Ever noticed your watch running unusually fast or stopping altogether without warning? You might assume it’s a mechanical fault, but the real culprit could be something invisible: magnetism.

Watch Magnetism: A Recap

Magnetism might be invisible, but its impact on your watch is anything but.

When a watch, especially a mechanical one, comes into contact with a magnetic field, components like the hairspring can become magnetised. This causes the coils to stick together or behave erratically, disrupting the precise rhythm that keeps your watch ticking accurately.

The good news is that magnetism isn’t permanent. A professional can test for and remove it quickly using specialist tools, restoring your timepiece to its proper function without invasive repair work.

Where Does Magnetic Exposure Happen?

Magnetic fields are all around us and while they’re usually harmless to humans, they can wreak havoc on the delicate inner workings of your watch.

Common Everyday Sources

  • Mobile Phones & Tablets: These devices are always in close contact with your wrist and generate low-level magnetic fields that can affect your watch over time.
  • Laptops & Keyboards: The magnets inside speakers, screens, and even closing mechanisms can create enough interference to magnetise a watch.
  • Handbags & Wallets: Magnetic clasps and closures are common culprits, especially when watches are stored inside or placed nearby.
  • Headphones & Speakers: Whether on your desk or in your bag, headphones and speakers often contain strong magnets that can cause trouble.
  • Fridge Doors & Induction Hobs: Kitchen appliances are another overlooked risk, particularly induction cooktops, which use electromagnetic fields.

Less Obvious Sources

  • Security scanners at airports or shops
  • Electric tools like drills and hairdryers
  • Magnetic bracelets or fitness gear

Signs Your Watch Might Be Magnetised

There are a few signs to look out for that could indicate your watch is magnetised.

  • It’s Running Fast—Sometimes Very Fast. Magnetism often causes the balance spring (hairspring) coils to stick together, shortening the oscillation and making the watch run significantly faster than normal.
  • Inconsistent or Erratic Timekeeping. If your watch keeps good time one day and is wildly off the next, magnetism may be interfering with the movement’s consistency.
  • It Has Suddenly Stopped. In more severe cases, magnetised components can interfere so badly that the watch simply stops ticking, even if it’s fully wound or has power
  • It’s Difficult to Regulate or Adjust. Even after manual regulation or adjustment, the watch refuses to behave as expected. This may be because the magnetised parts are interfering with the mechanism’s natural rhythm.

How Professionals Test for Magnetism

When a watch is brought in with timing issues, a watch repair professional will often start by using a magnetic field detector.

A simple but effective method involves placing the watch near a compass. If the needle moves erratically, magnetism is likely present. For a more precise diagnosis, watchmakers use a timegrapher, a device that listens to the watch’s ticks and detects irregularities in rate, amplitude, and beat error, all of which are classic signs of a magnetised movement.

If magnetism is confirmed, the next step is demagnetisation, which is typically quick and non-invasive. A professional-grade demagnetiser generates an alternating magnetic field that neutralises any magnetic charge in the watch’s components, especially the hairspring.

Within seconds, the movement is restored to normal function without opening the case. It’s a simple fix, but one that requires the right tools and expertise to do properly.

Can Magnetism Cause Long-Term Damage?

While magnetism doesn’t usually cause permanent damage, leaving it untreated for too long can lead to unnecessary wear and tear.

When components like the hairspring are magnetised, they can stick together or behave erratically, forcing other parts of the movement to compensate. Over time, this strain can affect timekeeping accuracy and even cause premature wear on delicate mechanisms.

Are Anti-Magnetic Watches the Answer?

Anti-magnetic watches are designed to resist the effects of everyday magnetic fields, but they’re not completely immune.

These timepieces are typically built using non-magnetic materials like silicon hairsprings or feature protective components such as soft iron inner cases (also known as a Faraday cage) that shield the movement from magnetic interference.

Some meet specific standards, such as ISO 764, which defines a watch as anti-magnetic if it can withstand a magnetic field of 60 gauss without losing accuracy.

In a nutshell, while anti-magnetic technology offers an extra layer of protection, it’s not a complete safeguard.

Conclusion

Magnetism is one of the most common, and often overlooked, causes of watch malfunction, especially in mechanical timepieces.

The good news is that it’s usually easy to detect and fix with the right tools and expertise.Contact Martins of Glasgow if you believe your watch might be magnetised and need assistance.