Horological Meandering - Life on a huge magnet

Life on a huge magnet

the Earth … but that's no problem for watches, or Mac users.

Taken from the SINN Katalogbuch 2006:

"After examining nearly 10000 watches within the routine service program for Sinn clients, about 60% of them showed the effects of magnetism. Half of these (therefore 30%) showed deviation due to strong magnetic fields. Rate errors could in part be corrected solely through demagnetisation." (my translation from the german)

The book then goes to say that Sinn was adressing the problem by introducing more models with anti-magnetic properties.

Nivarox springs, although a considerable improvement over their steel predecessors, are not entirely immune to magnetism.

The german norm for an "antimagnetic" watch, according to DIN 8309, exposed to "relatively weak magnetic fields" is +/- 30 sec per day!

The easiest way to search for hot spots caused by permanent magnets is to use a simple compass (now where did I put mine). You can also check their strength at various distances.

If one leaves an area exposed to a strong electro-magnetic field, the watch may no longer be showing the correct time. No problem, just reset it and it will be working as well as ever. The physics behind this are somewhere in the Net. If anyone is interested, I can find them again.

The true purpose of metal detectors and x-ray machines at airports is to magnetise mechanical watches! We should all know that. ;-)

Oh yes, the watch I was wearing - and still am this morning - is the Svend Andersen Hommage to Jean Calvin and Genevian watchmaking, with the timely slogan "Rigueur et Punctualite" - which I loosely translate as "always keep your eyes on the ball".

My timepiece least susceptible to magnetism is a portable sundial by Helios.

By the way, how many of you fellow Mac users have got the "Edit" function on "My Posts" to work? Not even Firefox does that for mel

amerix

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HIgh-end watches and MacBook Pro : compatible ???

By: Glenn_2004 : October 25th, 2009-10:41

Dear friends, I am using a MacBook Pro and I feel a bit concerned that powerful magnets seem to be used and different places in the laptop. What do you think about this ? Best regards.

personally I would avoid

By: amerix : October 25th, 2009-11:51

any close-proximity to magnets, unless you are wearing a Rolex Milgauss, a Sinn or something at or beyond the 1000 Gauss level. One thing never to do - take off the watch and place it on the laptop or cellular phone near a magnet. I always wear my Milgaus...

This is a problem

By: Glenn_2004 : October 25th, 2009-12:38

Many thanks for your input. I find it however problematic. I find it normal to avoid extreme experiences with nice watches (in my case : PP, Lange, Dufour, etc.). But I spent 10 hours a day working with my laptop : this is just my job (and I assume this i...

Aurel, you are looking at it all wrong!

By: ThomasM : October 25th, 2009-13:30

"I am afraid I have to forget high-end horology" - why not give up MacBooks? Seriously, the threat of magnets to non-anti-magnetic mechanical timepieces is real, but the need for serious concern depends on the specific circumstances. Where are the magnets...

Nice post. Thanks ! (nt)

By: Glenn_2004 : October 25th, 2009-13:33

Amerix, an ounce of knowledge and informed prevention is worth a pound of cure!

By: ThomasM : October 25th, 2009-13:33

Hi. Amerix, Thanks for quoting me, I had forgotten about that experience! Wearing a Milgauss or AM Patek, IWC Ingenieur, or RO Offshore (with cage) to work around laptops is not a bad idea, but so is wearing a crash helmet while driving on public roads wi...

Hey Thomas, there's a Linde Lady inside your post

By: cazalea : October 25th, 2009-15:36

Is it possible to embed animations inside of posts now?

Hi, well I'm not worried personally

By: JatG : October 25th, 2009-13:42

Hi - I use a MacBook, and in the course of my work I have lots of loudspeakers around me in my working environment. Some of my watches have anti-magnetic protection and some don't, but I've never had a problem with any of them. Best, J.

I'm using a MacBook to read this post, while wearing a watch

By: cazalea : October 25th, 2009-15:34

and Yawn, where has the day gone? My watch must have actually jumped ahead an hour, because i recall it was 2:30-ish when I started reading and suddenly now it's nearly 3:30 (perhaps I shouldn't have had a second dark ale with that steak and fries) But se...

Never had problems with MacBook Pro and watches

By: Stefano : October 25th, 2009-18:56

Until this post, my only previous concern was not to scratch the MBP with the watch buckle and the buckle with the MBP. I'm no expert, but I don't think it's a big concern. Enjoy both!

No problem with My MacBookpro ... fyi there are magnets by the claspp.

By: Bill Sohne : October 25th, 2009-21:15

hi everyone no problem with my vintage watches and my macbookpro. An FYi there are two small magnets by the push button lid release. Good Hunting Bill Sohne

Life on a huge magnet

By: amerix : October 26th, 2009-01:43

correction of number

By: amerix : October 26th, 2009-01:46

That should read 1000, not 10000 watches, To write is human, to edit divine. ;-) amerix

The Edit function ...

By: Kong : October 26th, 2009-04:20

only lasts for 30mins after you have posted. More details at: helpdesk.watchprosite.com Previously I've tested magnetism on the notebooks using the compass as you've mentioned, not sure if you've seen it, anyway it was posted at: www.watchprosite.com Kong

Thanks, Kong, for the infos!

By: amerix : October 26th, 2009-05:42

Much obliged.to you! However, I have tried many, many times and at various times within the allotted time of 30 minutes to get Edit to work. For my latest (failed) efforts go to "Help Desk". It used to work fine, maybe a year or two ago. But Apple has upd...

more on laptops and watches

By: sancerre : October 26th, 2009-18:14

I have definitely had issues with laptops and automatic watches. After trying a couple of Oris watches and a JLC, I have finally resolved myself to sticking with watches that have anti-magnetic capabilities. I am the happy owner of a couple of IWC's. All ...