THE JOURNAL

How much does it cost to demagnetise a watch?

Functional GuidesPublished 2016-12-13

Generally speaking, quartz watches run on batteries, so there is no such thing as them becoming magnetised. If it is a mechanical watch, magnetisation can be demagnetised. If your watch is under warranty, it can be demagnetised for free. If not, you can go to a larger shopping centre; department stores that sell luxury watches usually have watch repair services that can help demagnetise your watch. The price is decided by the watchmaker as there is no clearly marked price, but it is generally within 50 yuan.

　　Generally speakingQuartz watchesrun on batteries, so there is no such thing as them becoming magnetised. If it is aMechanical watchmagnetisation can be demagnetised. If your watch is under warranty, it can be demagnetised for free. If not, you can go to a larger shopping centre; department stores that sell luxury watches usually have watch repair services that can help demagnetise your watch. The price is decided by the watchmaker as there is no clearly marked price, but it is generally within 50 yuan.

　　How to determine if a watch is magnetised

手表消磁

　　The simplest way to judge is to place a sensitive compass flat. Then, quickly and repeatedly pass the watch over the compass at close range. This action also requires changing the watch to several different orientations and repeating the process... If the needle of the compass moves, it indicates that the watch has been magnetised.

　　What methods are there to demagnetise a watch

　　Although anti-magnetic watches have a certain anti-magnetic effect, when worn in contact with objects that have strong magnetic fields, such as generators and motors, or if the watch is accidentally placed near a radio or television, the watch will be magnetised by the magnetic fields of the generator, motor, radio, or television.

　　Once a watch is magnetised, it will not only keep time inaccurately, but some may even stop running altogether. So, how do you demagnetise a watch? It is best to send it to a watch repair department for demagnetisation, as they have specialised equipment for this. If you are far from a watch shop and repair is inconvenient, you can find a non-magnetised piece of iron with a circular hole in the middle, stand it upright on a table, and slowly pass the watch through the centre of the circular hole.

Related reading:
How to deal with a magnetised watch
How to demagnetise a Panerai watch?
How to tell if a watch has been magnetised
Why does Omega place such emphasis on anti-magnetism?
Water resistance and shock resistance are common, but anti-magnetism is rare: Recommended anti-magnetic watches