Gold Wrist Watches

Gold Watches Part 3

Gold Wrist Watch Parts
Gold Wrist Watch Parts

Eventually technology improved, and further miniaturization became possible.  Thus, it became possible for watches to be small enough to be comfortably strapped to a person’s wrist.  This happened in the early 1900’s.  Until these days, wrist watches are very convenient tools. 

As with gold pocket watches, gold wrist watches are not really gold.  They are composed of a gold movement housed inside a protective bezel made of a gold bearing alloy.  Gold wrist watches also vary greatly.  On the low-end gold wrist watches are plated.  Above that, they are gold filled, and above that made of solid 10K, 14K and 18K progressively.  Maybe higher fineness gold watch bezels exist, but if so, they are very impractical because of the metal’s softness. 

Gold Wrist Watch Bezels

That a gold wrist watch is solid gold does not mean that it is not hollow.  A lot of gold wrist watches are hollowed out as much as possible beyond the space for the movement.  This is actually very common because it saves a lot of money to the manufacturer.   When this is the situation, the carcass is much lighter than it appears because the hollowing is as much as possible while still retaining the gold bezel’s structural integrity.

Gold wrist watches often have a steel movement cap.  This is the case of most gold Rolexes.  So, the while the bezel is gold, the back is not.  In addition, like in the case of the popular two-tone Rolex Date Just watches, the bezel is steel, and only the bezel crown is gold.  So, the amount of gold in two-tone Rolex Date Just is very little. 

Gold Wrist Watch Bands (Straps)

Gold wrist watches have straps, also known as bands.  If the straps are leather, or similar material, on a higher quality gold watch, it is important to see if the buckle is of gold alloy too.  If the gold band is gold looking metal, it does not necessarily mean that the band is solid gold.  Often metal gold wristwatch straps are gold or silver plated.  Of course, the higher end the gold watch, the more likely the band will be solid gold too.  In addition, like in the case of Rolex watches, such as the Rolex Date Just Gold, the watch is mostly steel, with only an 18K white or yellow gold intermediate band links.

In higher end gold wrist watches, mesh type gold bands are solid gold.  Those straps are built of mesh composed of woven solid gold wire.  It is common that dirt gets trapped in the mesh, so much so that there is a dark tone to the strap.  That dirt should be easy to clean with alcohol.  If it does not come out, most likely the strap is most likely not solid gold.

Another important aspect to gold watch straps is the pins holding the strap links.  In for example gold watches such as the Rolex Presidential, the pins are made of gold, same as the links.  In other watches, the pins may be made out of steel or brass.  This material can add up to at least few grams.  Needless to say, when buying such a watch for it gold scrap value, the mass of the pins should be discounted, otherwise the buyer will be paying gold prices for scrap iron and copper.