What is special about the Rolex Lady Datejust 26mm?

7 min read

Do you wear jewelry today that have many stories to tell?

It is a common perception that it is taboo in social circles to talk about one's jewelry. They should be appreciated just by looking but not polite to use in conversations.

However, when I growing up, I openly talk about jewelry. It starts with my Mom and my Grandmother. They will get ready and I will begin to ask questions about their trinkets. I am fascinated by the stories of each.

There is always a memory tied behind a piece of jewelry. Whether it is a gift and there is a sentimental recollection when receiving it, or when one does a purchase from a travel or a local merchant and there is a feeling of triumph in the bargaining process.

The best part is being able to care for one's pieces so that it can be passed on, along with its remarkable tale.

Stories of this vintage watch and other jewelry on my wrist

If these three pieces of trinkets can talk, what stories would it tell you? It will share many interesting anecdotes of its owner, from her years as a student, to her first career as a fashion model, and up to the time she has to teach an entrepreneurial lesson to her middle-school daughter.

The Rolex Lady-Datejust 26mm

Let us start with the watch - the Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 mm in Ivory Jubilee Arabic Face.

This is a special gift that took eight years to earn from my formative years because it is a joint high school and college graduation recognition from my parents. I remember being enamored by the idea of a perpetual watch that no longer runs on batteries. I have envied former schoolmates who don the Rolex on their wrists as early as our freshmen year in high school. I tell my parents I want one too and have asked what would it take to earn this since my allowance and savings from birthdays and Christmases would not be enough. They promise to give it to me if I do well in both high school and college.

Interestingly, by the time I graduate high school at the age of sixteen, I become a fashion model. I could have afford to purchase this watch on my own from my modeling gigs. But I would rather have my parents fulfill their promise. Finishing my collegiate studies while continuing to be tempted by the income of a full-time modeling career is quite a feat. It is worth it because there is a sense of accomplishment and confidence that a degree gives me. It makes me feel that while I can continue modeling, this type of work has an expiration date as it favors the youth. And when that time comes, I have my college degree to help me embark on a different career with a longer longevity.

Selecting my Rolex

I am with my Mum when my watch is purchased, which happens a few months after my graduation. I select the Rolex Lady-Datejust made of steel and yellow gold. And I am particular that it has the 'computer face'. This is a feature where the words 'Rolex' is repeated on the dial. I find out later that mine also utilizes the Rolex Caliber 2235 movement.

I still vividly remember never taking this watch off for more than a year. I sleep, bathe, and keep it on my wrist 24/7. This made me realize that if there is a single type of jewelry I would pick as my number one favorite it would be a watch.

Today I still wear this timepiece, despite its 30-year age. It is so valuable in my jewelry collection. I have now considered this an heirloom piece that I will someday pass on to my only daughter when the time is right and she feels confident enough to continue the legacy of being the safe keeper of this memorable watch.

The Bangled Bracelet from Abu Dhabi

Next is the story of the yellow-gold wraparound bypass bangle bracelet with diamond studded tips.

This has been with me since 1994 and I purchase this during a tourism fashion tour of one of the premier fashion designers invited in Abu Dhabi.

I will never forget that time. It is my first trip to the Middle East and I get to bond with my co-models since we are there for a three-week fashion tourism in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain.

I soon realize that one of the must-have visits in the United Arab Emirates is the gold market. There are several in many districts. Fortunately, in one of our break periods from the fashion shows I am able to visit the famous Gold Souk of Madinat Zayed Shopping Center.

And this is where I spot this beautiful gold bangle with diamonds on the two ball tips. I am bargaining earnestly with a merchant for this piece because I have set a budget for my souvenir shopping, but the price of the jewelry exceeds my allowance by two fold! My earnest may have paid off as I find the kind merchant relenting and allowing me to covet this piece at a massive discounted price. I reckon he is probably amused at my persistence.

Today this dainty bracelet is still in my jewelry box. I still wear it from time to time, and it still makes me smile to remember that period in my life where I am fortunate to do fashion shows in places that are in my bucket list. I will share the stories as I pass this on as another heirloom piece. And I hope that this bracelet lasts many more years in my future lineage, and along with it will be the tales of my modeling adventures and my haggling prowess during my adventure in the Middle East.

Stella and Dot and the lessons of entrepreneurship

The last piece on my wrist is a Keep Collective set from Stella and Dot. They call this the keeper and the keys, which is their own take on a charm jewelry collection, that is quite similar to the brand Pandora, but must less in price.

I have a lot of Keep Collective and Stella and Dot jewelry. In the photo happens to be one of my favorites, which is a gold mesh bracelet with the flower enamel charm and green quartz stone. The latter symbolizes joy, independence, and strength.

Any of my pieces from the Stella and Dot line remind me of a time when I went out of my comfort zone and give social selling a try. In the beginning, it is an attempt to teach my then-middle school daughter an inside look at a business venture since we did this together. At her young age she wanted to pursue a fashion design path and I wanted to teach her that to be a successful designer, one must learn the aspects of sales and marketing, which are the pillars of success for any business.

I soon discover the social selling platform business of Stella and Dot. They are similar to a Mary Kay brand, wherein they supply the merchandise and all of the logistics, and the 'independent' sales stylists would be selling their wares in trunk shows or through online sales. I sign up and soon my daughter is my partner in this side gig, while I continue to have my full-time work.

It is actually intimidating to embark on a business completely based on hard-core selling. But this experienced may have worked because my daughter has learn the concept of market need and work values such as putting in the effort and being tenacious. Today, she is a college student who has interestingly majored in business with an entrepreneurship focus.

While the social selling experience is now part of our past, it brings me fond memories. This has also opened my eyes to many valuable and good lessons on maintaining a side hustle. In fact, I have tried many other part-time and home-based businesses after this. More than the ability to have shopping money for my handbags and other trinkets, I have increased my knowledge in the areas of business and influencer marketing, as well as learning various creative software tools and applications.

HISTORICAL TID BITS....

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust

Rolex describes the Oyster Perpetual Datejust as one of the finest women's watches since 1957. They say,

"It has a feminine elegance at superlative, chronometer certified by a flawless and iconic accurate date display window. It is one of the finest women’s watches, since 1957. The small dimensions make this model a manufacturing jeweler Rolex Jubilee Bracelet in agreement with 18k yellow gold and steel. The model is a compliment of sophisticated elegance."

TRIVIA

The model of my Rolex Lady Datejust is 69173. Here is some interesting trivia on this 'retired' design:

The Rolex Lady Datejust 69173 is now considered vintage. Previously, it is one of Rolex's longest-running lady watches in production from the early 1980s. The distinguishing factor is the 26mm case size. In 2003, Rolex retired this casing and replaced it with a slightly larger 28mm.

Specific to reference 69173, this means the Rolex Lady Datejust year in production is in the range of 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995.

The reference number 69173 indicates particular information on the watch makeup, such as the last digit indicates a yellow Rolesor finish.

"This is Rolex’s own description of their blending of yellow gold and stainless steel. The precious metal is used on the crown and the bracelet’s center links as well as the bezel, and the fourth numeral, 7, designates that as being the fluted type. It has been one of the brand’s most recognizable signature color schemes since it was first used, fittingly enough, on the original 36mm Datejust about three years into its run, around 1948. [Resource: https://beckertime.com/blog/review-of-the-rolex-lady-datejust-ref-69173/]."

Another interesting feature is on the Rolex Datejust face. On Rolex's 40th Datejust anniversary, which occurred in 1985, the brand created and released a 'Jubilee Dial'. This was the distinct 'computer face' of the repeated 'ROLEX' monogram engraved on the entire face.

Should you buy a Rolex Lady-Datejust?

Thirty years ago, my Rolex Lady-Datejust is the same price of two Samsung Note phones in today's prices. It has indeed gone up in price, yet the design remains the same.

When it comes to luxury items, my advice remains constant as with any splurge, which is to make it a prudent and smart buy by doing so within one's means. By doing so the purchase will make it much more meaningful and pleasant.

Seeing that the Rolex Lady-Datejust 26mm casing is already retired, the only way to purchase a similar item is through sustainable shopping.

Going the Pre-Loved Route:

Buying pre-loved is a lot more common than it was before.

There are a plethora of used market platforms, from the classic eBay, to the new Poshmark, Tradesy, Vestiaire Collective, Facebook Groups, and many more.

The two who stand out because of authentication services (which is a an absolute prerequisite) and sale guarantees are Fashionphile and The Real Real.