Women’s Rolex Watch Guide

In the world of Rolex watches, the women’s selection does not get nearly enough attention — despite the fact that the Lady-Datejust has been reported to be the Crown’s best-selling model. It goes without saying that women can wear Rolex watches designed for men, be it the Submariner, GMT-Master, Sky-Dweller, and so on; however, the focus of this particular article will be on the watches that Rolex designs specifically for women. We’ll also cover some Rolex collections that were once regarded as men’s watches but are now home to more feminine iterations, blurring the lines even more between guy’s and gal’s Rolex watches.

The Appeal of Rolex Watches For Women

Before we get into specific models, let me start out by pointing out a few characteristics that make women’s Rolex watches so appealing. First, there’s the brand name; instantly recognizable, prestigious, and synonymous with top-notch quality. Whether for men or women, Rolex’s brand power is unbeatable in the watch landscape.

Next, there are the classic designs, which like those staples in a well-curated wardrobe, can serve as the foundation of a well-curated watch collection. There aren’t too many occasions where a classic Rolex watch will be out of place — the most dependable “GADA watch for her” if you will. On the other end of the style spectrum, there are also plenty of bejeweled Rolex watches with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds for women looking for something extra fancy.

As important, in my opinion, is that Rolex furnishes its ladies’ timepieces with automatic movements. Too many brands rely on cheaper quartz calibers to power their women’s watches while reserving mechanical movements for the men’s collections. At Rolex, that’s not the case; the current collection only offers automatic models regardless of who the intended audience is — and that’s a good thing.

More often than not, the first luxury watch she wants in her collection is a Rolex or a Cartier.

Women’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Watches

The entry-level Rolex collection, the Oyster Perpetual, is home to plenty of women’s models. The great thing about this particular line is that there are so many sizes available, making it easier to find the perfect fit. The current collection includes the following sizes:

• Oyster Perpetual 28
• Oyster Perpetual 31
• Oyster Perpetual 34
• Oyster Perpetual 36
• Oyster Perpetual 41

Regardless of the size, all modern Oyster Perpetual watches are exclusively made in stainless steel and come fitted with sporty three-link Oyster bracelets. While the dials are simpler time-only affairs, color options are abundant: pink, yellow, red, green, blue, turquoise, silver, and others, not to mention the “Celebration Dial” with colorful bubbles on a turquoise background.

Thanks to their metal, bracelet style, and simple yet varied dials, Oyster Perpetual watches are casually cool and a solid pick for a Rolex women’s watch.

Rolex Lady-Datejust

Rolex launched the Lady-Datejust in 1957 as a smaller version of the Datejust that had come out in 1945. Aside from the size, the Lady-Datejust was identical to the original Datejust in that it included a trio of time-telling hands on the dial accompanied by a date window at 3 o’clock magnified by a Cyclops lens on the crystal.

For most of its history, the Lady-Datejust measured a petite 26mm in diameter. In 2015, Rolex enlarged it slightly and now all current Lady-Datejust watches measure 28mm.

The variety of the Lady-Datejust collection is immense, available in various metals, dial colors, bezel types, and bracelet styles. Interestingly, Rolex also offers the option of the President bracelet (normally reserved for the Day-Date range) on Lady-Datejust watches in gold or platinum.

Women’s Rolex Datejust Watches

Lady-Datejust and Datejust watches are essentially the same; the main difference is the 28mm size of the former, which is the smallest available. There is also a 31mm Datejust which, despite not being called a “Lady-Datejust,” is largely marketed to women as well. Interestingly, the 28mm and 31mm models get Rolex’s advanced Syloxi hairspring, made from a proprietary silicon and silicon oxide composite. No men’s Rolex watch aside from the 1908 Perpetual has gotten that upgrade yet.

The Datejust 36 was traditionally the men’s option, and it still is very popular among them today. Yet, ever since Rolex began offering larger Datejust watches (first with the DJ II then the DJ 41), the 36mm is increasingly becoming more recognized as a fantastic option for women too.

Again, the Datejust collection is extraordinarily versatile with a cornucopia of metals, dials, bezels, and bracelets on offer. Of course, diamonds are always an option. The Datejust 31 is also available with President bracelets while the larger versions are paired with Oyster and Jubilee bracelets. Dial and bezel executions are particularly creative within the Datejust 31 lineup with aesthetic cues like butterflies, flowers, and scattered-diamond bezels.

It’s worth pointing out that the now-discontinued Rolex Date 34, a cousin to the Datejust that’s identical in terms of design and function, is also an option worth looking at in the secondary market.

More on Rolex:
Rolex Deepsea Guide: A Timeline of All Models
Tudor vs. Rolex: How Do They Stack Up Now?
Rolex Buys Bucherer: Acquisition Approved by European Regulators
Rolex Milgauss Collector’s Guide

Women’s Rolex Day-Date Watches

Rolex launched the Day-Date in 1956 as its most prestigious watch, featuring a pair of calendar window on the dial and only ever made in precious metals. The first Day-Date, better known as the Rolex President, measured 36mm in diameter and it remained like that for the next five or so decades. It wasn’t until the 2000s that Rolex rolled out larger versions of the Day-Date such as the special edition Masterpiece (39mm), Day-Date II (41mm), and now, the Day-Date 40 (40mm).

Though Rolex advertising has generally positioned the President as a man’s watch, there have always been women who picked the Day-Date 36mm as their go-to Rolex watch; the size is perfect for most wrists. Rolex has leaned into that opportunity by offering a wide range of more feminine DD 36 watches with plenty of gems, exotic stone dials, and even some dial patterns to choose from. But honestly, nothing beats a classic full yellow gold Rolex President 36mm with a matching champagne dial. Talk about a forever luxury watch!

Rolex Pearlmaster

The Pearlmaster, which was introduced in 1992 and part of the batch of Rolex watches discontinued in 2022, was the brand’s collection of jewelry watches. Exclusively fashioned in precious metals and always featuring diamonds (and sometimes other precious gems), the defining characteristic of the watch is its five-link high-polish bracelet with curvy links.

Women’s Yacht-Master

The Yacht-Master is the only Rolex sports watch line that includes smaller models explicitly design with the female clientele in mind. Early in the Yacht-Master’s history, which was introduced in 1992, Rolex offered versions in ladies’ 29mm and midsize 35mm to accompany the flagship 40mm men’s size.

In 2015, Rolex replaced both the 29mm and 35mm versions with the Yacht-Master 37, which remains in the current catalog. Available in Rolesium, Everose gold, or two-tone Everose gold and steel, in addition to a range of dial colors, the Yacht-Master 37 is an excellent Rolex sports watch for women.

Women’s Rolex Daytona Watches

The Daytona has long been one of the most popular Rolex watches, appealing to both men and women. While Rolex introduced the sporty chronograph initially as a men’s model, it wasn’t long until the watchmaker began inviting women to consider it too. For instance, when the Rolex Daytona Beach collection made its debut in the 2000s, it was accompanied by an ad campaign featuring female models and the tag line “Time to share the legend.”

Though the Daytona measures 40mm on paper, on the wrist it wears smaller and its thin profile is suitable for many smaller wrist sizes. The Daytona is one of Rolex’s most varied in terms of materials, with three shades of gold, steel, platinum, and two-tone variants offered. Throw in the vast dial configurations, bracelet options, and rare gem-set models, and you’ve got a large selection of Daytona styles to suit a variety of tastes.

Vintage Rolex Watches for Women

The vintage market is a great place for women to shop Rolex watches; not only are there plenty of on-trend smaller options on offer but a ton of more creative pieces too. Think cocktail watches, old-school Cellini models — some asymmetrical and unconventional — and fancy Day-Dates in tri-color executions with opulent gem settings. In short, the vintage Rolex market offers shoppers the chance to pick up a piece that’s not the same as everyone else’s.

Rolex Women’s Watches: Endless Options

From sleek sporty numbers and casual understated references to full gold models and flashy pieces decked out in diamonds, the choice for women’s Rolex watches is expansive.

Sizes typically range from 26mm to 37mm in the modern catalog and 24mm to 35mm among vintage assortments. 36mm is that awesome Goldilocks size that seems to suit just about anyone and for those ladies who like an oversized watch, men’s Rolex watches are always an option.

More About Women’s Watches
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The Best Women’s Watches from Watches & Wonders 2024
Hands-On Review: Patek 7118, The Ultimate Ladies’ Nautilus
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