Introduced in the early 1980s, the reference 69173 modernized the Rolex Lady-Datejust line by pairing a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with the quickset Caliber 2135. Produced through the late 1990s, this two-tone configuration became the commercial backbone of the women's catalog by combining daily water resistance with precious metal construction.
The 26mm Oyster case pairs brushed stainless steel lugs with a fluted 18k yellow gold bezel that frames a white dial with applied gold Roman numerals and an outer railroad minute track. Inside the case, the self-winding Caliber 2135 operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and drives an instantaneous date mechanism magnified by the Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock.
Founded in 1905 by the visionary Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex was born from a singular, revolutionary idea: to transform the wristwatch from a fragile piece of jewelry into a robust, precise, and reliable daily companion. This ambition was masterfully realized in 1926 with the invention of the Oyster, the world's first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch case. Proven by a triumphant swim across the English Channel on the wrist of Mercedes Gleitze, the Oyster case established the foundational pillar of the brand's identity—performance and dependability in the most demanding conditions—a standard to which every Rolex is held to this day.
Building upon this foundation, Rolex went on to pioneer the defining features of the modern watch, including the self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931 and the date-displaying Datejust in 1945. The brand then cemented its legend by creating the "professional tool watch" category, developing iconic models engineered for specific endeavors: the Submariner for deep-sea diving, the GMT-Master for intercontinental pilots, and the Cosmograph Daytona for the world of motorsports.
Today, Rolex positions itself as the universal symbol for success, quality, and prestige. As a fully integrated manufacturer, the brand exercises complete control over every component, from smelting its own proprietary gold alloys to assembling its "Superlative Chronometer" certified movements with uncompromising precision.
Overall Grade: 7,5 / 10 | Good Condition, Medium Wear Production: est. 1994 Contents: Watch Only Genre: Vintage Dress Watch
Size: 26mm Thickness: approx. 11mm Lug Width: approx. 13mm
Case: Oyster case, mirrored sides, brushed top lugs, medium wear Bezel: 18k YG, fluted bezel, medium wear Dial: White dial, applied 18k YG markers coronet, tritium lume plots Hands: 18k YG baton hands
Crown: 18k YG, screw-down twinlock crown, medium wear Crystal: Sapphire crystal with cyclops lens, medium wear Bracelet: Stainless steel and 18K YG Jubilee bracelet, medium wear Caseback: Stainless steel, solid, screw-on caseback, medium wear Movement: Automatic Caliber: 2135