Method and apparatus for driving electrochromic display device

In an electronic timepiece having a frequency standard for providing a higher frequency signal, a frequency converter to divide the higher frequency signal down to a lower frequency signal, a time counter coupled to the frequency converter to provide time information signals in response to the lower frequency signal, a decoder coupled to the time counter for generating decoded signals in dependence on the time information signals, and an electrochromic display device having display elements for displaying the decoded signals, the combination comprising:

• signal generation means coupled between the frequency converter and the time counter to generate frst, second and third phase signals in response to the lower frequency signal;
• means for presetting the count value in the time counter to cuase said time counter to provide a count value signal prior to a time represented by said count value signal;
• a first latch circuit coupled to the decoder and responsive to said second phase signal and said decoded signals to generate a bleaching signal for bleaching the display elements at a first timing;
• a second latch circuit coupled to the decoder and responsive to said third phase signal and said decoded signals to generate a coloration signal for coloring the display elements at a second timing.