IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,638,811
Granted Patent B2
US 12,638,811 · App. 18/331,672 · Granted May 26, 2026

Method for optimizing an operation of setting and winding a watch, and device for implementation of same

Inventor: Jérôme Favre (Neuchâtel, CH)
Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
G04D7/1214G04D7/001
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,638,811
App. No.
18/331,672
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or the timepiece movement thereof including initially making a measurement of the operation of the watch or of the timepiece movement followed by an activation of an operation of low-amplitude reciprocating movements of the watch or of the timepiece movement on the jig of the device, or initially implementing an activation of an operation of low-amplitude reciprocating movements of the watch or of the timepiece movement before making a measurement of the operation of the watch or of the timepiece movement, and resuming low-amplitude reciprocating movements in phase or a synchronisation step being implemented at the end of the first two steps. The first oscillating signal of movements includes a change in sign of the absolute rotation speed in each successive oscillation period, the oscillating signal having a positive part and a negative part of the rotation speed.

Claims (18)

1 . A method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or a timepiece movement thereof, disposed on a jig or a table with fixed reference of a servo-control device having means for moving the watch or the timepiece movement for implementing the method, for which the method comprises:

a step of initially making a measurement of an operation of the watch or of a timepiece movement of the watch, followed by an activation of an operation of controlled shaking of the watch or of the timepiece movement on said jig of a servo-control device generating an oscillating signal, or conversely initially implementing an activation of an operation of controlled shaking the watch or the timepiece movement before making a measurement of the operation of the watch or of the timepiece movement; and

a step of resuming the controlled shaking in phase with the oscillating signal or a synchronisation step for synchronizing with respect to a reference oscillator of the watch, being implemented at an end of the first two steps,

wherein the controlled shaking oscillating signal comprises a change in sign of a rotation speed in each successive oscillation period with respect to a fixed reference frame of the table of the servo-control device turning at a mean speed, the oscillating signal comprising, over each oscillation period, a positive part and a negative part of the rotation speed, an amplitude of an absolute value of the positive part of the oscillating signal, being different from an amplitude of an absolute value of the negative part.

2 . The method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or the timepiece movement thereof according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement is an acoustic measurement or a measurement of vibrations.

3 . The method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or the timepiece movement thereof according to claim 1 ,

wherein, in a first phase of the method, a stabilisation pause is implemented with a duration for a resonator of the watch or of the timepiece movement in activity to have an amplitude independent of an excitation created by a winding mechanism,

wherein, in a second phase of the method, there is an acoustic or vibratory measurement period of a number of seconds, and

wherein a third phase in controlled shaking mode is implemented during a certain preprogrammed time with a search for synchronisation with respect to the reference oscillator of the watch so as to obtain a running error equal to zero.

4 . The method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or the timepiece movement thereof according to claim 1 ,

wherein, in operation of the servo-control device, in a first phase an operation of controlled shaking of a winding mechanism is implemented, generating a first oscillating signal of the controlled shaking and a second oscillating signal in relation to a spiral balance of the watch controlled by the winding mechanism in controlled shaking,

wherein, in a second phase, a stoppage of the controlled shaking operation and an acoustic or vibratory measurement are implemented during a given period, the second oscillating signal remaining in activity, and

wherein, in a third phase, the controlled shaking operation is activated while being in phase with the second oscillating signal.

5 . The method for optimising an operation of setting and winding a watch or the timepiece movement thereof according to claim 4 , wherein a duration of stabilisation in the second phase is 30 seconds, while a duration of the acoustic or vibratory measurement is 4 seconds.

6 . A servo-control device for implementing the optimisation method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the servo-control device comprises driving means that are intended firstly to rotate on a central rotation axis of a table or a jig of a winding mechanism on which a watch or a timepiece movement is disposed, and intended secondly to rotate, in a controlled shaking operation, the watch or its timepiece movement on the table or the jig on an other rotation axis, which must be parallel to or coincident with the central rotation axis, and

wherein, in the controlled shaking operation, low-amplitude reciprocating movements are intended to be made about the other rotation axis to generate an oscillating speed signal, the oscillating signal comprises a change in sign of a rotation speed in each successive oscillation period with respect to a fixed reference frame of the table, the oscillating signal comprising, over each oscillation period, a positive part and a negative part of the rotation speed, an amplitude of an absolute value of the positive part of the oscillating signal, being different from an amplitude of an absolute value of the negative part.

7 . The servo-control device according to claim 6 , wherein the rotation of the table or of the jig of the winding mechanism on the central rotation axis perpendicular to the table or to the jig is arranged to be implemented at a defined mean speed.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2026
From: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
To: MONTRES BREGUET SA
Reel/Frame 074440/0466 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2023
From: FAVRE, JEROME
To: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
Reel/Frame 063906/0015 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 22201985 · Oct 17, 2022 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240126214A1 · Apr 18, 2024
References Cited (5)
US 9292000B2 · Lamarche · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20210011432A1 · Favre · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210181687A1 · Favre · 2021 [cited by examiner]
EP 3537233A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
European Search Report for 22 20 1985 dated, Mar. 15, 2023. [cited by applicant]