Patent Publication Number: US-2007097794-A1

Title: Timepiece with a fan-shaped hand motion display mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism that displays information on time, calendar and the like by moving a display member in a fan-shaped motion. The present invention particularly relates to a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism including a movement configured such that the position of a retrograde indicator hand that swings in a fan-shaped motion can be arbitrarily selected.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      In the structure of a timepiece, particularly a wristwatch with numerous functions, a movement (mechanical body) of the timepiece generally has a main plate that forms the base of the movement. The dial side of the main plate is referred to as the back side of the timepiece, while the opposite side of the main plate to the dial is referred to as the front side of the timepiece. Furthermore, a train wheel assembled on the front side of the timepiece is referred to as a front train wheel, while a train wheel assembled on the back side of the timepiece is referred to as a back train wheel. Since numbers 1 to 12 are often printed along the outer circumference of the dial of the timepiece, directions corresponding to portions along the outer circumference of the timepiece are therefore expressed using these numbers. For example, in the case of a wristwatch, the upward direction and the upper side of the wristwatch are referred to as “twelve o&#39;clock direction” and “twelve o&#39;clock side”, respectively, and the rightward direction and the right side of the wristwatch are referred to as “three o&#39;clock direction” and “three o&#39;clock side”, respectively, and the downward direction and the lower side of the wristwatch are referred to as “six o&#39;clock direction” and “six o&#39;clock side” respectively, and the leftward direction and the left side of the wristwatch are referred to as “nine o&#39;clock direction” and “nine o&#39;clock side”, respectively.  
      In general, in a wristwatch, a drive module, control module, front train wheel and the like are assembled on the front side of the timepiece, while a calendar module, for example, a date indicator driving portion, date indicator, date corrector, day indicator driving portion, day indicator, day corrector and the like are assembled on the back side of the timepiece. In a wristwatch, a switching portion may be assembled on the front side and/or on the back side of the timepiece. A conventional timepiece with a calendar function has a ring shaped date indicator, on which 31 teeth are provided. Numbers 1 to 31 are printed on the date indicator. The date indicator is rotatably assembled along the outer circumference of the main plate.  
      In a conventional timepiece with a calendar function, the date indicator is advanced by one tooth per day in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel, while the day indicator is advanced by one tooth per day in response to the rotation of the day indicator driving wheel. One of the numbers on the date indicator, for example, “1”, and one of the characters on the day indicator, for example, “MON”, are visible through windows in the dial. Therefore, the wearer of the timepiece will know from these date and day displays that the date is the first of the month and the day is Monday. The date and day displays are usually located on the three o&#39;clock side or six o&#39;clock side of the timepiece. In a wristwatch that displays date and day by means of hands, for example, the center of rotation of the date indicator coincides with the center of the main plate. The date is displayed by means of date characters provided on the date indicator.  
      A first structure for conventional fan-shaped hand-motion display (that is, display by means of a “retrograde indicator hand” that swings in a fan-shaped motion) includes an independent motor for this particular hand motion as well as a regular motor for time display. In such a conventional timepiece with a calendar function, a winding stem will be positioned at three click locations; the “zeroth click”, “first click” and “second click.” When the winding stem is pushed against the case of the wristwatch and positioned at the “zeroth click”, the wristwatch is in a “normal state in which the wristwatch is worn”. In this state, for a mechanical timepiece, the wearer can wind the mainspring. When the winding stem is pulled out by one click from the case of the wristwatch and positioned at the “first click”, the wristwatch is in a “first correctable state”. In this state, for a wristwatch with a calendar function, the wearer can correct the date and day displays. When the winding stem is further pulled out and positioned at the “second click”, the wristwatch is in a “second correctable state”. In this state, for a wristwatch with a calendar function, the wearer can correct the time display.  
      A second structure for conventional fan-shaped hand-motion display includes a column wheel with a cam outer circumference, a swingable hammer in contact with the outer circumference of the column wheel, a small gear that rotates in response to the swinging movement of the hammer, a display member that displays calendar information in response to the rotation of the small gear, an intermediate gear integrally formed with the column wheel, an intermediate gear jumper that regulates the rotation of the intermediate gear, and an intermittent driving member that intermittently rotates the intermediate gear. In this structure, the column wheel is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the train wheel in a direction in which the distance between the center of rotation of the column wheel and the contact point between the column wheel and the hammer effectively increases. In this structure, the center of rotation of the column wheel is located in an intermediate region between the center of rotation of an hour wheel (i.e., the center of the main plate) and the periphery of the main plate (see the Japanese Patent No. 3,140,700 below, for example).  
      The first structure for conventional fan-shaped hand-motion display has a problem because it requires the motor for fan-shaped hand-motion, resulting in the increased number of motors and parts that forms the train wheel. Also, in this conventional first structure, since the layout of the plurality of motors and the train wheel driven by those motors is restricted, the position of the day display mechanism cannot be changed as long as the same components of the movement are used.  
      In the second structure for conventional fan-shaped hand-motion display, since the center of rotation of the column wheel is restricted in the intermediate region between the center of the main plate and the periphery of the main plate, the position of the day display mechanism is dictated by the position of the column wheel as long as the same components of the movement are used. In this conventional second structure, the footprint of the column wheel is also large. Also, in the second structure, since the position where the column wheel is disposed is shifted toward the outer circumference of the movement, it is difficult to reserve an area for efficiently disposing a regular ring-shaped date indicator in the movement without increasing the size of the movement.  
      An object of the invention is to provide a compact and thin timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism having less number of components. Another object of the invention is to provide a timepiece with a structure that provides greater freedom of the position where a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is disposed and allows the position of a retrograde indicator hand being arbitrarily selected in the movement. Still another object of the invention is to provide a timepiece with a structure in which a regular ring-shaped date indicator and a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be efficiently disposed in the movement.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A timepiece with a fan-shaped swing and display mechanism according to the invention includes a drive module for driving the timepiece, a control module for controlling the operation of the drive module, a train wheel that rotates based on the operation of the drive module, and a first display member that displays information on time, calendar and the like based on the rotation of the train wheel. The timepiece according to the invention further includes a column wheel having a cam outer circumference that is formed such that the radius from the center of rotation to the outer circumference continuously changes along the circumferential direction from the minimum to the maximum values, the column wheel rotating in response to the rotation of the train wheel, a swingable hammer in contact with the outer circumference of the column wheel, a small gear that rotates in response to the swing movement of the hammer, a second display member that rotates in response to the rotation of the small gear, and a driving member for rotating the column wheel. The column wheel is configured to rotate, in response to the rotation of the train wheel, in a direction in which the distance between the center of rotation of the column wheel and the contact point between the column wheel and the hammer increases. The center of rotation of the column wheel coincides with the center of rotation of the first display member.  
      In the timepiece of the invention, the column wheel advantageously includes a column wheel gear that is rotated by the driving member and a column wheel jumper that regulates the rotation of the column wheel gear. With such a configuration, the rotation of the column wheel can be reliably regulated. The timepiece of the invention advantageously further includes a hammer return spring configured to apply a rotational force on the hammer in a direction in which the hammer is pressed against the column wheel.  
      In this configuration, the column wheel disposed at the center of the movement actuates the hammer, and an indicator hand attached to an indicator hand wheel having a gear that engages the gear of the hammer moves, or the small gear, in a fan-shaped region. The small gear engages the gear of the hammer return spring, so that the hammer return spring can return the position of the indicator hand to its initial position. With such a configuration, there can be provided a compact and thin timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism having less number of components in which the position of a retrograde indicator hand can be arbitrarily selected.  
      It is advantageous that the timepiece of the invention includes an hour wheel that rotates in response to the rotation of the train wheel to display information on “hour”, and the column wheel is guided around the outer cylindrical circumference of the hour wheel and rotates around the center of rotation of the hour wheel. The timepiece of the invention also includes a date indicator driving wheel that rotates in response to the rotation of the train wheel and is configured such that the small gear is configured as a small day indicator and the column wheel gear makes 1/7 revolution once a day in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel, allowing the display member provided on the small gear to swing in a fan shape to display “day.” 
      Alternatively, the timepiece of the invention includes a date indicator driving wheel that rotates in response to the rotation of the train wheel and a date indictor that rotates in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel to display information on “date”, and is configured such that the intermittent driving member rotates in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel. This configuration allows the ring-shaped date indicator to display information on “date” and the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism to display “day.” 
      In a timepiece with a fan-shaped swing and display mechanism according to the invention, the movement of the timepiece includes a drive module, a control module, a train wheel, a column wheel, and a driving member for rotating the column wheel. In the timepiece of the invention, the movement is provided with one hammer assembling portion where a swingable hammer in contact with the outer circumference of the column wheel can be assembled and two small gear assembling portions where a small gear that rotates in response to the swing movement of the hammer, so that the hammer is assembled at the hammer assembling portion and the small gear is assembled at one of the two small gear assembling portions. In the timepiece of the invention, the column wheel is configured to rotate, in response to the rotation of the train wheel, in the direction in which the distance between the center of rotation of the column wheel and the contact point between the column wheel and the hammer increases. The timepiece of the invention also includes a first display member that displays information on time, calendar and the like based on the rotation of the train wheel and a second display member that rotates in response to the rotation of the small gear, and the center of rotation of the column wheel coincides with the center of rotation of the first display member.  
      The timepiece described above is configured such that the movement is provided with a plurality of small gear assembling portions where the small gear that rotates in response to the swing movement of the hammer can be assembled, so that the hammer is assembled at one of the plurality of the hammer assembling portions and the small gear is assembled at one of the small gear assembling portions. With such a configuration, the invention provides a timepiece that has greater freedom of the position where a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is disposed and allows the position of a retrograde indicator hand being arbitrarily selected in the movement.  
      The timepiece described above also includes a date indicator driving wheel that rotates in response to the rotation of the train wheel and a date indictor that rotates in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel to display information on “date”, and the intermittent driving member is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the date indicator driving wheel. The center of rotation of the small gear is preferably located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear and the addendum circle of the day indicator, and the center of rotation of the hammer is preferably located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear and the addendum circle of the day indicator. In thus configured timepiece of the invention, the regular ring-shaped date indicator and the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be efficiently disposed in the movement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view showing the front side of the movement in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view showing the date indicator driving mechanism, date corrector mechanism and day corrector mechanism in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is schematic cross-sectional view showing the winding stem and day indicator driving mechanism in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the date corrector mechanism and day corrector mechanism in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view showing the exterior of the complete assembly of the timepiece in the first embodiment of the time piece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism in the first variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view showing the exterior of the complete assembly of the timepiece in the first variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a schematic plan view showing the exterior of the complete assembly of the timepiece in the second variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration on the front side of the movement in the second embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention; and  
       FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration on the front side of the movement with the train wheel bridge removed in the second embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  
     (1) First Embodiment  
      A first embodiment of a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention will be described below. Although the following description of the embodiment according to the invention is based on an electronic timepiece, the configuration of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism to which the invention is applied is also applicable to timepieces that operate under other principles of operation, such as mechanical timepieces and electrical timepieces. The first embodiment of the invention is an analogue electronic timepiece in which the center of rotation of an indicator hand of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is located in the five o&#39;clock direction of the movement.  
      (1.1) Configuration of the Front Side of the Movement  
      Referring to FIGS.  1  to  5 , in the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention, a movement  100  includes a main plate  102  that forms a base of the movement  100 . A dial  104  is attached to the movement  100 . A winding stem  110  is rotatably assembled in the main plate  102 . A clutch wheel  112  is disposed such that it shares the same axis of rotation with the winding stem  110 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , on the case back side (the front side) of the main plate  102  are disposed a battery  120  that forms a power source of the timepiece, a crystal oscillator unit  122  that forms an oscillation source of the timepiece, and an integrated circuit (IC)  125  that forms a drive controller of the timepiece. A circuit board  126 , the crystal oscillator unit  122  and the integrated circuit  125  form a circuit block  128 . The circuit block  126  is disposed on case back side of the main plate  102 . A battery connection (−)  130  is provided to electrically connect the cathode of the battery  120  to a negative pattern of the circuit board  126 . A battery connection (+)  132  is provided to electrically connect the anode of the battery  120  to a positive pattern of the circuit board  128 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , on the case back side of the main plate  102  are disposed a coil block  134 , a stator  136  and a rotor  138  that form a stepper motor. Rotation of the rotor  138  rotates a fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140 . Rotation of the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140  rotates a second wheel &amp; pinion  142 . Rotation of the second wheel &amp; pinion  142  rotates a third wheel &amp; pinion  144 . Rotation of the third wheel &amp; pinion  144  rotates a center wheel &amp; pinion  146 . Rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  146  rotates a minute wheel  148 . Rotation of the minute wheel  148  rotates an hour wheel  150 .  
      The second wheel &amp; pinion  142  is configured to make one revolution in one minute. A second hand  160  is attached to the second wheel &amp; pinion  142 . The center wheel &amp; pinion  146  is configured to make one revolution in one hour. A minute hand  162  is attached to the center wheel  146 . A sliding mechanism (not shown) is provided on the center wheel &amp; pinion  146 . The sliding mechanism allows the minute hand  162  and hour hand  164  to rotate by rotating the winding stem  110  with the second hand  160  stopped for time setting. A train wheel setting lever  152  is provided to regulate the gear of the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140  to stop the rotation of the second hand  160 : when the winding stem  110  is pulled out to the second click for time setting. A center pipe  102   c  is fixed to the main plate  102 . The center pipe  102   c  extends from the case back side of the main plate  102  to the dial side of the main plate  102 . The center wheel &amp; pinion  146  is rotatably supported in the hole of the center pipe  102   c . The abacus bead of the second wheel. &amp; pinion  142  is rotatably supported in the hole of the center wheel &amp; pinion  146 .  
      A train wheel bridge  158  is disposed on the case back side of the main plate  102 . The upper part of the shaft of the rotor  138 , the upper part of the shaft of the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140 , the upper part of the shaft of the second wheel &amp; pinion  142 , the upper part of the shaft of the third wheel &amp; pinion  144 , and the upper part of the shaft of the minute wheel  148  are rotatably supported in the train wheel bridge  158 . The lower part of the shaft of the rotor  138 , the lower part of the shaft of the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140 , the lower part of the shaft of the third wheel &amp; pinion  144 , and the lower part of the shaft of the minute wheel  148  are rotatably supported in the main plate  102 . The hour wheel  150  is configured to make one revolution in twelve hours. The hour hand  164  is attached to the hour wheel  150 . The hour hand  164  attached to the hour wheel  150  displays “hour” in the “twelve-hour system” in which one revolution takes twelve hours. A minute gear of the minute wheel  148  is disposed such that it engages a setting wheel  149 . The setting wheel  149  is disposed between the main plate  102  and the train wheel bridge  158 . A minute pinion (not shown) of the minute wheel  148  is situated on the dial side of the main plate  102  and configured such that it engages an hour wheel gear of the hour wheel  150 . The hole of the hour wheel  150  is rotatably supported on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft of the center pipe  102   c . The center of rotation of the hour wheel  150  coincides with the center of rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  146 . The center of rotation of the hour wheel  150  coincides with the center of rotation of the second wheel &amp; pinion  142 . The centers of rotation of the hour wheel  150 , the center wheel &amp; pinion  146  and the second wheel &amp; pinion  142  are preferably located at the center of the main plate  102 .  
      (1.2) Configuration of the Back Side of the Movement  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3  to  5 , a date indicator maintaining plate  210  disposed on the back side of the movement is provided to rotatably support a date indicator  212  relative to the main plate  102 . A small day indicator support seating  220  is assembled on the dial  104  side of the date indicator maintaining plate  210 . A small day indicator support  222  is assembled between the small day indicator support seating  220 - and the dial  104 . A date indicator driving wheel  230  is rotatably supported on the main plate  102 . A date indicator driving wheel  230  includes a date gear  232 , a date finger  234 , and two column wheel fingers  236   a ,  236   b . Although a configuration in which two column wheel fingers are provided is illustrated and described, one column wheel finger may be used. The hour wheel  150  includes an hour gear  150   b  that engages the minute pinion (not shown) and a date pinion  150   c  that engages the date gear  232 . The date indicator  212  is assembled such that the date finger  234  intermittently drives the date indicator  212  by 1/31 revolution in 24 hours. A date jumper  240  regulates the rotation of the date indicator  212 . The center of rotation of the date indicator  212  substantially coincides with the center of rotation of the hour wheel  150  and both the centers of rotation are preferably located substantially at the center of the main plate  102 . The date indicator driving wheel  230  is configured to make one revolution in 24 hours.  
      A first calendar corrector transfer wheel  250  is assembled such that it is coaxial with the winding stem  110 . A second calendar corrector transfer wheel  252  is assembled between the main plate  102  and the date indicator maintaining plate  210 . The gear of the first calendar corrector transfer wheel  250  is configured to engage the gear of the second calendar corrector transfer wheel  252 . A swing wheel  254  is assembled such that it is swingable and rotatable relative to the main plate  102 . A swing wheel spring  256  is provided to press the swing wheel  254  against the main plate  102 . The swing wheel spring  256  is integrally formed with the date indicator maintaining plate  210 .  
      A calendar corrector wheel  258  is rotatably assembled relative to the main plate  102 . The first calendar corrector transfer wheel  250  is configured to rotate integrally with the winding stem  110  by rotating the winding stem  110  positioned at the first click position. By positioning the winding stem  110  at the first click position and rotating the winding stem  110  in one direction, the second calendar corrector transfer wheel  252  rotates in response to the rotation of the first calendar corrector transfer wheel  250 . Then, the swing wheel  254  swings in a direction in which it approaches the gear of the date indicator  212 , and the gear of the swing wheel  254  engages the gear of the date indicator  212 , allowing correction of the date indicator  212 . By positioning the winding stem  110  at the first click position and rotating the winding stem  110  in the other direction, the second calendar corrector transfer wheel  252  rotates in response to the rotation of the first calendar corrector transfer wheel  250 . Then, the swing wheel  254  swings in a direction in which it moves away from the gear of the date indicator  212 , and the gear of the swing wheel  254  can rotate the calendar corrector wheel  258 .  
      A column wheel  260  is rotatably provided relative to the cylindrical outer circumference of the hour wheel  150 . The column wheel  260  includes a cam outer circumference  260   a  and a column wheel gear  260   b . The column wheel gear  260   b  includes, for example, fourteen teeth. The column wheel gear  260   b  is assembled such that it is intermittently driven by the two column wheel fingers  236   a  and  236   b . The column wheel gear  260   b  is configured to intermittently advance by two teeth in 24 hours. This is, the column wheel  260  is configured to make one revolution in seven days. A column wheel jumper  262  is configured to regulate the rotation of the column wheel gear  260   b . The column wheel jumper  262  is integrally formed with the date indicator maintaining plate  210 .  
      The cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260  is formed such that the radius from the center of rotation to the outer circumference changes along the circumferential direction. The cam outer circumference  260   a  is formed such that its radius smoothly increases from the minimum value RMIN to the maximum value RMAX in the circumferential direction along the cam outer circumference  260   a . A stepped portion where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  abruptly changes is located between the position where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  becomes the maximum value RMAX and the position where the radius becomes minimum value RMIN. The cam outer circumference  260   a  uniformly expands from the minimum radius portion closest to the center of rotation of the column wheel  260  to the maximum radius portion of the column wheel  260  to form a spirally-curved contour in which the portion where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  becomes the maximum value RMAX is connected to the portion where the radius becomes the minimum value RMIN. As a result, the cam outer circumference  260   a  is built into a shape similar to a cam surface of a so-called “swing cam”. Thus formed cam outer circumference  260   a  allows a member in contact with the cam outer circumference  260   a  to make a smooth swing movement. The actual shape of the cam outer circumference  260   a  may be formed of a combination of a plurality of straight lines, or may be formed of a combination of at least one curved line and at least one straight line. In this case, the curved line may be arcuate, cycloid, involute or the like.  
      A hammer  266  is swingably assembled relative to the small day indicator support  222  and the small day indicator support seating  220 . The center of rotation of the hammer  266  can be located approximately in the six o&#39;clock direction of the movement. The center of rotation of the hammer  266  is located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . The hammer  266  includes a cam contact portion  266   c  and a hammer gear  266   d . The hammer gear  266   d  is formed as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The hammer gear  266   d  can be located approximately between the five o&#39;clock and six o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The cam contact portion  266   c  is configured to be in contact with the cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260 . As described later with regard to variations of the first embodiment of the time piece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention, the hammer  266  can be provided with a plurality of hammer gears. For example, the hammer  266  can be configured to include the cam contact portion  266   c , the first hammer gear  266   d  and a second hammer gear  266   f.    
      A small day indicator  270  is rotatably assembled relative to the small day indicator support  222  and the main plate  102 . The hammer gear  266   d  is configured to engage the gear of the small day indicator  270 . A hammer return spring  272  is assembled to the small day indicator support seating  220  such that the hammer return spring  272  always applies a one-directional rotational force on the small day indicator  270 . The hammer return spring  272  is disposed between the small day indicator support  222  and the small day indicator support seating  220 . The hammer return spring  272  includes an elastically deformable return spring  272   b  and a return spring gear  272   d . The return spring gear  272   d  is configured as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The return spring gear  272   d  is configured to engage the gear of the small day indicator  270 . The hammer return spring  272  can be disposed approximately between the two o&#39;clock and five o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The hammer return spring  272  may also be formed of a spiral spring.  
      The hammer return spring  272  may be replaced with biasing means for pushing the cam contact portion  266   c  of the hammer  266  to the cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260 . The biasing means always applies a one-directional rotational force on the small day indicator  270 . The biasing means is preferably formed of, for example, a leaf spring, U-shaped spring, wire spring or coil spring. Alternatively, the biasing means may be integrally formed with the hammer  266 . With such a configuration, the rotation of the column wheel  260  swings the hammer  266  within a predetermined range of angles. As a result, the small day indicator  270  rotates within a predetermined range of angles.  
      A small day hand  276  is fixed to the hand attachment portion of the small day indicator  270 . The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  is located at a position approximately in the five o&#39;clock direction of the timepiece. The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  is located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  may also be located in other directions, such as six o&#39;clock, seven o&#39;clock, and nine o&#39;clock directions. The center of rotation of the small day indicator  184  is preferably located at a position close to the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . Thus configured small day indicator  270  provides a large and very easy-to-see day display. This configuration also provides an easy-to-see date display.  
      Although the above embodiment has been illustrated and described based on the configuration in which the small day indicator  270  displays information on “day” by providing the column wheel gear  260   b  having fourteen teeth and also providing the hammer  266 , the number of teeth of the column wheel gear may be seven or twenty one. That is, to display the “seven days” using a column wheel gear, the number of teeth of the column wheel gear is required to be an integer multiple of seven (i.e., seven, fourteen, twenty-one, twenty-eight and the like). In other words, to selectively display “X pieces of information” using a column wheel gear, the number of teeth of the column wheel gear is required to be an integer multiple of X (i.e., nX, where n is a positive integer of 1 or greater). For example, to display the “seven days” using a column wheel gear, the number of teeth of the column wheel gear is required to be an integer multiple of seven (i.e., seven, fourteen, twenty-one, twenty-eight and the like). As a variation, to display “six days” using a column wheel gear, the number of teeth of the column wheel gear is required to be an integer multiple of six (i.e., six, twelve, twenty-four and the like).  
      (1.3) Operation of the First Embodiment  
      The operation of a regular hand motion will be described with reference to the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention. Referring to FIGS.  1  to  5 , a motor drive signal outputted from the integrated circuit  124  causes the coil block  134  to magnetize the stator  136  and then rotate the rotor  138 . The rotor  138  rotates, for example, 180 degrees per second. In response to the rotation, of the rotor  138 , the second wheel &amp; pinion  142  rotates via the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140 . The secondhand  160  attached to the second wheel &amp; pinion  142  displays time information, specifically, “second.” In response to the rotation of the second wheel &amp; pinion  142 , the third wheel &amp; pinion  144  rotates.  
      In response to the rotation of the third wheel &amp; pinion  144 , the center wheel &amp; pinion  146  rotates. The minute hand  162  attached to the center wheel &amp; pinion  146  displays time information, specifically, “minute.” The sliding mechanism provided on the center wheel &amp; pinion  146  allows the minute hand  162  and hour hand  164  to rotate by rotating the winding stem  110  while the train wheel setting lever  152  regulates the gear of the fifth wheel &amp; pinion  140  to stop the second hand  160  for time setting. In response to the rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  146 , the minute wheel  148  rotates. In response to the rotation of the minute wheel  148 , the hour wheel  150  rotates. The hour hand  164  attached to the hour wheel  150  displays time information, specifically, “hour.” In response to the rotation of the hour wheel  150 , the date indicator driving wheel  230  rotates, and the date finger  234  rotates the date indicator  212  clockwise by one tooth only once a day.  
      The rotation of the date indicator driving wheel  230  causes the column wheel fingers  236   a  and  236   b  to rotate the column wheel gear  260   b  by two teeth per day. That is, the column, wheel gear  260   b  makes 1/7 revolution once a day. The rotation of the column wheel gear swings the cam contact portion of the hammer  266  in contact with the outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260 . The gear of the hammer  266  engages the gear of the small day indicator  270 . The rotation of the column wheel  260  rotates the hammer  266 , thereby rotating the small day indicator  270 . The hammer return spring  272  applies a force to the small day indicator  270  in the counterclockwise direction when viewed in  FIG. 1 . The force of the hammer return spring  272  presses the cam contact portion of the hammer  266  against the cam outer circumference of the column wheel  260 . The cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260  is formed such that the radius from the center of rotation of the column wheel  260  changes along the circumferential direction. That is, the radius from the center of rotation of the column wheel  260  continuously increases in the counterclockwise circumferential direction up to the maximum value, next to which the initial position where the radius becomes the minimum value is located.  
      In  FIG. 1 , the cam contact portion of the hammer  266  is in contact with a first position close to the location where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  is the minimum value. Therefore, the small day indicator  270  is situated at a first position where the small day hand  276  has rotated counterclockwise by the greatest amount within the range that the small day hand  276  can provide indication. At this position, the small day hand  276  points the character “MON”, which represents Monday printed-on the dial. Then, when the column wheel  260  rotates, the small day indicator  270  rotates clockwise from the above position to a second position. At this position, the small day hand  276  points the character “TUE” (not shown), which represents Tuesday printed on the dial. Similarly, when the column wheel  260  sequentially rotates, the small day hand  276  can point Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday printed on the dial.  
      At a position where Sunday is pointed, the cam contact portion of the hammer  266  is in contact with a seventh position where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  has the seventh value. When the column wheel  260   a  further rotates, the cam contact portion of the hammer  266  rotates beyond the portion where the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  is the maximum value, and the small day hand  276  that has pointed the character “SUN”, which represents Sunday, will point the character “MON”, which represents Monday. Thus, the radius of the cam outer circumference  260   a  is configured to be directly proportional to the angle that the cam rotates in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the column wheel  260  rotates, the small day hand  276  can sequentially point the seven characters on the dial and display from Monday to Sunday. In this case, by providing one idle wheel (idler) between the hammer  266  and the small day indicator  270 , the rotational direction of the small day indicator  270  can be reversed.  
      (1.4) Description of the Exterior of the Timepiece with a Fan-Shaped Hand-Motion Display Mechanism  
      The structure of a display portion of a complete assembly (wristwatch with a case)  200  of a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism to which the invention is applied will be described. Referring to  FIG. 6 , typeset letters or letter-type codes  104   j  are provided along the periphery of the dial  104 . Characters or symbols representing the seven days are provided between the five o&#39;clock and eight o&#39;clock directions on the dial  104 . In the structure shown in  FIG. 6 , alphabetical characters “MON”, “TUE”, “WED”, “THU”, “FRI”, “SAT” and “SUN” are provided. The characters representing the seven days may be other language characters, or may be Roman numerals, such as “I”, “II” and “III.” 
      Alternatively, a plurality of characters or symbols, such as “MON:*1”, “TUE:*2”, . . . , “SUN:*7”, may be used, where “*1”, “*2”, . . . , “*7” denote Monday, Tuesday, . . . , Sunday expressed in other languages, respectively. With such a configuration, one timepiece can be used in a number of countries. That is, if the “*1”, “*2”, . . . , “*7” represent Japanese characters, timepieces having the above multiple characters can be used in countries where either English or Japanese is used. Current time will be provided through the positional relationship between the hour hand  164 , minute hand  162  and second hand  160  and the typeset letters or letter-type codes  104   j  on the dial  104 .  
      Current date will be provided through the date character on the date indicator  212  situated under a window  104   k  disposed on the three o&#39;clock side of the dial  104 . Current day will be provided through the positional relationship between the small day hand  276  and the characters representing the seven days. The timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 6  currently displays “30th”, “WED” and “10:09:58.” In the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 , the tip of the small day hand  276  will point directions approximately from six o&#39;clock to ten o&#39;clock.  
      (1.5) First Variation of the First Embodiment  
      A first variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention will be described. In the following description, differences between the first variation of the invention and the first embodiment of the invention will be mainly described. Therefore, for those on which no description is given below, the description of the first embodiment of the invention is hereby incorporated. The first variation of the invention is configured such that the center of rotation of a display member or indicator hand of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is located between the seven o&#39;clock and eight o&#39;clock directions of the movement.  
      Referring  FIG. 7 , in the first variation of the invention, a movement  100 B has the hammer  266  swingably assembled relative to the small day indicator support  222  and the small day indicator support seating  220 . The center of rotation of the hammer  266  can be located approximately in the six o&#39;clock direction of the movement. The center of rotation of the hammer  266  is located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . The hammer  266  includes the cam contact portion  266   c , the first hammer gear  266   d  and the second hammer gear  266   f . The first hammer gear  266   d  is configured as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The first hammer gear  266   d  can be disposed approximately between the five o&#39;clock and six o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The second hammer gear  266   f  is configured as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The second hammer gear  266   f  can be disposed approximately between the seven o&#39;clock and eight o&#39;clock directions of the movement.  
      The small day indicator  270  is rotatably assembled relative to the small day indicator support  222  and the main plate  102 . The second hammer gear  266   f  is configured to engage the gear of the small day indicator  270 . A hammer return spring  272 B is assembled to the small day indicator support seating  220  such that the hammer return spring  272 B always applies a one-directional rotational force on the small day indicator  270 . The hammer return spring  272 B is disposed between the small day wheel support  222  and the small day indicator support seating  220 . The hammer return spring  272 B includes an elastically deformable return spring  272   f  and a return spring gear  272   g . The return spring gear  272   f  is configured as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The return spring gear  272   f  is configured to engage the gear of the small day indicator  270 . The elastic force of the hammer return spring  272 B can press the cam contact portion  266   c  of the hammer  266  against the cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260 . The hammer return spring  272 B can be disposed approximately between the seven o&#39;clock and ten o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The hammer return spring  272 B may also be formed of a spiral spring.  
      The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  can be located approximately between the seven o&#39;clock and eight o&#39;clock directions of the timepiece. The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  is located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  may also be located in other directions, such as six o&#39;clock, seven o&#39;clock, and nine o&#39;clock directions. The center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  is preferably located at a position, close to the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . With such a configuration, the small day indicator  270  may be disposed such that the gear of the small, day indicator  270  engages the second hammer gear  266   f , or may be disposed such that the gear of the small day indicator  270  engages the first hammer gear  266   d.    
      With this configuration, the small day indicator  270  can be disposed at either of the two pre-designed positions in the movement. Furthermore, by assigning various specification values to the position of the center of rotation of the small day indicator  270 , the number of gears provided on the small day indicator  270 , the position of the center of rotation of the hammer  266 , the position of the gear of the hammer  266 , and the number of gears provided on the hammer  266 , the small day indicator  270  can be disposed at either of a plurality of positions in the movement. For example, two or three, or even greater numbers of positions for the center of rotation of the hammer  266  can be located between the outer, circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212 . In this configuration, two or three, or even greater numbers of positions for the center of rotation of the small day indicators  270  can be located between the outer circumference of the column wheel gear  260   b  and the addendum circle of the date indicator  212  such that those positions for the center of rotation of the small day indicators  270  correspond to respective positions for the center of rotation of the hammer  266 .  
      That is, it is advantageous that the movement is pre-designed to have one or more positions for the center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  and associated parts, such as the main plate  102 , small day indicator support  222  and small day indicator support seating  220 , are provided with bearings, guides and the like corresponding to the respective positions of the center of rotation of the small day indicator  270 . Similarly, it is advantageous that the movement is pre-designed to have one or more positions for the center of rotation of hammer  266  and associated parts, such as the main plate  102 , small day indicator support  222  and small day indicator support seating  220 , are provided with bearings, guides and the like corresponding to the respective positions of the center of rotation of the hammer  266 . It is advantageous that the movement is pre-designed to have one or more positions where the hammer return spring  272  ( 272 B) is assembled and associated parts, such as the main plate  102 , small day indicator support  222  and small day indicator support seating  220 , are provided with shafts, guides, positioners of the spring tip and the like corresponding to the respective assembling positions.  
      With such a configuration, the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be disposed at a plurality of positions in the movement without changing the shapes and dimensions of the associated parts, such as the main plate  102 , small day indicator support  222 , small day indicator support seating  220 , and hammer  266 .  
      Furthermore, by preparing one type of hammer return spring and changing its location or assembling it upside-down, the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be disposed at a plurality of positions in the movement without changing the shape and dimension of the hammer return spring. Therefore, by locating the center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  in various directions without changing the shapes and dimensions of the associated parts, complete assemblies with various exteriors can be realized using one type of movement. That is, by applying the configuration of the invention, the position where the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is disposed can be located at various locations in one movement without changing associated parts or with minimum change to associated parts, allowing substantially increased design freedom.  
      In the invention, since the center of rotation of the column wheel  260  is situated at the center of the movement, the center of rotation of the small day indicator  270  may be located in any direction throughout the circumference of the movement (at various locations, such as in one o&#39;clock direction, two o&#39;clock direction, . . . , twelve o&#39;clock direction, or intermediate directions therebetween), or the center of rotation of the hammer  266  may be located in any direction throughout the circumference of the movement.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , in the first variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention, the structure of a display portion of a complete assembly (wristwatch with a case)  200 B of the timepiece will be described. Typeset letters or letter-type codes  104   j  are provided along the periphery of a dial  104 B. Characters or symbols representing the seven days are provided between the five o&#39;clock and eight o&#39;clock directions on the dial  104 B. In the structure shown in  FIG. 8 , alphabetical characters “MON”, “TUE”, “WED”, “THU”, “FRI”, “SAT” and “SUN” are provided.  
      Current date will be provided through the date character on the date indicator  212  situated under the window  104   k  disposed on the three o&#39;clock side of the dial  104 B. Current day will be provided through the positional relationship between the small day hand  276  and the characters representing the seven days. The timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 8  currently displays “30th”, “WED” and “10:09:58.” In the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 8 , the tip of the small day hand  276  will point directions approximately from two o&#39;clock to seven o&#39;clock.  
      (1.6) Second Variation of the First Embodiment  
      A second variation of the first embodiment of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention will be described. In the following description, differences between the second variation of the invention and the first embodiment of the invention will be mainly described. Therefore, for those on which no description is given below, the description of the first embodiment of the invention is hereby incorporated. The second variation of the invention is configured such that the center of rotation of a display hand of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is located in the twelve o&#39;clock direction of the movement.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , in the second variation of the invention, the structure of a display portion of a complete assembly (wristwatch with a case)  200 C of the timepiece is described. Typeset letters or letter-type codes  104   j  are provided along the periphery of a dial  104 C. Characters or symbols representing the seven days are provided between the ten o&#39;clock and two o&#39;clock directions on the dial  104 C. In the structure shown in  FIG. 9 , alphabetical characters “MON”, “TUE”, “WED”, “THU”, “FRI”, “SAT” and “SUN” are provided.  
      Current date will be provided through the date character on a date indicator  212 C situated under the window  104   m  disposed on the six o&#39;clock side of the dial  104 C. Current day will be provided through the positional relationship between the small day hand  276  and the characters representing the seven days. The timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 9  currently displays “30th”, “WED” and “10:09:38.” In the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 , the tip of the small day hand  276  will point directions approximately from eleven o&#39;clock to one o&#39;clock.  
      In the movement (not shown) of the timepiece accommodated in the complete assembly (wristwatch with a case)  200 C, the center of rotation of a hammer  266 C can be located approximately in the three o&#39;clock direction of the movement. The hammer  266 C includes a cam contact portion  266   m  and a hammer gear  266   n . The hammer gear  266   n  is configured as a “partial gear” with a groove angle of 20 to 40 degrees with reference to the center. The hammer gear  266   n  can be disposed approximately between the twelve o&#39;clock and one o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The hammer gear  266   n  is configured to engage the gear of the small day indicator  270 . A hammer return spring  272 C can be disposed approximately between the eight o&#39;clock and twelve o&#39;clock directions of the movement. The elastic force of the hammer return spring  272 C can press the cam contact portion  266   m  of the hammer  266 C against the cam outer circumference  260   a  of the column wheel  260 .  
     (2) Second Embodiment  
      A second embodiment of a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention will be described. In the following description, differences between the second embodiment of the invention and the first embodiment of the invention will be mainly described. Therefore, for those on which no description is given below, the description of the first embodiment of the invention is hereby incorporated. The second embodiment of the invention is a mechanical timepiece with a self-winding mechanism and a day/date function.  
      (2.1) Structure of the Front Side of the Movement  
      The schematic structure of the front side of the movement will be described below. Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in a movement  300 , a winding stem  310  is rotatably assembled in a winding stem guide hole of the main plate  102 . An escapement/speed governor including a balance with hairspring  340 , an escape wheel &amp; pinion  330  and a pallet fork  342 , and a front train wheel including a second wheel &amp; pinion  328 , a third wheel &amp; pinion  326 , a center wheel &amp; pinion  325  and a movement barrel  320  are disposed on the “front sides of the movement  300 . A switching device including a setting lever, yoke, yoke spring and yoke holder is disposed on the “back side” or “front side” of the movement  300 . On the “front side” of the movement  300  are disposed a barrel bridge  360  that rotatably supports the upper part of the shaft of the movement barrel  320  and the upper part of the shaft of the center wheel &amp; pinion  325 , a train wheel bridge  362  that rotatably supports the upper part of the shaft of the third wheel &amp; pinion  326 , the upper part of the shaft of the second wheel &amp; pinion  328  and the upper part of the shaft of the escape wheel &amp; pinion  330 , a pallet bridge  364  that rotatably supports the upper part of the shaft of the pallet fork  342 , and a balance bridge  366  that rotatably supports the upper part of the shaft of the balance with hairspring  340 .  
      (2.2) Self-Winding Mechanism.  
      The structure of the self-winding mechanism will be described. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the self-winding mechanism includes an oscillating weight  370 , a first intermediate wheel  372  that rotates in response to the rotation of the oscillating weight  370 , a second intermediate wheel  376  that rotates in response to the rotation of the first intermediate wheel  372 , a rocker setting wheel  378  including a rocker pinion that rotates in one direction in response to the rotation of the first and second intermediate wheels  372  and  376 , a first transfer wheel  380  that rotates in response to the rotation of the rocker setting wheel  378 , a second transfer wheel  382  that rotates in response to the rotation of the first transfer wheel  380 , and a third transfer wheel  384  that rotates in response to the rotation of the second transfer wheel  382 . As the rotational direction of the rocker pinion of the rocker setting wheel  378  is fixed independent of the rotational direction of the oscillating weight  370 , a ratchet wheel  316  can be rotated only in one direction via the rotation of the first transfer wheel  380 , second transfer wheel  382  and third transfer wheel  384  in response to the rotation of the rocker pinion. The rotation of the ratchet wheel  316  winds up a mainspring in the movement barrel  320 .  
      (2.3) Escapement/Speed Governor and Front Train Wheel  
      The structure of the escapement/speed governor and front train wheel will be described. Referring to  FIG. 11 , by rotating the winding stem  310  when it is in the zeroth click position, a winding pinion  312  rotates in response to the rotation of a clutch wheel  311 . A crown wheel  313  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the winding pinion  312 . A crown transfer wheel  314  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the crown wheel  313 . A ratchet sliding wheel  315  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the crown transfer wheel  314 . The ratchet wheel  316  rotates in response to the rotation of the ratchet sliding wheel  315 . The rotation of the ratchet wheel  316  winds up a mainspring accommodated in the movement barrel  320 .  
      The center wheel &amp; pinion  325  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the movement barrel  320 . The third wheel &amp; pinion  326  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  325 . The second wheel &amp; pinion  328  is configured to make one revolution in one minute in response to the rotation of the third wheel &amp; pinion  326 . The escape-wheel &amp; pinion  330  is configured to rotate in response to the rotation of the second wheel &amp; pinion  328  under the control of the pallet fork  342 . The escapement/speed governor includes the balance with hairspring  340 , escape wheel &amp; pinion  330  and pallet fork  342 . The balance with hairspring  340  includes a balance staff, balance wheel  340   b  and hairspring  340   c . The second wheel &amp; pinion  328  makes one revolution in one minute via the rotation of the third wheel &amp; pinion  326  in response to the rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  325 . A second hand attached to the second wheel &amp; pinion  328  displays second.” 
      A minute indicator makes one revolution in one hour via the rotation of the center wheel &amp; pinion  325  and the third wheel &amp; pinion  326  in response to the rotation of the movement barrel  320 . A minute hand attached to the minute indicator displays “minute.” An hour wheel (not shown) makes one revolution in twelve hours via a minute wheel (not shown) in response to the rotation of the minute indicator. An hour hand attached to the hour wheel displays “hour.” 
      (2.4) Configuration of the Back Side of the Movement  
      The configuration and operation of the back side of the movement of the second embodiment according to the invention is the same as the configuration and operation of the back side of the movement  100  of the first embodiment according to the invention. In the movement  300 , the hour wheel (not shown) includes an hour wheel gear that engages a minute pinion (not shown) and a date pinion that engages the date gear  232 . The column wheel  260  is rotatably provided relative to the cylindrical outer circumference of the hour wheel. The fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism includes the column wheel  260 , hammer  266 , small day indicator  270 , hammer return spring  272 , small day indicator support  222 , and small day indicator support seating  220 . The small day hand  276  attached to the small day indicator  270  can sequentially point the seven characters on the dial and display from Monday to Sunday. The movement  300  includes a date display mechanism (calendar mechanism), date corrector mechanism, day corrector mechanism and the like as in the movement  100  of the first embodiment according to the invention.  
     (3) Application of the Configurations of the Invention  
      Although the embodiments of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention have been described above mainly based on the embodiments of wristwatches, the configurations of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention are applicable to clocks, pocket watches, large-sized timepieces or the like. The configurations of the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention are also applicable to timepieces that operate under various principles of operation, such as mechanical, electrical, and electronic timepieces. Furthermore, the configurations of the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism in the time piece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention are used to achieve a display device for displaying information other than days and dates. Examples of information that such other display devices display are months, years, six days, morning and afternoon, and chronograph (such as hour, minute). To manufacture such other display devices, the reduction ratio of the train wheel of the driving mechanism of the display device that is driven by the train wheel, such as hour wheel and the like, may be set to match the information to be displayed and the number of teeth of the column wheel gear may be set to match the information to be displayed.  
      The invention allows manufacture of a compact and thin timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism having less number of components. The invention also allows manufacture of a timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism in which the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be disposed at a plurality of positions in the movement. That is, by applying the configurations of the invention, the position where the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is disposed can be located at various locations in one movement without changing associated parts or with minimum change to associated parts, allowing substantially increased design freedom of the timepiece.  
      The timepiece with, a fan-shaped hand-motion, display mechanism according to the invention has less number of components of the mechanism and is compact and thin. Furthermore, the timepiece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention has greater freedom of the position where a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism is disposed and allows the position of a retrograde indicator hand being arbitrarily selected in the movement. Moreover, in the time piece with a fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism according to the invention, the regular ring-shaped date indicator and the fan-shaped hand-motion display mechanism can be efficiently disposed in the movement.