Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an element comprising the following steps:
       a) forming a body made of oxide based ceramic;   b) exposing at least one portion of the external surface of the body to a reduction reaction, to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make the at least one portion electrically conductive;   c) depositing a metallic material starting from the at least one electrically conductive portion;   d) machining the body and/or the metallic material in order to provide the element with an aesthetic finish.       
 
     The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from European patent application No. EP 12189692.2 filed Oct. 24, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a selectively conductive ceramic and, in particular, a ceramic of this type comprising a coating of metallic material. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is known to deposit an adhesion layer on ceramic parts to adhere to the ceramic and a wetting layer for a subsequent galvanic deposition to adhere to. 
         [0004]    These two layers may, however, be subject to delamination not only during deposition but also during electroplating or when the final part is used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome all or part of the aforecited drawbacks by proposing an oxide-based ceramic which is selectively made conductive without resorting to the deposition of an adhesion layer and possibly without a wetting layer. 
         [0006]    The invention therefore relates to a method of manufacturing an element for a timepiece including the following steps:
       a) forming an oxide-based ceramic body;   b) exposing at least one portion of the external surface of the body to a reduction reaction, to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make said at least one portion electrically conductive;   c) depositing a metallic material starting from said at least one electrically conductive portion;   d) machining the body and/or the metallic material in order to provide the element with an aesthetic finish.       
 
         [0011]    Advantageously according to the invention, the conductive surface is no longer obtained by depositing a layer on top of the body but by the intrinsic destructuration of the material forming the body to a predetermined depth, i.e. with no possibility of delamination. 
         [0012]    Moreover, the oxygen atoms removal may be selective, i.e. the directivity of the reduction reaction enables it to be limited to all or part of the external surface. 
         [0013]    In accordance with other advantageous features of the invention:
       step a) is achieved by sintering;   step b) is achieved by plasma etching;   the plasma used in step b) includes an ionised mixture of hydrogen and neutral gas;   the predetermined depth of oxygen atoms removal (reduction reaction) is comprised between 25 nm and 10 μm;   during step b), the entire external surface of the body is exposed to a reduction reaction;   according to a second embodiment, between step a) and step b), the method includes step e) of etching at least one recess into one surface of the body, each at least one recess forming the pattern cavity of a decoration so that step c) completely fills said at least one recess;   step e) is performed by laser;   step e) is performed to a depth of between 80 μm and 200 μm so as to improve the force of adherence;   each at least one recess has a continuous, at least partially curved surface (without edge) so as to facilitate implementation of step c);   according to a third embodiment, after step e), the method includes step f) of etching at least one hole communicating with said at least one recess to form an anchorage device so that step c) completely fills said at least one recess and at least partially fills said at least one hole;   said at least one hole passes through said element so that it may be at least partially filled by the metallic material in step c), in order to increase the contact surface with said element;   the diameter of said at least one hole flares gradually as it gets further away from said at least one recess so as to hold said galvanic deposition against said element;   step f) is achieved by laser by orienting the beam from the surface opposite that intended to receive said at least one recess;   according to a variant of the embodiments, before step c), the method includes step g) of forming a member and step h) of assembling the member to the body so that step c) secures the assembly of the member to the body by locking the member against said body via said metallic material;   the member is formed from the same type of material as the body or from a metallic material;   step c) is achieved by electroplating, sintering or casting;   the body is formed from a metal oxide.       
 
         [0031]    The invention also relates to a ceramic element for a timepiece, characterized in that it includes an oxide-based body and at least one portion of the external surface thereof is low in oxygen atoms and is coated with metallic material in order to form a functional part. 
         [0032]    In accordance with other advantageous features of the invention:
       the body of said element forms all or part of a case and/or a bracelet and/or a bezel and/or a dial and/or a crystal and/or a push button and/or a crown and/or a bridge and/or a plate and/or an oscillating weight;       
 
         [0034]    the functional part forms a decoration and/or a contact surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    Other features and advantages will appear clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a timepiece according to the invention; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 2 to 4  are successive steps of the manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 5 to 7  are successive steps of a manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 8 to 10  are successive steps of the manufacturing method according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of the method according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    The example illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows a timepiece, generally referenced  1 , including at least one element  10 . Each element  10  is intended to form a part that is very resistant to wear, including at least one, at least partially metallic decoration  13 , whose visual quality is improved, particularly in terms of contrast. 
         [0042]    Element  10  according to the invention may form either all or part of the external part of timepiece  1 . Thus, it could form all or part of a case  2 , bracelet  3 , bezel  4 , dial  5 , crystal  6 , push button  7  and/or a crown  8 . In the example illustrated below, the explanation of the invention will be given with reference to a ring including decorations  13 , which may or not be inlaid, forming the graduations of a bezel  4 . It is also possible to form elements  10 , which may or may not be inlaid, for a timepiece movement such as, for example, a bridge and/or a plate and/or an oscillating weight. 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 10 , ceramic element  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ includes an oxide-based body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″ and at least one portion  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″ of the external surface F thereof is low in oxygen atoms and is coated with a metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ to form a functional part such as a decoration and/or a contact surface. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7 and 10  illustrating the second and third embodiments of the invention show that body  11 ′,  11 ″ may also comprise at least one recess  12  forming the pattern cavity of a decoration  13  intended to receive metallic material  16 ′,  16 ″. These configurations protect each deposition of metallic material  16 ′,  16 ″ in body  11 ′,  11 ″. 
         [0045]    It is thus clear that, advantageously according to the invention, metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ may be deposited in any shape, such as, for example, a geometrical figure or an alphanumerical character. 
         [0046]    Preferably, according to the invention, body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″ is formed of a metal oxide-based material which is not electrically conductive. Body  11  may thus be formed, for example, from a zirconium oxide and/or alumina and/or silica-based material. 
         [0047]    In a first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , body  11  is made selectively conductive by removing oxygen atoms from one portion  15  of the external surface F thereof. This removal is performed to a predetermined depth in body  11  which may vary between 25 nm and 10 μm depending on the desired type of metallic material  16 . 
         [0048]    It is thus clear that the conductive surface is no longer obtained by depositing a layer on top of body  11 , i.e. which could lead to delamination, but by the intrinsic destructuration of the material of body  11  to a predetermined depth, i.e. with no possibility of delamination. 
         [0049]    Further, advantageously according to the invention, the oxygen atoms removal may be selective, namely the directivity of the reduction reaction allows it to be limited to all or part of the external surface F. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , element  10  according to the first embodiment thus includes an oxide-based ceramic body  11 , selectively coated with a metallic material deposition  16  to form a functional part, such as a decoration  13  and/or a contact surface. Material  16  may a galvanic, sintered or cast type of material. 
         [0051]    In a second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , inlaid ceramic element  10 ′ includes a body  11 ′ with at least one recess  12  forming the pattern cavity for a decoration  13 . As in the first embodiment, body  11 ′ is made selectively conductive by removing oxygen atoms from one portion  15 ′ of external surface F. This removal is performed to a predetermined depth in body  11 ′, which may vary between 25 mm and 10 μm depending on the desired type of metallic material  16 ′. 
         [0052]    It is thus clear that the conductive surface is no longer obtained by depositing a layer on top of body  11 ′, i.e. which could lead to delamination, but by the intrinsic destructuration of the material of body  11 ′ to a predetermined depth, i.e. with no possibility of delamination. 
         [0053]    Further, advantageously according to the invention, the oxygen atoms removal may be selective, namely the directivity of the reduction reaction allows it to be limited to all or part of the external surface F. In the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it is seen that the removal has been selectively performed at recesses  12 . 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , element  10 ′ according to the second embodiment thus includes an oxide-based ceramic body  11 ′ comprising recesses  12 , which have been at least partially filled with a metallic material deposition  16 ′ to form a functional part, such as a decoration  13  and/or a contact surface. Material  16 ′ may a galvanic, sintered or cast type of material. 
         [0055]    In order to improve the adherence of decoration  13  in body  11 ′, recess  12  preferably has a depth of between 80 μm and 200 μm. 
         [0056]    Moreover, for the purposes of adherence of the metallic deposition, preferably each recess  12  has a continuous, at least partially curved surface, i.e. the inner surface thereof does not include any edges. 
         [0057]    In the third embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , ceramic element  10 ″ includes a body  11 ″ including at least one recess  12  forming the pattern cavity for a decoration  13 . Element  10 ″ further includes an anchorage device for said at least one metallic decoration  13 , communicating with said at least one recess  12  in order to improve the anchorage of said at least one decoration  13  against said element  10 ″. The anchorage device preferably includes at least one hole  14  which passes through said element  10 ″ and is at least partially filled by said deposition of metallic material  16 ″. 
         [0058]    As in the first and second embodiments, body  11 ″ is made selectively conductive by removing oxygen atoms from one portion  15 ″ of external surface F. This removal is performed to a predetermined depth in body  11 ″, which may vary between 25 nm and 10 μm depending on the desired type of metallic material  16 ″. 
         [0059]    It is thus clear that the conductive surface is no longer obtained by depositing a layer on top of body  11 ″, i.e. which could lead to delamination, but by the intrinsic destructuration of the material of body  11 ″ to a predetermined depth, i.e. with no possibility of delamination. 
         [0060]    Further, advantageously according to the invention, the oxygen atoms removal may be selective, namely the directivity of the reduction reaction allows it to be limited to all or part of the external surface F. In the example of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , it is seen that the removal has been selectively performed over the entire surface F, i.e. including recesses  12  and holes  14 . 
         [0061]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , element  10 ″ according to the third embodiment thus includes an oxide-based ceramic body  11 ″, comprising recesses  12  which are entirely filled with a metallic material deposition  16 ″ securely anchored by holes  14  to form a functional part, such as a decoration  13  and/or a contact surface. Material  16 ″ may a galvanic, sintered or cast type of material. 
         [0062]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , it is also seen that the diameter of hole  14  may flare gradually as it gets further away from said at least one recess  12  in order to hold metallic material  16 ″ against element  10 ″. Indeed, in the case where hole  14  is substantially conical, since the diameter of hole  14  opening into recess  12  is smaller than the rest of hole  14 , decorations  13  can no longer be removed. 
         [0063]    In order to improve the adherence of decoration  13  in body  11 ″, recess  12  preferably has a depth of between 80 μm and 200 μm. 
         [0064]    Moreover, for the purposes of adherence of the metallic deposition, preferably each recess  12  has a continuous, at least partially curved surface, i.e. the inner surface thereof does not include any edges. 
         [0065]    Finally, as explained above, in the case where each hole  14  is substantially conical, since the diameter of hole  14  opening into recess  12  is smaller than the rest of hole  14 , the decorations  13  can no longer be removed. Preferably, each hole  14  can thus have a diameter substantially equal to 100 μm at the bottom of recess  12  and finish with a diameter substantially equal to 120 μm or more on the surface P opposite body  11 ″. 
         [0066]    Regardless which embodiment of the invention is used, the visual rendering of each decoration  13  is mainly obtained via the colour of galvanic deposition  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. Consequently, the metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ used will preferably be guided by the colour, or more generally, the aesthetic appearance thereof. Therefore, metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ may include gold and/or copper and/or silver and/or indium and/or platinum and/or palladium and/or nickel. 
         [0067]    By way of example, it is thus possible to obtain a complex visual rendering by giving body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″ a shiny appearance and a satin appearance to each metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. Further, each metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ may be formed of the same metal to offer a homogeneous appearance. However, it is also possible to envisage using several different metals for each metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″, for example to give two decorations a different colour, such as one colour for the indices and another for the alphanumerical characters in the case of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0068]    In order to make the colours uniform, it is also possible to envisage forming decorations  13  in the same material as that surrounding body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″. One could thus, in an embodiment example of  FIG. 1 , have decorations  13  of bezel  4  in the same material as case  2 , bracelet  3 , the rest of bezel  4 , dial  5 , push buttons  7  and/or crown  8 . 
         [0069]    Advantageously according to the invention, it is possible to use material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ to secure a member to body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″. Indeed, in light of the above embodiments, a member formed, for example from the same type of material as body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″ or of a metallic material, may be locked against body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″ during the deposition of metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. This variant would offer more variety in the shapes and materials of decorations  13 . 
         [0070]    Finally, optionally, inlaid element  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ may, according to the invention, also provide an optional, substantially transparent layer, in order to protect each metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ and possibly each member from ageing. This layer may for example include silicon nitride notably to protect each metallic material  16 , 16 ′, 16 ″, and if appropriate each member, from tarnishing, especially when said materials or member contain silver. 
         [0071]    The method  21  of manufacturing a ceramic element  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 11 . 
         [0072]    In the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11  in single lines, in a first step  20 , method  21  consists in forming body  11 , for example, of zirconium oxide. As is partially shown by the change from  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 3 , the final body  11  of step  20  is preferably obtained by sintering, i.e. from a green body  17  preformed via an injection process. At the end of step  20 , the body  11  visible in  FIG. 3  has its final dimensions. 
         [0073]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  includes a second step  22  for exposing at least one portion  15  of external surface F of body  11  to a reduction reaction, to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make said at least one portion  15  electrically conductive. 
         [0074]    According to the invention, step  22  is preferably performed by plasma etching. However, any alternative means of removing oxygen atoms may be used. 
         [0075]    Preferably, the plasma used in step  22  includes an ionised mixture of hydrogen and neutral gas which etches all or part of body  11 . 
         [0076]    Advantageously according to the invention, the predetermined depth of oxygen atoms removal is comprised between 25 nm and 10 μm according to the metallic material  16  used. It is thus clear that, in step  22 , it is possible to choose to expose the entire external surface F of body  11  to a reduction reaction. 
         [0077]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the first embodiment comprises a third step  24  for depositing a metallic material  16  starting from conductive portions  15  of face F of body  11  to coat all or part of face F as seen in  FIG. 4 . Step  24  may, for example, be achieved by electroplating, sintering or casting. 
         [0078]    As explained above, depending upon the colour or more generally the desired visual rendering, the metallic material  16  deposited in step  24  includes gold and/or copper and/or silver and/or indium and/or platinum and/or palladium and/or nickel. 
         [0079]    Finally, in a fourth step  26 , method  21  ends by machining body  11  and/or metallic material  16  to aesthetically finish element  10 . The coated element  10  is thus finished and simply requires assembly in a final part. This step  26  can be obtained by a usual surfacing method such as grinding or lapping to remove any surplus material, followed by polishing. 
         [0080]    As explained above, the method may also include, before step  24 , the respective steps of forming a member then assembling the member to body  11 . It is thus clear that step  24  secures the assembly of the member to the body  11  by locking the member against said body via said metallic material. Thus, the body and/or member may comprise at least one flat or non flat geometry intended to be coated by metallic material  16  so as to secure the assembly. 
         [0081]    By way of example, the member may be formed from the same type of material as body  11 , namely a ceramic obtained in step  20  or a ceramic made conductive in steps  20  and  22 , or even from a metallic material. 
         [0082]    Finally, method  21  according to the invention may also have an optional final step  28  for depositing a substantially transparent layer so as to protect each metallic material  16 , and if appropriate each member, from ageing. This layer may, for example, include silicon nitride to prevent metallic material  16 , and if appropriate each member, from tarnishing, especially when they are mainly formed from a silver-based material. 
         [0083]    According to a second embodiment illustrated in double lines in  FIG. 11 , first step  20  is identical to the first embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the second embodiment includes a second step  23 , for etching at least one blind recess  12  in a surface F of ceramic body  11 ′, with recesses  12  forming the pattern cavity for subsequent decorations  13  as visible in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0084]    Preferably, each recess  12  has a depth of between 80 μm and 200 μm. Moreover, preferably, each recess  12  has a continuous, at least partially curved surface in order to facilitate implementation of deposition step  24  explained below. Step  23  is preferably obtained by destructive radiation using a laser in order to obtain highly precise etches. 
         [0085]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the second embodiment includes a third step  22  for exposing at least one portion  15 ′ of external surface F of body  11 ′ to a reduction reaction in order to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make said at least one portion  15 ′ electrically conductive with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first embodiment. 
         [0086]    It is thus clear that, in step  22 , it is possible to choose to expose all or part of external surface F of body  11 ′ to a reduction reaction. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it is seen that removal of oxygen atoms has been selectively performed in recesses  12 . 
         [0087]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the second embodiment comprises a fourth step  24  for depositing a metallic material  16 ′ starting from conductive portions  15 ′ of surface F of body  11 ′ to coat all or part of face F as seen in  FIG. 6 , with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first embodiment. Step  24  may, for example, be achieved by electroplating, sintering or casting. 
         [0088]    It is noted, advantageously according to the invention, that material  16 ′ may thus not completely fill each recess  12 , i.e. certain recesses  12  may not be filled or certain recesses may only be filled to a smaller depth and/or section compared to those of the recess  12  associated therewith. It is thus clear that is possible to obtain a saving of metallic material  16  and to save time in step  26  (less material to machine). 
         [0089]    Finally, in a fifth step  26  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , method  21  ends by machining body  11 ′ and/or metallic material  16 ′ in order to provide element  10 ′ with an aesthetic finish. Coated and/or inlaid element  10 ′ is thus finished and simply requires assembly in a final part. This step  26  may be obtained with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first embodiment. 
         [0090]    As explained above, the method according to the second embodiment may also comprise, before step  24 , the respective steps of forming a member and then assembling the member to body  11 ′. It is thus clear that step  24  secures the assembly of the member to the body  11 ′ by locking the member against said body via said metallic material. Thus, the body and/or member may comprise at least one flat or non flat geometry intended to be coated by metallic material  16 ′ so as to secure the assembly. 
         [0091]    By way of example, the member may be formed from the same type of material as body  11 ′, namely a ceramic obtained in step  20  or a ceramic made conductive in steps  20  and  22 , or even from a metallic material. 
         [0092]    Finally, step  21  according to the second embodiment may also provide a last, optional step  28  for depositing a substantially transparent layer in order to protect each metallic material  16 ′ from ageing, with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first embodiment. 
         [0093]    According to the third embodiment illustrated in triple lines in  FIG. 11 , the first step  20  is identical to the first embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the third embodiment includes a second step  23 , for etching at least one blind recess  12  in one surface F of ceramic body  11 ′, with recesses  12  forming the pattern cavity for future decorations  13  as visible in  FIG. 8  with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the second embodiment. 
         [0094]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the third embodiment continues with a third step  25  for etching at least one hole  14  communicating with each recess  12  so as to form a securing device. As seen in  FIG. 8 , depending upon the shape and span of each recess  12 , one or several holes  14  are made for each recess  12 . Step  25  is preferably obtained by destructive radiation using a laser in order to obtain highly precise etches. 
         [0095]    According to the invention, each hole  14  passes through body  11 ″ of element  10 ″ so that it may be at least partially filled in step  24  by the metallic material  16 ″ to increase the surface contact with said element. 
         [0096]    Indeed, it is clear in particular that the material may thus flow “in front of” and “behind” recess  12 , namely it may be deposited in each recess  12  and in each hole  14  at any time in step  24 . 
         [0097]    Finally, as seen in  FIG. 8 , the diameter of each hole  14  flares gradually as it gets further away from said at least one recess  12 , in order to lock the future metallic material  16 ″ against element  10 ″. Indeed, as explained above, in the case where each hole  14  is substantially conical, since the diameter of hole  14  opening into recess  12  is smaller than the rest of hole  14 , each metallic material  16 ″ can no longer be removed. Preferably, each hole  14  can thus have a diameter substantially equal to 100 μm at the bottom of recess  12  and finish with a diameter substantially equal to 120 μm or more on the surface P opposite body  11 ″. 
         [0098]    Preferably, advantageously according to the invention, step  25  is achieved by orienting the laser beam from the opposite surface P so as to form said at least one hole  14  immediately in a conical manner, i.e. in which the largest diameter is at the join with the opposite surface P. 
         [0099]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the third embodiment includes a fourth step  22 , for exposing at least one portion  15 ″ of external surface F of body  11 ″ to a reduction reaction so as to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make said at least one portion  15 ″ electrically conductive, with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first and second embodiments. 
         [0100]    It is thus clear that, in step  22 , it is possible to choose to expose all or part of external surface F of body  11 ″ to a reduction reaction. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , it is seen that oxygen atoms removal has been selectively performed over the entire surface F, i.e. including in recesses  12  and holes  14 . 
         [0101]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , method  21  according to the third embodiment includes a fifth step  24 , for depositing a metallic material  16 ″ from conductive portions  15 ″ of surface F of body  11 ″ to coat all or part of surface F as seen in  FIG. 9 , with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the second embodiment. Step  24  may, for example, be achieved by electroplating, sintering or casting. 
         [0102]    In order to facilitate these filling operations, material is preferably forcibly renewed in recesses  12  and holes  14  via agitation or vibration, to prevent any problems in filling recesses  12  and holes  14 . 
         [0103]    It is noted, advantageously according to the invention, that material  16 ″ may thus not completely fill each recess  12  and/or each hole  14 , i.e. certain recesses  12  which do not have holes  14  may not be filled or certain recesses  12  and/or holes  14  may only be filled to a smaller depth and/or section compared to those of the recess  12  and/or hole  14  associated therewith. It is thus clear that is possible to obtain a saving of metallic material  16 ″ and to save time in step  26  (less material to machine). 
         [0104]    Finally, in a sixth step  26  illustrated in  FIG. 10 , method  21  ends by machining body  11 ″ and/or metallic material  16 ″, to give element  10 ″ an aesthetic finish. Coated and/or inlaid element  10 ″ is thus finished and simply requires assembly on a final part. This step  26  may be obtained with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first and second embodiments. 
         [0105]    As explained above, the method according to the third embodiment may also comprise, before step  24 , the respective steps of forming a member and then assembling the member to body  11 ″. It is thus clear that step  24  secures the assembly of the member to the body  11 ″ by locking the member against said body via said metallic material. Thus, the body and/or member may comprise at least one flat or non flat geometry intended to be coated by metallic material  16 ″ so as to secure the assembly. 
         [0106]    By way of example, the member may be formed from the same type of material as body  11 ″, namely a ceramic obtained in step  20  or a ceramic made conductive in steps  20  and  22 , or even from a metallic material. 
         [0107]    Finally, step  21  according to the third embodiment may also provide a last, optional step  28  for depositing a substantially transparent layer in order to protect each metallic material  16 ″ from ageing, with the same features, the same technical effects and the same advantages as in the first and second embodiments. 
         [0108]    Of course, this invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is capable of various variants and alterations that will appear to those skilled in the art. In particular, depending on the adherence capacity of the galvanic deposition, a step  27  of depositing an optional wetting layer for the galvanic deposition may be provided between step  22  and step  24  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0109]    Thus, a layer, for example of substantially 50 nm, may be deposited between each metallic material  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ and body  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″. Depending on the method of depositing the wetting layer, several types of materials may be envisaged, for example, gold and/or copper and/or silver and/or indium and/or platinum and/or palladium and/or nickel. 
         [0110]    Moreover, the forming of recesses  12  in step  23  could also be switched with the forming of holes  14  in step  25  without losing the advantages of the invention. It is also possible to envisage substituting laser etching in step  23  and/or step  25  with another type of etching if the precision and reject rate thereof are acceptable. 
         [0111]    Finally the application of element  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ according to the invention is not limited to a timepiece  1 . Thus, element  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ could, by way of example, be applied to a piece of jewelry or even to tableware.