Q: What should I do if my watch becomes magnetized?
Related article:Mainspring Q&A: "My newly purchased mechanical watch is running slow. What could be the cause?"
A: The biggest enemy of watches is magnetism. When placed near a magnet, the majority of mechanical watches will lose their accuracy or stop, and in some cases quartz watches will also stop. Also, once a mechanical watch becomes magnetized, it will affect its accuracy thereafter. So how can you check if a watch is magnetized? The easiest way is to bring a compass close to it. If the hands move when you bring it close to the watch, you can assume that the watch is magnetized.
If you find that your watch is magnetized, how do you demagnetize it? The easiest way is to take it to your nearest watch shop. If it's a familiar shop, they should be able to quickly demagnetize it for you.
Demagnetizers can be purchased at specialty stores or online, so it is possible to demagnetize your watch yourself. However, if you operate it incorrectly, you could end up remagnetizing the watch, so it is best to take it to a watch shop if possible. Also, proper demagnetizers like those found in specialty stores are extremely expensive, so even if you are looking for complete demagnetization, it is best to take it to a watch shop.
