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Old 30 June 2012, 02:22 AM   #1
topofk2
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Will an MRI exam hurt a Rolex's accuracy?

Hello,

I wore my DEEPSEA to the hospital I went. Had to go for an MRI exam
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging). I changed into hospital clothes and still had my watch on. I casually asked the lady if I should keep my watch on. She said "NO, absolutely not, IT will destroy it!" and then it occurred to me that in an MRI you are bombarded with magentic fields.

So I took my DEEPSEA off, hid it in my street clothes and put them into the locker, that barely closed, while tons of people are loitering about the locker section. All through the MRI, I kept thinking I hope my DEEPSEA is not stolen. As soon as the MRI was over, I took off like a rocket to my locker and took a sigh of relief when I felt that hunk of metal wrapped in my shirt.

So the question is: Is a MRI exam destructive to a Rolex? (except for a Milgauss??? )
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:34 AM   #2
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It's a huge magnet, can't be good......IMHO
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:35 AM   #3
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I don't think "destroy" is the right word.

Watches can be demagnetized so I assume the problem would be fixable.
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:36 AM   #4
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It is not destructive per se .... it will magnetize the movement - mainly the hairspring and cause the watch to run erratically and out of spec (like gaining or losing minutes a day). As far as damage - no, there would be no permanent damage. An MRI produces a VERY strong magnetic field and probably even (just my guess) a Milgauss would not tolerate that high of magnetic force without ill effect. You did the right thing by taking it off. I simply would not risk magnetizing my watch. Like I said before, if it did happen, a good watchmaker could demagnetize it without much effort. Hope that answers your question.
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:37 AM   #5
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Welcome to the Forum! Take a read of this previous thread for comments of people who work around MRI machines (about halfway through thread): http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...light=Magnetic

Quick answer--don't even think of it!
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:40 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by topofk2 View Post
Hello,

I wore my DEEPSEA to the hospital I went. Had to go for an MRI exam
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging). I changed into hospital clothes and still had my watch on. I casually asked the lady if I should keep my watch on. She said "NO, absolutely not, IT will destroy it!" and then it occurred to me that in an MRI you are bombarded with magentic fields.

So I took my DEEPSEA off, hid it in my street clothes and put them into the locker, that barely closed, while tons of people are loitering about the locker section. All through the MRI, I kept thinking I hope my DEEPSEA is not stolen. As soon as the MRI was over, I took off like a rocket to my locker and took a sigh of relief when I felt that hunk of metal wrapped in my shirt.

So the question is: Is a MRI exam destructive to a Rolex? (except for a Milgauss??? )
cant have metals in there, not good short answer not safe, for anyone
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:48 AM   #7
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Forget the watch, The MRI will rip your arm off!
It's safe in the locker (as far as magnetism is concerned anyway) There are differnt "zones" in the MRI area, and that zone is safe.
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:49 AM   #8
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Maybe she meant the watch would destroy the MRI machine.

Those things are a bit more expensive than even a DEEPSEA...
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:51 AM   #9
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I've heard that metal will heat up VERY VERY quick and become insanely hot, if placed and hold locked inside an MRI.
I got this from a case i read about, where a person had some metal screws in her body, that the doctors wasn't aware of. The screws tried to leave the body and burned her inside.
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:55 AM   #10
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The lady you spoke to may have used coloquial language, but she answered your question.

A Milgauss will not stand up to the kinds of magnetic fields encountered during an MRI scan.
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Old 30 June 2012, 02:59 AM   #11
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You won't worry about your watch whenever it rips your arm off your body!
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:03 AM   #12
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:21 AM   #13
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBx8BwLhqg
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:27 AM   #14
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That's insane! (not to mention stupid!)
Pretty cool though...
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:36 AM   #15
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That's insane! (not to mention stupid!)
Pretty cool though...
Yeah...those magnets are magnificently powerful.

A DSSD probably has enough magnetic material in it to cause some damage when it yanks your arm against the interior of the machine. Hopefully the bracelet breaks before your arm comes off!
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:39 AM   #16
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You won't have to worry about accuracy when your wrist is stuck to the inside of the machine.

Also, a Milgauss wouldn't fare much better unfortunately.
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Old 30 June 2012, 03:42 AM   #17
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Yeah...those magnets are magnificently powerful.

A DSSD probably has enough magnetic material in it to cause some damage when it yanks your arm against the interior of the machine. Hopefully the bracelet breaks before your arm comes off!
Yeah, if you notice how metallic objects bounce around in there, your arm would do the same for a few seconds before it gets ripped out of it's socket.
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:01 AM   #18
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Whoa!
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:03 AM   #19
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I believe an MRI can permanently damage your Rolex.

I took my Rolex datejust into a 1.5 T high field MRI. At about 2 meters, it stopped running. I did not take it in any further but after leaving the 5 Gauss line, it did not restart until I tapped it a few times.

From this I would conclude that the MRI warps ferromagnetic components inside the watch. I wouldn't want to try it but if the magnetic field can do that, leaving it in there long enough and the fine pieces inside can become permanently misshapen.
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:08 AM   #20
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I believe an MRI can permanently damage your Rolex.

I took my Rolex datejust into a 1.5 T high field MRI. At about 2 meters, it stopped running. I did not take it in any further but after leaving the 5 Gauss line, it did not restart until I tapped it a few times.

From this I would conclude that the MRI warps ferromagnetic components inside the watch. I wouldn't want to try it but if the magnetic field can do that, leaving it in there long enough and the fine pieces inside can become permanently misshapen.
I bet the MRI could rip the movement right through the dial and crystal if it was exposed to the field inside the machine.
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:15 AM   #21
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Your arm would either be stuck to the side of the machine or the watch would simply break and slip off your wrist. It's like like the watch would just come out not working, it would move.
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:22 AM   #22
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Thanks a bunch folks. I was going to wear a cheap automatic watch of mine but sounds like you guys saved me from tremendous personal damage.
So that clears it --- I will wear my g-shock and take it off before I enter the MRI arena.

I had no idead an MRI machine was this dangerous. Thanks for informing me!
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:30 AM   #23
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When I went for an MRI, the nurse asked me if I did any metal grinding and hurt my eye before in doing it. I said no, and asked why. She said if there was a chance that a metal particle was lodged inside my eye, it can rip through my eye ball due to the magnet attracting it.

Don't wear any watches or metal objects while undergoing an MRI exam.
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Old 30 June 2012, 04:34 AM   #24
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The MRI techs will/should advise you to remove any metal objects.
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:22 AM   #25
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When I went for an MRI, the nurse asked me if I did any metal grinding and hurt my eye before in doing it. I said no, and asked why. She said if there was a chance that a metal particle was lodged inside my eye, it can rip through my eye ball due to the magnet attracting it.

Don't wear any watches or metal objects while undergoing an MRI exam.
Oh yeah. Any metal, no matter how small, could be disastrous.
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:27 AM   #26
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I've heard that an MRI can rip tattoos right out of your skin. Guess that depends on the material in the ink. I suspect that an MRI would also destroy my magnetic personality. I think the metal plate in my alleged leg is stainless steel and not magnetic.
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:43 AM   #27
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I read a story of an officer escorting a prisoner during the procedure and had his weapon ripped from its holster!!
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:44 AM   #28
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Are fillings non-magnetic??
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:46 AM   #29
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Yeah, if you notice how metallic objects bounce around in there, your arm would do the same for a few seconds before it gets ripped out of it's socket.
This really begs an 'is it safe' follow-up thread.

Just saying.
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Old 30 June 2012, 05:47 AM   #30
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Are fillings non-magnetic??
silver and gold are not magnetic are they
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