Why are watches sensitive to magnets?

　I have a wristwatch that my son left next to the computer a couple of days ago. Before long, I noticed it had started running inaccurately—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and occasionally even stopping altogether. People say this is because the watch has become magnetized by the computer. But why are watches so sensitive to magnets?
　　Master Wei of the former Yangzhou Watch General Factory replied:
　　These issues typically arise with mechanical or quartz watches. LCD‑display watches, due to their internal design, generally do not malfunction when exposed to magnets.
　　Many mechanical watch movements are made of steel. If a watch is placed near a magnet, the steel movement becomes magnetized and develops its own magnetic field. Because the components inside a watch are extremely small, even a slight external force can disrupt their operation. Consequently, this newly generated magnetic field can easily cause the internal parts to malfunction, leading to inaccurate timekeeping.
　　In addition, quartz watches contain a coil with numerous windings; when a magnet is brought near, it can cause the internal electronic components to malfunction, thereby affecting the movement of the hands.
　　Experiments have shown that, in most cases, magnetic appliances do not affect a watch when it is kept at least 10 centimeters away. If your watch does become magnetized, there’s no need to worry—simply take it to a watch repair shop, where the technicians can demagnetize it and restore its normal performance.