	US 12,393,163 B2
	Horological control device
Fabian Dubois, Le Locle (CH); Raphael Balmer, Vicques (CH); and Vittorio Zanesco, Cortaillod (CH)
Assigned to ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE, Grenchen (CH)
Filed by ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, Grenchen (CH)
Filed on Jan. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/155,508.
Claims priority of application No. 22158028 (EP), filed on Feb. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0266713 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. G04B 3/04 (2006.01); G04B 37/06 (2006.01)

CPC G04B 3/041 (2013.01) [G04B 37/06 (2013.01)]

10 Claims

1. A control device configured to be mounted in a through-opening machined in a middle of a watch case and comprising a rotatable part and a support for the rotatable part, the rotatable part comprising a gripping member, a control member, including rotation sensor or provided to drive a mechanism located inside the watch case, and a shaft connecting the gripping member to the control member, the rotation sensor and the mechanism respectively comprising a detector and an element for coupling with the control member, the detector and the element being provided inside the watch case in a radial peripheral region of the control member, the support having a circular opening through which the shaft passes and which has a diameter that is smaller than the maximum radial dimension (D) of the control member and smaller than the maximum radial dimension of the gripping member,

wherein, on a first side of the circular opening, the support has a cavity which is open in the direction of the axis of rotation and which is configured to open out into the interior of the watch case, the dimensions of the cavity being provided such that the cavity can house therein at least a most part of the control member which is fixedly mounted on the shaft, such that the control member can be momentarily at least partially retracted into the cavity following an axial movement of the shaft into a position in which the detector or the coupling element can be mounted inside the watch case.