TopPage>Knowledge of watches/clocks>Q&A regarding watches/clocks>Q14 Are watches/clocks affected by magnetism?
Q14 Are watches/clocks affected by magnetism?
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Be careful about your personal electrical appliances because watches/clocks may indicate the incorrect time under a magnetic influence.
Many products generate magnetism in the environment, such as electrical appliances (speakers of audio equipment, etc.), cell-phones, magnetic necklaces, and magnets of furniture and bags. If your watch/clock suddenly stops, or loses or gains time, it may be under a magnetic influence. Antimagnetic watches/clocks devised to minimize magnetic influence are commercially available.
An analog quartz or combination quartz watch/clock, in which the motor drive system using the nature of a magnet to move the hands is adopted, may also stop, or lose or gain time if the normal rotation of the motor is affected by strong magnetism from the outside. Such a watch/clock that does not keep correct time due to magnetism is not faulty; therefore it get back its original accuracy when located away from the magnetism. Use it after resetting the correct time.
A mechanical watch/clock may also lose or gain time temporarily under strong magnetism, though it is not as prominent as a quartz watch/clock. Digital watches/clocks, having no motor and gear mechanism, will not stop, or lose or gain time under a magnetic influence.
If your watch/clock has encountered a strong magnetic field, the parts of it may be magnetized. If magnetism remains in your watch/clock, it can be restored to its original condition by demagnetization. For demagnetizing your watch/clock, contact your nearest distributor.
Magnetic necklaces and cell-phones generate strong magnetic fields. When taking off your watch, do not place it on or put it into a bag together with any magnetic necklace or cell-phone.
Since the magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, if watches/clocks are located 5cm or more away from the products generating magnetism, they are hardly affected by the magnetism.
(Note): The above information applies to the members of the Japan Clock & Watch Association and their products.
