Magnetism is one of the real banes in the life of a mechanical watch, and even an infrequent amount of exposure can result in real problems occurring. A magnetised watch has additional resistances to contend with that usually result in imprecise timekeeping; in the most common cases the wristwatch will run far quicker than it should do.
Watches can become magnetised in a number of common situations. For example, did you know that being near a refrigerator can potentially be problematic? Watch makers have therefore been working for many years to overcome the effects of magnetism upon their timepieces, and recently a real breakthrough has been made by Omega.
Whilst this innovation is far from the first wristwatch to perform well in brutally magnetic environments, it is undoubtedly the best equipped, and is billed by its creators as the ‘first truly antimagnetic mechanical watch’. The Seamaster Aqua Terra is the watch in question (see right), and this remarkable wristwatch is able to withstand magnetic fields of more than 15,000 gauss. Rest assured, this is a staggeringly high figure.
The key to this watch’s success is down to the movement, as you might expect. Previously, watch brands have endeavoured to combat magnetism by using internal cases that act as ‘shields’, but even the most robust of these models couldn’t withstand consistently strong magnetic fields indefinitely. Also, many people like to witness the inner workings of their mechanical watch through an exhibition caseback – a common feature of mechanical watches – and the addition of an internal cage prevents both this popular feature and also the incorporation of a date window.
As you can see from the above picture, those limitations have been removed by the Seamaster Aqua Terra, as the entire movement is innately anti-magnetic. This has been done by manufacturing each and every component from anti-magnetic materials, so there is simply nothing to go wrong. With movements such as this now on the market, the old necessity of ‘de-magnetising’ a mechanical watch could soon be a thing of the past.
Of course, such high performance movements are instruments of exceptional precision, and as such when it comes to having them serviced you should always call upon a professional. Omega watches are famously reliable, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll never need to have one repaired or maintained at all; they last a lifetime, so will be with you for longer than most other possessions.
Should you ever need someone to conduct Omega watch repairs, be sure to contact Martin here at Martins of Glasgow. We’ve been carrying out watch repairs for years, and any of our Omega watch servicing carries a 24 month warranty. Martin has worked upon some of the most advanced Omega watches that you could ever wish to see, so you can rest assured that your prized timepiece is in good hands. Call 0141 946 6333 or email martin@martinsjewellers.co.uk to find out more.