This is a continuation of my earlier post regarding my seamaster chronograph running at +30 seconds a day. It was running previously on chronometer specifications and on some positions, accurate to –1/+1 seconds a day. Most people replied stating that it was probably not worn regularly enough (due to my recent purchase of a new IWC Portuguese Chrono) but I felt that there must be more to it than that. Another poster, Damon, (which I would like to thank) did state that this could be the cause of the problem.
Eventually, I sent it in to an authorized dealer in Sydney who took it to Omega. The dealer told me that +30 seconds was common and that I should not worry about it, despite my asking if it could have been magnetized. I was given the choice of an overhaul/regulation or live with it. I chose to live with it. It came back still running at +30 seconds a day.
By a stroke of luck, a friend of mine had a demagnetizer which he used on his televisions. I tried it on my watch and after 12 hours, the seamaster was timed and found to be running dead on -/+0 seconds. After two days, it was still running very well within chronometer specifications. I am relieved that all is now well but was not happy that Omega did not even try demagnetizing it despite my suggestion.
I believe that not much is discussed about magnetism and its effect on watches and I have searched diligently on this subject. Hopefully, this post can help pinpoint another cause of the problems we experience with our mechanical watches.
Regards,
Kelvin
