Rolex Datejust 79288

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 79288

The Rolex Datejust 79288 is the 26mm Lady-Datejust in solid 18k yellow gold with a factory diamond-set bezel on the iconic Rolex President bracelet, produced from approximately 1991 through the early 2000s. It is the jewelry-forward sibling of the standard fluted-bezel 79178 within the same 79-series generation, distinguished by a Florentine textured bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds in gold settings. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79288 watches across a range of factory dial configurations, including champagne, mother of pearl, and red vignette with diamond hour markers.

Rolex Datejust 79288 Specifications and Configurations

The 79288 is built around a 26mm Oyster case in solid 18k yellow gold, a factory diamond-set 18k yellow gold bezel with the textured Florentine finish, 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 found across the 69-series and 79-series. The 79288 is paired exclusively with the Rolex President bracelet, the dressy three-link semi-circular bracelet reserved for solid gold and platinum Rolex watches. Dial selection spans champagne, white, silver, mother of pearl, red vignette, and a range of factory diamond hour marker variants. For broader 26mm Lady-Datejust context across all metals and bezels, browse our 26mm Rolex collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 79288 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79288 prices typically range from approximately $11,000 to $20,000 or more depending on dial, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne and silver diamond hour marker dials sit at the lower end of the range. Mother of pearl, red vignette, and other rare factory dials trade in the middle of the range. Pristine unworn examples and rare dial configurations with full sets command the top of the range. The 79288 trades at a meaningful premium to the standard 79178 (fluted bezel sister) because of the factory diamond bezel and the additional gold weight in the textured Florentine setting. 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 79288 vs 179178: Diamond Bezel vs Fluted Bezel

The 79288 and the Rolex Datejust 179178 are both 26mm solid 18k yellow gold Lady-Datejusts on the President bracelet, but they represent two different generations and two different bezel philosophies. The 79288 (1991 to early 2000s generation) carries the factory diamond-set Florentine bezel and the Caliber 2135 movement with a 42 hour power reserve, giving it a jewelry-forward, vintage character. The 179178 (early 2000s to mid 2010s) is the final 26mm Lady-Datejust generation with the classic fluted yellow gold bezel and the updated Caliber 2235 movement. Buyers who want the diamond bezel showpiece and the vintage Florentine texture lean toward the 79288. Buyers who want the cleaner fluted bezel silhouette and the more modern movement lean toward the 179178. For the older generation full gold predecessor with a fluted bezel and acrylic crystal, see the Rolex Datejust 69178 collection.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 79288 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79288 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 bezel references like the 79288.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 79288 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 79288?

  The Rolex Datejust 79288 is the 26mm Lady-Datejust in solid 18k yellow gold with a factory diamond-set bezel on the Rolex President bracelet, produced from approximately 1991 through the early 2000s. It uses the Caliber 2135 movement with quickset date and a 42 hour power reserve, features a sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens over the date, and is water resistant to 100 meters. The diamond bezel sits on the textured Florentine finish that distinguishes the 79288 from the standard fluted bezel 79178 sister within the same generation.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 79288 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 79288 prices typically range from approximately $11,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the dial, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne and silver diamond hour marker dials sit at the lower end. Mother of pearl, red vignette, and rarer dial configurations trade in the middle of the range. Pristine unworn examples and rare dial configurations with full sets command the top of the range. Solid gold ladies references with factory diamond bezels have appreciated steadily as gold prices have risen.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 79288?

  The Rolex Datejust 79288 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 and 79-series, including the 69173, 69178, 79173, 79174, and 79288, and was eventually replaced by the Caliber 2235 in the later 179-series.

• Rolex Datejust 79288 vs 79178: what is the difference?

  The 79288 and the 79178 are sibling references from the same generation. Both are 26mm Lady-Datejusts in solid 18k yellow gold on the President bracelet, with the same Caliber 2135 movement, sapphire crystal, and overall design language. The difference is the bezel. The 79288 has a factory diamond-set bezel on a textured Florentine finish, giving it a jewelry-forward look. The 79178 has the classic fluted yellow gold bezel for a cleaner, more traditional Datejust silhouette. The 79288 trades at a meaningful premium because of the factory diamond setting.

• Is the Rolex 79288 diamond bezel factory original?

  The 79288 ships from the factory with a Rolex diamond-set bezel as standard equipment. This is one of the few Lady-Datejust references where the diamond bezel is factory original rather than an aftermarket modification, which is why authentication matters so much on this reference. Aftermarket diamond-set bezels exist on many other Rolex references and look superficially similar, but they will not match the precise stone quality, setting style, and bezel profile of a factory 79288. At WatchGuys, our in-house watchmakers verify the bezel and stones against Rolex factory specifications before any 79288 is listed.

• What bracelet does the Rolex Datejust 79288 come on?

  The Rolex Datejust 79288 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 79288, 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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