The vertical coupling/uncoupling device includes a switching member and a control member, the latter being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation to be able to be driven in rotation step-by-step successively into a plurality of distinct angular positions. The control member and the switching member respectively include a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged to exhibit a magnet interaction therebetween. These first and second magnetic structures are arranged such that, depending on the angular position of the control member, a first magnetic force or a second magnetic force is produced, these first and second magnetic forces being oriented along said axis of rotation but in opposite directions. The switching member is subjected to an alternate movement between its first and second stable axial positions when the second magnetic structure is driven in rotation step-by-step in said given direction of rotation.

The timepiece comprises a timekeeping mechanism and a switching device arranged to switch this timekeeping mechanism between two states. The switching device comprises a movable switching organ and a rotary control organ arranged to be stepwise driven in order to successively occupy a plurality of distinct angular positions about its axis of rotation. The movable switching organ and the rotary control organ respectively support a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged so that, in a first angular position of the rotary control organ, a first magnetic force acts on the switching organ in a given direction, and so that, in a second angular position of the rotary control organ, a second magnetic force acts on the switching organ in the opposite direction.

A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6B) and a second wheel (6C) provided with a first magnetic toothing (10) and a second magnetic toothing (12) respectively. The first and second magnetic toothings are respectively formed by first and second teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material; and the magnetic gear (2) further includes a third wheel (6A) arranged between the first and second wheels (6B, 6C) and provided with a third magnetic toothing (8) formed by permanent magnetic poles, in particular by bipolar magnets. In general, the first wheel is a drive wheel, whereas the second wheel is driven into order to carry out a function or transmit a torque. The third intermediate wheel is preferably mounted such that it can rotate freely.

A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.

The timepiece includes a chronograph mechanism with a coupling device including an operating member and a switching member which can be switched alternately between two stable positions coupled state and uncoupled state. This timepiece includes a magnetic system formed of a first bipolar magnet fixed to the switching member, a second bipolar magnet fixed to the support of the switching device in order to continually offer a magnetic interaction with the first bipolar magnet, and at least one highly magnetically permeable element forming the operating member and able to undergo a reciprocating motion between two operating positions. The switching device is arranged so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its first operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic repulsion and so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its second operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic attraction.

A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.

The vertical coupling/uncoupling device includes a switching member and a control member, the latter being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation to be able to be driven in rotation step-by-step successively into a plurality of distinct angular positions. The control member and the switching member respectively include a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged to exhibit a magnet interaction therebetween. These first and second magnetic structures are arranged such that, depending on the angular position of the control member, a first magnetic force or a second magnetic force is produced, these first and second magnetic forces being oriented along said axis of rotation but in opposite directions. The switching member is subjected to an alternate movement between its first and second stable axial positions when the second magnetic structure is driven in rotation step-by-step in said given direction of rotation.

The timepiece comprises a timekeeping mechanism and a switching device arranged to switch this timekeeping mechanism between two states. The switching device comprises a movable switching organ and a rotary control organ arranged to be stepwise driven in order to successively occupy a plurality of distinct angular positions about its axis of rotation. The movable switching organ and the rotary control organ respectively support a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged so that, in a first angular position of the rotary control organ, a first magnetic force acts on the switching organ in a given direction, and so that, in a second angular position of the rotary control organ, a second magnetic force acts on the switching organ in the opposite direction.

The timepiece includes a chronograph mechanism with a coupling device including an operating member and a switching member which can be switched alternately between two stable positions coupled state and uncoupled state. This timepiece includes a magnetic system formed of a first bipolar magnet fixed to the switching member, a second bipolar magnet fixed to the support of the switching device in order to continually offer a magnetic interaction with the first bipolar magnet, and at least one highly magnetically permeable element forming the operating member and able to undergo a reciprocating motion between two operating positions. The switching device is arranged so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its first operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic repulsion and so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its second operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic attraction.

The timepiece mechanism comprises a rotating wheel set, a support element, a pivoting member mounted on the support element and magnetic return means for returning one portion of the pivoting member against a surface of the rotating wheel set. The return means comprise a first magnet carried by the pivoting member and a second magnet carried by the support element. The first and second magnets are arranged such that, in normal operation, the interaction of their respective magnetic fields generates a magnetic force oriented to return said pivoting member portion towards said rotating wheel surface. At least one of the first and second magnets is arranged to permit reversal of its polarity, preferably with the aid of a tool, and thereby of the direction of the magnetic force acting on the pivoting member, said magnetic force then tending to move said pivoting member portion away from said rotating wheel set surface, which makes it easy to handle the various elements of the timepiece mechanism.