Are gold watches real gold?

Whether or not gold watches are real gold depends on the timepiece. Some gold watches simply have a gold-toned finish and contain no real gold. Others feature a thin layer of gold plating over top of other precious metals. Luxury watch makers often use 18-karat gold, an alloy that is 75 percent real gold and 25 percent other metals. Find a large selection of gold watches on 1stDibs.