Timepiece with digital time display

Abstract

A timepiece having a casing provided with a lateral window, opening on its lateral face, in which appear the indications of a display device, the casing being arranged in such a way as to be capable of occupying two different positions, in which opposite faces of the casing are turned over one with respect to the other. In each position one or the other of said opposite faces is visible, and commutation means are provided for ensuring that, in one of the said positions of the casing, the time indications are displayed in one direction while, in the other position of the casing, they are displayed in the opposite direction, so that the reading of the time can be effected in either of said positions of the casing.

Description

Claims

1. A timepiece having a digital time display comprising a casing having two opposite faces and a lateral wall intermediate said opposite faces, a lateral window opening through said lateral wall in which appear the indications of the display device, said casing being arranged in such a way as to be capable of occupying two different positions wherein said opposite faces are turned over, one with respect to the other, in each of which positions one or the other of said opposite faces is visible, commutation means ensuring that in one of the said positions of the casing the time indications are displayed in one direction, while in the other position of the casing they are displayed in the opposite direction, so that the reading of the time can be effected in either of said positions of the casing.

2. Timepiece as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the said commutation means comprises a contact device operated in one of the two positions of the casing.

3. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, which further includes a support on which the casing is mounted so as to be able to occupy, with respect to said support, its two said positions.

4. A timepiece as claimed in claim 3, which further includes a wristlet rigidly secured to said support.

5. A timepiece as claimed in claim 3, which further includes a ball-joint connecting said casing to said support whereby said casing can be lifted and turned over on said support.

6. A timepiece as claimed in claim 5, which further includes a contact device comprising a pair of elements, one carried by said ball member and the other one by said support, such that said contact device is closed in one of the two positions of the casing on the support and open in the other one.

7. A timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support carries a locking member engaging the casing so as to maintain it in place on the said support.

8. A timepiece as claimed in claim 3, characterized by the fact that said casing is mounted removably on its support, and which further includes means for securing said casing to said support in one or the other of its two positions.

9. A timepiece as claimed in claim 8, characterized by the fact that said support comprises a frame within which said casing is supported, said frame being pierced with an opening coinciding with said lateral window of the casing when said casing is in place in said frame in one or the other of its two positions.

10. A timepiece as claimed in claim 8, which further includes a contact device comprising a pair of elements, one carried by said casing and the other one by said support, such that said contact device is closed in one of the two positions of the casing on the support and open in the other one.

11. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, which further includes a wristlet and means for securing said wristlet to said casing such that each end of said wristlet where it is attached to said casing can slide with respect thereto in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said casing, so as to be able to be bound to said casing substantially in the plane of one or the other of said two opposite faces according to the position of the casing in which the timepiece is used.

12. A timepiece as claimed in claim 11, wherein said wristlet-securing means comprises two pairs of horns in each of which is provided a groove directed perpendicularly to the plane of the casing, said grooves receiving the ends of small bars for securing the wristlet.

13. A timepiece as claimed in claim 12, which further includes a contact device mounted for operation by one of said small bars.

14. A timepiece as claimed in claim 11, wherein said wristlet consists of two parts which can be joined by a clasp capable of being operated from the outside of the loop formed by said wristlet whichever face of the wristlet is turned towards the inside of said loop.