Rolex Datejust 69138

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 69138

The Rolex Datejust 69138 is the 26mm Lady-Datejust in solid 18k yellow gold with factory diamond hour markers on the dial, paired with the iconic Rolex President bracelet and powered by the Caliber 2135 movement. Produced from approximately the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, it is the diamond-dial sibling of the standard 69178 within the same solid gold President family. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 69138 watches across a range of factory dial configurations, including champagne string diamond, white, black, and mother of pearl with diamond hour markers.

Rolex Datejust 69138 Specifications and Configurations

The 69138 is built around a 26mm Oyster case in solid 18k yellow gold, a fluted 18k yellow gold bezel (the standard factory configuration, with factory diamond-set bezel variants also produced), a screw down Twinlock crown, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and 100 meters of water resistance. Inside is the Rolex Caliber 2135, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date and approximately 42 hours of power reserve, the same workhorse Lady-Datejust movement used across the 69-series. The 69138 is paired exclusively with the Rolex President bracelet, the dressy three-link semi-circular bracelet reserved for solid gold and platinum Rolex watches. Factory diamond hour markers are the defining dial feature of this reference and distinguish it from the otherwise similar 69178. For broader 26mm Lady-Datejust context across all metals and bezels, browse our 26mm Rolex collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 69138 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 69138 prices typically range from approximately $9,000 to $15,000 or more depending on dial, condition, bezel configuration, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne diamond hour marker dials on a fluted bezel sit at the lower end of the range. Mother of pearl and other rarer factory dials trade in the middle of the range. Factory diamond-set bezel variants and pristine unworn examples with full sets command the top of the range. The 69138 trades at a premium to the standard 69178 because of the factory diamond hour marker dial, and at a premium to the Yellow Rolesor 69173 because of the solid gold construction throughout. For broader context across solid gold Rolex, see our gold Rolex collection, and for additional factory diamond Datejust references browse our Rolex Datejust diamond collection.

Rolex Datejust 69138 vs 69178: Diamond Dial vs Standard Index

The 69138 and the Rolex Datejust 69178 are direct sibling references within the same generation, sharing the 26mm Oyster case in solid 18k yellow gold, the fluted 18k yellow gold bezel, the President bracelet, the Caliber 2135 movement, and the sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens. The defining difference is the dial. The 69138 ships from the factory with diamond hour markers as the standard configuration, available on champagne, white, black, mother of pearl, and other dial colors. The 69178 ships with standard applied gold index markers on the same dial color palette. Buyers who want the jewelry-forward presence of factory diamond hour markers on a solid gold Lady-Datejust lean toward the 69138. Buyers who prefer a cleaner traditional dial lean toward the 69178. The 69138 trades at a meaningful premium over the 69178 because of the factory diamond setting and the additional value of the diamond hour markers.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 69138 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 69138 for sale at WatchGuys, every piece is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers, priced against live secondary market data, and backed by a comprehensive set of buyer protections. We have spent over three decades focused on pre-owned Rolex, with deep expertise in factory diamond dial and bezel references like the 69138.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 69138 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 69138?

  The Rolex Datejust 69138 is the 26mm Lady-Datejust in solid 18k yellow gold with factory diamond hour markers on the dial, paired with the Rolex President bracelet and powered by the Caliber 2135 movement. It was produced from approximately the mid-1980s through the late 1990s. The standard factory configuration combines the fluted 18k yellow gold bezel with the diamond hour marker dial, although factory diamond-set bezel variants were also produced. It is the diamond-dial sibling of the standard 69178 within the same solid gold President family.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 69138 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 69138 prices typically range from approximately $9,000 to $15,000 or more depending on the dial, condition, bezel configuration, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne diamond hour marker dials on a fluted bezel sit at the lower end. Mother of pearl and rarer factory dials trade in the middle of the range. Factory diamond-set bezel variants and pristine unworn examples with full sets command the top of the range. Solid gold ladies references with factory diamond dials have appreciated steadily as gold prices have risen.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 69138?

  The Rolex Datejust 69138 is powered by the Rolex Caliber 2135, a self-winding mechanical movement with quickset date and approximately 42 hours of power reserve. It is COSC certified and meets Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard. The Caliber 2135 was the workhorse Lady-Datejust movement across the entire 69-series, including the 69173, 69174, 69178, 69159, and 69138, and was eventually replaced by the Caliber 2235 in the later 179-series.

• Rolex Datejust 69138 vs 69178: what is the difference?

  The 69138 and the 69178 are direct sibling references within the same generation, sharing the 26mm Oyster case in solid 18k yellow gold, the fluted 18k yellow gold bezel, the President bracelet, the Caliber 2135 movement, and the sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens. The defining difference is the dial. The 69138 ships from the factory with diamond hour markers as the standard configuration. The 69178 ships with standard applied gold index markers. The 69138 trades at a meaningful premium over the 69178 because of the factory diamond setting on the dial.

• Does the Rolex 69138 have a factory diamond bezel?

  The standard factory configuration of the 69138 pairs the diamond hour marker dial with the fluted 18k yellow gold bezel, not a diamond bezel. Rolex did produce factory diamond-set bezel variants of the 69138 as a more elaborate configuration, and authentic factory diamond bezel examples do exist on the market. However, aftermarket diamond bezel modifications are common on the 69138 and look superficially similar to factory examples while carrying none of the value. At WatchGuys, our in-house watchmakers verify the bezel against Rolex factory specifications before any 69138 is listed, and we describe each piece explicitly as factory fluted, factory diamond-set, or aftermarket modified so buyers know exactly what they are purchasing.

• What bracelet does the Rolex Datejust 69138 come on?

  The Rolex Datejust 69138 ships exclusively on the Rolex President bracelet, the same dressy three-link semi-circular bracelet found on solid gold Day-Date references. The President bracelet is reserved for solid gold and platinum Rolex models, which is why the steel and two-tone Lady-Datejust references of the same era ship on the Jubilee or Oyster instead. On the 69138, the President bracelet is crafted in matching solid 18k yellow gold with a concealed Crownclasp, giving the watch the visual weight and prestige of a Day-Date in a compact 26mm case.

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