Burnat Vintage Gold-Tone Base Metal Quartz Watch
Watch (Wristwatch) · Gold-tone/Yellow-alloy plating on base metal (likely brass or steel).
Purity: Non-solid; Base metal with gold-colored plating or flashing. Likely no measurable gold content or extremely thin plating (less than 0.5 microns).
Type
Watch (Wristwatch)
Purity
Non-solid; Base metal with gold-colored plating or flashing. Likely no measurable gold content or extremely thin plating (less than 0.5 microns).
Gold Type
Gold-tone/Yellow-alloy plating on base metal (likely brass or steel).
Weight
25-30 grams total weight including movement and expansion band. Gold weight is negligible.
Description
A classic Burnat quartz wristwatch featuring a round gold-tone case and a decorative two-tone dial. The watch utilizes an expansion band popular in the late 20th century for ease of wear. It represents a mass-market fashion timepiece rather than a luxury horological investment.
Key Features
Two-tone bullseye dial, Breguet numerals, thin lugs, quartz movement, and expansion stretch band.
Color & Finish
Yellow gold-tone with a high-polish finish on the bezel and lugs. Significant wear, scratches on the crystal, and visible oxidation/tarnishing on the lugs and crown.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No precious metal hallmarks visible on front. Likely marked 'Base Metal Bezel' or 'Stainless Steel Back' on the case reverse.
Dimensions Estimate
Case diameter approximately 22mm-26mm (Ladies' mid-size); Band width 12mm.
Gemstones & Inlays
None. Dial features a two-tone silver and gold-tone finish with printed Breguet-style numerals.
Clasp & Closure
Expansion-style 'Speidel' type stretch band. No mechanical clasp; relies on internal spring tension.
Chain & Links
Standard expansion link construction; stainless steel or base metal interior with gold-tone caps.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced cast base metal case with a snap-back construction and a standard printed dial.
Authentication Indicators
Red flags for solid gold: Visible tarnish/corrosion on lugs, wear-through showing base metal (brassing), and 'Quartz' movement in a low-tier brand.
Origin & Maker
Burnat (likely a fashion or department store brand); Movement likely Japanese or Hong Kong quartz.
Era & Period
Modern/Late 20th Century (Post-Quartz Crisis). Influenced by Retro-classic design.
Age Estimate
Circa 1980s-1990s based on the 'Quartz' designation and dial typography.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of wristwatches during the quartz era, moving away from gold as a necessity for durability to gold-tone as a fashion choice.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Crystal is heavily scratched; gold-plating is wearing off at the friction points (lugs); indices on dial show surface degradation.
Value Estimate
$5 - $20 USD. Value is purely sentimental or functional; it contains no scrap gold value.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid water exposure as seals are likely degraded. Clean with a soft damp cloth. Do not use jewelry cleaners as they may strip the remaining gold-tone plating.
Similar Items
Timex Easy Reader (Gold-tone), Vintage Seiko Quartz, or Bulova Caravelle models of the same era.
Interesting Facts
Burnat was among many brands that utilized the quartz revolution to produce affordable, gold-look timepieces for the general public during the 1980s.