Guides

Is my watch magnetised? Signs and fixes

A watch suddenly gaining minutes a day is often magnetised. How to test for it at home and how it gets fixed.

Signs

  • The watch suddenly runs fast by minutes a day, sometimes erratically.
  • Accuracy changed right after being near a laptop, speaker, phone case clasp, bag magnet or induction cooktop.

Test at home

Hold a compass, or a compass app on your phone, still and bring the watch close to it. If the needle moves as the watch passes, the watch is magnetised.

Fixing it

A watchmaker can demagnetise a watch in under a minute, often for free or a small fee. Inexpensive demagnetisers for home use also work: hold the watch over it, press the button, and slowly draw the watch away. Watches with anti-magnetic movements are much less prone to the problem.