Will a smartwatch demagnetise my mechanical?

Modern smartwatches use shielded magnets in their charging systems, but storing them in direct contact with a mechanical watch - particularly a non-anti-magnetic one - is still inadvisable. Keep them in separate trays or pouches.

Watch Comparisons

Smartwatch vs Mechanical - A Genuine Comparison

The smartwatch / mechanical watch debate is often framed as a fashion-versus-tech question. The honest comparison is functional: they solve different problems, and most serious watch owners eventually wear both - for different reasons, on different days.

By Ira Zoot

Reviewed against editorial standards Last updated April 26, 2026 Subject-matter reviewed

What a smartwatch does well

Continuous biometric tracking (heart rate, ECG, blood-oxygen, sleep), GPS and pace tracking, contactless payment, notification triage, and music control. The Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix range have become genuine field instruments for ultra-runners, sailors, and divers - measurably more useful than a mechanical for those activities.

What a mechanical does well

Decades of service life, no firmware obsolescence, no charging, no data exposure, and a craft tradition that connects the wearer to four centuries of horology. A well-cared-for mechanical watch will be functional in 50 years; the average smartwatch loses software support within 5–7 years.

The honest verdict

They are complementary, not competitive. Athletes wear smartwatches for training and a mechanical socially. Collectors wear a mechanical daily and a smartwatch for sleep tracking. Forcing a choice typically reflects budget rather than preference - both categories have low-cost entry points worth owning.