The invention relates to a method for fabrication of a one-piece, metal-based component of simple shape offering the illusion of faceting and/or chamfering for forming all or part of the exterior part of a timepiece.

A method that is for manufacturing a timepiece provided with a personalized decoration, visible in particular when the timepiece is worn, includes constructing the timepiece and producing the personalized decoration on all or part of a body of the timepiece. Producing the personalized decoration includes selecting from a human-machine interface of an electronic device a single portion of a reference digital graphical representation, in particular of an ephemeral reference digital graphic representation, and applying a coating of decorative material on all or part of the body of the timepiece as a function of the descriptive characteristics of the selected single portion.

A dial for a timepiece, such as a watch, includes at least one three-dimensional decoration offset away from a base plate which forms part of the dial. The decoration is mounted on the base plate by an assembly of elements including a fixing screw, a support bar including a proximal end secured to the base plate by the fixing screw and a distal end attached to a first point of the lower surface of the decoration, a support foot including a proximal end held in a fixed position in the plate of the base plate and a distal end attached to a second point of the lower surface of the decoration, and a spacer which forms a lateral connection between the fixing screw and the support foot, the spacer being secured with the support bar to the base plate by the fixing screw.

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 composite timepiece or jewellery component: a base is made in a substrate with an apparent surface remaining visible; each visible apparent surface is mirror polished; each polished apparent surface is coated with a first transparent or coloured semi-transparent layer of a first material in a dry process, or PVD or CVD or ALD process, or lacquering or zapon varnish process; a decorative element is affixed and bonded to an external surface of the first layer; the first layer and each decorative element is coated with a second layer of a transparent treatment material in a dry process, or PVD or CVD or ALD process, or lacquering or zapon varnish process.

Method for producing an external horological element (100) which is a heterogeneous component, according to which a primary cavity (10) is produced in a structure (1), only the periphery of this said primary cavity (10) is re-machined or laser machined, which primary cavity (10) is filled with a second material that is different in appearance from the first material in order to produce a primary insert (2), where the bottom of this said primary cavity (10) is left rough before being filled with said second material, and, in the thickness of this primary insert (2), a secondary cavity (20) is produced, which is filled with a third material that is different in appearance from the first material and/or from the second material in order to produce a secondary insert (3).

The present invention relates to a covering element for a portable object made of a first material, the first material being a ceramic material having a first color, characterized in that the surface of said covering element is at least partially treated so as to exhibit at least one conversion having a different color from the first color.

A watch having a double watch-surface and a method for disassembling the double watch-surface are provided. The watch includes a casing, in which an abutting ring portion is convexly provided; a first watch-surface which is placed on the top of the abutting ring portion; a second watch-surface which is placed at the bottom of the abutting ring portion; an snapping ring, the inner ring of which is annularly provided with a pressing portion and a groove; and a transparent cover engaged onto the groove. The two snapping rings are respectively engaged with the top surface and the bottom surface of the casing. The snapping ring is disposed on the abutting ring portion through the plural engaging protrusions. The pressing portion is pressed against the first and second watch-surfaces. Through the adjusting and snapping assembly, effect of engaging and fixing the two snapping rings to the casing can be achieved.

A method for disassembling first and second watch-surfaces of a watch includes removing a decorative cover from the watch; rotating an adjusting screw to move an H-shaped snapping member toward a casing so that the H-shaped snapping member abuts against the adjusting screw; rotating a snapping ring so that an engaging protrusion does not overlap a pressing protrusion and the snapping ring can be removed; opening the watch; using a tool to press against a platform of the connecting sleeve; rotating the main screw to remove the connecting sleeve; removing the first watch-surface from the casing; removing first and second positioning rings and suspension columns; turning the casing to remove the snapping ring; opening the watch; using the tool to press against the platform; rotating the main screw to remove the connecting sleeve; and removing the second watch-surface from the casing.

A method for manufacturing a decorative article (2) including the following steps of: making a blank by injection moulding a material comprising a metallic material, machining and/or polishing the blank to form a product, and forming the product to print a raised or recessed relief pattern (3) on part of the surface of the product, the product with the pattern (3) forming the decorative article. Also, a decorative article, notably an external timepiece part made of a sintered material having on part of its surface a raised or recessed relief pattern (3) made by a forming process. Preferably, the sintered material is a grade 5 titanium alloy (Ti6V4Al) or a stainless steel.