Identifying Gold Wristwatches: What to Look For & How to Tell

Question
Hi Thomas,

I have a rather old Chaika lady's wrist watch. It has a number on base metal case 457985.
It has a sign as well, but I could not seewhat is on it. One jeweller daid it is gold, the other it is not.

I do not know, so what.

Thanks for your answer,
Mariann

Answer
Mariann, I am not a watchmaker but can help a little. You see, I have little to work with without the watch in hand. Chaika Russian made watches come from an old company, around quite a while.  They offer versions in 14k gold and in other metals.  

I would need your watch here with me to either find the quality marks for the metal or to test the metal to really know if gold or plated or some other metal.

I am surprised one jeweler said gold and another said not gold. Did either test the metal?  This can be done with either an electronic gold testing device or with an acid test.

The acid test will require a rubbing from an unseen part of the watch onto a slate stone along with a known sample of gold where acid is applied to the rubbings to compare reactions to the acid.  If the band can be removed, a rubbing can be made from inside one of the band lugs, the parts the band goes into.   The electronic test requires no rubbing.

I suggest you call around to some other jewelers and ask if they can test the watch case for you.  That should provide an answer.

Without the watch in hand and knowing the company makes gold and non-gold watches, how am I to know. Get back to me if you need more. Fair enough?

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.  November 27,2007 7:12pm