G04 HOROLOGY
Description
G04 covers the design, construction, and operation of devices for measuring and indicating time. This includes mechanical and electronic clocks, watches, chronometers, timing mechanisms, and related apparatus such as pendulums, escapements, and balance wheels. The class also encompasses time-measuring instruments used in scientific and industrial applications, as well as apparatus for controlling or synchronizing time-dependent processes. Excluded are general timekeeping methods (classified in other IPC sections) and electronic display systems not integral to the timekeeping mechanism itself.
IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 6 subcodes exist in both systems.
2 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- G04B MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS (spring- or weight-driven mechanisms in general F03G; electromechanical clocks or watches G04C; electromechanical clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at pre-selected times or after predetermined time intervals G04C23/00; clocks or watches with stop devices G04F7/08) heading IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- G04D APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES heading IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- G04F TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING (measuring pulse characteristics G01R, e.g. G01R29/02; in radar or like systems G01S) heading IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CH 1,570
- ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE CH 1,409
- CASIO COMPUTER COMPANY 1,172
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 1,100
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 768
- NIVAROX-FAR CH 750
- MONTRES BREGUET CH 707
- APPLE US 706
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 648
- CITIZEN WATCH COMPANY 578
Top Applicants (CPC)
2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CH 1,705
- ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE CH 1,443
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 1,104
- APPLE US 1,038
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 875
- NIVAROX-FAR CH 781
- CASIO COMPUTER COMPANY 734
- MONTRES BREGUET CH 715
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 715
- OMEGA CH 555