How to check if your watch is solid gold

Solid gold watches are almost always stamped with 10k, 14k, 18k, 417, 585 or 750 either on the back or the inside of the casing (you may need to remove the casing to see it).

Most gold coloured watches are electroplated with a very fine layer of gold, and may be worth more as a timepiece or collectible than as a source of precious metal. But if your watch is solid gold and has seen better days, or is a more common model, it’s probably worth more in precious metal content than as a watch.

We commonly see watches made by Rolex, Cartier, Hublot, Breitling, Omega, Piguet, Breguet, IWC, Perrelet, and Patek Philippe. Lesser known brands have also produced solid gold watches over the years which have little collectible value, but their precious metal content could fetch you a significant amount of cash with today’s gold prices.

Need an expert opinion?

If you can’t find a stamp, want an expert valuation, or are curious to see how much your gold watch is worth, book an appointment or drop by any Canada Gold location for a free, no-obligation evaluation.

We will examine your gold watch in front of you, perform industry-standard tests to determine the gold purity and weight of the gold components, and make an offer which you are welcome to accept or decline. No pressure, and nothing to lose!