induction cook-tops and effects on Mechanical Watches

[Pharaoh_83]

We’re in the process of choosing new appliances for a house and we like the option of having an induction cooktop. Reading up on them, they use magnets to generate energy.

Would that have any effect on mechanical watches?!

[captain_NEMO]

At first, I thought this was a troll post and was going to respond with: "you should try it with your Rolex and post your findings ASAP." LOL Sorry.

But then found merit in your note after I've had my first cup of coffee.

I'm sure someone in the field will chime in soon enough. In the meantime, as long as your watch doesn't touch the surface, or get too uncomfortably close to it, I think you should be fine.

Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to buy a Milgauss? Eh?

[Pharaoh_83]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to buy a Milgauss? Eh?

lol - thought about that as well.

i'm just thinking if you've got it on HI and are making eggs (low pan). will the magnetic field interfere or is it not strong enough.

my wife will kill me if i say we can't buy this cooktop because of my watch!!!

[Anthon]

Have not noticed any effect of induction on my Sub or Explorer. It's not a magnet...

[sanosan34]

Oh no we have an induction cooktop and this never occurred to me! But then again I'm not much of a cook... My cooking involves putting together a sandwich so I guess it doesnt matter

If I get bored I'll try to magnetize/cook my beater watch later and report back.

[mailman]

None. Have had our induction top stove for a year and a half. No problems

[armen34]

Have not noticed any problems

[GMT Aviator]

Look on the bright-side.

If you're watch does become magnetised by it, you'll likely arrive everywhere 20 mins early!

[mschafer]

Interesting quandary and a great excuse to investigate the various Millgaus available, just to be on the safe side...

[Furrygoat]

I don't think it's a traditional magnet. It works by transferring electrons across a conductive surface? (Maybe?)

Either way, I don't think it would attract any metals to the cooking surface if you had them on the cook top. Plus, any small electromagnetic field generated would not exceed the antimagnetic tolerances already built into the modern Rolex watches with the new hairspring. They are probably negligible if they even exist.

[strange]

Never had any problems. We've had induction for 6 years and I cook a lot.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by mailman

None. Have had our induction top stove for a year and a half. No problems

so basically what you're saying is that, we all need to buy the Milgauss... RIGHT!?

[boywondergq1]

An induction stove top absolutely creates an alternating magnetic field directly above its surface. When an iron pot or pan is placed in its field it generates heat within the iron material itself.

As someone has already mentioned, no adverse affect on his watch but maybe more people with these types of stove tops can confirm for us.

[Shaky]

Induction hob owner of 8 yrs here..no known problems with any of my watches whilst using it.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

so basically what you're saying is that, we all need to buy the Milgauss... RIGHT!?

Good a reason as any Chadri

[rq3]

Originally Posted by Pharaoh_83

We’re in the process of choosing new appliances for a house and we like the option of having an induction cooktop. Reading up on them, they use magnets to generate energy.

Would that have any effect on mechanical watches?!

I cook a lot, with an induction cooktop for the past 10 years, and it has had no effect at all on my 5512 Submariner.

On the other hand, my 5512 has a huge effect on the cooktop. I use the bezel as a timer, so it tells me when to stop and start the cooktop.

Once you use induction, you'll never want to use anything else. Sounds like a deal is in order, though. "Honey, you get the cooktop, I get a MilGauss".

[Boaters]

WOW never heard that one but never any problems

[SeaAndSky]

What an interesting discussion. I'd probably remove my watch when cooking with an induction source just to be on the safe side.

Curious, I just did a quick search on EMF levels involved in induction cooking. Based on a few minutes of reading it appears the generated field is pretty small in size and stays very close to the to bottom of the cooking pan/pot.

[natosub]

Interesting. Would never have thought if it. Good catch (even if not an issue)!

[handsfull]

I just bought an induction cooktop (LOVE IT), and I make a point not to get my watch to close the surface...cheap insurance -LOL

[swils8610]

Been cooking with induction for years. No issue at all.


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[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Pharaoh_83

my wife will kill me if i say we can't buy this cooktop because of my watch!!!

Sounds like your wife has her heart set on this. Don't want to sound sexist here but generally wife gets the deciding vote in the kitchen just like the garage or basement is usually the guy's purview.

Look at it this way, an induction cooktop will have no effect on your watch if you're not wearing one.

[Pharaoh_83]

Lots of good points.

As I see it, we should get the cooktop but I should not come near it or buy a Milgauss ::

[Foxglove]

There should be no problem at all with it.

[Flintstone]

There are two very important things my induction cooktop has not done: (1) affect my watches (2) inspire my wife to cook.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by mschafer

Interesting quandary and a great excuse to investigate the various Millgaus available, just to be on the safe side...

Imagine buying (or investigating) a Milgaus simply for the sake of cooking/baking. On the other hand, with a celebrity chef endorsement it could prove to be a successful marketing endeavor for Rolex.

[rolehex]

Interesting question...looks like that they are OK from the comments above. Good to know.

[Bigsykedaddy]

I've had a DJ II and Submariner and used my induction cook top to make breakfast every morning and 0 problems so far. You should be okay.

[Rocket_Man]

We have an induction cooktop and love it too. But I don't think it will affect (ie magnetize) a watch. The cooktop uses a rapidly alternating magnetic field to induce tiny currents in the magnetic pan causing the pan to heat. The pan has to be magnetic itself to work. I think by design a watch does not use magnetic material in its construction. So it should not induce any currents in the materials of your watch if it were close enough to the element. The elements only work (at least on our cooktop) while there is a pan on the hob, and the pan has to be big enough. A small magnetic item will not activate the hob. The magnetic field is rapidly alternating, not a DC field like a permanent magnate (like a refrigerator magnet). Alternating fields are actually the way de-magnetizers work I believe. I've used permanent magnets to magnetize the tips of screwdrivers by rubbing the permanent magnet in one direction along the shaft of the screw driver. This is very different than what is happening on an induction hob. Also, while the hob is in use, there is always a pan on it, or when the pan is removed the field automatically shuts down, so your watch is probably not going to get close enough to the field to have any affect. I also believe the field is very close to the surface of the cooktop, so I think your watch would have to get really close to even be in the field.

[Shichinin]

This is the first time I hear about an induction cooktop and I found the tech interesting. It is always refreshing to learn new things especially when it is about home appliances from a watch forum. Cheers