Position sensor and method for determining a position of a timepiece setting stem

摘要

A position sensor and method are described for determining an axial and/or an angular position of a setting stem 3 of a timepiece. A magnet 2 is provided on the setting stem 3, and at least one magnetic field sensor 5 is arranged to detect changes in magnetic field 7 strength along at least a first axis and a second axis as the rotatable element 3 rotates, the second axis being not parallel to the first axis. The changing magnetic field 7 sensed by the magnetic sensor 5 is converted into a characteristic signature path which may then be mapped on to a circular signature path in two dimensions in order to derive the angular position of the setting stem 3.