Watches (Was: Re: ...(and wrist watches))

[prefectmarcus]

No: HPFGUIDX 39591

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "eledhwen_0" <slinkie at n...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "bluesqueak" <pipdowns at e...> wrote:
> I also want to ask if anyone can explain to me how everyone (Harry 
> the twins etc)can wear wrist watches at school? Hermione makes it 
> clear that muggle objects such as bugging devices and walkie 
talkies 
> do not work at Hogwarts. If that is true than watches shouldn't 
work 
> either unless they are not infact muggle made, but if watches are 
> wizard made I find it strange that all the muggles have them.

There are still a lot of old-fashioned wind-up or self-winding 
watches available.  That's the first possible answer.

Another might be that small, self-contained, battery-operated muggle 
devices work.  Things like flashlights (torches for the UK), watches, 
normal cameras, that sort of thing.  It has to work primarily on DC, 
and not make use of sensors.  An electric analog watch would work 
because the only thing the battery is doing is running the motor, 
whereas a digital watch wouldn't because it is a miniature computer.  
Digital computers relay upon AC or AC-like circuits.  Radios would 
not work because they primarily work on AC and sensors.  Electric 
lights would not work because (a) it's all AC these days, and (b) the 
long wires would be susceptible to interference.  

I see the magical interference to be the same sort of thing as the 
electro-magnetic interfence caused by a nuclear device.  They wipe 
out electrical transmission and communications.

Marcus