What does 10-karat gold-filled mean on a watch?

On a watch, 10-karat gold-filled means that the watch has a specific type of construction executed with a particular material. A gold-filled watch is predominantly a base metal, such as copper, silver or brass. During the crafting process, the watchmaker finishes this base metal with a thin layer of gold. In the case of a 10-karat gold-filled watch, the gold is a 10-karat alloy, meaning it is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals. Makers can also use other gold alloys, such as 14-karat or 18-karat gold, which are 58.3% and 75% pure gold, respectively. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of gold watches.