Horolographer
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Navel Gazing - A Question for Watchmakers and Engineers...
A watch maker recently told me that we all take magnetic fields too much for granted and that the vintage and even most of the modern watches are still sensitive to magnetisation. Is that a true statement of fact?
Second, it also occurred to me that with the use of motorised electric winders, I wonder if there is a real exposure to magnetic risk as these electric motors do have powerful magnets inside them (a necessary component). In such proximity, how sure are we that our high end pieces are not being exposed unduly to magnetic fields?
I would love to hear responses from engineers and watchmakers as to whether this navel gazing question is a real risk or - much ado about nuthin?
Cheers
Harry
added to Editor's Pick
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-01-26 09:43:11
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Navel Gazing - A Question for Watchmakers and Engineers...
A watch maker recently told me that we all take magnetic fields too much for granted and that the vintage and even most of the modern watches are still sensitive to magnetisation. Is that a true statement of fact? Second, it also occurred to me that with ...
Oh... I forgot to add....
That I have seen many times how people put their watches next to their handphones - which do have speakers on them (which also has a magnetic component). I have seen my wife put her mobile next to her watch so often that I had to keep reminding her not to...
Confucious, he say ...
... "when you cannot see your feet, navel gazing is difficult!". But seriously, Harry, whatever is said, the number of electrically operated objects that generate an electro-magnetic field has increased exponentially since the time of Breguet, or Confucio...
Quantifing the problem...
Watches can be affected by magnetism, but the problem is to quantify the effect. There are the extreme cases of coils sticking or whatever, and the timing going to pieces. But how to know if the watch has been very slightly magentised? Is the slight chang...
Anecdotally
I see watched come and go. Frequently(perhaps as often as 5-10%) timing on watches when they come in is terrible, and a quick pass on the demagnitizer brings the timing back to normal. Aaron
Thanks Aaron, glad to know that demagnetisers can work with Watches...
but I have not heard who is able to do that locally. I have heard sometime ago that even demagnetisers have limited effect. But I guess it matters not - if a watch is magenetised then there is no choice but to attempt at demagnetising it. Notwithstanding ...
Harry, on the point of winders ...
... you are correct to say that there will be a madnetic field generated by the coils and motor. Then it all depends on whether the winder is shielded or not and how effective this shielding is. You will read often nowadays that computer monitors and cert...
I thought top end watches were mostly non iron ...
I thought top end watches were mostly non iron construction. As in Brass or even gold. If one has a Breguet or PP etc....what components are subject to magnetic forces apart from the spring and screws?? kindest regards to all, Jack
an anecdote
Hello All, Magnetism is still a plaguing concern for watchmakers and watch enthusiasts, even with all our modern alloys and especially because of all our modern toys. I don't think watch winders are likely to induce too much magnetism into watches placed ...
Thanks John for your input,....
Getting reponses from a watchmaker is most reassuring! However, can I clarify whether your comments covers both of these watch winders? I have and am sure many have these small ones in their safes. I wonder if these can prove to be risky since the distanc...
A good question & answer. Thanks John & Harry...
that set me to one question which I've longed to ask (same magnetism topic). Will dig the materials up and post later. Kong