A timepiece component includes a first silicon-based or ceramic-based part, and a second metal-based part. One surface of the first part is directly welded using laser-type electromagnetic radiation onto a surface of the second part in order to secure the parts without addition of material. A method for fabrication of a timepiece component for a timepiece includes forming a first silicon-based or ceramic-based part and a second metal-based part, mounting a surface of the first part on a surface of the second part, and welding, using laser-type electromagnetic radiation, the surface of the first part mounted directly on the surface of the second part, in order to secure the parts to each other without addition of material.

A method for fabricating a timepiece component made of conductive material includes: making a base from conductive material; coating the base with a first layer of sacrificial metal protection material; etching a recessed decoration mechanically or with a laser; coating the first recessed decoration and the remaining part of the first layer with a second metal and/or coloured decorative treatment layer; and removing each first sacrificial metal protection layer by chemical devices, to obtain a blank including a first decoration formed by the remaining part of the second layer.

A method for fabricating a timepiece or jewellery component with a structured decoration: a ceramic base is made; mirror polishing is performed; laser and/or mechanical machining of a surface relief is carried out; a relief is coated with a first layer of a first metal decorative treatment and/or coloured decorative treatment material; prior to or after the coating, deep etching is performed to produce a first hollow decoration having a depth greater than the thickness of the first layer, penetrating the base beneath its apparent surface and beneath the valleys of the relief; laser ablation is performed on the first layer in pockets at the bottom of which the ceramic is revealed; all the visible surfaces of the component are coated with a second layer of a second material.

The present disclosure relates to a dial for a ceramic timepiece. The dial comprises a casing, configured to accommodate a movement. The casing includes a first groove, defined in an inner periphery of a first side of the casing. The first groove accommodates a glass of the timepiece, within a thickness of the casing. Further one or more provisions are provided in a second side of the casing, where each of the one or more provisions is configured to receive an adapter. Each of the adapter receives a fastening member, for securing a back plate of the timepiece within the height of the casing. The dial is also provisioned with a pair of projections, extending outwardly from two opposing portions of an outer periphery of the casing. The pair of projections receives a strap of the timepiece. The configuration of the dial helps in reducing the thickness of the timepiece.

Timepiece component based on a micromachinable material, including at least one micromachinable-material surface portion that is smoothed at least by hydrogen smoothing. The at least one micromachinable-material surface portion includes an oxide layer of thickness larger than 1 micron in order to increase its mechanical strength. In a paticular embodiment the micromachinable material can be silicon and the oxide layer silicon oxide.

A method for brazing a first ceramic component and a second metal alloy component, to make a structural or external timepiece element, a zirconia-based ceramic is chosen for the first component and a titanium alloy for the second component, a first recess is made inside the first component, set back from a first surface in a junction area with a second surface of the second component, braze material is deposited on this first surface and inside each recess, the second surface is positioned in alignment with the first surface to form an assembly, this assembly is heated in a controlled atmosphere to above the melting temperature of the braze material, in order to form the braze in the junction area.

A process for producing a part provided with an external element includes: providing an electrically conductive substrate having an upper surface and a raised pattern with a crest on the upper surface; depositing an electrically insulating layer onto the upper surface around the pattern to a thickness less than or equal to the distance between the crest and the upper surface; depositing a metal layer onto the crest by galvanic growth so that the metal layer partly rests on the insulating layer; dissolving the insulating layer; covering an assembly including the substrate and the metal layer with a mass of a base material of the part to form an imprint; separating the mass and the metal layer from the substrate, the mass then exhibiting an external element formed by a recess, the shape of which corresponds to the imprint and the base of which interfaces with the metal layer.

A device (30, 40) for the transfer of a plurality of watch components (2) arranged on a first support (10) to their arrangement on a second support (20), wherein it comprises an inlet surface (31, 41) comprising inlet orifices (33, 43) so arranged as to correspond to a first arrangement of the watch components (2) on a first support (10), an outlet surface (32, 42) comprising outlet orifices (34, 44) so arranged as to correspond to a second arrangement of the watch components (2) on a second support (20), and guide elements (35, 45) adapted to guide the watch components (2) automatically from the inlet orifices (33, 43) to the outlet orifices (34, 44).

A watch component includes a shaft member including a shaft and a flange portion formed to protrude in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the shaft, a body portion made of silicon and provided with an insertion hole through which the shaft is inserted, and a fixing member mounted on the shaft at a side of the body portion opposite from the flange portion. The body portion includes an accommodating recessed portion configured to accommodate the flange portion, and is fixed to the shaft member by being interposed between the flange portion and the fixing member.

The present invention relates to a micromechanical timepiece (1) having a plurality of mutually secured functional sub-assemblies (1a, 1b) stacked in a direction (Z) to form a multistage assembly, characterised in that each functional sub-assembly (1a, 1b) consists of a single semiconductor material and is secured to another sub-assembly (1a, 1b) via bridges (5) made of said semiconductor material, and in that at least one sub-assembly (1a, 1b) comprises at least two portions (2, 3), said portions being movable relative to each other and relative to another sub-assembly (1a, 1b) to which at least one of said portions (2, 3) is secured via at least one deformable link integrally formed between said portions (2, 3). The invention also relates to a method for making such a timepiece.