The history of this Rolex Lady-Datejust
The House of Rolex introduced the Lady-Datejust in 1957 to offer women the chronometric precision and water-resistance of the famous men's model in a format suited to their wrists. This watch met a growing demand for women's timepieces that made no compromise on mechanical reliability. Reference 69278 is distinguished by a fascinating feature in the history of the Geneva brand. Introduced in the 1970s, the bark finish was designed to offer a daring alternative to diamond-setting. Artisans engraved the gold asymmetrically to capture the light with a unique intensity while retaining an organic, textured elegance, a stylistic signature characteristic of that era.
Case, calibre and bracelet of this Lady-Datejust
The 18-carat yellow gold case measures 26 mm in diameter. It is topped by a fixed bezel featuring the famous bark texture. The sunray champagne dial is punctuated by applied baton hour-markers and gold hands with tritium. The date window is magnified by the famous cyclops magnifying glass on the sapphire crystal. This timepiece is powered by the calibre 2135 automatic movement. This reliable mechanism oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and incorporates 29 jewels, offering a power reserve of 42 hours. The watch is mounted on a sumptuous President bracelet in 18-carat yellow gold with the central links repeated in the bark finish, all secured by an invisible Crownclasp.
Why this Rolex watch
This piece represents a captivating opportunity on the pre-owned market. The bark finish is no longer produced today, giving this timepiece an undeniable rarity when compared to traditional fluted bezels. It will appeal to collectors looking for a strong vintage aesthetic and a unique gold finish. Its compact size and precious metal make it a timeless watchmaking jewel, offering an excellent balance between historical exclusivity and pleasure on the wrist.
Delivered contents and condition
Produced in 1989, this piece is delivered on its own. It elegantly bears the traces of its history. The material shows visible signs of wear and light scratches that bear witness to its life while retaining its structural integrity. This state of use respects the natural patina of the gold. A polish can still be applied at the buyer's request to revive the metal's original lustre.
Guarantee and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this piece. Our expertise allows us to back this model with a 24-month guarantee. We accept returns within 10 days according to our conditions. Switzerland's leading second-hand retailer with the largest network of boutiques, we offer online booking for fitting and collection on site or fully secure international shipping.
* Used condition - Visible signs of wear. Aesthetics in keeping with the experience and age of the piece. Polishing available on request.
