Automatic watch time accuracy

[Level42]

I have an automatic watch (let's leave the brand out for the moment) that has been sent for service 3 times within my 15-month ownership because it gained time. Once, it was like 1 sec per day, and most recently, 1 minute per day.

I was informed that magnetism could affect the time accuracy of the watch. This is going to be a big problem for me as I work on the laptop/notebook all the time. I was even told that RF waves from handphones could affect time as well. How true is this?

So, I'd like to know:
(1) does any automatic watch owner face a time gain/loss problem regularly?
(2) is there a DIY alternative to demagnetise the watch?

[feilong108]

1st time i heard of it leh....i usually use laptop and near speakers for almost 18hrs aday with no effect on my rolex...

[sys12345]

If the watch is truly magnetised, it cant be due to RF waves. It could have resulted from proximity with magnetic field and your notebook speaker may POSSIBLY be the culprit. Exactly how much gain are we talking about? U mentioned from 1 sec/day and that is referenced from what? I believe u do know that automatics are never as accurate as quartz watches. Running fast by 1 sec/day is superb for an automatic movement. If the movement is truly magnetised, it'll be running a whole lot faster.

[Level42]

1st time i heard of it leh....i usually use laptop and near speakers for almost 18hrs aday with no effect on my rolex...

That's a very good Rolex.

[116520]

Level42, get the Milgauss if you worry about magnetism... or get a tourbillon... hee hee

I have an automatic watch (let's leave the brand out for the moment) that has been sent for service 3 times within my 15-month ownership because it gained time. Once, it was like 1 sec per day, and most recently, 1 minute per day.

I was informed that magnetism could affect the time accuracy of the watch. This is going to be a big problem for me as I work on the laptop/notebook all the time. I was even told that RF waves from handphones could affect time as well. How true is this?

So, I'd like to know:
(1) does any automatic watch owner face a time gain/loss problem regularly?
(2) is there a DIY alternative to demagnetise the watch?

[Level42]

If the watch is truly magnetised, it cant be due to RF waves.

Possibly the handphone speaker and components inside it that are creating an electromagnetic field.

U mentioned from 1 sec/day and that is referenced from what? I believe u do know that automatics are never as accurate as quartz watches. Running fast by 1 sec/day is superb for an automatic movement. If the movement is truly magnetised, it'll be running a whole lot faster.

I detected the time gain through visual comparison with the time shown on digital clock and the handphone, as the second hand crossed 12. Initially, it would gain about one second every day, so by the 5th or 6th day, the watch was faster by the same number of seconds.

A couple of weeks ago, the time gain was 1 minute per day. I compared the time shown on the watch just before I left for work each day. That's when I realised I have a serious magnetism issue.

Is there anyone else whose time is fast/slow due to magnetism? Any DIY counter-measures?

[Level42]

Level42, get the Milgauss if you worry about magnetism... or get a tourbillon... hee hee

I might have to revert to Quartz instead.

[116520]

but quartz also not very accurate leh.. my casio G shock always slow one....

I might have to revert to Quartz instead.