Rolex Datejust 179159

Reference Guide

About the Rolex Datejust 179159

The Rolex Datejust 179159 is a 26mm Lady-Datejust crafted entirely in solid 18k white gold, paired with the prestigious President bracelet and a factory diamond-set bezel. Produced from approximately 2002 through 2015, the 179159 sits at the top of the Lady-Datejust 26 lineup, combining the same case construction and movement as the smooth-bezel 179179 with the added presence and sparkle of a factory diamond bezel. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex 179159 watches across a range of factory dial configurations, including silver with diamonds, white mother of pearl with diamonds, black mother of pearl with diamonds, and white with diamond hour markers, plus select Crown Collection examples featuring additional factory diamond-set lugs. Every Rolex 179159 in our wider Rolex Datejust collection is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and ships with a 2-year warranty.

Within the 179xxx Lady-Datejust family, the 179159 occupies the highest-end position. The four-digit suffix tells the story: the "5" indicates white gold construction, and the "9" indicates the diamond-set bezel. That places the 179159 above the steel and white gold Rolex Datejust 79174, the two-tone Rolex Datejust 179173, and the two-tone diamond-bezel Rolex Datejust 179313 in the same case size. Because it is a fully gold reference on the President bracelet rather than the Jubilee, the 179159 wears closer in spirit to a small-format Rolex Day-Date than to a typical steel-era Lady-Datejust. The 26mm Oyster case is the original Lady-Datejust size, smaller than the current 28mm Lady-Datejust 28, and that vintage proportion has come back into favor with collectors who appreciate dressier, jewelry-forward proportions on the wrist.

Rolex 179159 Specifications and Features

The Rolex Datejust 179159 features a 26mm Oyster case in solid 18k white gold with a screw-down Twinlock crown and screw-down case back, water resistant to 100 meters. The factory diamond-set bezel is fixed and crafted in solid 18k white gold. The crystal is scratch-resistant sapphire with the signature Cyclops magnifier over the date window at 3 o'clock. Inside, the 179159 is powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The 2235 is a Swiss chronometer certified by COSC and was introduced in 1999 specifically for the 26mm and 28mm Lady-Datejust and 31mm Datejust references. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 31 jewels, and offers approximately 48 hours of power reserve. Date setting is instantaneous at midnight thanks to the quickset complication, and the movement features Rolex's stop-seconds function for precise time setting. The reference is fitted with the solid 18k white gold President bracelet, defined by its semi-circular three-piece links and the concealed Crownclasp that gives the bracelet its seamless, jewelry-like finish on the wrist. To explore how the President bracelet differs from other Rolex options, see our Rolex bracelets guide.

Rolex 179159 Dial and Configuration Options

The Rolex Datejust 179159 was offered in a wide range of factory dial configurations, all framed by the diamond-set white gold bezel. The most popular options include silver with diamond hour markers, white mother of pearl with diamonds, black mother of pearl with diamonds, and white with diamond hour markers. Additional configurations include champagne mother of pearl, slate, and various gem-set hour marker layouts using brilliant-cut, baguette-cut, or pavé settings. Select examples carry the Crown Collection designation, which adds factory diamond-set lugs in addition to the diamond bezel and gem-set dial, creating a fully integrated high-jewelry presentation. Mother of pearl dials are particularly desirable on the 179159 because each dial is cut from natural mother of pearl, meaning no two examples share the exact same iridescence or tonal shift. For buyers comparing dial options across the wider Lady-Datejust 26 family, browse our Rolex Datejust 179173 two-tone collection or the Rolex Datejust 179313 two-tone diamond-bezel collection. A broader view of factory diamond options across all sizes is available in our Rolex Datejust Diamond collection.

Rolex 179159 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 179159 prices typically range from approximately $14,000 to $30,000+ depending on dial configuration, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard silver and white dial examples on the President bracelet sit at the lower end of the range, while mother of pearl dials with factory diamond markers and Crown Collection examples with diamond-set lugs trade at the upper end. Sotheby's and major auction houses have listed clean examples in the mid-$20,000 range, and full-set examples with original Rolex box, original papers, and matching serial numbers carry a meaningful premium over loose watches. Pricing is also influenced by case sharpness (whether the bevels and lug edges remain crisp), bracelet stretch (the President bracelet is harder to find tight on the wrist than the Jubilee), and the originality of the factory diamond setting. Because the 179159 is a discontinued solid 18k white gold reference with strong dress-watch and gift-watch demand, it has shown steady value retention through multiple economic cycles. For broader Lady-Datejust pricing context across all materials and bezel styles, see our Rolex Datejust buying guide, and for ladies-specific recommendations across the catalog see our best ladies Rolex watches guide.

Rolex 179159 vs 179179

The Rolex 179159 and 179179 are sister references in the Lady-Datejust 26 family. Both are produced in solid 18k white gold on the President bracelet, both run on the Caliber 2235 movement, and both share the same 26mm Oyster case construction. The single difference is the bezel. The 179159 features a factory diamond-set bezel, while the 179179 carries a smooth polished white gold bezel. That difference cascades down the rest of the dial pairings, since the 179179 is more often configured with simple stick or Roman dials while the 179159 leans heavily into mother of pearl, diamond hour markers, and gem-set dial variants. On the secondary market, the 179159 typically trades at a $5,000 to $10,000 premium over an equivalent 179179, with the spread widening on rare dial combinations. Buyers who want the most understated solid white gold Lady-Datejust typically choose the 179179, while buyers who want the additional sparkle and visible jewelry presence of a factory diamond bezel choose the 179159. For a more accessible diamond-bezel option in two-tone Yellow Rolesor instead of solid white gold, see the Rolex Datejust 179313 collection, which offers similar visual impact at a meaningfully lower price.

Is the Rolex 179159 a Good Investment?

The Rolex 179159 sits in a strong position on the secondary market. It is a discontinued solid 18k white gold reference with factory diamond setting, on a President bracelet that is exclusive to precious metal Rolex watches, in a case size that vintage and dress-watch buyers actively favor. With Rolex raising retail prices approximately 7% in January 2026 (and gold-content models increasing closer to 8 to 9% due to elevated gold prices), pre-owned solid gold references like the 179159 have become more attractive on a relative basis compared to current production. Supply is finite (Rolex retired the 26mm case entirely in 2015), demand is steady from gift buyers and dress-watch collectors, and the diamond bezel adds intrinsic material value beyond the gold weight alone. As with any pre-owned watch, condition and completeness drive value. Sharp cases, tight bracelets, original gem setting, and a complete set of box and papers all carry premiums. For comparison shopping against modern Day-Date references with similar full-gold construction on the President bracelet, browse our Rolex Day-Date 118238, Rolex Day-Date 118235 (Everose), or Rolex Day-Date 228238 collections.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy Your Rolex 179159 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 179159 for sale at WatchGuys, you get more than a watch. Every piece is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and backed by a complete set of buyer protections built specifically around solid white gold and diamond-set timepieces, where authentication standards matter most.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 179159 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 179159?

  The Rolex Datejust 179159 is a 26mm Lady-Datejust reference produced from approximately 2002 through 2015, crafted in solid 18k white gold with a factory diamond-set bezel and the President bracelet. It is powered by the Caliber 2235 automatic movement, features a sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifier, and is water resistant to 100 meters. The 179159 is the diamond-bezel sibling to the smooth-bezel 179179 and sits at the top of the Lady-Datejust 26 lineup.

• How much does a Rolex 179159 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex 179159 prices typically range from approximately $14,000 to $30,000+ depending on dial configuration, condition, and completeness. Standard silver and white dial examples sit at the lower end. Mother of pearl diamond dials and Crown Collection examples with diamond-set lugs trade at the upper end, with full-set examples carrying a premium for original box and papers.

• Is the Rolex 179159 discontinued?

  Yes. Rolex discontinued the 26mm Lady-Datejust case in approximately 2015 and replaced the entire 179xxx series with the current 28mm Lady-Datejust 28 (the 279xxx series). The 179159 is no longer available new from Rolex authorized dealers and is only available on the pre-owned market.

• What movement is in the Rolex 179159?

  The Rolex Datejust 179159 is powered by the Caliber 2235, a self-winding automatic chronometer-certified movement introduced by Rolex in 1999. It runs at 28,800 vph, contains 31 jewels, and offers approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The Caliber 2235 includes the quickset date function and stop-seconds for precise time setting, and it remains highly serviceable by Rolex and qualified independent watchmakers.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 179159 and 179179?

  Both references share an identical 26mm solid 18k white gold Oyster case, the President bracelet, and the Caliber 2235 movement. The difference is the bezel. The 179159 features a factory diamond-set white gold bezel. The 179179 features a smooth polished white gold bezel. The 179159 typically trades at a $5,000 to $10,000 premium over the 179179 due to the diamond content, with the spread widening on rare dial combinations.

• What dial options are available on the Rolex 179159?

  The Rolex 179159 was offered with silver diamond, white diamond, white mother of pearl with diamonds, black mother of pearl with diamonds, champagne mother of pearl, and additional factory gem-set configurations using brilliant-cut, baguette-cut, or pavé hour markers. Select examples carry the Crown Collection designation, which adds factory diamond-set lugs in addition to the diamond bezel and gem-set dial.

Browse More

Explore More Rolex Collections

The Rolex Datejust 179159 sits at the intersection of several wider Rolex categories: Lady-Datejust 26 references, solid 18k white gold construction, the President bracelet, and factory diamond-set bezels. Use the navigation below to browse related references, alternative configurations, and the wider Rolex catalog.