ChatterBank3 mins ago
Magic
I recently attended a wedding where a magician took my friends watch and made it stop.
How does that work? My guess is magnets, but are all watches magnetic?
Please only answer if you know for sure. Thanks
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I assume the magnet is in a fake thumb....
Most mechanical watches can be stopped by magnetism as the hairspring on the balance wheel is made of steel: the field glues the coils together. But, it's a fine line to tread between just stopping it and permanently magnetisng the spring...
Quartz watches are not susceptable to normal magnetism, although an EMP should do the trick - though that would be a tad obvious! For these, I favour pulling the winder out a little.
If you are a magician worth his salt, you'll choose the watch you stop carefully!