here include a detector 17 for the detection of an event indicating that the display of standard time is no longer required by the user ^1. This detector 17 is connected in operation to the means 4 for the display of the legal time, so that the watch takes the closed state when said event is detected. In the example of Figure 5, the detector 17 is a timer 17, which initiates the transition to the closed state a time T after the last transition to the open state. It is then assumed that the time T is sufficient for the consultation of the legal time and that, consequently, the visualization of the legal time is no longer required a time T after the setting to the open state.

Alternatively, other events may be retained as indicative of the fact that viewing the legal time is no longer required by the user. Depending on the event that is retained, a device 17 suitable for the detection of this event will be provided. In the case of a wristwatch, the fact that the user removes his watch from the arm can be retained as an indicative event because he no longer needs it for the moment. In an electronic embodiment, this event can be detected by a temperature sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of the user's arm.

The diagram of FIG. 5 is based on the idea that it is an electronic watch with digital displays 9, 11. The connection lines in this diagram can be understood as electrical connectors between the different determination units. and time display, which consist of digital electronics components. They therefore represent not only connections in operation but also physical connections between physical units. For this reason, the lines are drawn here without arrows.

The operating member 16c is a pusher that actuates a not shown switch, so that an electrical voltage pulse is produced at the input of the electronic timer by the actuation of the pusher 16c. With the first side of this pulse, the voltage at the output 18 of the timer 17 changes from 1 to 0, it being understood that these are logic levels, the level 0 corresponding to 0 Volt while the level 1 can be 5 Volt, for example. A time T later, the output 18 of the timer 17 returns to level 1. This output signal 18 is the main control signal. During said time T, this watch is in its open state, while it is in the closed state outside this period T.

In the closed state the display 9 of the legal time shows the legal time of the moment of the last setting in the closed state, while the interval display 11 is off.

At the moment when the operating member 16c is actuated, the control signal at the output of the timer 17 drops from 1 to 0, as explained above. This level 0 controls the updating of the display 9 of the legal time and the continuous visualization of this legal time. At the same time it turns on the interval display 11, which displays the closing time determined by the interval measurement unit 5. The measurement of the duration of the closed state takes place by a time counter, which is stopped when the control signal takes level 0. After the time T, the control signal resumes level 1, which puts the watch back in the closed state: the display 9 of the legal time is no longer updated, so that it continues to show the time of this precise moment. This display 9 is thus immobilized. The interval display 11 is turned off again. The 0 to 1 edge of the control signal causes the counter of the interval measurement unit 5 to reset and at the same time the level 1 of this signal releases this counter and thus initiates the measurement of the duration of this counter. new closed state.

A status indicator 19 is provided, it is a bulb 19 which lights in the closed state. This status indicator is independent of means 4 for viewing the legal time. It is independent in the sense that it is not used at the same time for the display of legal time, so that confusion is excluded. This is particularly useful if the state of the watch is not easily recognizable by consulting the display 9 of the legal time, as in this example of a digital display which indicates only hours and minutes, but not the seconds.

FIG. 6 represents the diagram of a watch according to FIG. 3 with alternative possibilities for producing a display of the time and of the operating member.

The display of the unit 6 for viewing the duration of the closed state is here a digital display, made by mechanical means, with a disc visible through a window 20 in the dial of the watch. It can be a record of days, hours or minutes. Alternatively, several of these discs can be combined, for example a disc of days and a disc of hours. Finally a window for displaying the days that the closed state has lasted (one day being in this context a period of 24 hours) can be combined with a hand for displaying the hours of a day started, for example.

The actuator that allows the user to change the state of the watch is here a rotating bezel 16d. An electric switch 14 has a contact blade 15 which is pivotable about an axis 21 and the rotation of the bezel 16d of an angle α allows the user to change the state of this switch. The contact blade 15 is under electrical tension and according to its position it transmits this voltage to different elements or units of the watch and thus controls their operation. Instead of an electrical switch it could also be a mechanical control member, with a control arm pivotable about the axis 21, which can act on other elements in a mechanical embodiment. The rotating bezel 16d carries a mark 22 which functions as an indicator of the state of the watch, in combination with at least one complementary mark 23 on the dial or the case of the watch.

It must be emphasized that the essential characteristic of the watches just described is the operation of their own. The possible solutions for carrying out this operation are numerous. The watch can be made in mechanics or electronics or in any combination of mechanical and electronic components. For the realization of the closed state, the example of an opaque cover means has been given several times, because it is a simple constructive means which makes it possible to explain several aspects of the invention. The mechanical realization of the closed state by means which affect the display of the legal time, in particular by immobilization of this display, is possible with watchmaking components which are also well known to those skilled in the art. In this regard, an example of a mechanical embodiment of a watch according to the diagram of FIG. 4 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the complete wheel of a mechanical embodiment of a watch according to the diagram of FIG. 4. It comprises a wheelwork incorporating the legal time, with movers A1, A2 and A3 carrying the hands for the display of hours, minutes and seconds of legal time, respectively, and a wheel B counting the duration of the closed state, with mobiles Bl, B2 and B3 carrying the hands for displaying the hours, minutes and seconds of the duration of the closed state, respectively. The wheel train A counting the legal time is permanently driven by a source 24 and a transmission wheel 38, carried by a clutch lever 39 which is controlled by a control means C2, allows the temporary clutch of the wheel B on the same source 24 for counting the duration of a time interval.

The three mobiles of the same wheel work in the same way, so that we will speak below generally A mobiles carrying the needles for the display of legal time and mobiles B carrying the hands for the display of the duration of the closed state.

All the mobiles A, B carrying the display hands are made according to the same principle, which is shown in axial section in the upper part of Figure 8, to the left for the mobile A carrying the needles 10A which turn in front of the dial 34 for the display of the legal time and on the right for the mobiles B carrying the hands 10B for the display of the duration of the closed state. Each of these mobiles A, B has in a lower part a mobile time counting XA, XB and in an upper part a time display mobile YA, YB, these time counting and display mobiles being connected by a display clutch which comprises a split-second system ZA, ZB with a core 25A, 25B and a hammer 26A, 26B.

The retractable system of the mobiles B carrying the needle for displaying the duration of the closed state is represented in axial view in the right column of the lower part of FIG. 8. The retractable system of the mobiles of the other wheel A is identical. The upper parts, ie the display mobiles YA, YB, can be blocked by locking means 27, 33, which are controlled by control means CIa, C3 whose operation will be explained further.

When a display mobile YA, YB is not blocked, it is driven continuously by the corresponding counting mobile XA, XB, via the core 25A, 25B secured thereto and the split-up lever 26A, 26B secured to each other. from the upper part. On the other hand, when a display unit YA, YB is blocked, the core 25A, 25B, integral with the corresponding counting wheel, turns while lifting the hammer 26A, 26B. When the lock is removed, the hammer 26A, 26B returns the display mobile YA, YB in its synchronized position to the respective heart 25A, 25B.

This watch has three different phases of operation:

In the phase P1, the watch is in the open state: the display mobile of the legal time is free and the time is read. The train B counting the duration of the closed state is blocked (disengaged, its hands being in the "12h00" position. In phase P2, the watch is in the closed state: the hands displaying the legal time are put in the "12:00" position, like those of the display YB of the duration of the closed state, which remain locked in this state. while the gear train B counting the duration of the closed state is engaged and rotates. An alternative solution, with completion of the closed state by immobilization of the needles 10A displaying the legal time, will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

In phase P3 the watch is always in the closed state and the display of the duration of the closed state is ensured: The wheel B counting the duration of the closed state is disengaged and its display mobiles are released. Under the effect of the catch-up systems, the hands of these display mobiles will therefore be positioned and thus indicate the duration of the previous operation phase P2.

The successive transition from one operating phase to the next is controlled by a column wheel 35 driven via its teeth in wolf teeth, by a pusher or any other system. In the left column of the lower part of FIG. 8, this column wheel is represented in the three positions which control, respectively, the operation phases P1 to P3. The columns 36 of this column wheel 35 act on three control flip-flops C1-C3, which control elements of the watch by acting on the different mobiles.

The column wheel being in its position 1, it is the operation phase P1 which is controlled: The flip-flop C1 is raised. Its branch CIa is thus also raised, lifting the hammers 27 of the hearts 28 and thus freeing the display mobiles YA of the wheelwork counting the legal time. Likewise, his branch CIb is raised, pressing the hammers 29 against the hearts 30 XB mobiles counting the duration of the closed state, so that these mobiles are locked in the "12hOO" position. The C2 flip-flop is down, the B train counting the duration of the closed state is not engaged (Fig. 7). The flip-flop C3 is also lowered, pressing blockers 33 against a wheel of mobile YB for the display of the duration of the closed state, which are thus blocked at 12:00.

For this phase of operation P1, the position of the column wheel and control flip-flops C1-C3 on which it acts, as well as the states of the mobiles YA, XB and YB that result, are represented in the first line of the table in the lower part of Figure 8. The lines 2 and 3 of the same table show the same elements in their respective states during the phases of operations P2 and P3, which will now be explained.

By actuating an operating member, for example a pusher which is not shown in these drawings, the user turns the column wheel 35 in its position 2 and thus controls the transition to the operation phase P2, during which the situation is as follows: The control rocker Cl has fallen. Its CIa branch presses the hammers 27 against the hearts, blocking the mobiles YA for displaying the legal time in the "12:00" position and disengaging the display clutch ZA. Its CIb branch has raised the hammers 29 of the hearts 30, releasing the XB mobiles for counting the duration of the closed state. The control rocker C2 has risen and has actuated the clutch lever 39, engaging the gear train B counting the duration of the closed state on the source 24 (Fig. 7). The control flip-flop C3 has not changed position, so that the mobiles YB for the display of the duration of the closed state remain blocked at 12:00. Operating again the control member, the user turns the column wheel in its position 3 and thus controls the operation phase P3, ensuring the display of the duration of the closed state: The control flip-flop Cl did not move, the mobile YA for the display of the legal time remaining blocked on 12:00. C2 rocker went down, disengaging the stop gear. The control lever C3 has risen and raised the blockers 33, thus freeing the blocking of the mobiles YB for displaying the duration of the closed state. Under the action of the catch-up ZB these display mobiles YB synchronize on the respective hearts 25B, which have turned, and display the duration of the closed state until the end of the operation phase P2. The user is obliged to go through this phase to display the duration of the closed state, if he wants to return his watch to the open state.

A new action on the actuator returns the column wheel to position 1 and thus controls the return to the initial operation phase P1 which has already been described above. The mobiles YA for the display of the legal time are released and by the action of the catchers ZA they are positioned on the legal time. XB mobiles counting the duration of the closed state are set to "12:00", that is to say that this counter is reset. So that this function can perform, a friction spring 31 is interposed between the pinion-bearing pinion, split core 25 and setting core "12h00" 30, the wheel 32 rotating freely on this axis. The friction must be large enough to overcome the resistance induced by the operation of the catch-up and low enough for the hammer to rotate the heart.

FIG. 9 shows the mobiles A according to FIG. 8, with another solution for carrying out the closed state of the shows: In place of the hammers 27 shown in Figure 8, these mobiles comprise blockers 37, which are controlled by the control latch CIa. During the operation phase P2, these blockers 37 are pressed against a wheel integral with the display mobile YA, so that the display needles 10A are immobilized in the positions where they were at the time of the transition of the phase from operation Pl to operation phase P2. The mobiles B, which are no longer shown in FIG. 9 ^' , correspond to those of the right part of FIG. 8.

As mentioned, Figures 7 to 9 are schematic. In particular, the hammers 27 and 29, the blockers 33 and 37 and the clutch lever 39 are represented in these drawings as members that extend directly from the control latches CIa, CIb, C3, CIa and C2, respectively, whereas in reality said organs will usually be separated from and actuated by said respective control flip-flops.

Claims

claims

1. Watch, especially wristwatch, with means (3) for the continual determination of the legal time and means (4) for viewing the legal time, having an open state in which the legal time is continuously displayed and a state closed in which the legal time is not displayed, and an actuator (8) for its setting in the open state by a user allowing the consultation of legal time and means (7) for its delivery to the closed state after the consultation of the legal time, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for measuring the duration of a time interval, which are connected in operation to the means (7) for setting the closed state, such that a measurement of the duration of the closed state is initiated during the transition to the closed state, and means (6) for the display of this duration of the closed state.

2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (4) for viewing the legal time include a time display (9), which displays in the open state the legal time and in the closed state time from the moment of the last transition to the closed state.

3. Watch according to claim 2, characterized in that the display (9, 10) of the legal time has a resolution which is at least one second and preferably at least half a second, so that the time that is displayed changes to the open state after every second or even after every half second or more.

4. Watch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a status indicator (19, 22) for viewing its state, open or closed, which is independent of the means (4) for viewing the legal time.

5. Watch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for the closed state comprise an operating member (7) which is connected in operation to the means (4) for the visualization of time legal, allowing its manual setting to the closed state.

6. Watch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for the closed state comprise a detector (17) of an event indicating that the visualization of the legal time is no longer required by the user, who is operatively connected to the means (4) for viewing the legal time, such that the watch takes the closed state when said event is detected.

7. Watch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the duration of a closed state period is not displayed at the beginning of this period and the means (4) for viewing this duration are operatively connected to at least one actuator (13) for providing this visualization at a time after the transition to the closed state.

8. Watch according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating member (lβa, lβc, 16d) for its setting in the open state is at the same time an operating member to ensure the visualization of the duration of a closed state period, so that at the time of the transition to the open state the duration of the closed state is displayed.

9. Watch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a legal time counting wheel (XA) continuously driven by an oscillator, a legal time display (YA) connected to the counting wheel of legal time via a display clutch (ZA) which is engaged in the open state and disengaged in the closed state of the watch, a gear train (B) for counting and displaying the duration of an interval with means (C2) for initiating the counting of an interval, and an operating member (35) which is operably connected to the display clutch (ZA) and said means of initiation (C2), so that in the open state of the watch 1 'actuation of the actuating member (35) by the user at the same time controls the disengagement of the display clutch (ZA) and initiation of counting the duration of the closed state.