Submariner Magnetized!!! But I finally solved the magnetism puzzle...

[grizzlymambo]

Working from home has forced me to use a laptop instead of a keyboard attached to a laptop like how I would work in the office.

Recently I did a magnetism check on all my watches (using a compass) and was shocked to find that virtually all my watches had some magnetism in them, including a Smiths PRS29A with a full antimagnetic cage, a Rolex Sub (2010) and a Tudor Black Bay GMT (with silicon).

I have asked on other forums about what these antimagnetic hairsprings mean to a watch that supposedly 'isn't' antimagnetic (like the Rolexes) compared with the Omegas that are antimagnetic 15000gauss, and didn't really get an answer. But now I have an answer.

The reason why Rolexes aren't "antimagnetic" like Omega, is because brass (among other materials) are influenced by magnetic fields, but do not retain the magnetic field once the magnetic field is removed. However, since they are influenced by magnetic fields, the fields would influence the timing such that it would not meet the definition of "antimagnetic", even if the hairspring itself is not affected.

Now onto the magnetized Rolex: the compass needle moved ever so slightly when the Rolex was near, and the timing was +2s with a beat error of 0.2ms. After I degaussed the watch, the timing was +0s with a beat error of 0.0ms. There you go! Something tiny was magnetized and it was enough to slightly change the timing. I don't know what the part might have been, maybe someone can hazard a guess?