1990 Rolex Lady-Datejust 26mm Steel & Gold Factory Diamonds 69173

Here we have a 1990 Rolex Lady-Datejust 26mm Steel & Gold Factory Diamonds, reference 69173. This striking, classic timepiece features a 26mm stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold case, showcasing a timeless, elegant silhouette. The sophisticated case architecture features polished sides and a structural factory diamond set gold bezel, offering a delicate lug-to-lug length of 32.5mm and a slender thickness of 10.5mm for a powerful, graceful presence on the wrist. A signed 18ct yellow gold screw-down Twinlock crown. The standout feature of this model is its champagne dial, adorned with lovely, original factory-set diamond hour markers that highlight the watch's luxurious depth. The architectural layout features a date window at 3 o'clock, magnified by an integrated Cyclops lens on the crystal. Elegant gold hands are crafted for sharp legibility in all environments. Protecting this complex design is a beautiful, original factory-set diamond bezel holding a flat sapphire crystal. On the reverse, a solid screw-down caseback. Inside beats the proprietary Swiss-made automatic Calibre 2135, developed entirely by the renowned watchmakers at Rolex in Geneva, Switzerland. This customised, 29-jewel mechanical calibre operates at a high-beat frequency, featuring a bidirectional self-winding rotor. The watch comes paired with an integrated 13mm bespoke steel-and-gold Jubilee bracelet that tapers into a branded folding Oysterclasp, 21 links included, 1 short of a full bracelet and its paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original outer Rolex box, swing tags and paperwork; the inner Rolex box is not present. The watch comes paired with an integrated 13mm bespoke steel-and-gold Jubilee bracelet that tapers into a branded folding Oysterclasp, 21 links included, 1 short of a full bracelet. The watch is from Circa. 1990 and is in worn condition, but overall it is in very fair condition, fresh from service with a new crystal fitted, as you can see, with our watchmakers. A full case and bracelet refurb can be done on request. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

What really makes this Lady-Datejust stand out for me is the fact that both the diamond dial and bezel are original Rolex factory-set pieces. So many examples on the market have had aftermarket diamonds added later in life, but there’s a huge difference when everything was done properly by Rolex from the start. The setting quality, proportions, and overall finish just feel far more refined and cohesive. Combined with the champagne dial and classic steel-and-gold configuration, it captures that unmistakable late-80s/early-90s Rolex luxury aesthetic perfectly. Add this wonderful example to your collection today!

Reference : 69173
Movement : Automatic Rolex Cal. 2135
Age : Circa. 1990
Year : 1990
Case Size : 26mm
Case Thickness : 10.5mm
Lug to Lug : 32.5mm
Lugs : 13mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Outer Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel & 18ct Yellow Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

In 1905, German-born Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis set up a company in London that imported Swiss movements, which were installed in British cases and sold to jewellers who put their names on the dials. Recognising the potential for their brand, Wilsdorf created the brand name Rolex in 1908. In 1910, a Rolex became the first wristwatch to carry the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, awarded by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. Demand for Rolex watches rose swiftly, and British taxes on the Swiss movements Rolex used prompted Wilsdorf to move the business to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. With production costs lowered, Wilsdorf quickly set out to solve the age-old problem of moisture and dust entering a watch case and damaging the movement. The Rolex watchmakers came up with a fully sealed watch case, which Wilsdorf named the Oyster, and released it to an appreciative audience in 1926. In 1931, Rolex introduced the first automatic winding wristwatch, giving it the legendary name Oyster Perpetual. In 1945, they released Datejust. The Datejust was the first watch to have the date jump instantaneously at midnight. The 1950s saw a whole lot of releases such as the Air-King (1958), the Explorer (1953), the Submariner (1953), the GMT Master (1955), the Day-Date (1956), the electromagnetic field resistant Milgauss (1956), the Lady-Datejust (1957) and the first Deep Sea model (1960). Wilsdorf’s death in 1960 saw ownership of Rolex S.A. (a collection of sub-companies) passed to the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which was founded by Wilsdorf in 1945, the mission of which is simply to sustain Rolex S.A. indefinitely.