Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wristwatch.

Background Art

A watch generally consists of a case and a strap.

The case usually consists of three parts: a transparent upper part called “crystal”, a central body called“case middle” and a lower part called“case back”, which together form a cavity inside which an operating mechanism and a dial with hands are contained to indicate hours and minutes.

A type of wristwatch of known type provides for the presence of a rotating bezel, associated with the main body, able to provide the watch with additional functionality.

The rotating bezel can display the scale of the minutes and, in this case, is used in divers’ watches to indicate the time at depth, or it can display the scale of the hours and, in this case, is used to indicate the time zone variations with respect to Universal Mercator Time (UMT).

This type of watch does however have some drawbacks.

In fact, this type of watch does not allow the setting of time zones with fractions of an hour, such as e.g. Iran, where the time zone is UMT+3.30, or Nepal, where the time zone is UMT+5.45.

In addition, this type of watch does not allow the combination of diving and time zone functionality, thus limiting the destination of use thereof.

These drawbacks are partly solved by an additional type of watch which, besides providing a rotating bezel, also has an additional hand connected to the ordinary hand mechanism.

The additional hand rotates on the dial in the same way as the ordinary hands and is adjusted independently to the ordinary hands according to a different time value.

At the same time, the bezel can be used to indicate a fraction of an hour, an additional time zone, or in the case of diver’s watches, the minutes spent at depth.

Such watches, however, do involve a structural complication of the operating mechanism of the watch itself, since the use of an additional hand implies the use of additional mechanical parts and greater construction complexity.

This leads to an increase in the costs of manufacturing the watch which, inevitably, affect the sales prices, thus making this type of watch less attractive to customers.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a wristwatch that allows associating additional functions without complicating the operating mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to devise a wristwatch that is simple to manufacture and that is tempting for the market.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a wristwatch that makes it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present wristwatch having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a wristwatch, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figures 1-4 are axonometric views of a first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention;

Figures 5-8 are axonometric views of a second embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a wristwatch.

The wristwatch 1 comprises at least one case 2 provided with at least one main body 3 comprising at least one cavity adapted to accommodate the mechanism and the dial 4 of the wristwatch 1 and defining at least one upper opening 5.

The dial 4 is arranged in the proximity of the upper opening 5 and faces outwards of the cavity. The wristwatch 1 is of the analogue type and is provided with hands 6 adapted to indicate a given time based on representative values of hours and minutes given on the dial 4.

The mechanism adjusts the movement of the hands 6 with respect to the dial 4 by rotation around a respective axis.

The wristwatch 1 is also provided with a bracelet element 7 associated with the case 2, which allows it to be worn on one wrist by a user.

According to the invention, the wristwatch 1 comprises a first bezel 8 associated in a movable manner with the main body 3 at the upper opening 5, around the dial 4, and provided with a first scale with representative values of minutes.

The first bezel 8 is positionable in a plurality of different first angular positions a with respect to the dial 4.

The wristwatch 1 also comprises a second bezel 9 associated in a movable manner with the main body 3 at the upper opening 5, around the dial 4, and provided with a second scale showing representative values of hours.

The second bezel 9 is positionable in a plurality of different second angular positions b with respect to the dial 4 and with respect to the first bezel 8.

The hands 6, and the movement thereof with respect to the dial 4, are also used as indicators of the first and second scale.

Advantageously, at least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 is movable independently to each other.

The movement of the bezels 8, 9 allows the indication of different time values compared to those shown on the dial 4.

In addition, the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 are movable in at least one of a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction.

The two bezels 8, 9 can be used independently to each other to determine the minutes elapsed from an initial value, such as e.g. to indicate the time spent at depth in a diving mode, or to indicate a time zone change.

Alternatively, the bezels 8, 9 can be used together to determine an extended time interval or to indicate a time zone with fractions of an hour.

The wristwatch 1 allows, therefore, to be used according to a plurality of functions. The first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 have a substantially circular shape and are substantially concentric to each other.

The first bezel 8 comprises a first diameter measurement D1 and the second bezel 9 comprises a second diameter measurement D2 different to the first diameter measurement Dl.

In more detail, the first diameter measurement Dl is larger than the second diameter measurement D2.

The main body 3 defines a housing seat 10 of at least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9.

The housing seat 10 also has a substantially circular shape and extends around the dial 4 in the proximity of the upper opening 5.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first bezel 8, the second bezel 9 and the main body 3 are associated with each other in a removable manner.

In other words, the bezels 8, 9 can be removed from the housing seat 10 and positioned independently to each other.

At least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 is movable with respect to the main body 3 between a configuration of use, wherein it is placed in the housing seat 10 and an adjustment configuration, wherein it is removed from the housing seat 10 and can be rotated according to the different first angular positions a or the different second angular positions b.

The bezels 8, 9 are both removable from the main body 3 to allow them to be positioned according to the values in hours and minutes one wishes to set, by varying the respective angular positions a, b thereof.

Advantageously, at least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 is at least partly made of plastic.

In particular, the plastic material is elastically deformable plastic material.

In more detail, the bezels 8, 9 are made of the same material.

This way, the bezels 8, 9 may be easily deformed and moved away from the housing seat 10, thus reducing the risk of damage to the bezels themselves. Preferably, the elastically deformable plastic material is allergy-free rubber.

The wristwatch 1 comprises connection means 11, 14 between the bezels 8, 9 and the main body 3.

The connection means 11, 14 have the function of keeping the bezels 8, 9 associated with the main body 3, after they have been arranged according to the desired angular positions a, b.

In particular, the connection means 11, 14 comprise first interlocking coupling means 11 between the first bezel 8 and the housing seat 10.

The first interlocking coupling means 11 comprise at least a first protrusion 12 defined on the first bezel 8 and a plurality of first recesses 13 defined inside the housing seat 10.

The first protrusion 12 and the first recesses 13 are coupleable to each other to position the first bezel 8 in the different first angular positions a.

The first recesses 13 are defined on the surface of the housing seat 10.

In particular, the first recesses 13 are arranged in sequence to each other along the circumference of the housing seat 10, while the first protrusion 12 is defined on the outer surface of the first bezel 8.

Advantageously, the first bezel 8 comprises a plurality of the aforementioned first protrusions 12.

The first protrusions 12 are defined in sequence to each other along the outer circumference of the first bezel 8.

Each of the first recesses 13 defines an interlocking coupling with a respective first protrusion 12, thus allowing the first bezel 8 to firmly couple to the main body 3.

The connection means 11, 14 also comprise second interlocking coupling means 14 between the second bezel 9 and the first bezel 8.

In particular, the second interlocking coupling means 14 comprise at least a second protrusion 15 defined on the second bezel 9 and a plurality of second recesses 16 defined on the first bezel 8.

Similarly to the above, the second protrusion 15 and the second recesses 16 are coupleable to each other to position the second bezel 9 in the different second angular positions b.

The second recesses 16 are defined on the inner surface of the first bezel 8.

In more detail, the second recesses 16 are arranged in sequence to each other along the inner circumference of the first bezel itself, while the second protrusion 15 is defined on the outer surface of the second bezel 9.

Conveniently, the second bezel 9 comprises a plurality of the aforementioned second protrusions 15.

The second protrusions 15 are defined in sequence to each other along the outer circumference of the second bezel 9.

Each of the second recesses 16 defines an interlocking coupling with a respective second protrusion 15, thus allowing the second bezel 9 to couple firmly to the first bezel 8 and, therefore, to the main body 3.

The operation of the first embodiment is as follows.

The bezels 8, 9 are originally positioned with respect to the dial 4 according to their respective angular positions a0, bq (Figure 1).

In order to allow the bezels 8, 9 to be positioned according to the desired time values, the bezels must be spaced away from the main body 3 (Figure 2).

In particular, the second protrusions 15 of the second bezel 9 are removed from their respective second recesses 16 of the first bezel 8.

Subsequently, the first protrusions 12 of the first bezel 8 are removed from their respective first recesses 13 of the housing seat 10.

At this point, the first bezel 8 is positioned according to a different first angular position al and housed again in the housing seat 10 (Figure 3).

Finally, the second bezel 9 is positioned according to a different second angular position bΐ and housed in the respective seat (Figure 4).

The hands 6 of the wristwatch 1 are used as indicators for the time values shown on the scales of the bezels 8, 9.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, shown in the Figures 5 to 8, at least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel is associated movable in rotation with the main body 3.

In more detail, the second bezel 9 is associated movable in rotation with the main body 3.

The first bezel 8, on the other hand, is associated movable in rotation with the second bezel 9.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wristwatch 1 comprises movement means of the bezels 8, 9 with respect to the dial 4, where these movement means comprise:

1) at least one mechanism for the rotational coupling of the second bezel 9 to the first bezel 8, when the first bezel 8 is rotated counterclockwise;

2) at least one mechanism for the free rotation of the first bezel 8 with respect to the second bezel 9, when the first bezel 8 is rotated clockwise.

This allows a quick and effective positioning of both bezels 8, 9 by acting on the first outermost bezel 8 only.

For example, the movement means can be of the type of a ratchet mechanism, of the type known to the technician in the field.

The special shape of the wristwatch 1 causes the adjustment of the first bezel 8 in order to move the second bezel 9.

The movement of the second bezel 9 depends on the movement of the first bezel

8.

In fact, as described above, the first bezel 8 rotates clockwise with respect to the second bezel 9.

When the first bezel 8 is adjusted counterclockwise, the movement is transferred to the second bezel 9 and leads to the simultaneous rotation of both. When, on the other hand, the first bezel 8 is adjusted clockwise, the second bezel 9 remains stationary.

It follows that the movement of the second bezel 9 counterclockwise depends on the movement of the first bezel 8 in the same direction.

At least one of the first bezel 8 and the second bezel 9 is made at least partly of metal material.

In particular, the metal material is aluminum.

The wristwatch 1 also comprises an outer ring 17 associated with the outer surface of the first bezel 8.

The outer ring 17 is made of elastically deformable plastic material, preferably silicone.

The outer ring 17 has the function of at least partly covering the first bezel 8 and of providing protection thereto, and also has the function of improving the grip during the rotation of the first bezel 8. The operation of the second embodiment is as follows.

The bezels 8, 9 are originally positioned according to their respective angular positions a0, bq with respect to the dial 4 (Figure 6).

To allow the positioning of the bezels 8, 9 according to the desired time values, these are rotated with respect to the dial 4.

The second bezel 9 is positioned according to a second angular position bΐ, adjusting the first bezel 8 counterclockwise.

In doing so, both bezels 8, 9 rotate counterclockwise according to a respective angular position al, bΐ (Figure 7).

Then, the first bezel 8 is positioned according to a different first angular position a2 by rotating the first bezel itself clockwise (Figure 8).

After the bezels 8, 9 have been positioned, the hands 6 of the wristwatch 1 are used as indicators for the time values shown on the scales of the bezels 8, 9. Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein some technical features described for one embodiment only can be combined with the technical features described for another embodiment.

For example, in the event of the bezels being made of different materials or the respective movement systems being different.

It has in practice been found that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, it is emphasized that the present wristwatch makes it possible to combine additional functions without complicating the operating mechanism of the wristwatch itself.

The wristwatch according to the invention is easy to manufacture and is cheap and attractive to customers.