Lady-Datejust 279174 specifications
At 28 mm, this is the smallest current Datejust case. Naturally, it is also the easiest to wear under a shirt cuff. Even so, it carries the same calibre, water resistance and power reserve as the 31 mm watches.
| Reference | 279174 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Lady-Datejust |
| Status | Current production |
| Introduced | 2015 |
| Predecessor | 179174 |
| Case diameter | 28 mm |
| Case material | White Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18 ct white gold) |
| Bezel | Fluted 18 ct white gold bezel |
| Dial options | Silver, Pink, Grey/slate, White Roman, Mother-of-pearl with diamonds, Diamond-set index 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$9,150 |
| Retail price (Malaysia) | RM39,600 |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
Rolex has made a ladies' Datejust for decades, usually in a 26 mm case. For most of that time, it used a smaller movement than the men's model. The 279174 marks the point where that changed.
Baselworld 2015: a bigger case and a new calibre
The predecessor, the 179174, measured 26 mm and used calibre 2235. In 2015, Rolex launched the 279174 with a redesigned 28 mm case. That extra 2 mm sounds small. On the wrist, though, it gives the dial noticeably more presence.
The bigger news was inside. The 279174 introduced calibre 2236, the first Rolex movement with the Syloxi silicon hairspring. In practice, silicon resists magnetism and temperature changes better than traditional alloys. In addition, the reserve rose to 55 hours, and the watch is certified to −2/+2 seconds a day after casing.
Why the change matters for value
Because the case and movement both changed, the 179174 and 279174 are not interchangeable in price. A used 279174 generally costs clearly more. Therefore, always check the reference engraved between the lugs at 12. Sellers sometimes describe an older 26 mm watch as a "Lady-Datejust 28".
Still current in 2026
Rolex made no changes to the 279174 in 2025 or 2026 that we could find. The dial menu includes silver, pink, grey/slate and white Roman, plus diamond-set versions. You can see the current Lady-Datejust range on rolex.com.
Choosing a dial
Dial choice changes the character of this watch more than you might expect. Silver and white Roman look formal and classic. Pink feels softer and is the strongest seller used. Meanwhile, grey or slate reads modern and suits steel well. The mother-of-pearl diamond dial shifts colour with the light, so view it in daylight before you decide. Finally, remember that the 28 mm dial is small. Busy dials can look crowded at this size.
279174 pre-owned prices compared
These are October 2026 bands for the Lady-Datejust 279174, based on tracked sales and dealer asks. Market data shows strong sales volume for this reference.
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$11,000 – US$13,000 | RM45,000 – RM53,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$10,000 – US$12,000 | RM41,000 – RM49,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$8,800 – US$10,300 | RM36,000 – RM42,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$7,800 – US$9,000 | RM32,000 – RM37,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$9,150. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
US retail is US$9,150 for the 279174-0020, a white dial on the Oyster bracelet. In Malaysia, official retailers list the same model at RM39,600. The Jubilee is the more common bracelet, so expect slightly different prices on those versions.
What moves the price of this reference
- Dial. Pink and mother-of-pearl diamond dials lead. Silver and white Roman trail.
- Bracelet. The Jubilee is standard. Oyster versions are less common and sometimes take longer to sell.
- Diamonds. Diamond hour markers add roughly US$1,000 to US$2,000.
- Bezel condition. White gold flutes soften fast when polished, so sharp edges are worth money.
- Paperwork. Boxes plus a card dated within the last few years help most.
- Liquidity. The small-wrist market is narrower than for the Datejust 36. As a result, a seller may need to price competitively to move it.
Where to check prices
Official retailers in Kuala Lumpur and Penang are the first stop, since waits for 28 mm models are usually shorter than for sports watches. After that, compare grey dealer prices in KL and Singapore. Marketplace sites such as Chrono24 and Mudah list many examples, but remember that these are asking prices. Auction results for this reference are rare. For a broader view, see our used Rolex prices guide.
When a price is too good to be true
The lowest realistic band, for polished watches without papers, starts around US$7,800. So, any full set below about US$7,000, or roughly RM28,600, needs very careful checking. Also, beware of listings that blur or crop the serial number. A genuine seller has no reason to hide it.
Buying a 279174 in Malaysia
The 279174 is one of the few references here with a published Malaysian price, RM39,600 for the -0020. That helps, because you can compare grey offers directly. Excellent used pieces convert to about RM41,000 to RM49,000. Therefore, the official route is usually cheaper, as long as you can wait. When buying used, ask for the full reference with suffix so you compare like with like.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 279174
Small watches make some checks harder, because details are tiny. However, fakes also cut corners at this size. So, use a loupe and good light for every step.
Bezel and bracelet
The fluted bezel is 18 ct white gold. It should look slightly brighter and whiter than the steel case. A fake steel or plated bezel looks greyer and often has softer flutes. Next, examine the clasp. A genuine concealed Crownclasp opens smoothly and closes with a firm, quiet click.
Genuine: clasp and bracelet machining
- Crisp transitions between brushed and polished surfaces
- Clasp blade and logo cleanly milled, not stamped-looking
- Bracelet links tight, quiet, no rattle; screws not pins on modern pieces
Warning signs
- Polishing bleeds over brushed edges
- Fuzzy logo, uneven font, or stamped-in look
- Loose links, sharp burrs inside the clasp, cheap spring-loaded feel
Date and Cyclops
The magnifier over 3 o'clock should enlarge the date 2.5 times and sit squarely over it. On such a small dial, a weak lens is easy to spot. Then set the time past midnight. A real calibre 2236 changes the date exactly at midnight in an instant. If the date takes an hour or more to creep over, suspect a clone movement.
Genuine: cyclops magnification
- Date fills the lens edge to edge
- Numerals stay sharp right to the lens rim
- Lens sits centred over the date window
Warning signs
- Date looks small, with a visible margin
- Lens slightly off-centre or bubbled
- Strong blue anti-glare tint on top of the lens
Rehaut, crystal and caseback
Around the dial, the flange engraving repeats the brand name, and the serial sits at 6. Both must run true to the minute track. A tiny coronet should be laser-etched in the crystal above 6. You will only see it at an angle under a loupe. Finally, the caseback should be solid, plain and screw-down, with no engraving.
Genuine: seconds-hand sweep
- 28,800 vph: eight small steps per second, reads as a smooth glide on video
- Steady amplitude, no stutter when the watch is tilted
- A quiet, fine-grained ticking close to the ear
Warning signs
- Visibly choppier steps (often 21,600 vph or slower)
- A single one-second tick means a quartz movement
- Loud, rattly rotor noise when the watch is shaken
Paperwork that matches
Next, compare the watch with its warranty card. The card should show the full reference with its suffix, such as 279174-0020, plus the serial number. The suffix must match the dial and bracelet on the watch. For example, a -0020 card with a pink dial or a Jubilee bracelet means something has been changed. Our serial number guide explains where to look.
What only a watchmaker can confirm
A good clone can copy the bezel, dial and engravings. Ultimately, the movement is the proof. A watchmaker opens the case, identifies calibre 2236 and its silicon hairspring, and can also check that the dial, hands and bezel are original. A pre-purchase inspection costs far less than a mistake at this price. See our real vs fake Rolex guide for the complete process.
Who the 279174 suits, and the alternatives
The 279174 is at its best on slender wrists, from about 13 to 15.5 cm. It also appeals to buyers who want a real Datejust that wears like a piece of jewellery. Because only the bezel is gold, it is also practical for daily wear.
If you want warmer gold, the Lady-Datejust 279173 uses yellow Rolesor. If you want a little more size, the Datejust 31 278274 keeps the same metals at 31 mm. For a simpler, no-date watch, see the Oyster Perpetual 28 276200. You can also browse the full Lady-Datejust collection.
Ownership and servicing
Running costs are modest. The case and bracelet are steel, so only the bezel needs special care. Rolex covers new watches with a five-year warranty. After that, a service every decade or so is typical for modern calibres, depending on use. Ask for the bezel to be cleaned rather than polished. Our service and value guide explains why that protects resale.
Lady-Datejust 279173
28 mm two-tone Lady-Datejust in steel and yellow gold. Retail puzzles, used prices and checks.
Datejust 31 278274
Steel Datejust 31 with a white gold fluted bezel. Above-retail prices, dial premiums and checks.
279174 FAQ
How much is the Lady-Datejust 279174 in Malaysia?
Official retailers in Malaysia list the 279174-0020 (fluted bezel, Oyster bracelet, white dial) at RM39,600 as of October 2026. Jubilee and diamond-dial versions cost more. On the used market, excellent full sets convert to roughly RM41,000 to RM49,000, so most used examples sell above Malaysian retail.
Is 28 mm too small for a modern watch?
For most wrists under about 15 cm, 28 mm looks balanced rather than tiny. It also slides under a cuff easily. On larger wrists it reads as a jewellery-style watch. If you want more presence, try the Datejust 31 before buying; the 3 mm difference is noticeable on the wrist.
What changed from the 179174 to the 279174?
The 179174 was a 26 mm watch with calibre 2235. The 279174, launched at Baselworld 2015, grew to 28 mm and uses calibre 2236 with a silicon Syloxi hairspring and 55 hours of reserve. The larger case and newer movement are why the 279174 costs clearly more used.
Does the Lady-Datejust 279174 hold its value?
Yes, it has held up well. Excellent full sets trade around US$10,000 – US$12,000, above the US$9,150 retail for the Oyster version. However, the buyer pool is smaller than for a Datejust 36, so selling can take longer. Pink and diamond dials sell fastest.
Jubilee or Oyster on the 279174?
Jubilee is the standard and most common bracelet, with a concealed Crownclasp. Some variants come on an Oyster bracelet with an Oysterclasp, which looks sportier. On resale the Jubilee is easier to sell. The Oyster can feel a little more robust for daily wear.
Is the 279174 a good first Rolex?
For a small wrist, yes. It has the full Datejust features: date, Cyclops, 100 m water resistance and a chronometer movement. It is also the most affordable fluted Lady-Datejust. Our first Rolex buying guide compares it with other entry options.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.