US3656292A

US3656292A - Wrist-watch with bottle cap dial and movement holder

Info

Publication number: US3656292A
Application number: US130719A
Authority: US
Inventors: Zeno Hurt
Original assignee: Agon Uhrenfabrik Robert Triebold AG
Current assignee: Agon Uhrenfabrik Robert Triebold AG
Priority date: 1970-04-10
Filing date: 1971-04-02
Publication date: 1972-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-18
Also published as: CH522248A; CH529970A4

Abstract

A watch comprises a dial formed by a metallic bottle cap carrying an advertising inscription visible through transparent top and middle parts of a watch case. A synthetic material lining in the cap supports a watch movement housed therein.

Description

United States Patent Hurt [451 Apr. 18, 1972 WRIST-WATCH WITH BOTTLE CAP References Ci d DIAL AND MOVEMENT HOLDER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [721 Mwhlm, swltzeland 300,360 10/1954 Switzerland ..58/l27 R [73] Assignee: AGON Fabrique dhorlogerie Robert Triebold S.A., Mumpf, Switzerland Primary Examiner-Stephen J m y Assistant Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. [22] Filed: Apr. 2, 1971 Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J Lobato [21] Appl. No.: 130,719 I ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priori'ty Dam A watch comprises a dial formed by a metallic bottle cap carrying an advertising inscription visible through transparent top Ap 1970 Switzerland "5 9 and middle parts of a watch case. A synthetic material lining in the cap supports a watch movement housed therein. [52] U.S. Cl ..58/94, 58/127 R, D42/l, D42/8 [51] Int. Cl. ..G04b 19/06 [58] Field of Search ..58/88, 94, 126 R, 127 R, 128; 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1972 a I k Wm w FIG.2

' surface of the dome-like member forming a dial and the side walls forming a frame for fitting the movement in a watch case. Moreover, it has already proposed to manufacture a watch-case entirely molded in plastic material.

It is an object of the invention to provide, by the original and eye-striking use of a common bottle cap or capsule according to these known techniques, a watch which has an unusual but appealing appearance and which is particularly suitable for use as an advertising medium.

A watch according to the invention comprises the combination of a case comprising an upper face, a middle and a bottom, at least the upper face and the middle being in transparent material, and a metallic bottle cap comprising a flat circular upper part and a flange forming a skirt extending around and out of the plane of said upper part, said cap being housed in said case with an outer surface of the upper part and skirt visible through the transparent upper face and middle of the case, a watch movement being housed in a space between an inner surface of the upper part of the bottle cap and an inner surface of the skirt of the bottle cap, a central hole being provided through the upper part of said bottle cap for the passageway of at least one pipe carrying a time indicating member rotatably driven above the upper part of said cap by means of said movement.

The accompanying drawings show, schematically and by way of example, an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of this embodiment; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-section along line Il-II of FIG. 1.

The watch shown comprises a case formed of two molded elements 1 and 2 of transparent synthetic material welded or stuck together.

The element 1 simultaneously forms a watch glass and a middle of the case and carries horns for affixing a watch strap, whereas the element 2 forms a bottom. A conventional watch movement 3 is housed inside a metallic capsule of a bottle, in which synthetic plastic material 5 is injected to form asuppon for the movement. A visible upper face 40 of the capsule 4, comprising an advertising inscription such as the trademark of a beverage, forms a dial. For this purpose, a hole is provided through the center of the capsule for the passage of pipes 6 carrying watch hands in a conventional manner. The inscription is preferably aligned in a manner to facilitate reading, for example by placing the inscription symmetrically in relation to the 12 oclock-6 oclock axis.

The entire upper surface 4a of the capsule 4 is visible through the upper element 1 of the watch case. The movement is ,visible through the bottom element 2 or, alternatively, the bottom element 2 can be made in opaque material.

The described watch can be manufactured at a low cost price and fonns an excellent advertising medium.

What is claimed is:

1. In a watch, the combination of a case comprising an upper face, a middle and a bottom, at least the upper face and the middle being in transparent material, and a metallic bottle cap comprising a flat circular upper part and a flange forming a skirt extending around and out of the plane of said upper part, said cap being housed in said case with an outer surface of the upper part and skirt visible through the transparent upper face and middle of the case, a watch movement being housed in a space between an inner surface of the upper part of the bottle cap and an inner surface of the skirt of the bottle cap, a central passage being provided through the upper part of said bottle cap for the passageway of at least one pipe carrying a time indicating member rotatably driven above the upper part of said cap by means of said movement.

2. A watch according to claim 1, in which said inner surfaces of the upper part and skirt of the bottle cap are covered with a layer of synthetic material forming a support for the movement.