Lady-Datejust 279173 specifications
The spec sheet matches the white gold 279174 almost exactly. Here, though, the bezel, crown and centre links are 18 ct yellow gold, which changes both the look and the price.
| Reference | 279173 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Lady-Datejust |
| Status | Current production |
| Introduced | 2015 |
| Predecessor | 179173 |
| Case diameter | 28 mm |
| Case material | Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold) |
| Bezel | Fluted 18 ct yellow gold bezel |
| Dial options | Champagne, Silver, White Roman, Mother-of-pearl with diamonds, Diamond-set variants |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens (2.5x) over the date |
| Calibre | 2236 |
| Movement | Automatic, Superlative Chronometer (-2/+2 sec/day after casing), Syloxi silicon hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, instantaneous date with rapid-set |
| Power reserve | 55 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Bracelet / strap | Jubilee with concealed folding Crownclasp (Oyster with Oysterclasp also offered on some variants) |
| Retail price (US) | US$12,200 |
| US retail in MYR (converted) | ≈ RM49,800 at 4.08; Malaysian list price not published |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
A long line of small two-tone Datejusts
Yellow Rolesor ladies' Datejusts have been a fixture of the catalogue for generations. Many buyers first saw one on a mother's or grandmother's wrist. As a result, the look carries real emotional weight, and demand has stayed steady through changes in fashion.
From 26 mm to 28 mm
The predecessor, the 179173, used a 26 mm case and calibre 2235. At Baselworld 2015, Rolex replaced it with the 279173. The new case grew to 28 mm, and the movement became calibre 2236. Consequently, it gained a silicon Syloxi hairspring and 55 hours of running time, and it now meets the Superlative Chronometer standard.
These changes matter when you compare prices. A 26 mm 179173 is a different, older watch, and it usually sells for noticeably less. So, if a listing says "Lady-Datejust 28" but shows a 179173 reference, the description is wrong. Always read the reference engraved between the lugs.
No changes since
The 279173 remains in the 2026 catalogue, and we found no changes for 2025 or 2026. Dials include champagne, silver and white Roman, plus mother-of-pearl and diamond-set options. The Rolex Lady-Datejust page lists current versions.
Choosing between the dials
Champagne is the traditional partner for yellow gold, and it flatters the warm tone of the bezel. Silver gives a cooler, crisper look. White Roman is the most formal and the easiest to read at a glance. By contrast, mother-of-pearl with diamonds turns the watch into evening wear. For resale, champagne remains the safest choice.
279173 pre-owned prices compared
Here is the Lady-Datejust 279173 market as of October 2026. Dealer asks for full sets can run higher, at around US$16,500 to US$17,600, but those are asks rather than sales.
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$13,500 – US$15,500 | RM55,000 – RM63,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$12,000 – US$14,500 | RM49,000 – RM59,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$10,500 – US$12,500 | RM43,000 – RM51,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$9,500 – US$11,000 | RM39,000 – RM45,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$12,200. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
A retail price we do not fully trust
Our dataset lists US$12,200 for a plain-dial Jubilee. That number comes from one 2026 US list, and nobody else confirmed it. In fact, it looks low. The Hour Glass in Malaysia lists the plain white-dial Jubilee 279173-0023 at RM56,200, which is about US$13,800. Meanwhile, the diamond-dial 279173-0007 is confirmed at US$15,100 in the US and RM65,250 in Malaysia. So, get a written quote for your exact dial before you compare.
What moves the price of this reference
Champagne sells fastest. Gem-set and mother-of-pearl versions, however, fetch the highest prices. The Jubilee is the standard bracelet, and Oyster versions are less common. Beyond that, condition decides most of the price. Gold link wear and stretch reduce value. An unpolished fluted bezel adds value, because polishing removes gold for good. A full set also helps, especially with a recent card.
Finally, remember the size. Smaller watches have a narrower pool of buyers. That does not make the 279173 a bad buy. However, it does mean sellers may need patience or a sharper price.
Where to check prices
Begin with an official retailer quote in KL. Then check grey dealers in Malaysia and Singapore for unworn and lightly worn pieces. Chrono24 and Mudah show a wide range, although asking prices often sit above real sale prices. Because Malaysian retail for the plain dial is high, a clean used example can make sense here. Our box and papers guide helps you price incomplete sets.
When a price is too good to be true
Even polished, papers-free examples sit around US$9,500 to US$11,000. Therefore, a full set offered under about US$9,000, or roughly RM36,700, is a red flag. Gold-content watches have a natural floor. A seller pricing well below it either has a problem watch or a fake.
Singapore is the obvious alternative for Malaysian buyers. Grey dealers there often hold more stock of small two-tone Datejusts. However, check how a foreign purchase affects your warranty claims and any tax you owe when you bring the watch home. A slightly cheaper price can disappear in those details.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 279173
Fakes of the small two-tone Datejust are very common. Fortunately, the gold parts give them away more often than not.
Inspect the gold first
The bezel and centre links are solid 18 ct yellow gold. On a real watch, wear simply leaves scratches. By contrast, plated fakes wear through at the flute peaks and link edges, showing grey steel beneath. Also, the yellow tone should match across bezel, crown and links.
Rehaut and serial
Look at the inner flange under a loupe. It should carry the repeating ROLEX engraving, with the serial at 6 o'clock. The letters must line up with the minute track. On a 28 mm dial, misalignment is easier to spot than on a bigger watch.
Genuine: rehaut engraving alignment
- Each engraved crown and letter lines up with its minute marker
- Engraving is crisp, even in depth, and readable at 12 o'clock
- Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 on modern pieces
Warning signs
- Letters drift between markers as they go around the ring
- Shallow, sandy-looking or uneven engraving
- Serial at 6 printed rather than engraved, or wrong format
Date change and crystal
Set the time towards midnight and watch the date. Calibre 2236 jumps instantly at midnight. If the change creeps over an hour or more, suspect a clone movement. Then check the date bubble, which should enlarge the numeral 2.5 times without any offset. Finally, look for the tiny coronet etched in the crystal above 6.
Genuine: date change behaviour
- Date snaps over within a minute or two of midnight
- Hands set back past midnight do not drag the date backwards
- Quick-set date clicks crisply in crown position 2
Warning signs
- Date starts moving around 22:00 and creeps until after midnight
- Half-turned date visible in the window for hours
- Quick-set feels gritty or needs several tries
Genuine: laser-etched crown at 6 o'clock
- Made of tiny dots, hard to find without a loupe
- Sits in the crystal just above the 6 o'clock marker
- Present on most Rolex crystals from the early 2000s onward
Warning signs
- Bold and frosted, easy to spot head-on
- Solid lines instead of a dot matrix
- Off-centre, or placed on a reference/era that would not have it
What only a watchmaker can confirm
Opening the caseback is the only way to see the 2236 and its Syloxi spring. With the back off, a watchmaker can also test the gold, check the solid caseback and confirm that the dial is original. Ask the seller to agree to that inspection before any money changes hands. Our real vs fake Rolex guide explains the full process.
Who the 279173 suits, and the alternatives
The 279173 suits a buyer who wants the classic small gold-and-steel Rolex. It fits wrists of about 13 to 15.5 cm. Also, it matches yellow gold jewellery well. Some couples pair it with a larger yellow Rolesor Datejust.
If you prefer less gold, the Lady-Datejust 279174 uses a white gold bezel on steel. For a little more size in the same metals, see the Datejust 31 278273. If you are weighing a bigger watch, the Datejust 36 126233 is the next step up. You can also compare the whole Lady-Datejust collection.
279173 or the 31 mm 278273?
The two share metals, bezel style and calibre. The 31 mm watch simply has more dial and more presence. Interestingly, their used prices overlap almost completely: excellent 279173 sets trade around US$12,000 – US$14,500, against US$11,500 – US$14,000 for the 278273. So, price should not decide it. Instead, try both on, because 3 mm changes the look more than the numbers suggest. Narrow wrists usually favour the 28 mm case.
Long-term ownership
Expect the Jubilee to show its age first. The gold centre links are small and soft, so they scratch and, over many years, loosen. Rolex can refurbish the bracelet at a service. Even so, replacing worn gold links is expensive. If you buy as a gift, keep the card and receipt together. Our service and value guide covers costs and timing.
Lady-Datejust 279174
28 mm Lady-Datejust in steel with a white gold fluted bezel. Prices, history and fake checks.
Datejust 31 278273
The classic two-tone Datejust 31 in steel and yellow gold. Dials, prices and fake checks.
279173 FAQ
How much is the Lady-Datejust 279173 in Malaysia?
The Hour Glass in Malaysia lists the plain white-dial Jubilee 279173-0023 at RM56,200 as of October 2026. The diamond-dial Jubilee 279173-0007 is listed at RM65,250. Used excellent full sets convert to roughly RM49,000 to RM59,000, so a good used piece can cost less than new in Malaysia.
Is the 279173 solid gold?
No. It is Yellow Rolesor: Oystersteel combined with 18 ct yellow gold. The fluted bezel, the winding crown and the bracelet centre links are solid gold. The case and outer links are steel. That mix keeps the price well below a full-gold Lady-Datejust.
What is the difference between the 279173 and the 179173?
The 179173 was a 26 mm watch with calibre 2235. The 279173, introduced at Baselworld 2015, grew to 28 mm and moved to calibre 2236, with a silicon Syloxi hairspring and 55 hours of reserve. Check the reference between the lugs, because the older model is cheaper.
Does the 279173 hold its value?
Moderately well. Tracked market value sits around US$13,800 in 2026, and excellent full sets trade around US$12,000 – US$14,500. Champagne dials are the easiest to sell. However, demand for small watches is narrower than for 36 mm models, so allow time when selling.
Why do the yellow gold links on my Lady-Datejust look worn?
The Jubilee centre links are small, polished 18 ct gold, and gold is softer than steel. Daily wear leaves fine scratches, and years of use can stretch the bracelet. That is normal on a genuine watch. However, links that show grey steel underneath are plated, which means they are not genuine Rolex parts.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.