Rolex Datejust 79174

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About the Rolex Datejust 79174

The Rolex Datejust 79174 is the middle-generation 26mm Lady-Datejust in stainless steel with an 18k white gold fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet. It serves as the transitional reference between the long-running 69174 predecessor and the six-digit 179174 successor, produced from approximately the late 1990s through the mid-2000s. Most 79174 examples in circulation today are powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235 movement, with the earliest production years carrying the Caliber 2135. As a White Rolesor lite construction (Oystersteel case and bracelet with 18k white gold fluted bezel), the 79174 offers the elegant brightness of white gold on the bezel without the price premium of a full White Rolesor or solid gold reference. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79174 watches across a range of factory dial configurations including silver Roman, white Roman, ivory, copper, rose Roman, and silver diamond hour marker variants.

Rolex Datejust 79174 Specifications and Configurations

The 79174 is built around a 26mm Oyster case in stainless steel paired with an 18k white 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 79174 is fitted on the Rolex Jubilee bracelet in stainless steel, the dressier five-link bracelet design that is the traditional pairing with the Lady-Datejust, 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 79174 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79174 prices typically range from approximately $3,500 to $6,500 depending on dial, condition, year of production, and completeness of box and papers. Standard silver and white Roman dial examples on the Jubilee bracelet sit at the lower end of the range. Less common dials like ivory, copper, and rose Roman trade in the middle of the range. Factory silver diamond hour marker variants, mother-of-pearl dials, and full-set examples with original box and papers command the top of the range. The 79174 typically trades at a small premium to the five-digit 69174 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.

Rolex Datejust 79174 vs 69174: Middle Generation vs Previous Generation

The 79174 and the Rolex Datejust 69174 are direct successor and predecessor in the steel + white gold fluted bezel Lady-Datejust line, sharing the same 26mm Oyster case, the same 18k white gold fluted bezel, the same sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and the same Jubilee bracelet. The key generational differences are subtle but meaningful. The 69174 was produced from approximately the late 1980s through the late 1990s and is powered exclusively by the Rolex Caliber 2135. The 79174 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 79174 also introduced the no-lug-holes case construction on later examples, a small modernization that the 69174 does not have. From across the room both watches are nearly identical, and the 79174 typically trades at only a small premium over the 69174. Buyers choose the 79174 for the marginally newer movement and case. Buyers choose the 69174 for the slightly lower price point and the long, proven service history of the Caliber 2135. For the same-generation Yellow Rolesor sister, see the Rolex Datejust 79173. For the six-digit successor generation, see the Rolex Datejust 179173.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 79174 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79174 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 line.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 79174 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 79174?

  The Rolex Datejust 79174 is the middle-generation 26mm Lady-Datejust in stainless steel with an 18k white gold fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet. It was produced from approximately the late 1990s through the mid-2000s and serves as the transitional reference between the five-digit 69174 predecessor and the six-digit 179174 successor. Most 79174 examples are powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235 movement, with the earliest production years carrying the Caliber 2135. The 79174 is a White Rolesor lite construction, pairing the bright elegance of an 18k white gold bezel with the durability of a stainless steel case and bracelet.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 79174 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79174 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 silver and white Roman dial examples on the Jubilee bracelet sit at the lower end. Less common dials like ivory, copper, and rose Roman trade in the middle of the range. Factory silver diamond hour marker variants, mother-of-pearl dials, and full-set examples with original box and papers command the top of the range. The 79174 typically trades at a small premium to the five-digit 69174 predecessor due to its updated movement.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 79174?

  Most Rolex Datejust 79174 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 79174 vs 69174: what is the difference?

  The 79174 and the 69174 are direct successor and predecessor in the steel and white gold bezel Lady-Datejust line, sharing the same 26mm Oyster case, 18k white gold fluted bezel, sapphire crystal, and Jubilee bracelet. The 69174 (late 1980s to late 1990s) is powered exclusively by the Caliber 2135. The 79174 (1998 to 2006) carries the same Caliber 2135 on early examples and the upgraded Caliber 2235 on most production examples. The 79174 also introduced the no-lug-holes case construction on later examples. From across the room both watches are nearly identical. The 79174 typically trades at a small premium for the marginally newer movement and case.

• When was the Rolex Datejust 79174 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 79174 was produced from approximately 1998 through 2006, when it was replaced by the six-digit 179174 successor. Production year on a specific 79174 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 79174 a women's watch?

  Yes. The Rolex Datejust 79174 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 79174 is one of the most widely available pre-owned Lady-Datejust references on the secondary market because of its long production run and steel construction, making it a popular entry point into the Lady-Datejust line.

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