Electronic watch

A timepiece comprising:

• oscillating means for producing clock signals at a first frequency;
• frequency divider means for counting the clock signals and for producing a driving input signal at a second frequency of N hertz based on the number of clock signals counted, said first frequency being greater than N hertz;
• driving means for producing a mechanical driving force based on said driving input signal;
• storage means for storing energy associated with said mechanical driving force and for producing a torque based on said stored energy;
• first control means for controlling the production of said torque at a relatively constant level;
• indicator means operable for rotatingly indicating the time based on said torque;
• readjustment means operable during a readjustment period for preventing said indicator means from rotating based on said torque;
• and
• second control means for causing said frequency divider means to retain at least a portion of the count during said readjustment period;
• wherein said driving means produces a mechanical driving force in less than 1/N seconds immediately after the readjustment period has been completed.

A timepiece comprising:

• oscillating means for producing clock signals;
• frequency divider means for counting the clock signals and for producing a driving input signal based on the number of clock signals counted;
• driving means for producing a mechanical driving force based on said driving input signal;
• storage means for storing energy associated with said mechanical driving force and for producing a torque based on said stored energy;
• control means for controlling the production of said torque at a relatively constant level;
• indicator means operable for rotatingly indicating the time based on said torque;
• readjustment means operable during a readjustment period for preventing said indicator means from rotating based on said torque;
• and
• reset means operable during a reset period for resetting a portion of the count of the frequency divider means;
• wherein said readjustment period is longer than said reset period.

A method for displaying the correct time of day comprising:

• generating clock signals;
• counting the clock signals and producing a driving input signal based on the number of clock signals counted;
• producing a mechanical driving force based on the driving input signal;
• storing energy associated with the mechanical driving force and producing a torque based on the stored energy;
• controlling the production of the torque at a relatively constant level;
• rotatingly indicating the time based on the torque;
• preventing an indicator from rotating based on the torque during a readjustment period;
• and
• retaining at least a portion of the count during the readjustment period.