A horological instrument is disclosed comprising a dial, an electrically energizable light source, gnomon means for casting a shadow on the dial, and means for imparting relative movement between the electrically energizable light source and the dial to move the shadow on the dial in indicating time.

A horological instrument includes an oscillator such as a balance wheel. The oscillator carries a coil, which may consist of a single conductive ring. Current is induced in the moving coil by mutual induction from a fixed coil. One or more fixed magnetic fields are positioned to drive the energized coil. A circuit is provided to energize the coil with current at the proper moment during its oscillation. DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to horology and more particularly to a horological ...

A clock is provided with a pendulum suspended generally upwardly from the face of the clock and an electromagnet means is provided adjacent to the periphery of the face to catch and hold the pendulum bob momentarily to indicate at least one aspect of the time such as the minutes past the hour. Preferably the electromagnet is carried on a rotating support progressively around the peripheral portion of the clock face to alter the time indication. A lighted hand may be used to indicate the time in ...

A horological instrument includes a source of electrical energy and an electrical audible alarm. The circuit between the energy source and the alarm is normally open. A setting stem rotates a geared disc. The disc carries a conductive track and a conductive contact point. The contact point, normally twice a day, contacts a portion of the hour wheel, closing the circuit and allowing the alarm to sound.

A transmission device for converting vibratory movement into rotary movement in a horological mechanism, comprising at least one oscillated magnetized member and one index wheel presenting at least one toothed track, both being of magnetizable material, and both having periodically repeated teeth or poles of the same pitch thereon, wherein the said magnetized member has a comb formed into a plurality of individual poles, the pitch of the said poles being equal to the pitch of the teeth on the sa...

A horological instrument includes an oscillator assembly and a hairspring. The hairspring is fastened at one end to the oscillator assembly and is anchored to the frame or bridge at its opposite end. A regulator includes two spaced apart arms having slots which surround the hairspring. The regulator is designed to impart a positive isochronism characteristic to the hairspring in order to permit synchronizing of the balance wheel motor. The frequency of balance oscillation is thus made dependent ...

A horological instrument such as a watch includes an indexing mechanism or dial train drive for transmitting power from an oscillating balance wheel to an index wheel. The index wheel drives the gear train of a watch. The balance wheel oscillates a lever between two end positions and one or more pins mounted on the lever alternately engage the teeth of the index wheel stepping the index wheel in the desired direction. The index wheel is held in a rest position at the end of each step by indexing...

A timepiece, particularly a wristwatch, comprising a retrograde date display presenting a graduation from 1 to 31 (2) on the dial (1) cooperating with a hand (3) driven by the mechanism which comprises a sleeve (4) comprising this hand and fast with a pinion (5) meshing with two racks (9) pivoted on a plate (6) of the movement acting in opposite direction on the pinion (5), one of said rack being submitted to the action of a return spring, whereas the free end of the other rack is maintained, by...

Apparatus is disclosed which is employed to provide an audible sound at a given repetition rate to enable one to test and calibrate a timing mechanism such as a watch which employs a non-audible frequency source, such as a crystal or quartz oscillator. The apparatus employs a pickup antenna and tuned circuit means which are responsive to the frequency radiated by the oscillator employed in the horological device to be tested. This frequency is processed by means of suitable circuitry to provide ...

A first shaft is rotatably supported centrally of a clock face having horological divisions placed in sequential arcuate relation thereon. A second shaft concentric with said first shaft is rotatably supported independently of said first shaft and has attached thereto a minute hand. A first disc is in rotatably driven relation to the first shaft and is positioned nextly adjacent the back side of the clock face. The first disc carries a first set of digital numerals corresponding to the hourly ho...