A gold watch holds two very different values — and confusing the two costs you money. If you want to sell a gold watch in Dakar, here is the essential distinction: on one side, the gold of the case and the bracelet, which is weighed and paid by the gram like any piece of jewelry; on the other, the movement and the brand, which belong to an entirely different market. Knowing how to separate the two is the key to selling at a fair price.
| Karat | Purity | Price per gram (spot, USD) | Jayma Or buy-back price |
|---|---|---|---|
| … | |||
An inherited watch that no longer works, a dress watch you never wear, the gold bracelet of a mismatched watch: all of it has a precise value, one you can calculate today.
At Jayma Or, we buy gold in Dakar every day — see our gold buying in Dakar service: jewelry, broken gold, gold scrap, coins and bars — including gold watches. Touchstone test, weighing on a certified scale in front of you, the price explained, cash payment the same day. And we tell you frankly what we pay for... and what we do not.
Here is what you are about to learn:
- which parts of your watch are actually gold — and how they are weighed;
- why the movement is not part of our calculation (and when it is better to aim for the watch market);
- why a gold-plated watch cannot be bought;
- how to get a reliable estimate in a few minutes, from a simple photo.
What we value: the gold of the case and the bracelet
Our business is simple and transparent: we buy gold. On a watch, the gold is found mainly in two places:
- The case (the body of the watch): on a solid gold watch, it carries a hallmark — "750" for 18 carat (75% gold), "585" for 14 carat (58.3%), more rarely "875" (21 carat, 87.5%). Look for it on the back of the case, on the lugs, or inside the case back.
- The bracelet, when it is solid gold: it is often the heaviest part, and therefore the most valuable. A gold watch bracelet can weigh several dozen grams on its own.
The calculation follows the universal gold-buying formula: weight × purity × the day's rate. The glass, the dial, the movement and the steel elements are deducted from the weighing — only the gold is weighed, on a certified scale, in front of you. The purity is confirmed if needed by a touchstone test. For the price per gram in FCFA, carat by carat, check the gold price in Senegal today: it is your reference before any sale.
And if the watch is broken? It makes no difference. A case with no hands, a mismatched bracelet, a lone case back: all of it is bought as gold scrap, at the same rate per gram.
The movement and the brand: let us be honest with you
This is where many sellers get caught out — in both directions. Let us say it clearly: we value the gold, not the mechanism. The movement of an ordinary watch is not part of our calculation.
But honesty requires us to tell you the opposite too: some watches are worth more than their gold weight. A watch from a great watchmaking brand (think of the prestigious Swiss manufactures) can trade on the collectors' market at a price above the mere value of the metal. In that case:
- if your watch is from a prestigious brand, in working order, possibly with box and papers, look into the watch market first: you could get more there;
- if it is a gold watch with no particular rating, broken, or of a brand with no resale market, the gold-weight value is the right reference — and we pay you cash, immediately.
A buyer who does not tell you this is not working in your interest. Send us a photo: we will tell you frankly which situation you are in.
Gold plated: why we cannot buy it
Many gold-colored watches are not solid gold but gold plated: a thin layer of gold (often a few microns) covers an ordinary metal. The amount of recoverable gold is tiny — too little to be weighed, refined and paid for. That is why gold plating is not bought, by us as by any serious gold buyer. We explain this in detail in why gold plating is not bought.
How to spot it? Look for the markings "plaqué", "gold plated", "GP", "doublé" or "20 microns" on the back of the case. When in doubt, the touchstone test settles it in a few minutes, free of charge and in front of you. To dig deeper into how to value your other jewelry, read also how much is your gold jewelry worth.
How to sell your watch in 4 steps
- Examine the back of the case: solid gold hallmark (750, 585) or a plating marking?
- Check the day's rate for the relevant carat, in FCFA per gram.
- Send us photos on WhatsApp at +221 78 111 66 87 (dial, back of the case, bracelet): free estimate and honest advice.
- Come in for the test and the weighing in front of you, national ID card (CNI) in hand: the price broken down (weight × purity × rate), then immediate cash payment. A trusted courier can also come to your home or office.
Frequently Asked Questions
My gold watch no longer works: can I still sell it?
Yes, with no discount on the gold: whether the mechanism runs or not changes nothing about the gold weight of the case and the bracelet. No need to pay for a repair before selling.
How do I know if my watch is solid gold or gold plated?
Look at the back of the case: "750" or "18K" indicate solid gold; "plaqué", "gold plated" or a marking in microns indicate plating, which we do not buy. When in doubt, the touchstone test, free and done in front of you, gives the answer.
Is my watch's movement paid for?
No — we value the gold, not the mechanism. Exception: watches from prestigious brands can be worth more on the watch market than their gold weight. If that is your case, we will tell you honestly right from the photo estimate.
Only the bracelet of my watch is gold: is it buyable?
Absolutely. A solid gold watch bracelet is weighed and paid like any piece of jewelry — it is often the heaviest part of the watch. Case only, case back, mismatched links: all of it is bought by weight.
When am I paid?
The same day, in cash and in FCFA, as soon as the test and the weighing are done in front of you and you accept the price — usually within a few minutes. A valid ID is enough.
Take action: finally know what your watch is worth
Solid gold or plated, value by weight or the watchmaking route: in a few minutes, you can know for sure — free and with no obligation.
Send photos of your watch right now on WhatsApp at +221 78 111 66 87, or book an appointment. Check the day's rate, bring your watch as it is: test, weighing in front of you, the price explained, immediate cash.