Does anyone know the exact material of watch mainsprings?

[93EXCivic]

I know the subject of magnetization of watches comes up a lot. I am curious as to what the field strength is to magnetize a watch but I am not sure on the the material of watch mainsprings. Obviously silicone ones are a non-magnetic so I am discounting them. Does anyone know?

I have access to a full suite of magnetics simulation software that I use at work everyday to do this with.

[Seriously]

I expect a lot will have a ingredient mix that is a trade secret.

There's Nivarox to get you started though

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nivarox

There's Elinvar too, a nickel/steel alloy

[skywatch]

Indeed, usually complex alloys. Nomos says their mainspring is Nivarox 1A, an alloy from iron, nickel, titanium, chrome and beryllium. I suspect a magnetic profile might be a bit tricky to model.

[crownpuller]

I know the subject of magnetization of watches comes up a lot. I am curious as to what the field strength is to magnetize a watch but I am not sure on the the material of watch mainsprings. Obviously silicone ones are a non-magnetic so I am discounting them. Does anyone know?

I have access to a full suite of magnetics simulation software that I use at work everyday to do this with.

Sorry to be pedantic, but do you mean hair-spring not mainspring ?
If not: The field strength to magentize a mainspring would surely be academic, as by the time it was even slightly affected, the hair-spring would be pretty much fully 'clamped' up

[is that my watch]

good question would have thought hairspring too as that is the one that regulates the time is it not ? but then I always get them two mixed up

[Seriously]

Sorry to be pedantic, but do you mean hair-spring not mainspring ?
If not: The field strength to magentize a mainspring would surely be academic, as by the time it was even slightly affected, the hair-spring would be pretty much fully 'clamped' up

I just assumed he was talking hair

[93EXCivic]

Sorry to be pedantic, but do you mean hair-spring not mainspring ?
If not: The field strength to magentize a mainspring would surely be academic, as by the time it was even slightly affected, the hair-spring would be pretty much fully 'clamped' up

Yeah that


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[tempocalypse]

Rolex uses a proprietary alloy called Parachrom for their hairsprings

According to this (un-cited) TRF post,

Elinvar - 59% Iron, 36% Nickel, 5% Chromium.

Nivarox - 45% Cobalt, 20% Nickel, 20%Chromium, 5% Iron, rest is Titanium and beryllium

Parachrom - 85% Niobium, 15% Zirconium. Oxygen is often mentioned as a "component" of the alloy in other sources but is likely referring to the oxidation of the surface during heat blueing the hairspring which Rolex found increased stability over time.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=130539

More on Parachrom

http://watchmakingblog.com/2008/05/0...om-hairspring/

[Nokie]

What about pixie dust and unicorn tears.....?

[Seriously]

What about pixie dust and unicorn tears.....?

Sintered pixie dust was outlawed in the 70's.... and unicorn tears were replaced with unicorn ears