This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 11005932.6 filed Jul. 20, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a method for securing a decoration or an insert to an external timepiece element coated with a galvanically deposited metallic layer and to an external element made in accordance with this method.
When a decoration is inserted or incorporated in an external timepiece element, and the latter has to be coated with a galvanically deposited metallic layer, the element is first of all at least partially pierced, and the hole thereby formed is adapted to the dimensions of the decoration to be incorporated.
If the galvanic deposition is performed after this operation, the hole will be obstructed by the deposition and another hole machining operation will be necessary with the risk that the deposition will be scratched around the entrance to the hole, which will then not have clean edges, which is aesthetically unacceptable for an upmarket timepiece.
Thus, in addition to complying with the statements contained in first paragraph of this description, and in addition to including the following first series of steps: taking a substrate used as an external element, taking a decoration intended to be incorporated in the substrate and perforating the substrate to the dimensions of the decoration to be incorporated, the present method is characterized in that there is inserted into the hole thereby formed a dummy part adapted to the dimensions of said hole, in that a metallic layer is galvanically deposited on said substrate, in that, if necessary, the metallic layer is levelled, the dummy part is removed from the substrate and the decoration is inserted in the substrate which is secured, for example, by adhesive bonding.
The present invention also concerns the external timepiece element made in accordance with the above method.
The features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description, given with reference to the annexed drawings, and providing, by way of explanatory, but non-limiting example, an advantageous embodiment. In the drawings:
A dummy part 5 is inserted into the perforated substrate 2 as shown in
The description that has just been given places the emphasis on a single decoration 1, in this case a phosphorescent disc fitted to a rotating watch bezel. This disc could for example be fitted to a diver's watch to indicate the decompression stops to be observed. It is clear that several decorations could be incorporated in the same way in one substrate, for example a bezel. Twelve symbols indicating the time could therefore be incorporated in said bezel.
As stated above, the present invention concerns not only the method implemented to make an external element fitted with a decoration, but also the actual external element made in accordance with said method, said element or substrate being made of conductive material, for example steel, or non-conductive material, for example a ceramic material. More specifically, the element taken by way of example here is a watch bezel, but this could also be the middle part or dial of the watch. Likewise, the decoration associated with the external element is not limited to a phosphorescent disc, but could be hour symbols inserted in a bezel as suggested above.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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11005932.6 | Jul 2011 | EP | regional |