Hello! Can anyone tell if this watch has 18k or 14k gold? I specify that it is from 1986, ref. 16013, thanks.

 

By that time period they were usually 18k. 14k still could be used on the 34mm models, and was found on early two tone DateJusts and Thunderbirds. But in the solid gold models and then by the five digit model numbers in 1980s, the 36mm had gone to 18k. Now the bracelet, if it isn't original to this watch and from an earlier year, could be using 14k. The date of the bracelet's manufacture should be on the clasp.

 

In certain countries where 18-karat is the lowest legal standard, it would be 18 karat in those countries. In Canada, Rolex changed from 14 to 18 concurrently when these watches were fitted with sapphire crystals, the Geneva bracelet, and the calibre 3135 movements. Yours? Dunno!

 

I guess the question is about the bezel and the shell for the crown? As mentioned, the bracelet was often added locally, or could be a later replacement, so we need to see the clasp code.

 

Yes, the question is for the bezel and the crown. I'll try to take a picture with the lock to clarify, but I still don't know about the bezel and the crown. What do you think it would be like? 18K or 14K? Can you see with the naked eye the differences between 14 and 18?

 

people that work with gold for many years can tell from just looking but is not a common skill.

 

Yes! It is 14 karat or 18 karat!

 

It's not easy to tell the difference visually, and certainly not from a photo. And frankly, for a two-tone watch, the difference in value between 14k and 18k is negligible since there is not so much gold.

 

Thank you very much for the answer, I thought it was more easily visible to anyone!