Danger to Movement Demagnetizing?

[IT Nerd]

This might be a silly question, but I have always wondered if demagnetizing a watch movement can pose any risk to the movement (or accuracy thereof).

Am I way out in left field with this one?

[T. Ferguson]

I'm not sure what your are asking. The watch isn't magnetized when it leaves the factory and it's the only way to fix a watch that has become magnetized.

[IT Nerd]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

I'm not sure what your are asking. The watch isn't magnetized when it leaves the factory and it's the only way to fix a watch that has become magnetized.

I think what I'm trying to ask is more whether or not subjecting a mechanical watch to a demagnetizer (when it's not magnetized) poses any risk to either the movement or the movements accuracy.

[sweepsecond]

A de-magnetizer still uses magnetic force, so it will affect the accuracy of any watch. In fact, one of the off label uses is to test the gear train on quartz movements.

Why would you want to do this?

[IT Nerd]

Originally Posted by sweepsecond

Why would you want to do this?

Re-read my initial question..

This might be a silly question, but I have always wondered if demagnetizing a watch movement can pose any risk to the movement (or accuracy thereof).

No intent of wanting to do this, pure curiosity.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by IT Nerd

Re-read my initial question..

This might be a silly question, but I have always wondered if demagnetizing a watch movement can pose any risk to the movement (or accuracy thereof).

No intent of wanting to do this, pure curiosity.

None whatsoever but it could need regulation after if it was really magnetised.

[Vanessa CW21]

Some demagnetizers can actually magnetize a watch that isn't magnetized to begin with. So yes, you can do damage, but it isn't irreversible.

[cop414]

Another watch lesson learned via TRF.

[IT Nerd]

Originally Posted by padi56

None whatsoever but it could need regulation after if it was really magnetised.

This confirms a suspicion that I had. I recently had a catch and release 16600 SD that arrived magnetized (+18s/day). After demagnetization it was +7s/day (good amplitude, and relatively low beat error), and I trust the seller that it was running bang on prior to shipping.

Originally Posted by Vanessa CW21

Some demagnetizers can actually magnetize a watch that isn't magnetized to begin with. So yes, you can do damage, but it isn't irreversible.

Thank you, Vanessa!!! Again, this was a suspicion of mine.

With a couple of other mechanical pieces that I've had issues with in the past, I have seen watchmakers just assume magnetism without actually doing any testing for magnetism first and they would just throw the watch heads on a demagnetizer for a long while. In both cases, the watch ran noticeably worse thereafter.

Originally Posted by cop414

Another watch lesson learned via TRF.

+1!!!

[Beelzy]

If I suspect a watch to be magnetized, I place a compass near it. If it is in fact magnetized
I go by the hardware store and run it through the de-magnetizer at the checkout counter.