Welcome to the forum Jesse!

It's probably the age old "Should a tool watch be in anything other than steel?" question. Even 18K Heuers were undervalued for years, as the majority of the collector base fell on the steel side. Gold watches have warmed up since, thanks in part to the history and motorsport links of the 1158 but gold-plated ones can still be had at a significant discount to steel.

They could well remain that, the original plate on many of the watches is looking tatty now 40-odd years later, but if you find a decent one and, most importantly, you like it, then take the plunge and enjoy. I have gold-plated first, second, third and fourth gen Carreras and enjoy them all - check this for 70s bling:

I don't think they will ever be to everyone's taste but don't let that stop you - mechanically the same watch for less cash makes at least some sort of sense, right?