Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 - White Roman Dial - Stainless Steel & 18k Yellow Gold

Introduced in 1945 to commemorate Rolex's 40th anniversary, the Datejust stands today as one of the brand's most enduring and iconic collections. It made horological history as the world's first self-winding wristwatch to feature an automatically changing date at midnight, a feature now considered standard, but revolutionary at the time. This innovation set the benchmark for how date complications should function in modern wristwatches. In 1957, Rolex introduced the first version of the Datejust dedicated to the fairer sex, the Lady-Datejust. It captured the elegance of the original model in a smaller, refined 28mm case, perfectly suited to slender, feminine wrists, while maintaining all the technical excellence and signature craftsmanship of its larger counterpart. Starting with reference 6917, introduced in the late 1960s, the Lady-Datejust was offered in an even more compact 26mm Oyster case. In the 1980s, this model was updated with new references, the 69160 and 69170 for stainless steel versions, the 69178 in solid 18k yellow gold, and the 69173 in a combination of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, as seen in the present example. Known as Rolesor, this pairing of metals creates a confident, luxurious feel while retaining a distinctly sporty attitude. This new generation of the Lady-Datejust also featured notable upgrades, including a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and the introduction of Caliber 2135, offering improved precision and a convenient quick-set date function. The present example was produced circa 1997 and originally sold in 1999 in Turin, Italy. The signature fluted bezel, crafted in 18k yellow gold, encircles a striking white glossy dial, distinguished by a rare and desirable double-index layout, applied gold baton hour markers near the periphery, and printed black Roman numerals closer to the center. This elegant and fine dial is paired with a sporty two-tone Oyster bracelet, perfectly in keeping with the sporty chic spirit of the Rolesor design. Preserved in excellent condition, this timepiece is accompanied by its original Italian Rolex punched warranty. It is the perfect lifelong companion for a woman of elegance and distinction.