Magnetic fields of more than 60 Gauss can affect the proper functioning of a mechanical watch, this information is essential to understand the influence of magnetic fields and reduce their impact.
On this occasion we analyze an important issue for the mechanics of a watch, magnetic fields and their influence on Watch Manufacturing Industry.
What is a magnetic field and how are they measured?
A magnetic field is generated by an electric charge produced by moving electrons, this charge produces a force field surrounded by a source of magnetic energy.
The intensity of a magnetic field is measured based on the magnetic flux that occurs in a given region. There are more and less powerful magnetic fields, their strength is measured in Gauss.
A magnetic field can be more or less intense, in relation to watchmaking, less intense ones may not influence the mechanism of a watch at all, however strong magnetic fields can clearly destabilize the entire mechanism.
The influence of magnetic fields on watches
Watches are commonly affected by magnetic fields that we come across on a daily basis. We usually associate magnetic fields with magnets, however, dozens of objects that we use every day generate a magnetic force that advances or delays our clocks.
A mechanical watch remains magnetically charged once we remove it from the magnetic source. This small load causes it to be delayed or advanced, in addition, in the long term it has a harmful influence on the mechanism itself, since it generates inaccuracies and anomalies.
Exposing a watch to a magnetic force is very simple, some of the objects that we use every day and that magnetize our watches are mobile phones, speakers, bag locks, hair dryers, electric shavers, etc.
In general, any magnetic source, that is, any object that contains a magnet, will generate a very slight deviation in the movement of our clock.
The demagnetization process
Do you want to check if your watch is magnetically charged? It is very easy, you just have to bring it close to an analog compass, if the arrow of the compass moves towards the position of your watch, it means that it has a small magnetic charge, which can be removed to improve its accuracy through a degaussing process.
Normally the area that absorbs the most load is the spiral, for its demagnetization, it is enough to exert the force of an external magnetic alternating field, thus reducing the orientation of the elementary magnets and therefore eliminating the effect of magnetization on the mechanism.
There is no minimum period to subject a watch to a demagnetization process, when we verify that it is charged it is necessary to discharge it through an alternative field.
The elements that generate more electromagnetism
As we say, many of the elements that surround us generate small magnetic fields that can influence the movement of our clock, however, there are situations in which electromagnetism is stronger.
Some situations that generate large amounts of electromagnetism are X-ray machines, television antennas, radio and mobile phone stations, as well as industries based on electromagnetism, as well as scientific research centers, in which large electromagnetic loads are necessary.
In addition to the sources generated by man, there are natural spaces that have large charges of electromagnetism, usually caused by the accumulation of electrical storms.
Rolex Milgauss, the antimagnetic watch
We said at the beginning that a watch can resist up to 60 Gauss of magnetism, from that measure its components can be affected, this Rolex model can withstand up to 1,000 Gauss, hence its name.
The Rolex Milgauss is linked to scientific advancement, and this is a watch created specifically for people who work at CERN in Geneva, the main scientific institution in Europe.
The movement created by Rolex is very complex, but tremendously effective in preventing a magnetic field from penetrating the interior of the mechanism, charging the metallic elements.
The inside of the case has a shield made of ferromagnetic alloys, in addition, the Rolex Milgauss has caliber 3131 totally developed by the manufacture, specially designed to avoid electromagnetic fields.
The key to this movement is that many of its components have been manufactured with paramagnetic materials, so when other watches are influenced by magnetic fields of 100 Gauss, this model withstands loads of up to 1,000 Gauss without any problem.
In this post you will be able to consult all the details of the Rolex Milgauss.
High-end antimagnetic watches
In addition to the Rolex Milgauss, many manufacturers have developed watches with antimagnetic properties, proposing various solutions to the influence of magnetism on the movement, from what is known as the Faraday cage, a layer of soft iron around the movement, to the use of non-magnetic elements in the mechanism.
IWC was one of the first Automatic Watch Manufacturers to dare with this challenge, in 1948 it launched the IWC Pilot's Watch Mark, from then on Omega created the Railmaster, Rolex launched its Milgauss and Jaeger-LeCoultre the Geophysic, all of them resistant to action of magnetism.
Currently, one of the most resistant watches to this force is the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, capable of exceeding up to 15,000 Gauss without its mechanism being influenced. The key to this watch is that the caliber 8508 that it incorporates is completely made of non-ferrous materials.
Luxury Watches at Watches5
At Watches5 Watches Factory they have a wide catalog of luxury watches, including antimagnetic pieces for people who work in environments with high magnetic field intensity. They work to have the largest offer of luxury watches in China. If you are looking for a truly special custom watch from one of the main Swiss manufacturers, contact Watches5, they offer OEM & ODM service.
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