Datejust (69173)

Pairing yellow gold with stainless steel and diamonds with a subtle sunburst makes for incredible versatility, allowing the timepiece to take on the character of its wearer, be it bold or delicate, youthful or mature.

Despite being the Rolex collection most neglected by watch media, the brand sells more Lady-Datejusts than any other model. This may come as a surprise to those new to the male-dominated watch industry, but spend some time with a Lady-Datejust, and the reason for its strong demand becomes clear. Present is an excellent example which, in our opinion, offers the perfect balance of elements. 10 round diamonds set into solid gold hour markers sit upon a gold dial sporting a subtle sunburst finish, expressing extravagance without looking gaudy. The same can be said for the case and bracelet, which feature sturdy stainless steel outboard, where the timepiece is more likely to get knocked around, and glamorous gold inboard, from which pretty plays of light are directed into the eyes of the wearer and onlookers - and you can expect many onlookers for such a drop-dead gorgeous timepiece! Despite being a vintage reference, this 69173 does not look the part, thanks to both Rolex with their ever-timeless design and engineering as well as the previous owner who cared for it as if it were her favourite piece from the jewellery box. That much is expected. What is unexpected, however, is that the present example appears to never have been refinished, which is the case in less than 5% of vintage Rolexes but preferred by many collectors today, particularly for pieces crafted from precious gold, thus making this example especially collectible.

The dial and hands appear flawless. The case and bracelet appear to never have been refinished, and they exhibit shallow marks, most of which are not obvious at arm's length. The bracelet will fit a maximum wrist circumference of 16.5 cm.

What do the different grading scores mean?

• BN 9.9: Brand new and unworn, with no signs of use.
• UN 9.5: Like new and unworn, but may lack original packaging or materials such as the box, links, tags, or bezel protector.
• LN 9.0: Like new and unworn, but only includes the watch without papers, box, or accessories.
• MT 8.5: Mint condition, lightly used with minor surface scratches or wear. Unpolished.
• VG 8.0: Moderately used, with scratches and one or two nicks on the case or crystal. Shows signs of polishing. The bracelet remains snug with minimal wear.
• GD 7.5: Shows signs of daily wear but is not abused, with noticeable polishing on the case. The bracelet shows clear signs of daily wear.

Watches with a rating below GD 7.5 are not listed for bidding to ensure that only high-quality timepieces are available to our members.