In the case, particularly, of a chronograph mechanism, it is known that exerting too great a force on a control member, such as a push-button, can act too violently upon the functions associated therewith. Thus, for example, it can happen that, on a crown or push-button used for operating a chronograph, the violence of the force transmitted to the chronograph mechanism damages it, which may mean that parts have to be changed.
To avoid such problems, it is known to protect push-buttons or crowns by using shoulders to border them or even using a fixed or removable frame, which completely or partially surrounds them. This prevents a shock from accidentally moving the push-buttons or crowns so as to protect the mechanism. However, the timepiece case then becomes complex and much more cumbersome. Incidentally, it may also become unattractive, which is contrary to the desired effect for mid range or top range timepieces.