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1. General description
Like the crown, pushers and correctors are control elements that make it possible to activate or adjust certain functions or complications of the movement. Their tube is screwed or press-fitted around the circumference of the case middle, as for the crown tube.
The pusher head is prominent. The pusher is operated by simply pressing a finger on its head. A built-in spring returns it to its initial position.
Pushers are generally used to operate a mechanism (Chronograph, changing the Time zone, etc.). Like the crown, the pusher can be screwed onto its tube to improve the water resistance of the watch. Once screwed in, it is locked, preventing any accidental manipulation. Operating with a linear rather than rotary motion, the pusher head can take on any geometric shape (round, rectangular, ovoid, etc.).
Correctors are fitted flush with the case middle band. Unlike the pusher, the corrector requires the use of a tool (the corrector) to be activated. It improves the ergonomics and aesthetics of the watch and can under no circumstances be activated inadvertently. It is for this latter reason that it is preferred over the pusher for adjusting numerous functions, particularly calendar functions, and for correcting the calendar function, when its mechanism is “engaged” (before and after midnight), which risks causing the breakage of several components.
When a pusher or corrector is activated, the moving part slides inside the fixed tube, attached to the case middle. The inner end of the pusher or corrector activates a lever aligned with the position of the pusher, so that the command order is transmitted to the movement.
The visible, external part of a pusher or corrector can be made from a limitless variety of materials, generally matching or contrasting with those of the case middle according to the designers’ wishes. Overmoldings, composite materials and ceramics have become commonly used there. The non-visible components of pushers and correctors are generally made from materials suited to their stresses (Steel, possibly Gold).
2. History
The use of pushers, then correctors, became widespread between the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, with the appearance of the first Chronographs. This new way of controlling a complication quickly found other applications such as calendars or watches with multiple time zones.
The first water-resistant pushers appeared during the first half of the 20th century. Water resistance is not guaranteed when the pusher is operated while the watch is submerged. It would take until the second half of the 20th century for pushers and correctors to become water-resistant and functional underwater.
3. Handcrafted manufacture of pushers and correctors
As with crowns, pushers and correctors are generally supplied by specialized subcontractors. However, the craftsman can manufacture pushers, or even relatively simple correctors, using a Lathe, or even a Milling machine or an Automatic lathe. For more technical pushers or for better control of production costs, the craftsman can also acquire standard or customized technical bases from specialized subcontractors and only produce the aesthetic cap.
4. Industrial production of pushers and correctors
Most pushers and crowns are produced on an industrial scale by specialized subcontractors. With this method, profile turning is the preferred technique. The pusher and its various components fit perfectly within the dimensions and operations suited to automatic lathes. For the cap or medallion of a logo to be set, techniques such as electrical discharge machining (EDM) or stamping may be used. Once machined, the head of a pusher will be decorated (diamond polishing, satin finish, shot blasting (micro bead blasting), setting (stone/jewel setting), etc.) and then assembled.
5. High-tech production of pushers and correctors
New technologies exclusively concern the aesthetic part of a pusher, namely its cap. New materials (plastics, composites) or vulcanized rubber overmolding rely on the most recent technologies in terms of injection, machining and assembly.
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