The method of synchronizing the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60.degree. to 90.degree. to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60.degree. to 90.degree. corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours. In order to ensure a measurement in a relatively short time interval where the ambient temperature is substantially constant and thus has no influence on the measurement, the invention provides that, in a analogue display synchronization mode at least one indicator is driven in an accelerated advance mode so that the aperture provided in the corresponding wheel quickly passes opposite the proximity sensor associated with that wheel.
The timepiece includes a motor which drives at least one hand via a gear reduction train (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), and means (22) for detecting at least one angular reference position of an intermediate wheel (9) forming part of the gear reduction train. The detection means are provided for supplying a signal having a first value when the intermediate wheel is occupying the angular reference position (.alpha.) and for supplying a signal having a second value when the intermediate wheel (9) is occupying a second angular position (.gamma.). The timepiece further includes identification (32) and comparison (33) means for determining, on the basis of the signals supplied by the detection means (22), at least once per revolution of the intermediate wheel (9), whether the real position of the intermediate wheel actually corresponds to the theoretical position thereof.
