Patent Publication Number: US-8976632-B2

Title: Timepiece faceplate and timepiece

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-283365 filed on Dec. 20, 2010. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-283365 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a timepiece faceplate and a timepiece. 
     2. Background Technology 
     Timepieces and timepiece faceplates require functionality as a commercial product and decorative aspects (an aesthetic appearance) as a decorative ornament. Well-known faceplates for a timepiece are typically composed of a metal material in order to yield an appearance that imparts a sense of luxury. There have also been attempts to use a faceplate composed of an alloy having a complex composition in order to obtain an appearance that is not as readily achieved using pure gold, pure silver, or other pure materials (e.g., see Patent Document 1). 
     However, with a well-known timepiece faceplate, the range of appearance that can be expressed is limited, and it is not possible to sufficiently respond to the needs of consumers. For example, there are also decorative ornaments in which fur is used, but a timepiece is a precision instrument, and it is therefore not possible to provide a furred timepiece faceplate due to concerns about damage from fallen hair or other adverse events. 
     Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-222605 (Patent Citation 1) is examples of the related art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     An advantage of the invention is to provide a timepiece faceplate that has a furred appearance that has not been achieved in the past, and to provide a timepiece provided with the timepiece faceplate. 
     Means Used to Solve the Above-Mentioned Problems 
     The advantages described above are achieved by the invention described below. 
     The timepiece faceplate of the invention is characterized in including: a plate-shaped member provided on one surface with a ridge having a function for reflecting and scattering incident light, the plate-shaped member made of a material having optical transmission properties; and a layer that independently presents a lame-style appearance, wherein the plate-shaped member and the layer are superimposed when viewed from above. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece faceplate presenting a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past. 
     The timepiece faceplate of the invention is characterized in including: a plate-shaped member provided on one surface with a ridge having a function for reflecting and scattering incident light, the plate-shaped member made of a material having optical transmission properties; and a dispersion layer in which are dispersed numerous powder particles having a function for reflecting light, wherein the plate-shaped member and the dispersion layer are superimposed when viewed from above. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece faceplate presenting a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past. 
     The timepiece faceplate of the invention is characterized in including: a plate-shaped member provided on one surface with a ridge having a function for reflecting and scattering incident light, the plate-shaped member made of a material having optical transmission properties; and a layer on which numerous pyramidal projections are provided to one main surface, wherein the plate-shaped member and the layer are superimposed when viewed from above. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece faceplate presenting a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past. 
     According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the layer preferably has triangularly pyramidal projections as the projections. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece faceplate that presents an appearance with an abundantly more luxurious look, such as that of mink fur. According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, it is preferred that the layer be provided with, as the projections, modified triangularly pyramidal projections in which the centroid of a triangle of a bottom surface of the triangularly pyramidal projection does not align with the apex of the projection when the timepiece faceplate is viewed from above; and the modified triangularly pyramidal projections satisfy, between projections that are adjacent so as to share one side of the triangle of the bottom surface, a symmetrical relationship in which a plane parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate including the side is a plane of symmetry, and/or a symmetrical relationship in which a line parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate including a point on the side is an axis of symmetry. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the ratio of the number of modified triangularly pyramidal projections among the projections provided to the timepiece faceplate is preferably 80% or higher. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the ratio of the number of modified triangularly pyramidal projections provided to the timepiece faceplate that satisfy the symmetrical relationship is preferably 70% or higher. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the bottom surface of the projection forms the shape of an isosceles triangle. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the average pitch of the ridges in a cross section of the faceplate along a direction perpendicular to a tangent to the ridges and in a thickness direction of the plate-shaped member preferably 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate. 
     According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the average height of the ridges of the plate-shaped member is preferably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate. According to the timepiece faceplate of the invention, the plate-shaped member preferably has a plurality of the ridges provided in a concentrically circular fashion when the timepiece faceplate is viewed from above. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate. The timepiece of the invention is characterized in being provided with the timepiece faceplate of the invention. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece provided with a timepiece faceplate presenting a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the invention, it is possible to provide a timepiece faceplate presenting a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past, and to provide a timepiece provided with the timepiece faceplate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the timepiece faceplate of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view schematically showing an example of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view schematically showing an example of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view schematically showing an example of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically showing an example of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view schematically showing an example of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the timepiece faceplate of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged plan view of a layer having pyramidal projections and provided to the timepiece faceplate shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the timepiece (portable timepiece) of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a photograph showing an example of the plate-shaped member of the timepiece faceplate of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a photograph showing an example of the layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a photograph showing the timepiece faceplate of the first embodiment of the invention provided with the plate-shaped member  11  shown in  FIG. 10  and the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a photograph showing an example of the layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the second embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a photograph showing the timepiece faceplate of the second embodiment of the invention provided with the plate-shaped member  11  shown in  FIG. 10  and the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A preferred embodiment of the timepiece faceplate of the invention will be described first. 
     Timepiece Faceplate 
     (First Embodiment) 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the timepiece faceplate of the invention.  FIGS. 2 to 6  are plan views schematically showing examples of a pattern in which ridges of the plate-shaped member are arranged.  FIG. 10  is a photograph showing an example of a layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a photograph showing the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment provided with the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the timepiece faceplate  1  of the present embodiment is provided with an optically transparent plate-shaped member  11 . The plate-shaped member  11  is provided with ridges  113  that have a function for reflecting and scattering incident light and that are provided on one surface (a first surface)  111 . The timepiece faceplate  1  is provided with a layer  12  that, by itself, presents a lame-style appearance on the surface (second surface)  112  opposite from the surface (first surface)  111  on which the ridges  113  of the plate-shaped member  11  are provided. 
     The plate-shaped member  11  and the layer  12  are superimposed when viewed from above. The timepiece faceplate  1 , by having such a configuration, presents a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past. In particular, the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment has, as the layer  12 , a layer (dispersion layer)  12  in which numerous powder particles  121  having a function for reflecting light are dispersed. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent furred appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . The timepiece faceplate  1  is used such that the first surface  111  side of the plate-shaped member  11  faces the observer side (exterior surface side). 
     Plate-Shaped Member  11   
     The plate-shaped member  11  is composed of a material having optical transmission properties. In the invention, the phrase “having optical transmission properties” refers to having a property in which at least a portion of light in the visible light region (380 to 780 nm) is transmitted; the transmissivity of light in the visible light region is preferably 50% or more; and the transmissivity of light in the visible light region is more preferably 60% or more. Such light transmissivity can be obtained by using, e.g., a white fluorescent light (FL20S-D65: a fluorescent light for examination manufactured by Toshiba Corp.) as the light source, and by using the ratio ((Y/X)×100[%]), wherein X is the electric current value when power is generated at 1000 lux using only a solar cell (solar battery) having the same shape as the member to be measured (or the timepiece faceplate), and Y is the electric current value when power is generated in the same state except that the member to be measured (or the timepiece faceplate) is placed on the light source side of the solar cell. Unless otherwise stated in the present specification, the term “light transmissivity” refers to the value obtained under these conditions. 
     Examples of the material constituting the plate-shaped member  11  include a variety of plastic or glass materials, but it is preferred that the plate-shaped member  11  be mainly composed of a plastic material. Plastic materials typically have excellent moldability (degree of freedom of molding), and can be advantageously used for manufacturing the timepiece faceplate  1  in various shapes. A plate-shaped member  11  composed of a plastic material is advantageous for reducing the manufacturing cost of the timepiece faceplate  1 . Plastic materials typically have excellent light (visible light) transmissivity, and excellent radio wave transmissivity. Therefore, when the plate-shaped member  11  is composed of a plastic material, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a radio timepiece such as that described below. The focus of the description below is an example in which the plate-shaped member  11  is mainly composed of a plastic material. In the present embodiment, the term “mainly” refers to a component present in the greatest amount among the materials constituting the parts (members) under discussion. The amount is not particularly limited, but the ratio of the material constituting the part (member) under discussion is preferably 60 wt % or more, more preferably 80 wt % or more, and even more preferably 90 wt % or more. 
     The plastic material constituting the plate-shaped member  11  may be any of a variety of thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, or the like, examples of which including polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and other acrylic resins; polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and other polyolefin resins; polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other polyester resins; and copolymers, blends, polymer alloys, or the like composed mainly of these. Also, one or more of these may be used in combination (e.g., blend resins, polymer alloys, laminates, and the like). It is particularly preferred that the plate-shaped member  11  be mainly composed of polycarbonate and/or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. The strength of the overall timepiece faceplate  1  can thereby be particularly high. A timepiece faceplate  1 , even one having more complex shapes, can be readily and reliably manufactured because the degree of freedom for molding the plate-shaped member  11  is increased (ease of molding is improved). Polycarbonate is a relatively inexpensive plastic material, which can contribute to an even further reduction in the cost of manufacturing the timepiece faceplate  1 . ABS resin also has particularly excellent chemical resistance and can further improve the durability of the overall timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     The plate-shaped member  11  may include components other than a plastic material. Examples of such components include plasticizers, antioxidants, colorants (including various color formers, fluorescent substances, phosphorescent substances, and the like), brighteners, and fillers. For example, when the plate-shaped member  11  is composed of a material that includes a colorant, color variations of the timepiece faceplate  1  can be increased. 
     The plate-shaped member  11  may have a substantially uniform composition in each part, or may have a different composition depending on the part. The refractive index (absolute refractive index) of the plate-shaped member  11  is preferably 1.500 or more and 1.650 or less, and more preferably 1.550 or more and 1.600 or less. As described below, light can thereby be more advantageously reflected and scattered, and both an exceptional aesthetic appearance as well as exceptional light transmissivity of the timepiece faceplate  1  can be realized. As described above, the plate-shaped member  11  has ridges  113  that are provided to the first surface  111  and that have a function for reflecting and scattering incident light from the first surface  111  side. 
     Since the plate-shaped member  11  has optical transmission properties, some light from the exterior of the timepiece faceplate  1  (light from the upper side in  FIG. 1 ) enters the interior of the plate-shaped member  11 . Light that has entered the interior of the plate-shaped member  11  travels from the first surface  111  side toward the second surface  112  side, and a portion of the light exits from the second surface  112  side (i.e., passes through the plate-shaped member  11 ), but the other portion is reflected and scattered by the ridges  113  provided to the first surface  111 . 
     The ridges  113  may be in any arrangement, but an orderly arrangement is preferred when the plate-shaped member  11  is viewed from above. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . Examples of a pattern in which the ridges  113  are arranged (the arrangement pattern when viewed from above) include a pattern in which a plurality of the ridges  113  are arranged in concentric circles (see  FIG. 2 ), and a pattern in which the ridges  113  are arranged in a spiral shape (see  FIG. 3 ). Other examples include a pattern in which numerous ridges  113  are arranged in a single direction (see  FIG. 4 ), and a pattern in which numerous ridges  113  are arranged in two directions (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     Particularly preferred among the arrangement patterns of the ridges  113  is one in which a plurality of the ridges  113  are arranged in concentric circles. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . There are no particular limitations as to the average value of the pitch P 1  (average pitch) of the ridges  113  in a cross section of the faceplate in a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the ridges  113  and in a thickness direction of the plate-shaped member  11 ; however, 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less is preferred, and 30 μm or more and 70 μm or less is more preferred. When the average value of the pitch P 1  (average pitch) of the ridges  113  is a value within the stated range, it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     There are no particular limitations as to the average value of the height H 1  (average height) of the ridges  113 ; however, 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less is preferred, and 15 μm or more and 35 μm or less is more preferred. When the average value of the height H 1  (average height) of the ridges  113  is a value within the stated range, it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1  while the light transmissivity of the timepiece faceplate  1  is made sufficiently high. 
     In the configuration shown in the drawings, the cross-sectional shape of the ridges  113  in the cross section is in the shape of an isosceles triangle. When the cross-sectional shape of the ridges  113  is such a shape, the light incident from the first surface  111  side can be suitably reflected and scattered, and it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . There are no particular limitations as to the angle (θ 1  in the drawing) of the apex of the ridges  113 ; however, 70° or more and 100° or less is preferred, and 90° is more preferred. The light incident from the first surface  111  side can be suitably reflected and scattered, and it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to the timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     The second surface  112  of the plate-shaped member  11  may be relatively flat (smooth), and be provided with a radial shape, a spiral, or in another design, but it is preferred that a radial design be provided. It is thereby possible to provide a timepiece faceplate  1  that presents a much more luxurious appearance such as that of mink fur. The surface roughness Ra of the second surface  112  is preferably 0.001 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less, and is more preferably 0.001 μm or more and 2.5 μm or less. Effects such as those described above can thereby be more dramatically demonstrated. There are no particular limitations as to the shape and size of the plate-shaped member  11 ; however, these parameters are ordinarily determined on the basis of the size and shape of the timepiece faceplate  1  to be manufactured. In the configuration shown in the drawings, the plate-shaped member  11  has a flat shape, but may be, e.g., a curved plate shape. 
     There are no particular limitations as to the average thickness of the plate-shaped member  11 ; however, it is preferably 50 μm or more and 700 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or more and 600 μm or less, and even more preferably 150 μm or more and 500 μm or less. When the average thickness of the plate-shaped member  11  is a value in the above-stated range, it is possible to more effectively prevent the characteristic colors of a solar battery from being seen and to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance (a sense of luxury) while the light transmissivity of the timepiece faceplate  1  is made sufficiently high. When the average thickness is a value in the above-state range, the stability of the mechanical strength and shape of the timepiece faceplate  1  can be made sufficiently excellent while the timepiece to which the timepiece faceplate  1  is applied can be effectively prevented from being made thicker. 
     The plate-shaped member  11  may be molded using any method; examples of methods for molding the plate-shaped member  11  including compression molding, extrusion molding, injection molding, and photo fabrication. It is also possible to prepare a plate-shaped member devoid of asperities, and perform cutting work or the like on the plate-shaped member to manufacture a plate-shaped member  11  on which the ridges  113  are provided. Since ridges and grooves correspond with each other, providing grooves in the plate-shaped member  11  will result in the other parts becoming the ridges  113 . 
     Layer  12   
     The layer  12 , by itself, presents a lame-style appearance. When the plate-shaped member  11  is provided with such a layer  12 , light that has passed through the plate-shaped member  11  is reflected by the layer  12 , and the light reflected by the layer  12  is perceived by an observer to be extended by the ridges  113  of the plate-shaped member  11 . Therefore, an appearance such as that of animal hair is presented, the appearance of the overall timepiece faceplate  1  is one of glossy animal fur, and an abundantly luxurious feel is perceived. 
     In particular, with the present embodiment, the layer  12  has a configuration in which scaly powder particles (glossy powder particles)  121  having a function for reflecting light are numerously dispersed in a curing part  122  composed of a curable substance made of curable resin. When the layer  12  has such a configuration, it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . In the case that the layer  12  has a configuration such as that described above and the entire layer  12  has optical transmission properties, the incident light inside the layer  12  is repeatedly reflected at the surfaces of the numerous powder particles  121 , a portion of the light can be emitted from the upper side in  FIG. 1 , and the other portion of light can be emitted from the lower side in  FIG. 1 . As a result, the state on the reverse surface side of the timepiece faceplate  1  can be prevented from being directly viewed by an observer, and the optical transmission properties of the timepiece faceplate  1  overall can be made sufficiently excellent while an excellent aesthetic appearance is imparted to the timepiece faceplate  1 . Accordingly, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a solar timepiece provided with a solar battery on the reverse surface. 
     As described in  FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the numerous glossy powder particles  121  contained in the layer  12  are preferably arranged so as to be superimposed on the timepiece faceplate  1  as viewed from above. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . Since particularly excellent optical transmission properties can be imparted, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a solar timepiece. 
     The glossy powder particles  121  constituting the layer  12  are preferably scaly in form, and are more preferably substantially rectangular parallelepiped in form. In other words, the glossy powder particles  121  constituting the layer  12  preferably have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . The average particle diameter of the glossy powder particles  121  is preferably 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less, more preferably 40 μm or more and 180 μm or less, and even more preferably 50 μm or more and 160 μm or less. When the average particle diameter of the glossy powder particles  121  is a value in the above-stated range, it is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . Since particularly excellent optical transmission properties can be imparted, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a solar timepiece. In the invention, the phrase “average diameter of the powder particles” refers to the value of the diameter of a perfect circle having the same peripheral length as the peripheral length of the powder particles when viewed from above. More specifically, the average diameter of the powder particles is 4α/π [μm], where the shape of the power particles is square when viewed from above and α[μm] is the length of one side. 
     The average thickness of the glossy powder particles  121  is preferably 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less, more preferably 12 μm or more and 28 μm or less, and even more preferably 14 μm or more and 26 μm or less. When the average thickness of the glossy powder particles  121  is a value within the above-stated range, incident light can be reliably reflected by the glossy powder particles  121 , and a plurality of the glossy powder particles  121  can be mutually arranged with good efficiency in parts having different coordinates in the thickness direction of the layer  12 . As a result, the light incident inside the layer  12  can be repeatedly reflected with good efficiency, and it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     The average thickness of the layer  12  (T B  [μm]) and the average thickness of the glossy powder particles  121  (T P  [m]) preferably satisfy the relationship 0.02≦T P /T B ≦0.50, more preferably satisfy the relationship 0.03≦T P /T B ≦0.45, and even more preferably satisfy the relationship 0.04≦T P /T B ≦0.40. When such a relationship is satisfied, it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . Since the optical transmission properties are particularly excellent, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be more advantageously applied to a solar timepiece. 
     The glossy powder particles  121  may be composed of, e.g., a metal material or other material having photoluminescence (photoluminescent material), or may be composed of a laminate having a layer composed of a material such as plastic that essentially does not exhibit photoluminescence in the layer  12 , and a layer composed a metal material or other material having photoluminescence (photoluminescent material). Examples of the photoluminescent material constituting the glossy powder particles  121  include Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mg, Cr, Mn, Mo, Nb, Al, V, Zr, Sn, Au, Pd, Pt, Ag, and an alloy that includes at least one of the foregoing (e.g., bronze, brass, nickel silver, and the like). Among these, Cu, Al, Au, Pt, and Ag are preferred. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     The percentage-based amount of the glossy powder particles  121  in the layer  12  is preferably 5 vol % or more and 40 vol % or less, more preferably 7 vol % or more and 35 vol % or less, and even more preferably 10 vol % or more and 33 vol % or less. When the percentage-based amount of the glossy powder particles  121  in the layer  12  is a value within the stated range, it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate. Since the optical transmission properties are particularly excellent, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be more advantageously applied to a solar timepiece. 
     The curing part  122  functions as a dispersion medium for dispersing numerous glossy powder particles  121 , and has a function for preventing the plurality of glossy powder particles  121  from aggregating. The incident light in the layer  12  can be repeatedly reflected with good efficiency, and it is possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate. The average thickness of the layer  12  is preferably 25 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 30 μm or more and 400 μm or less, and even more preferably 40 μm or more and 350 μm or less. 
     The shortest distance D between the surface on which the ridges  113  of the plate-shaped member  11  are provided and the surface for reflecting light of the layer  12  (the surface of the glossy powder particles  121  in the present embodiment) is preferably 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, more preferably 150 μm or more and 900 μm or less, and even more preferably 200 μm or more and 850 μm or less. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     According to the configuration shown in the drawings, the plate-shaped member  11  and the layer  12  are arranged at a distance from each other, but the plate-shaped member  11  and the layer  12  may be in close contact with each other (or integrally formed). The timepiece faceplate  1  may have a coating layer (not shown). As described above, the timepiece faceplate  1  has excellent aesthetic appearance and excellent optical transmission properties. Accordingly, the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a solar timepiece (a timepiece housed in a solar battery). 
     The timepiece faceplate  1  has excellent durability and can therefore be advantageously applied to a watch (e.g., a wristwatch). In  FIG. 1 , the layer  12  itself exists independently in the timepiece faceplate  1 , but the layer  12  may be provided on, e.g., a surface of a separately prepared substrate. The stability of the shape of the layer  12  in the timepiece faceplate  1  can thereby be made sufficiently excellent even if the thickness of the layer  12  is relatively low. It is accordingly possible to minimize the amount of glossy powder particles  121  used when the timepiece faceplate  1  is manufactured, or other parameters. 
       FIG. 10  shows a photograph of an example of the plate-shaped member  11  of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment.  FIG. 11  shows a photograph of an example of the layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment.  FIG. 12  shows a photograph of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment provided with the plate-shaped member  11  shown in  FIG. 10  and the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 10  is a photograph of the plate-shaped member taken from the first surface side provided with the ridges.  FIG. 12  is a photograph taken from the surface side on which the plate-shaped member  11  of the timepiece faceplate is provided. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the timepiece faceplate of the invention.  FIG. 8  is an enlarged plan view of a layer having pyramidal projections and being provided to the timepiece faceplate shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 13  is a photograph showing an example of the layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment.  FIG. 14  is a photograph showing the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment provided with the plate-shaped member  11  shown in  FIG. 10  and the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 13 . The timepiece faceplate of a second embodiment is described below, and is described with respect to the points of difference from the first embodiment, and not to any points of similarity therewith. 
     In the timepiece faceplate  1  of the present embodiment, the layer  12 , in which numerous pyramidal projections  124  are provided on one main surface (surface)  123 , is provided to the surface  112  side opposite from the surface  111  on which the ridges  113  of the plate-shaped member  11  are provided. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent furred appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . According to the configuration shown in the drawings, the layer  12  has triangular pyramidal projections  124  ( 124 A,  124 B) as the projections. Thus, the layer  12  has the triangular pyramidal projections  124 , thereby making it possible to provide a timepiece faceplate  1  that presents an appearance having a much more abundantly luxurious feel, such as that of mink fur. 
     In the configuration shown in the drawings, the layer  12  is provided with modified triangular pyramidal projections  124 B as the projections  124  in which a centroid  1242  of the triangle of the bottom surface of the triangular pyramidal projections  124  when the timepiece faceplate  1  is viewed from above and the apex  1241  of the projections  124  do not match. The modified triangularly pyramidal projections  124 B satisfy, between the projections  124  ( 124 B) that are adjacent so as to share one side  1243  of the triangle of the bottom surface, a symmetrical relationship in which a plane parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate  1  including the side (shared side)  1243  is a plane  125  of symmetry, and/or a symmetrical relationship in which a line  126  parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate  1  including a point on the side (shared side)  1243  is an axis of symmetry. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     The modified triangular pyramidal projections  124 B are preferably configured so that the centroid  1242  of the triangle of the bottom surface and the apex  1241  do not match when the timepiece faceplate  1  is viewed from above, but it is preferred that the relationship 1.0≦(ΔL/L)×100≦18.0, and more preferably 4.0≦(ΔL/L)×100≦15.0 be satisfied, wherein L [μm] is the length of the periphery of the triangle of the bottom surface, and ΔL [μm] is the distance between the centroid  1242  and the apex  1241  when the timepiece faceplate  1  is viewed from above. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     The ratio of the number of modified triangular pyramidal projections  124 B among the projections  124  provided to the timepiece faceplate  1  is preferably 80% or more, more preferably 82% or more, and even more preferably 85% or more. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. The ratio of the number of the modified triangular pyramidal projections  124 B provided to the timepiece faceplate  1  that satisfy the symmetrical relationships described above (a symmetrical relationship in which a plane parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate that includes the shared side  1243  is used as a plane  125  of symmetry and/or a symmetrical relationship in which a line  126  parallel to the normal of the timepiece faceplate  1  that includes a point on the shared side  1243  is used as an axis of symmetry) is preferably 70% or more, more preferably 73% or more, and even more preferably 77% or more. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. 
     As shown in the drawings, the bottom surface of the projections  124  provided to the timepiece faceplate  1  preferably form the shape of an isosceles triangle, and more preferably form the shape of an equilateral triangle. It is thereby possible to provide the appearance of a timepiece faceplate with a richer stereoscopic effect and a greater sense of luxury. The average value θ ave  of the slope angles θ (the angle θ formed by the sloped surface and the direction of the plane vertical to the normal of the layer  12 ; 0°&lt;θ&lt;90°) to the layer  12 , of the sloped surfaces (the surfaces other than the bottom surface of the triangular pyramids) of the projections  124  is preferably 20° or more and 80° or less, and more preferably 40° or more and 75° or less. 
     The timepiece faceplate  1  is preferably provided with projections  124  having mutually different heights, as shown in  FIG. 7 . It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . The average height of the projections  124  is preferably 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and more preferably 40 μm or more and 350 μm or less. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . 
     Among the numerous projections  124  provided to the surface  123 , the ratio of those having a height in which the absolute value of the difference is 100 μm or more from the average height of the numerous projections  124  provided to the surface  123  is preferably 10% or more and 70% or less, and is more preferably 20% or more and 50% or less. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . The timepiece faceplate  1  of the present embodiment has numerous projections  124  arranged in the form of a matrix when the layer  12  (timepiece faceplate  1 ) is viewed from above, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Thus, the numerous projections  124  are arranged in an orderly fashion, thereby making it possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . The average surface area of the projections  124  when the layer  12  is viewed from above is preferably 1×10 3  μm 2  or more and 1×10 10  μm 2  or less, and more preferably 1×10 4  μm 2  or more and 1×10 8  μm 2  or less. It is thereby possible to impart a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance to a timepiece faceplate  1 . In the case that the overall layer  12  has optical transmission properties, the optical transmission properties of the overall timepiece faceplate  1  can be made sufficiently excellent and the timepiece faceplate  1  can be advantageously applied to a solar timepiece. 
       FIG. 13  shows a photograph of an example of the layer  12  of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment.  FIG. 14  shows a photograph of the timepiece faceplate of the present embodiment provided with the plate-shaped member  11  shown in  FIG. 10  and the layer  12  shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a photograph of the surface side opposite the surface of the layer  12  on which the projections  124  are provided.  FIG. 14  is a photograph taken from the surface side on which the plate-shaped member  11  of the timepiece faceplate is provided. 
     &lt;Timepiece&gt; 
     Described next is the timepiece of the invention provided according to the timepiece faceplate of the invention described above. The timepiece of the invention has the timepiece faceplate of the invention described above. As described above, the timepiece faceplate of the invention presents a furred appearance that has been impossible to achieve in the past, and has excellent decorative properties (aesthetic appearance). Excellent optical transmission properties can be imparted to the timepiece faceplate  1  overall while an excellent appearance such as that described above can be ensured by the selection of the materials of the plate-shaped member  11  and layer  12 . Accordingly, the timepiece of the invention provided with such a timepiece faceplate can sufficiently satisfy the requirements of a solar timepiece. It is possible to use known components other than the timepiece faceplate constituting the timepiece of the invention (the timepiece faceplate of the invention), and an example of the configuration of the timepiece of the invention is described below. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the timepiece (portable timepiece) of the invention. A wristwatch (portable timepiece)  100  of the present embodiment is provided with a case body (case)  82 , a case back  83 , a bezel (edge)  84 , and a glass plate (cover glass)  85 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The timepiece faceplate  1  of the invention as described above, a solar battery  94 , and a movement  81  are accommodated in the case  82 ; and hands (indicator; not shown) or the like are also accommodated. The timepiece faceplate  1  is provided between the solar battery  94  and the glass plate (cover glass)  85 , and the first surface  111  of the plate-shaped member  11  is arranged so as to face the glass plate (cover glass)  85  side. 
     The glass plate  85  is ordinarily composed of transparent glass, sapphire, or another high-transparency material. The aesthetic properties of the timepiece faceplate  1  of the invention can thereby be sufficiently demonstrated, and a sufficient amount of light can be allowed to be incident on the solar battery  94 . The movement  81  drives the hands using the electromotive force of the solar battery  94 . Although not shown in  FIG. 9 , there are provided inside the movement  81 , e.g., an electric double layer capacitor for storing the electromotive force of the solar battery  94 , a lithium-ion secondary battery, a crystal oscillator as a time reference source, a semiconductor integrated circuit for generating a drive pulse for driving the timepiece on the basis of the oscillating frequency of the crystal oscillator, a step motor for driving the hands in one second increments on the basis of the drive pulse, a going train mechanism for transmitting the movement of the step motor to the hands, and other components. 
     The movement  81  is provided with an antenna (not shown) for receiving radio waves, and has a function for performing time adjustment or the like using the received radio waves. The solar battery  94  has a function for converting light energy into electric energy. The electric energy converted by the solar battery  94  is used for driving the movement and for other purposes. The solar battery  94  has, e.g., a p-i-n structure in which a p-type impurity and an n-type impurity are selectively introduced into non-single crystal silicon thin films, and an i-type non-single crystal silicon thin film having a low impurity concentration is provided between the p-type non-single crystal silicon thin film and the n-type non-single crystal silicon thin film. 
     A stem pipe  86  is fitted into and secured to the case  82 , and a shaft part  871  of a crown  87  is rotatably inserted into the stem pipe  86 . The case  82  and bezel  84  are secured by a plastic gasket  88 , and the bezel  84  and glass plate  85  are secured by a plastic gasket  89 . The case back  83  is fitted (or threaded) onto the case  82 , and a ring-shaped rubber gasket (case back gasket)  92  is inserted in a compressed state into these joining parts (seal parts)  93 . This configuration fluid-tightly seals the seal parts  93 , and a waterproof function is obtained. 
     A groove  872  is formed in the outer periphery of the crown  87  partway along the shaft part  871 , and a ring-shaped rubber gasket (crown gasket)  91  is fitted into the groove  872 . The rubber gasket  91  is in close contact with the internal peripheral surface of the stem pipe  86 , and is compressed between the internal peripheral surface and the inner surface of the groove  872 . This configuration fluid-tightly seals the crown  87  and the stem pipe  86 , and a waterproof function is obtained. When the crown  87  is rotatably operated, the rubber gasket  91  rotates together with the shaft part  871 , and slides in the peripheral direction while in close contact with the internal peripheral surface of the stem pipe  86 . A portable timepiece (wristwatch) such as that described above is a timepiece that requires particularly excellent durability (e.g., shock resistance, and the like). Therefore, the invention can be more advantageously applied in that an excellent aesthetic appearance and excellent durability are obtained. 
     In the description above, a wristwatch (portable timepiece) that is a solar radio wave timepiece was described as an example of a timepiece, but the invention can also be similarly applied to portable timepieces, fixed timepieces, hanging timepieces, and a variety of other types of timepieces besides wristwatches. The invention can also be applied to solar timepieces excluding solar/radio wave timepieces, radio wave timepieces excluding solar/radio wave timepieces, and any other timepiece. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, but the invention is not limited to the description above. 
     For example, in the timepiece faceplate and the timepiece of the invention, the configuration of each of the parts can be substituted with any configuration that demonstrates the same function, and any configuration may be added. An example of such an addition is a printed part formed by various printing methods. 
     In the embodiments described above, the ridges of the plate-shaped member are described as being provided to the entire first surface, but the ridges may be selectively provided to only a portion of the first surface.