Meister Anker Gold-Plated Quartz Dress Watch with Onyx-Style Dial
Watch (Quartz Dress Watch) · Yellow Gold (Classically hued electroplate)
Purity: Likely Gold-Plated (Electroplated) over Base Metal or Stainless Steel; visible edge wear suggests a low-purity plating rather than solid gold.
Type
Watch (Quartz Dress Watch)
Purity
Likely Gold-Plated (Electroplated) over Base Metal or Stainless Steel; visible edge wear suggests a low-purity plating rather than solid gold.
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (Classically hued electroplate)
Weight
30-45 grams (total weight including quartz movement and leather strap)
Description
A classic minimalist dress watch featuring a stark black dial and thin gold-toned hands. This Meister Anker piece represents the era of affordable German consumer horology, focusing on a clean aesthetic similar to high-end Movado 'Museum' watches of the same period.
Key Features
Minimalist 'no-number' dial, thin profile bezel, and the distinctive Meister Anker crest logo at the 12 o'clock position.
Color & Finish
Yellow gold finish with a high-polish bezel; significant surface scratching and micro-abrasions visible on the lugs and crystal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The dial is marked 'Meister Anker' and 'Quartz'. Case back (not visible) likely reveals 'Stainless Steel Back' and 'Gold Plated' or 'Base Metal' stamps.
Dimensions Estimate
Case diameter approximately 32-34mm (mid-size/unisex); lug width 16-18mm.
Gemstones & Inlays
No gemstones; features a black 'onyx-style' dial with a gold-tone inner circular rail and minimalist hour markers.
Clasp & Closure
Standard tang-style buckle on a black leather strap, likely gold-toned base metal to match the case.
Chain & Links
Flat bezel construction with tapered lugs; leather strap attachment.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced quartz assembly; likely a snap-back case construction with a machine-stamped dial and modular movement.
Authentication Indicators
Logo alignment matches period catalog examples; gold case displays typical wear patterns for electroplated base metal rather than solid gold (which would show different density and hallmarking).
Origin & Maker
Meister Anker (Germany); a brand traditionally associated with the Quelle department store catalog, using movements from various international suppliers.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (likely 1980s or 1990s) characterized by the minimalist aesthetic and quartz movement popularity.
Age Estimate
Circa 1985-1995; indicated by the typography of the logo and the 'Quartz' designation.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Quartz Crisis' era where precision timekeeping became accessible to the middle class through department store brands, moveing away from mechanical prestige toward fashion-forward designs.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; significant scratching on the acrylic crystal and visible wear (brassing) on the gold plating around the lug edges and crown. Strap shows heavy wear.
Value Estimate
$20 - $50 USD. Value is based on functionality and nostalgic fashion rather than precious metal content, as the gold content is negligible (plating).
Care & Maintenance
Avoid water exposure as vintage quartz seals often fail; use a soft microfiber cloth for the case and consider a crystal polywatch compound to buff out surface scratches.
Similar Items
Movado Museum Watch (the luxury inspiration), Seiko Quartz Dress watches, or Citizen Elegance series.
Interesting Facts
Meister Anker was the house brand for the German retail giant Quelle, making it one of the most widely distributed watch brands in Central Europe during the Cold War era.