Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 179173-METDJ Meteorite Diamond Fluted Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Jubilee

The Rolex Lady-Datejust is one of the most enduring icons in fine watchmaking, introduced as the first self-winding waterproof wristwatch designed specifically for women when it debuted in 1957. Over the decades it has remained a benchmark of elegance and precision, worn by generations of discerning collectors who prize its balance of horological integrity and jewel-like refinement. Reference 179173-METDJ occupies a particularly coveted position within the Lady-Datejust family, pairing utilitarian Rolex craftsmanship with truly extraordinary dial material and precious metal details.

The 26 mm case is crafted from Oystersteel, Rolex's proprietary 904L stainless steel alloy chosen for its exceptional corrosion resistance and lustrous polish. At 26 mm this is a classically proportioned ladies' watch — intimate on the wrist, never overwhelming — and the Oyster case architecture ensures that robustness and elegance coexist without compromise. The fluted yellow gold bezel is one of the most recognizable signatures in watchmaking, its serrated profile originally conceived to screw the bezel onto the case and now cherished as a symbol of prestige.

The meteorite dial is the undeniable centerpiece of reference 179173-METDJ. Sourced from genuine Widmanstätten-patterned iron-nickel meteorites, each dial is a cosmological artifact formed billions of years ago, meaning no two examples are ever identical. Rolex carefully selects, cuts, and finishes each meteorite slice to reveal its crystalline cross-hatch pattern, then sets the hour positions with factory diamonds whose brilliance plays against the grey and silver tones of the cosmic stone. The result is a dial that is simultaneously ancient and utterly contemporary.

The two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel Jubilee bracelet — one of Rolex's most beloved bracelet designs, introduced alongside the original Datejust in 1945 — supplies five-piece links that drape elegantly over the wrist. The alternating brushed and polished surfaces of the gold and steel links echo the contrasts found in the dial itself, creating a unified design language from clasp to crown. This bracelet is widely considered among the most comfortable and flattering ever produced for a dress watch.

For collectors and first-time buyers alike, the Lady-Datejust 179173-METDJ represents a compelling intersection of rarity and wearability. The meteorite dial guarantees that your specific watch is one-of-a-kind; the Rolex factory diamond setting guarantees quality that aftermarket modifications can never replicate; and the Jubilee bracelet ensures all-day comfort whether worn to the office or to a formal occasion. Bizak & Co. specializes in sourcing, authenticating, and presenting exactly these kinds of exceptional timepieces, and our team is ready to guide you through every step of acquiring this watch. Reach out through bizakandco.com to inquire, view additional photographs, or buy this Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 online today.