Why your mechanical watch might disappoint you on holiday (and the simple fix you need to know)

[@remus2001]

What a treat to get another video from you. Please be assured that your fans don’t expect a steady stream of videos, as much as we appreciate each of them.

[@smokeybear69]

Super interesting video as always, the Odysseus is a grail of mine. I really like that you only post when you have something worthwhile to say, I always know I’m in for a treat when your latest video pops up.

[@pelleskanal7660]

If you spent a lot of time on the bullet trains, it might explain the magnetization issue, you are sitting in a magnetic field created by the overhead electrical lines.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Of course. I’d never considered that 🙄

[@ollik8192]

@@pelleskanal7660 you'd think that the body of the train would act as a Faraday cage. Then again, experience often trumps theory.

[@pelleskanal7660]

@@ollik8192 Faradays cages are not very efficient at blocking magnetic fields. And the train has rather big windows

[@watchbydesign6214]

As a former international airline pilot, and consequently a professional world traveler, who primarily did trips to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney and London, I've always found Tokyo to be an incredibly safe city and wore my Sky Dweller there with no worries.

[@devilapproved]

I always look forward to and enjoy your videos, partly for the casual ease with which you seem to make them and the real world views you have on timepieces, which are to many of us unattainable. When your videos pop up seemingly at random, it's a treat. Thank you for your enthusiasm.

[@Anirossa]

I've noticed most my mechanical watches running well when new and then getting a bit worse with time, running a little fast. Just got out my compass and demagnetizer, seems they all were magnetised... I had not thought about using my compass to check it. You have just done my watches a great service! I am aware of magnetization and keep my mechanical watches away from my phones, speakers, exc. as much as possible. But I guess through airport security that I have gone through with them quite a few times, they do get magnetized, as well as in my everyday, as statistically speaking, it will happen quite a lot in today's world. I've decided to just bring one watch when I might be a exchange student in Tokyo in a year or two, will take this into consideration when deciding if I'm bringing either my light powered watch or my mechanical watch with my compass and demagnetizer.

[@Steve-hj6wz]

A Faraday cage does not shield against static (i.e. a permanent magnet) or low frequency magnetic fields and is therefore not used in watches. For that purpose you need a soft iron metal case.

[@Roddy1965]

Yes, there are metals that have high magnetic permeability, that 'suck in' the magnetic field lines and 'pull' in the magnetic lines of flux, if I recall from my old school days. I suppose a disc of this material might do the trick. I'm not sure how the watchmakers do it (other than non-ferrous parts).

[@Roddy1965]

I wore a digital Timex Expedition on a recent trip to Portugal and Spain. Nobody wanted to steal it, and no magnetism issues!

[@littlezero6399]

The odyssseus bracelet has to be one of the best parts of the design. I lived in Japan for two years and the social culture there is one of the best I have ever experienced. Japan has a lot of other issues, but as a travel destination it is hard to beat.

[@alljoules]

Your videos are a delight, man. Keep em coming at whatever pace you feel right. We all understand that this is not about clicks or the algorithm for you, and I for one appreciate your content even more as a result. Regarding this video: I've heard anti-magnetics properties talked about a bunch, but never really paid it much mind. This was very helpful and informative. Greetings and thanks from Canada.

[@honsolo8906]

I`m pretty sure it`s the x-ray conveyer belt at the airports. That`s why I always try to keep my watch on my wrist or in my pants pocket when going through security.

[@dd-dd2co]

Yeah, those machines fk most watches up. I always travel without watches.

[@TheMrSnuSnu]

From London as well, travelled to Singapore recently and I was able to wear my watches with no fear of it getting stolen. It's frustrating to realise how much (perceived) crime has robbed my enjoyment of the hobby

[@Comotellamas131]

Every time I see what’s happened to Bremont I think of this channel. Thanks for uploading!

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Thank you. Every time I see what’s happening to Bremont, I shake my head… sad.

[@Jabingla2810]

Fantastic video as always. For me, it’s incredible that you noticed the watch was 12 seconds fast a day, for many mechanical watches, that isn’t too bad! :)

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

I KNOW! But I am a bit of a self confessed geek that way… it’s not so important if you’re changing watches as regularly as you change socks, but it’s more of an issue if you wear your mechanical watches when travelling or just for longer, more sustained periods of time - a bit like I used to.

[@festivitycat]

As a marketer (day job) and content creator (not on this account!), I've found it's far better to post infrequently and keep quality consistently high. People notice poor content far more readily than they do the absence of content. In your case, every video is a treat :)

[@jcwatches6573]

This is part of what to expect when owning the high end pieces. If you want superb accuracy, anti magnetism, robustness - go mid range like Rolex or Omega. All modern Omegas protect you to 15,000 gauss. Enjoy your content!

[@theJade]

Not really a solution necessarily, as magnetization still occurs, but I don't take off my watch when going through airport security. I keep it perfectly visible and they've never asked me to take it off.

[@pelleskanal7660]

You get the same feeling of safety in Taiwan as in Japan, the only two countries where I'm not worried about wearing a watch visible.

[@keithmcintosh8902]

100% Spent a month in Taiwan this past summer. The joy of living in a 'Westernized' homogenous country.

[@잡았다요놈-y9w]

Taiwan nationalist propaganda 😂 Saying Taiwan over Korea as safer is hilarious

[@Mark..P]

That was worth cancelling a meeting for - for more enjoyable and certainly more insightful 😎

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Haha. Very good. 😂

[@hatchegg80]

i live in singapore, watch robbery is non existent, if you visit, i suggest wearing a bracelet as the heat and humidity makes straps tricky

[@watchbydesign6214]

I was just heading to bed here in San Diego, at 21:45 PDT. Luckily, I am 100 miles from the Los Angeles fires, but our son, while very close in LA is in a safe area. I am watching your latest video as I type this and what a pleasant surprise to hear your soothing voice as a retire for the evening. Thank you. Curtis A. - 1955Healey100

[@Edgar_Drake]

Very insightful... I mean, I took for granted that mechanical watches will deviate/lacking precision, but it might be that the construction itself and our lifestyle may introduce "external inaccuracy factor" to the watch

[@seancdavidson]

Nice to see a new vid!

[@turnipdreams]

I’ve been to 3 Rolex ADs in London who all have advised me not to wear my Rolex in London. One even said to me “you must not be from here” because I was wearing a Rolex.

[@keithmcintosh8902]

Import the 3rd world, become the 3rd world. Pity!

[@imranchowdhury4972]

You raised a very important point particularly for a frequent flyer. Being one, I used to wear my mechanical watches ealrier. But after the trip I noticed that the accuracy is differing significantly. Afterwards I used wearing my quartz watches. Only for this issue now I am planning to get an Omega Railmaster because somehow the quartz watches do not bring the saisfaction of mechanical watches. I am sure the Omega Railmaster would be best for any trips including the theft issue because this is totally unploished piece.

[@1995pearson]

For myself, when traveling abroad I want my watch to have 3 things, water resistance, date and GMT function. Magnetism has never been something I’ve been too concerned about.

[@nikr1d3r32]

Same here, I tend to love and wear more my watches that run more accurate.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Definitely.

[@alanmcgeagh3475]

Interestingly, when Grand Seiko were competing in the Swiss observatory trials, in one year in particular, their watches performed poorly and it was later learned that somewhere between Japan and Switzerland, the watches became magnetised and perhaps much like yours did. I would have thought you would take your Grand Seiko as well!

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Well, I did buy a Grand Seiko on that trip. When in Rome…

[@Nefville]

That compass technique is pretty clever. I have a demagnetizer yet the only watch I've ever had to use it on was one of my father's that arrived new and magnetized. Its odd to me because I work around some very strong magnetic fields yet none of mine have ever had this issue. Just lucky I suppose.

[@howiwashere]

Thank you for traveling with Watch Enthusiast London!

[@christopherstombaugh6004]

Excellent video per usual! Thank you for sharing your experience. I was surprised to learn Lange watches have no antimagnetic protection. As a traveler, this would be a real pain. It would be nice if there was a more mobile demagnetizer option.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

💯🎯

[@abc123-df9sq]

Magnetism, and the tight tolerances required for an accurate mechanical watch means, unfortunately, low reliability. I found myself always double checking the time against my phone. Bought a Citizen "The Citizen" and stopped collecting.

[@xninefoxx8874]

Damn you got some money sir! I assume the Bullettrain could've magnetized it. Nice video!

[@eugenejohnson7755]

This is another very good video that you made. I just learnt something from you. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful 2025!

[@RobHalliganProjects]

I wonder if airport security screening devices (generically referred to as x-ray machines) can cause a watch to become magnetized.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

They always tell you that they don’t, but… 🤷‍♂️

[@betulaobscura]

They can't.

[@RobHalliganProjects]

@ Thank you.

[@Tomb3861]

Great video. I hope to own a Lange 1 within the next couple of years.

[@michaelbradley6488]

I appreciate your take on watches. You have some wonderful pieces but don't come off as being superior to others who do not have them. You don't seem to be adding "must have pieces" for the sake of checking off a list. Watch DeMagnetizers are a very handy tool to have around. I enjoyed the video.

[@michaelfierman3256]

I was just re-watching the Aquanaut video maybe a couple of hours ago and hoping you’d have a new episode soon, and voila! Will dig in right now

[@bluein2red423]

Was it definitely magnetised this time? 12 seconds a day fast isn’t much; in my experience a magnetised watch is minutes a day fast, not just a few seconds.

[@gabigolz]

Great video as always. It’s so sad to hear about the crime in London.

[@MP_pov]

Good video. FYI your iPhone has a magnet sensor, use with an app called Lepsi. Reminds me to get my watches checked. Also, we can all relate to watch crime fear especially in places like London or Barcelona.

[@MartininitraM]

I have to check if my watch have been magnetized. That may explain why my Muhle Glashutte have started running too quick.

[@mummymonkey]

Thank you for using the endangered word "sitting" rather than the all-pervasive "sat" in your video.

[@MPD90]

Seems from your experience that Lange is quite susceptible to magnetism. Not a problem I’ve experience myself but sounds easy to fix. Perhaps related to the display backs giving less protection against magnetisms at a guess.

[@WillMon]

Lange make the hairsprings in house and they don’t have the capability to make silicon ones yet. Hopefully they’re working it!

[@Pler1978]

Prettth pathetic that watch that costs tens of thousands can even reliabaly tell time. What amazing engineering

[@WillMon]

Not a KZbinr until you sprinkle in affiliate links like for the demagnetizer 🙃. In all honesty, I would not mind checking out any recommendations you have.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

The one I have is like this: www.amazon.co.uk/MEETOZ-Demagnetizer-Demagnetize-Degaussing-Mechanical/dp/B0CL6KMDBZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_sspa?crid=39PYZEJG21ITP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sJPeszXpPmx4FrhyMnwfPuFKw79OKMo5rSsD9sfxnBggXdGVu8LGV7voPzkUJMof4YLNiTm0uzuWRjdqCSl5WzvLiwjOdBzJ4BBHWy8KoFWeIMTUk24glFdjY3Y69dE-8r9Ow_wOT9bcdeq6_eBipbNHrUcf_0-LZLE9ublMGXtgf6DmeSRsJLFche4ERbvM5FTjch8lLZGdvk3D6kuvXb2dxspRSy8fTi2VBw2abwxnOKXF9OZLZ01IzdJFz829GI4ZKNaRMsiJnwdJQsPOzLwhTuJmf04dTM6tbRx8ctM.--xI7vc8WTVEvTPQSEn5W4d9SW7EDYdLpefSYWT_q5M&dib_tag=se&keywords=demagnetiser&qid=1736838626&sprefix=demagnetiser%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

[@humanitech]

😂😂😂 Luckily it doesn't really lmatter whether our cheap or expensive mechanical watches are fast or slow... as our phones are there to save the day and give accurate time! 😂😂😂

[@mjdm1925]

Get an omega, set and forget

[@ollik8192]

A quick fix for magnetization is to check out how fast the movement is and then set it, let's say, 3 times that backwards/forwards to counteract the effect of the magnetization for 5-6 days.

[@maksup1778]

review your new patek

[@PietroCozziTinin]

Kudos to you for being able to buy your favorite watches. I personally (and very subjectively) think the ALS Odysseus is one of the most ugly watches ever made.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

😂

[@jazdecbezhlavy]

I observed that the Odysseus is lacking the double index at "6", which should be beveled to match the indices at day and date displays. It’s a small detail, but it does detract from the overall appearance. Addressing this may involve adjusting the line to separate "MADE IN" from "GERMANY".

[@betulaobscura]

It is not that easy to magnetise mechanical watch. Magnetism drops off over distance in a big way. An inverse square. Which means when you move away it gets weaker by a factor of the distance squared. You would need to be very close to very strong magnet to magnetise your watch.

[@nefariouspurplebadger]

I can totally relate to the lady hiding her face whilst you photographed your Bremont. I’m kidding of course.

[@hemantishwaran5741]

When I travel I wear my Casio solar watch. Light as a feather, automatically sinks time, water proof, robust and nobody will be bothered to steal it

[@brandongouge]

And what a beauty they are! I currently have a Duro on my wrist but I agree with the solar/multiband for traveling.

[@christopherstombaugh6004]

Excellent video per usual! Thank you for sharing your experience. I was surprised to learn Lange watches have no antimagnetic protection. As a traveler, this would be a real pain. It would be nice if there was a more mobile demagnetizer option.