# Women’s Rolex Guide: Sizes & Models

- Link: https://palazzowatches.com/journal/womens-rolex-guide/
- Published: 2026-10-20T20:44:13-04:00
- Author: Michael Martucci

The Journal

# Women’s Rolex Guide: _Sizes & Models_

By [Michael Martucci & Mak Khan](https://palazzowatches.com/about/) · Palazzo Watches&
Gems

In our collection

[⌊1989 Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems – photo 1 of 11⌉⌊1989 Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems – photo 1 of 11⌉New ArrivalRolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue Dial Yellow Gold & Steel Jubilee Box 26mm 1989$5,597](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-69173-blue-dial/)

Quick answer

Rolex’s smaller current sizes are the **Oyster Perpetual 28, 31 and 34**, the **
Lady-Datejust 28** and the **Datejust 31**. Many women also wear the **Datejust 
36**, **Day-Date 36** or **Yacht-Master 37**. On the pre-owned market you’ll also
find vintage **26 mm Lady-Datejust** references. The right size is the one that 
fits your wrist and your style, so try a few on before you decide.

“Women’s Rolex” usually means one of a handful of case sizes rather than one model.
The same families (Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Day-Date) come in several diameters,
and each size changes how the watch sits on the wrist, how much dial you see and
how the bracelet drapes.

This guide lays out the current sizes, the models that come in them, and the questions
we ask clients at our Jersey City showroom when they’re choosing a Rolex for themselves
or as a gift.

Recently sold

[⌊Rolex Datejust 31 178240 front dial view⌉⌊Rolex Datejust 31 178240 front dial view⌉Sold2008 Rolex Datejust 31 178240 Pink Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Box Papers 31mmSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-datejust-31-178240-pink-dial-steel/)

## Rolex sizes at a glance

Current-production case diameters, taken from Rolex’s own model pages. Case diameter
is measured across the case, not including the crown.

| Model | Case size | Current reference family | 
 | Oyster Perpetual 28 | 28 mm | 276200 | 
 | Lady-Datejust | 28 mm | 279160 · 279171 · 279173 · 279174 and others | 
 | Oyster Perpetual 31 | 31 mm | 277200 | 
 | Datejust 31 | 31 mm | 278240 · 278271 · 278273 · 278274 and others | 
 | Oyster Perpetual 34 | 34 mm | 124200 | 
 | Datejust 36 | 36 mm | 126200 · 126231 · 126233 · 126234 and others | 
 | Oyster Perpetual 36 | 36 mm | 126000 | 
 | Day-Date 36 | 36 mm | 128235 · 128236 · 128238 · 128239 | 
 | Yacht-Master 37 | 37 mm | 268621 · 268622 · 268655 |

Recently sold

[⌊2009 Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems⌉⌊2009 Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems⌉Sold2009 Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 Blue Dial Yellow Gold & Steel Full Set 26mmSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-179173-blue-dial/)

## The models, size by size

### 28 mm: Lady-Datejust and Oyster Perpetual 28

The **Lady-Datejust** is the classic small Rolex: a 28 mm Oyster case with the date
at 3 o’clock under the Cyclops lens. Rolex lists the steel-and-yellow-gold reference
279173 with a fluted bezel, a five-piece-link **Jubilee** bracelet and the Manufacture
Rolex **calibre 2236**, with about 55 hours of power reserve and water resistance
to 100 metres.

The **Oyster Perpetual 28** (reference 276200) is the simplest watch in the range:
time only, no date, a domed bezel and an Oyster bracelet. It’s the pick for anyone
who wants the cleanest possible dial.

### 31 mm: Datejust 31 and Oyster Perpetual 31

At 31 mm the dial opens up noticeably while the watch still reads as delicate. Rolex
lists the **Datejust 31** reference 278273 in yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and yellow
gold) with a fluted bezel, Jubilee bracelet and calibre 2236 (about 55 hours, 100
metres). The **Oyster Perpetual 31** (277200) is its time-only, no-date counterpart.

### 34 mm: Oyster Perpetual 34

The **Oyster Perpetual 34** (124200) sits between the small sizes and the 36 mm 
classics. It suits a client who finds 31 mm too small but doesn’t want the presence
of a 36.

Recently sold

[⌊Rolex Datejust 69173 White dial steel — front dial view⌉⌊Rolex Datejust 69173 White dial steel — front dial view⌉SoldRolex Lady-Datejust 69173 White Dial Stainless SteelSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-69173-white-roman-dial/)

### 36 mm and up: Datejust 36, Day-Date 36, Yacht-Master 37

Plenty of women choose a 36 mm Rolex, and on many wrists it looks just right. The**
Datejust 36** is the most versatile of them. The **Day-Date 36** is made only in
precious metals; Rolex lists reference 128238 in 18 ct yellow gold on the **President**
bracelet with **calibre 3255** and about 70 hours of power reserve. The **Yacht-
Master 37** is the sporty option: Rolex lists reference 268622 in Rolesium (Oystersteel
and platinum) with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and calibre 2236.

### Vintage and pre-owned: the 26 mm Lady-Datejust

Before today’s 28 mm case, the Lady-Datejust was made at 26 mm for decades. Those
references, such as the yellow-gold-and-steel **69173** on a Jubilee bracelet, are
only available pre-owned and appeal to anyone who wants a smaller, more vintage-
feeling watch. Women’s Rolex watches from our collection, available now and recently
sold, are shown alongside this guide.

From our collection

## Women’s Rolex at _Palazzo_

Available now and recently sold, each one authenticated in-house. If the size or
dial you want has sold, we can source another.

[⌊1989 Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems – photo 1 of 11⌉⌊1989 Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems – photo 1 of 11⌉New ArrivalRolex Lady-Datejust 69173 Blue Dial Yellow Gold & Steel Jubilee Box 26mm 1989$5,597](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-69173-blue-dial/)
[⌊2009 Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 Blue dial Yellow Gold & Steel 26mm — Palazzo Watches & Gems⌉Sold2009 Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 Blue Dial Yellow Gold & Steel Full Set 26mmSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-179173-blue-dial/)
[⌊Rolex Datejust 31 178240 front dial view⌉Sold2008 Rolex Datejust 31 178240 Pink Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Box Papers 31mmSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-datejust-31-178240-pink-dial-steel/)
[⌊Rolex Datejust 69173 White dial steel — front dial view⌉SoldRolex Lady-Datejust 69173 White Dial Stainless SteelSold · we can source one](https://palazzowatches.com/product/rolex-lady-datejust-69173-white-roman-dial/)

[Shop Rolex](https://palazzowatches.com/rolex/)[Ask us to source one](https://palazzowatches.com/contact-us/)

## How to choose the right size

 1. **Measure your wrist.** Wrap a soft tape or a strip of paper around the wrist bone
    where you’d wear the watch. It tells you which sizes are worth trying first, and
    it’s the number a jeweller or dealer will ask for when sizing the bracelet.
 2. **Look at how the watch sits, not just the number.** The lugs should stay within
    the width of your wrist. Two watches with the same diameter can wear differently
    because of the bezel, the dial colour and the bracelet.
 3. **Pick a bracelet.** The Jubilee and President bracelets are dressier and drape
    more softly; the Oyster bracelet is sportier. Our [Rolex bracelet link count guide](https://palazzowatches.com/journal/rolex-bracelet-link-count-guide/)
    shows how many links each bracelet comes with, which matters for sizing and for
    resale.
 4. **Date or no date.** Datejust, Lady-Datejust and Day-Date show the date; the Oyster
    Perpetual doesn’t.
 5. **Try them on.** Photos can’t show how a watch feels on your wrist. A side-by-side
    try-on of two or three sizes usually settles it in minutes.

## Buying a pre-owned women’s Rolex

Pre-owned opens up discontinued sizes, dial colours and metals you can’t buy new,
and lets you choose a watch you can see and try today. The checks are the same as
for any Rolex: the exact reference, condition (and whether it has been over-polished),
whether the box, papers and removed links are included, and service history. Our
guide to [checking whether a pre-owned watch is authentic](https://palazzowatches.com/how-to-check-if-a-pre-owned-watch-is-authentic/)
walks through them.

Every watch we sell is authenticated in-house, and first-time Palazzo clients receive
our lifetime warranty. US shipping is free, by FedEx Priority Overnight, fully insured.

The Palazzo desk

Find the right fit.

Try two or three sizes side by side at our showroom, 185 Hudson Street, Jersey City.

[Book a private viewing](https://palazzowatches.com/visit/)[Ask us to source one](https://palazzowatches.com/contact-us/)

Or call [(551) 345-4998](tel:+15513454998)

## Frequently asked questions

What size Rolex is best for a woman?

There’s no single answer. Rolex’s smaller current sizes are 28, 31 and 34 mm (Lady-
Datejust, Datejust 31 and Oyster Perpetual), and many women wear 36 mm. Measure 
your wrist and try two or three sizes on to see which sits best.

What is the difference between the Lady-Datejust and the Datejust 31?

Size. The current Lady-Datejust is 28 mm and the Datejust 31 is 31 mm. Both show
the date at 3 o’clock under the Cyclops lens, and Rolex lists both with calibre 
2236.

Is a 36 mm Rolex too big for a woman?

Not necessarily. Many women wear the Datejust 36 or Day-Date 36. What matters is
that the lugs stay within the width of your wrist and that the watch feels comfortable.

Which women’s Rolex has no date?

The Oyster Perpetual, available in 28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm. It shows hours, minutes
and seconds only.

Can I buy a 26 mm Lady-Datejust new?

No. The 26 mm Lady-Datejust references, such as the 69173, are vintage and available
only pre-owned. Today’s Lady-Datejust is 28 mm.

Keep reading

 * [Rolex Bracelet Link Count Guide](https://palazzowatches.com/journal/rolex-bracelet-link-count-guide/)
 * [How to Safely Buy a Pre-Owned Luxury Watch](https://palazzowatches.com/journal/how-to-safely-buy-pre-owned-luxury-watch-2026/)
 * [What “Certified Pre-Owned” Really Means for a Rolex](https://palazzowatches.com/journal/what-certified-pre-owned-really-means-rolex/)
 * [The Best Rolex Models That Hold Their Value in 2026](https://palazzowatches.com/journal/best-rolex-models-that-hold-value-2026/)
