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Posted

Hello I have a Timex electro mechanical electronic watch that has been exposed to a high magnetic field. I was wondering if someone could give me the possible effects that this would have on my watch. The watch was running fine to my expectations but now will only run with the face down any help that you could give me would be greatly appreciated thank you

Posted

Any watch exposed to a magnetic field which contains a balance wheel and Balancespring  will suffer.  The probability is that the spring has been compromised and will need to be De Magnetised.  The tools to do the job are readily available on ebay of material housed such as Cousins UK, Jules Borel, Esslingers  H.S.Walsh.

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Posted
7 hours ago, stoned4911 said:

Timex electro mechanical electronic

Is this of vintage electric balance wheel Timex Or a newer quartz Timex?

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Posted

If you are referring to a Timex electric or electronic watch, it's an electromechanical movement. The balance is a large electromagnet and it moves through a large magnetic field, generated by a large magnet. Exposing it to a strong magnetic field is not going to cause any problem. But on the contrary  exposing it to a demagnetizer could demagnetize the coil magnet and cause problems.

The hairspring and contact wire are made of a non magnetic material and doesn't suffer from any ill effects from magnetism.

Posted

This is a vintage electric Timex watch. It uses the m262 hi beat movement. Is their a way to determine if the permanent magnets have been damaged. If so is this something a novice like myself can do.

Posted

Thanks for the manual. Bottom of the first page( don't attempt to demagnetize). This might have been do inadvertently. What are the consequences and what can be done to rectify problems.could this cause the present state of only running in the crown down position.

Posted
1 hour ago, stoned4911 said:

Bottom of the first page( don't attempt to demagnetize). This might have been do inadvertently. What are the consequences and what can be done to rectify problems.could this cause the present state of only running in the crown down position.

There's probably a reason why they tell you not to demagnetized it. Then if you do it anyway you watch doesn't work then you verified what they were telling you. Yes you can destroy a permanent magnet if you try really hard with the demagnetizer. Then the only solution would be to replace it. But the only way we can really tell In watch repair is you have to take the watch of the case and look at it. Otherwise we get our crystal balls out and make wild guesses but in the end you still have to take the movement out of the case and look at it. 

 

Posted
On 12/16/2021 at 3:54 AM, Nucejoe said:

Running face down indicates the magnet is doing its job, so its a mechanical issue with the oscilator.

 

Just a little update. As suggested the issue is a broken balance. Being repaired and hopefully will be telling time face up soon. Thanks for all the help. You guys a great. 

Posted

Oh great!  Another shiny object.  This post sent me to my box-o-watches.  I have at least five Timex Electrics.  Every one is a different model number.  One of them started running with power.  Maybe I will do a restoration.

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