Magic

[BillyB]

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

[gingerflaps]

because the guy can really do magic, honest.

[slimfandango]

Did she buy it on a BA flight from the far east? I got one and it stops all the time, magician around or not.

[BillyB]

Come on people this is my first posting on the Answer Bank, I dont think your taking it seriously!!!! I'm relying on you.

[Gef]

I can make my watch stop by pulling out the winder by a tiny amount.

[lukey121]

In other words, no one knows how he did it. Sorry BillyB

[THECORBYLOON]

Have a look here http://www.magictrick.com/html/magnetic_tt.html

I assume the magnet is in a fake thumb....

[landie]

I can remember going to a Scottish wedding, quite some time ago now, I'll never forget the tart an' ice cream we had for afters.

[landie]

Oh ye of little faith, lol. Have ye no tried it y'sel.

[SexySally]

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!