Patent Description:
In the past, a watch has been known that includes a power reserve display displaying drivable time of the watch. For example, <CIT> discloses a mechanical wristwatch including a fan-shaped power reserve display unit at a part of a dial. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG> of <CIT>, the fan-shaped power reserve display unit was provided between a <NUM> o'clock direction and a <NUM> o'clock direction of the dial.

In addition, the power reserve display unit was used not only in a mechanical watch using a power spring, but also in watches such as a watch that stores electric power generated by rotation of a rotary weight, and electrically oscillates and drives an oscillator, and a watch that stores electric power charged by a solar cell, and electrically oscillates and drives an oscillator.

However, in the watch of <CIT>, there was a problem that it was difficult to recognize time because respective time graduations at <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions were absent due to presence of the power reserve display unit.

In other words, there has been a need for a watch that includes a power reserve display and with which it is easy to recognize time.

<CIT> discloses a clock face having an opening exposing part of an indicator, which rotates on an arm about a rotary shaft.

A watch according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of a watch according to the present exemplary embodiment, viewed from front.

A watch <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment is an analog wristwatch including a waterproof function, and is a so-called diver's watch.

The watch <NUM> is an electronic mechanical watch that has a rotary weight (not illustrated) built-in, charges electric power generated by rotation of the rotary weight to an electric condenser such as a capacitor to use as driving power, generates a reference clock in an oscillation circuit including an oscillator such as a crystal oscillator, and drives a hand based on the reference clock. The watch <NUM> includes the power reserve display unit 50a, and shows drivable time until the watch stops while the watch <NUM> is left alone. In a suitable example, the watch <NUM> has drive performance of about one month in a state of being left alone, when fully charged.

Note that, the present disclosure is not limited to an electronic mechanical watch that uses a rotary weight as a power source to generate electricity for driving, it is sufficient to use a watch including the power reserve display unit 50a, or for example, a watch that generates electricity for driving using a power spring or the like as a power source may be used, a watch that generates electricity for driving by applying stress to a piezoelectric element, a watch that generates electricity for driving by utilizing an electrostatic induction phenomenon, or a watch including a solar cell may be used. Alternatively, a mechanical watch may be used.

The watch <NUM> is configured with a case body <NUM>, a dial <NUM>, a bezel <NUM>, a crown <NUM>, and the like. Note that, a rear face of the case body <NUM> is provided with a case back, but illustration is omitted.

The case body <NUM> is a case, and is formed of titanium in the suitable example. Note that, the material is not limited to titanium, and it is sufficient to use a hard material, or for example, metal such as stainless steel or a ceramic may be used.

The dial <NUM> is a watch dial having a circular shape, and an insertion hole (not illustrated) through which a hand shaft passes is provided in a center thereof. Note that, the shape of the dial <NUM> is not limited to a circular shape, and it is sufficient to use a shape in accordance with a design, or for example, an ellipse may be used, or a polygon such as a quadrangular shape may be used. An hour hand <NUM>, a minute hand <NUM>, and a seconds hand <NUM> are mounted to the hand shaft inserted through the insertion hole of the dial <NUM>. The hour hand <NUM> indicates hours, the minute hand <NUM> indicates seconds, and the seconds hand <NUM> indicates seconds.

The dial <NUM> is provided with a date window <NUM>, a second graduation <NUM>, an time graduation <NUM>, an time graduation <NUM>, an time graduation <NUM>, a power reserve display unit 50a, and the like. In other words, the dial <NUM> has a plurality of the time graduations indicating time by being pointed by the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>.

The date window <NUM> is a window frame for showing date provided in a vicinity of a <NUM> o'clock position, and a date is shown therein. The second graduation <NUM> is a second graduation provided at an outermost periphery of the dial.

The time graduations <NUM> are hour graduations, and are classified into an time graduation 12a and an time graduation 12b. The time graduation 12a is provided inside the second graduation <NUM>, and is arranged at each of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> o'clock positions, in the suitable example.

The time graduation 12b is a pointing graduation, and is arranged at an <NUM> o'clock position inside the second graduation <NUM>. Each of the time graduation 12a and the time graduation 12b is a bar index having a rectangular shape, the same shape and size. Note that, the time graduation <NUM>, the time graduation <NUM>, and the time graduation <NUM> are also referred to as hour characters, or hour markers.

The time graduation <NUM> is an hour graduation that is one size larger than the time graduation <NUM>, and is arranged at each of <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> o'clock positions in the suitable example. In other words, the time graduation 12b is planarly rectangular, and each of another time graduation 12a and the time graduation <NUM> also has the same shape as that of the time graduation 12b.

The time graduation <NUM> is an hour graduation arranged at a <NUM> o'clock position, has a pentagonal shape, and has a larger size than that of the time graduation <NUM> in the suitable example.

In this way, there are variations in size and shape of similar time graduations, based on a design concept for improving visibility in a dark environment such as under water. Specifically, the time graduation <NUM> at the <NUM> o'clock position is made greatest in order to clarify an orientation of the watch <NUM>, and the shape is also different from those of the other time graduations. Also, by increasing the size of each of the time graduation <NUM> at the <NUM> o'clock position in an extension direction of <NUM> o'clock, and the time graduations <NUM> at the respective <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions in a direction intersecting the extension direction, time is easily recognized. In addition, in order to improve visibility in a dark environment, a fluorescent paint is applied to a surface of each of the time graduation <NUM>, the time graduation <NUM>, and the time graduation <NUM>. Similarly, a fluorescent paint is also applied to a surface of each of the hour hand <NUM>, the minute hand <NUM>, and the seconds hand <NUM>.

The power reserve display unit 50a is provided at the <NUM> o'clock position, and is configured with a fan-like dial plate 7a, the time graduation 12b as the pointing graduation, and the like. Note that, the arrangement is not limited to the <NUM> o'clock position, and the power reserve display unit 50a may be provided at a position of another corresponding time graduation depending on a design.

The bezel <NUM> is an annular rotary bezel surrounding the dial <NUM>, and numbers indicating elapsed time are engraved on a surface thereof. The bezel <NUM> includes a reverse-rotation prevention mechanism (not illustrated) that prevents clockwise rotation.

The crown <NUM> is a winding knob provided on the <NUM> o'clock position side in the case body <NUM>, and is formed of a material similar to that of the case body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a periphery of the dial. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line b-b in <FIG>, and illustrates a cross-sectional configuration of the power reserve display unit.

Here, the configuration of the power reserve display unit 50a will be described using <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the power reserve display unit 50a includes the time graduation 12b as the pointing graduation, the dial plate 7a provided above the time graduation 12b, and the like. In other words, the time graduation 12b is provided between the dial <NUM> and the dial plate 7a.

The time graduation 12b is a type made of resin that is set on the dial <NUM>. Note that, the time graduation 12b may be made of metal.

The dial plate 7a is a transmissive plate member planarly having a fan shape, and a surface thereof is provided with a graduation <NUM> indicating power reserve information, and a symbol <NUM>. The dial plate 7a is formed of a transmissive resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, for example, and the graduation <NUM> and the symbol <NUM> are formed by printing. As a printing method, for example, tampo printing, screen printing, ink jet printing, and the like can be used.

A rotary shaft <NUM> that rotates the dial plate 7a is mounted to a vicinity of a center of the fan shape of the dial plate 7a. The dial plate 7a rotates about the rotary shaft <NUM> in parallel with the dial <NUM>.

The graduations of the dial plate 7a include a plurality of the graduations <NUM>, a symbol 72a to a symbol 72d, and the like along a circular arc of the fan shape.

The Symbol 72a is "<NUM>" indicating that remaining energy is zero. The Symbol 72b is "D" indicating that remaining energy corresponds to about one day. The Symbol 72c is "W" indicating that remaining energy corresponds to about one week. The Symbol 72c is "M" indicating that remaining energy corresponds to about one month.

The dial plate 7a is provided above the time graduation 12b, and the remaining energy is shown by the graduation <NUM> at a part of the dial plate 7a overlapping with the time graduation 12b that is seen through and observed. For example, in the case of <FIG>, the time graduation 12b overlaps with the time graduation <NUM> to which the symbol 72b of "D" is assigned, thus it can be seen that the remaining energy corresponds to about one day. Also, the hour hand <NUM>, the minute hand <NUM>, and the seconds hand <NUM> rotate above the dial plate 7a.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotary shaft <NUM> of the dial plate 7a is provided so as to passing through the time graduation 12b. The rotary shaft <NUM> is mechanically joined to a train wheel mechanism of a movement (not illustrated) housed in a rear face of the dial <NUM>, and is driven in accordance with the remaining energy.

In other words, the dial plate 7a is supported by the rotary shaft <NUM>, and includes the graduation <NUM> for power reserve information as predetermined information different from time. Then, the dial plate 7a overlaps with the time graduation 12b as the pointing graduation, which is one of the time graduations, and the power reserve information is indicated by the graduation <NUM> at a part where the time graduation 12b and the dial plate 7a overlap. That is, the time graduation 12b supported by the dial <NUM> points a graduation of the dial plate 7a to show the predetermined information different from time.

As described above, according to the watch <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, the following advantages can be obtained.

The watch <NUM> includes the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, the dial <NUM> including the plurality of time graduations indicating time by being pointed by the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, and the dial plate 7a having the graduation <NUM> for the power reserve information as the predetermined information different from time, and supported by the rotary shaft <NUM>, at least part of the dial plate 7a overlaps with the time graduation 12b as the pointing graduation, which is one of the time graduations, and the graduation <NUM> at a part where the time graduation 12b and the dial plate 7a overlap indicates the power reserve information. In other words, in plan view from a normal direction of the dial <NUM>, the rotary shaft <NUM> overlaps with the time graduation 12b as the pointing graduation that is one of the time graduations.

With this, since the transmissive dial plate 7a is configured to overlap with the time graduation 12b, unlike an existing watch where an time graduation is absent due to presence of the power reserve display unit, the time graduation 12b can be visually recognized via the dial plate.

Thus, all the time graduations including the time graduation 12b can be recognized, and thus time is easily recognized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the watch <NUM> that is provided with the power reserve display unit 50a and with which time is easily recognized.

Further, the time graduation 12b is provided between the dial <NUM> and the dial plate 7a, and the dial plate 7a is transmissive.

This makes it possible to recognize the time graduation 12b via the transmissive dial plate 7a.

Additionally, the rotary shaft <NUM> is provided so as to pass through the time graduation 12b, the dial plate 7a planarly has a fan shape, and the rotary shaft <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the center of the fan shape.

With this, the power reserve information can be indicated by the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7a at the part overlapping with the time graduation 12b.

In addition, the time graduation 12b is planarly rectangular, and each of the other time graduation 12a and time graduation <NUM> also has the same shape as that of the time graduation 12b. Then, the time graduation <NUM> at the <NUM> o'clock position has a pentagonal shape, and has a larger size than that of the time graduation <NUM>.

With this, the design concept can be satisfied without impairing a sense of unity in the design. Specifically, the most eye-catching time graduations <NUM> makes it easy to recognize the orientation of the watch <NUM>, and by increasing the size of each of the time graduation <NUM> at the <NUM> o'clock position in the extension direction of <NUM> o'clock, and the time graduations <NUM> at the respective <NUM> o'clock and <NUM> o'clock positions in a direction intersecting the extension direction, time is easily recognized. These improve visibility of time in dark environments such as under water.

Furthermore, the predetermined information is the power reserve information, and the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7a is the graduation for indicating drivable time.

With this, it is possible to provide the watch <NUM> that is provided with the power reserve display unit 50a and with which time is easily recognized.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a power reserve display unit according to the present exemplary embodiment, and corresponds to <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an time graduation at the <NUM> o'clock position, and corresponds to <FIG>.

Here, a configuration of a power reserve display unit 50b of the present exemplary embodiment will be described referring mainly to <FIG>, and to <FIG> and the like as appropriate.

In the power reserve display unit 50b of the present exemplary embodiment, a position of a dial plate 7b in a thickness direction is different from that of the dial plate 7a of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>. Specifically, the dial plate 7b is provided between the dial <NUM> and an time graduation 12c as a pointing graduation. Accordingly, a notch portion <NUM> for preventing interference with the dial plate 7b is provided at a lower part of the time graduation 12c. Hereinafter, the same constituents as those in Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> are given the same reference signs, and redundant description of these constituents will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the dial plate 7b is provided between the dial <NUM> and the time graduation 12c. The time graduation 12c is fixed to the dial <NUM> by a leg <NUM> and a leg <NUM> at respective two locations. In other words, the time graduation 12c is set to the dial <NUM> by the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> at the respective two locations. Here, as illustrated in a comparative view in <FIG>, an interval between the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> in the time graduation 12c is shorter than an interval between the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> at respective two locations in another time graduation 12a. This is to provide the notch portion <NUM> for preventing interference with the dial plate 7b at the lower part of the time graduation 12c.

Note that, the notch portion <NUM> is formed at the lower part of the time graduation 12c, but an upper part is the same as that of the other time graduation 12a, and is visually observed in the same manner.

Further, since the time graduation 12c is not configured to be visually recognized through the dial plate 7b, a material of the dial plate 7b need not be a transparent member, and for example, a metal plate may be used, or a colored resin plate may be used. Additionally, the rotary shaft <NUM> overlaps with the time graduation 12c.

<FIG> is a plan view of the power reserve display unit 50b, and corresponds to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to the power reserve display unit 50b, power reserve information is indicated by the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7b in an extension direction of the time graduation 12c.

In the case of <FIG>, the extension direction of the time graduation 12c points the graduation <NUM> to which the symbol 72c of "W" is assigned, thus it can be seen that remaining energy corresponds to about one week.

As described above, according to the watch <NUM> including the power reserve display unit 50b of the present exemplary embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects in Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>.

The watch <NUM> includes the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, the dial <NUM> including the plurality of time graduations indicating time by being pointed by the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, and the dial plate 7b having the graduation <NUM> for the power reserve information as the predetermined information different from time, and supported by the rotary shaft <NUM>, wherein in plan view from a normal direction of the dial <NUM>, the rotary shaft <NUM> overlaps with the time graduation 12c as the pointing graduation, which is one of the time graduations, and the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7b in the extension direction of the time graduation 12c indicates the power reserve information.

With this, since the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7b in the extension direction of the time graduation 12c is configured to indicate the power reserve information, unlike an existing watch where an time graduation is absent due to presence of a power reserve display unit, the time graduation 12c can be recognized equivalently to the other time graduation 12a. Thus, all the time graduations including the time graduation 12c can be recognized, and thus time is easily recognized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the watch <NUM> that is provided with the power reserve display unit 50b and with which time is easily recognized.

Additionally, the dial plate 7b is provided between the dial <NUM> and the time graduation 12b.

With this, since the dial plate 7b is located directly below the time graduation 12b, it is easy to recognize the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7b pointed by the time graduation 12b.

In addition, the time graduation 12c is fixed to the dial <NUM> by the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> at the respective two locations, and the interval between the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> at the respective two locations is shorter than the interval between the leg <NUM> and the leg <NUM> at respective two locations in the other time graduation 12a.

This makes it possible to ensure a space into which a part of the dial plate 7b slides below the time graduation 12c.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a power reserve display unit according to the present exemplary embodiment, and corresponds to <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view of a power reserve display unit 50c, and corresponds to <FIG> and <FIG>. Here, a configuration of the power reserve display unit 50c of the present exemplary embodiment will be described referring mainly to <FIG>, and to <FIG> and the like as appropriate.

In the power reserve display unit 50c of the present exemplary embodiment, an opening portion <NUM> is provided in the dial <NUM>, and the dial plate 7c is configured to be exposed from the opening portion <NUM>. Points other than the above are the same as those of the power reserve display unit 50a of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM>. Hereinafter, the same constituents as those in Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> are given the same reference signs, and redundant description of these constituents will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the opening portion <NUM> is formed in the dial <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment. The opening portion <NUM> is formed from a vicinity of an end portion of an time graduation 12d as a pointing graduation toward a center of the dial <NUM>. A dial plate 7c is arranged below the dial <NUM>. The rotary shaft <NUM> of the dial plate 7c is arranged at a position overlapping with the time graduation 12d.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the opening portion <NUM> planarly has a substantially fan-shaped opening shape centered on the rotary shaft <NUM> on a rear face side of the time graduation 12d. Specifically, the shape of the opening portion <NUM> has a size such that the graduation <NUM> and the symbol <NUM> of the dial plate 7c are observable from the opening portion <NUM> in a rotational range of the dial plate 7c.

Furthermore, the time graduation 12d has the same configuration as that of another time graduation 12a (<FIG>). The dial plate 7c need not be transmissive, and a material similar to that of the dial plate 7b of Exemplary Embodiment <NUM> can be used.

In other words, the power reserve display unit 50c is configured such that, the dial <NUM> has the opening portion <NUM>, and the dial plate 7c is provided below the dial <NUM>, and the graduation <NUM> and the symbol <NUM> of the dial plate 7c are exposed from the opening portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to the power reserve display unit 50c, power reserve information is indicated by the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7c in an extension direction of the time graduation 12d. In other words, the time graduation 12d supported by the dial <NUM> points the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7c.

In the case of <FIG>, the extension direction of the time graduation 12d points the graduation <NUM> to which the symbol 72c of "W" is assigned, thus it can be seen that remaining energy corresponds to about one week.

As described above, according to the watch <NUM> including the power reserve display unit 50c of the present exemplary embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects in the above exemplary embodiment.

The watch <NUM> includes the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, the dial <NUM> including the plurality of time graduations indicating time by being pointed by the hour hand <NUM> and the minute hand <NUM>, and the dial plate 7c having the graduation <NUM> for the power reserve information as the predetermined information different from time, and supported by the rotary shaft <NUM>, wherein, the rotary shaft <NUM> overlaps with the time graduation 12d as the pointing graduation, which is one of the time graduations, and the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7c in the extension direction of the time graduation 12d indicates the power reserve information.

With this, since the graduation <NUM> of the dial plate 7c in the extension direction of the time graduation 12d is configured to indicate the power reserve information, unlike an existing watch where an time graduation is absent due to presence of a power reserve display unit, the time graduation 12d can be recognized equivalently to the other time graduation 12a. Thus, all the time graduations including the time graduation 12d can be recognized, and thus time is easily recognized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the watch <NUM> that is provided with the power reserve display unit 50c and with which time is easily recognized.

In addition, according to the power reserve display unit 50c, a configuration is adopted such that, the dial <NUM> has the opening portion <NUM>, the dial plate 7c is provided below the dial <NUM>, and the graduation <NUM> and the symbol <NUM> of the dial plate 7c are exposed from the opening portion <NUM>.

With this, the exposed portion is defined by the opening portion <NUM>, and thus an outer shape of the dial plate 7c, and the rotary shaft <NUM> are hidden, and a design integrated with the dial <NUM> can be achieved.

In the above, the watch <NUM> has been described as including the bezel <NUM>, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured without a bezel.

Further, the description has been given in which the time graduation <NUM> and the time graduation <NUM> have the different sizes, respectively, and the time graduation <NUM> and the time graduation <NUM> have the different shapes, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be changed in accordance with the design. For example, all the time graduations may be the same, or only the shape of the time graduation <NUM> may be different.

Additionally, although the predetermined information has been described to be the power reserve information, but is not limited thereto, may be a day of the week, or may be other information such as temperature or altitude.

Further, the time graduation 12b and the time graduation 12a have the same shape, but need not be completely the same. An end portion of the time graduation 12b on a center direction side of the dial may have an acute angle portion for further clarifying a pointing position of the dial plate 7a. Note that, the same shape here means a congruent geometric shape. Even with such a configuration, the same action and effect to those of the above exemplary embodiment may be obtained.

Claim 1:
A watch (<NUM>) comprising:
an hour hand (<NUM>) and a minute hand (<NUM>);
a dial (<NUM>) including a plurality of time graduations (<NUM>-<NUM>) indicating time by being pointed by the hour hand and the minute hand; and
a dial plate (7a-7c) supported by a rotary shaft (<NUM>), the dial plate including graduations (<NUM>) indicating predetermined information different from the time, wherein
in plan view from a normal direction of the dial, the rotary shaft overlaps with a pointing graduation (12b, 12c) that is one of the time graduations,
the predetermined information is indicated by the graduation, of the dial plate, located in an extension direction of the pointing graduation, characterized in that
in plan view, the pointing graduation has a rectangular shape, and
the time graduations (<NUM>-<NUM>) other than the pointing graduation also have a rectangular shape like the pointing graduation (12b).