Rolex Datejust 79173

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 79173

The Rolex Datejust 79173 is the middle-generation 26mm Lady-Datejust in Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold) with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel and two-tone Jubilee bracelet. It serves as the transitional reference between the long-running 69173 predecessor and the six-digit 179173 successor, produced from approximately the late 1990s through the mid-2000s. Most 79173 examples in circulation today are powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235 movement, with the earliest production years carrying the Caliber 2135. As one of the highest-volume Lady-Datejust references on the secondary market, the 79173 sits at the heart of the Yellow Rolesor 26mm Lady-Datejust catalog and has consistently demonstrated strong appreciation over the past five years. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79173 watches across a wide range of factory dial configurations including champagne, white Roman, silver, black, blue, mother of pearl, and diamond hour marker variants.

Rolex Datejust 79173 Specifications and Configurations

The 79173 is built around a 26mm Oyster case in stainless steel paired with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, a screw down Twinlock crown, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and 100 meters of water resistance. Inside is typically the Rolex Caliber 2235, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date and approximately 48 hours of power reserve, replacing the Caliber 2135 found in the earliest production years. The Caliber 2235 was a meaningful upgrade introduced around 2001 that brought small refinements to the date mechanism and overall reliability of the 26mm Lady-Datejust line. The 79173 is fitted on the Rolex Jubilee bracelet in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, the dressier five-link two-tone bracelet design that is the traditional Lady-Datejust pairing, secured by a concealed Crownclasp. Later production examples (approximately 2003 onward) feature the no-lug-holes case construction, a subtle modernization that improves the case profile by hiding the spring bar holes from view when worn. For broader Lady-Datejust context across all generations, browse our 26mm Rolex collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 79173 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79173 prices typically range from approximately $3,500 to $6,500 depending on dial, condition, year of production, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne, silver, and white Roman dial examples on the two-tone Jubilee bracelet sit at the lower end of the range. Less common dials like black, blue, and pink trade in the middle of the range. Factory diamond hour marker variants, mother of pearl dials, and full-set examples with original box and papers command the top of the range. As one of the highest-volume Lady-Datejust references in the world and a discontinued reference with proven appreciation history, the 79173 has demonstrated strong value retention. The 79173 typically trades at a small premium to the five-digit 69173 predecessor (which carries the older Caliber 2135 across its entire production run) because of the updated movement and case construction. For broader context across the wider Lady-Datejust catalog, browse our women's Rolex collection or the two-tone Rolex collection.

Rolex Datejust 79173 vs 69173: Middle Generation vs Previous Generation

The 79173 and the Rolex Datejust 69173 are direct successor and predecessor in the Yellow Rolesor fluted bezel Lady-Datejust line, sharing the same 26mm Oyster case, the same 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, the same sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and the same two-tone Jubilee bracelet. The key generational differences are subtle but meaningful to authenticators and buyers focused on long-term value. The 69173 was produced from approximately 1988 through 1999 and is powered exclusively by the Rolex Caliber 2135. The 79173 followed from approximately 1998 through 2006, with early examples carrying the same Caliber 2135 and most production examples (post-2001) carrying the upgraded Caliber 2235 with refined date mechanism. The 79173 also introduced the no-lug-holes case construction on later examples, a small modernization that the 69173 does not have. From across the room both watches are nearly identical. The 79173 typically trades at a small premium to the 69173. Buyers choose the 79173 for the marginally newer movement and case. Buyers choose the 69173 for the slightly lower price point and the long, proven service history of the Caliber 2135. For the same-generation steel and white gold bezel sister, see the Rolex Datejust 79174. For the six-digit successor generation, see the Rolex Datejust 179173.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 79173 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79173 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 the discontinued 26mm Lady-Datejust references and the case, bezel, dial, and bracelet authentication nuances that matter on this specific high-volume line.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 79173 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 79173?

  The Rolex Datejust 79173 is the middle-generation 26mm Lady-Datejust in Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold) with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel and two-tone Jubilee bracelet. It was produced from approximately the late 1990s through the mid-2000s and serves as the transitional reference between the five-digit 69173 predecessor and the six-digit 179173 successor. Most 79173 examples are powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235 movement, with the earliest production years carrying the Caliber 2135. It is one of the highest-volume Lady-Datejust references on the secondary market.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 79173 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79173 prices typically range from approximately $3,500 to $6,500 depending on the dial, condition, year of production, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne, silver, and white Roman dial examples on the two-tone Jubilee bracelet sit at the lower end. Less common dials like black, blue, and pink trade in the middle of the range. Factory diamond hour marker variants, mother of pearl dials, and full-set examples with original box and papers command the top of the range. As one of the highest-volume Lady-Datejust references in the world, the 79173 has demonstrated strong value retention with proven five-year appreciation.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 79173?

  Most Rolex Datejust 79173 examples are powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date and approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The earliest production years (approximately 1998 to 2000) carry the older Caliber 2135 movement. The transition from 2135 to 2235 happened around 2001, when Rolex updated the date mechanism and refined the movement's overall construction. Both movements meet Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard. The Caliber 2235 was eventually replaced by the modern Caliber 2236 with Syloxi silicon hairspring in the current 278xxx Datejust 31 generation.

• Rolex Datejust 79173 vs 69173: what is the difference?

  The 79173 and the 69173 are direct successor and predecessor in the Yellow Rolesor fluted bezel Lady-Datejust line, sharing the same 26mm Oyster case, 18k yellow gold fluted bezel, sapphire crystal, and two-tone Jubilee bracelet. The 69173 (1988 to 1999) is powered exclusively by the Caliber 2135. The 79173 (1998 to 2006) carries the same Caliber 2135 on early examples and the upgraded Caliber 2235 on most production examples. The 79173 also introduced the no-lug-holes case construction on later examples. From across the room both watches are nearly identical. The 79173 typically trades at a small premium for the marginally newer movement and case.

• When was the Rolex Datejust 79173 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 79173 was produced from approximately 1998 through 2006, when it was replaced by the six-digit 179173 successor. Production year on a specific 79173 can be estimated using the serial number engraved between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position (visible when the bracelet is removed). Earlier examples typically carry letter-prefix serials (P, K, F, Y, M series), while later examples may use random alphanumeric serials. The Caliber 2235 movement transition around 2001 is one helpful production marker.

• Is the Rolex Datejust 79173 a women's watch?

  Yes. The Rolex Datejust 79173 is part of the Rolex Lady-Datejust line, the 26mm case size that Rolex produced specifically for the women's Datejust collection from the late 1950s through the mid-2010s. It was eventually replaced by the current 28mm Lady-Datejust (the 279xxx series) when Rolex retired the 26mm size in 2015. The 79173 is one of the most widely available pre-owned Lady-Datejust references on the secondary market because of its long production run and accessible Yellow Rolesor construction, making it one of the most popular entry points into the Lady-Datejust line.

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