US 11,988,994 B2
Horological component
Nicolas Francois, Neuchatel (CH); Agnes Marlot Doerr, Neuchatel (CH); and Carole Govaerts, Les Bioux (CH)
Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed by The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/939,116.
Claims priority of application No. 19199020 (EP), filed on Sep. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0088973 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. G04B 19/32 (2006.01); C09K 11/02 (2006.01); G04B 45/00 (2006.01)
CPC G04B 19/32 (2013.01) [C09K 11/02 (2013.01); G04B 45/0076 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A horological component, comprising:
a substrate;
a first decoration component comprising a first photoluminescent material configured to procure a phosphorescent appearance; and
a second decoration component comprising a second material, the second material being metallic and configured to procure a metallic appearance, or variochromic and configured to procure a color that varies under the effect of a stimulus,
wherein the first decoration component and the second decoration component are arranged relative to one another on the substrate to form a decoration having a metallic appearance or a color that varies under the effect of a stimulus when the horological component is exposed to light and a phosphorescent appearance when the horological component is in the dark,
wherein the decoration is a two-layer decoration, formed by
(i-a) a first layer that is at least semi-transparent, constituting the first decoration component and comprising a first binder in which photoluminescent pigments are dispersed, as a first material, and (ii-a) a second layer constituting the second decoration component and comprising a second binder in which leafing metallized or metallic particles or variochromic particles are dispersed, as a second material, or
(i-b) a first layer constituting the first decoration component and comprising a first binder wherein photoluminescent pigments are dispersed, as a first material, and (ii-b) a second transparent layer constituting the second decoration component and comprising a second binder in which non-leafing metallized or metallic particles or variochromic particles are dispersed, as a second material, and
wherein the second layer (ii-a) is disposed between the substrate and the first layer (i-a), such that the first layer (i-a) is situated closer to a user than the second layer (ii-a), or
wherein the first layer (i-b) is disposed between the substrate and the second layer (ii-b), such that the second layer (ii-b) is situated closer to a user than the first layer (i-b).