Size first
Rolex made the Lady-Datejust in three case sizes. The 26 mm case (ref 1791xx) stopped production around 2015. The 28 mm case (ref 2791xx) arrived in 2016 with the calibre 2236. The 31 mm case (ref 2782xx) sits between the Lady-Datejust and the Datejust 36. Sellers list all three under one name. Ask for the case diameter in millimeters and a caliper photo. A 26 mm case reads small on most wrists. Buyers who want the current look pick 28 mm or 31 mm.
Movement tiers
The movement sets the price more than any other part.
- Quartz. About $120 to $220. The seconds hand ticks one step per second. A genuine movement runs at 28,800 vph and sweeps.
- Chinese automatic, DG 2813 or a 2008-1 copy. About $200 to $330. The seconds hand sweeps. The rotor is loud. The date flips fast at midnight instead of turning over across two hours.
- Swiss ETA. ETA 2671 for 26 mm cases, ETA 2008-1 for 28 mm and 31 mm cases. About $350 to $520. Service parts exist. This is the tier most buyers settle on.
- Clone movement. Copies of the 2235 and the 2236 exist. About $500 to $750. The bridge layout and crown position sit closer to the genuine. Parts are scarce. Repair means replacement.
Case, bezel, bracelet
Genuine cases use 904L steel and 18k gold. Most replicas use 316L. Top-tier sellers claim 904L. Few supply a mill test report. Plating is quoted at 2.5 microns on mid tiers and 5 microns and up on top tiers. The terms "gold wrapped" and "18k wrapped" have no standard definition in this trade. Ask for the micron figure in writing.
Bezels come smooth, fluted, or diamond set. Genuine diamond bezels hold 24 or 46 stones, set by case size. Replica stone counts often differ. Match the count to the reference number.
Bracelets come in Jubilee, Oyster, and President styles. Center links on the Jubilee are solid on the 28 mm and 31 mm references and hollow on some older replicas. The clasp code is stamped inside the blade on the genuine. Replica clasp codes repeat across models.
Parameters to confirm before payment
- Case diameter in mm, measured with a caliper.
- Movement maker and caliber number.
- Steel grade.
- Plating thickness in microns.
- Bezel type and stone count.
- Bracelet type and clasp code.
- Water resistance figure, plus a pressure test result.
- Warranty length and what it covers.
- Who pays if customs seizes the parcel.
- Return window and return shipping address.
Pitfalls
- "Swiss made" on the dial means nothing. The dial is a printed part.
- Photos lifted from another seller. Ask for a video with a handwritten date in frame.
- Irreversible payment: wire, crypto, gift cards. No chargeback exists.
- Cyclops magnification. Genuine is 2.5x. Many replicas land at 1.8x to 2.2x.
- Date wheel font. Compare the numerals against a photo of the reference dial, in particular the "1" and the "4".
- Crown position. A 3135 clone in a 26 mm case pushes the crown off center. That is the wrong movement for the case.
- Water. Gaskets on replicas are untested. Do not swim or shower in the watch until a watchmaker pressure tests it.
Shipping and law
In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy a parcel. The $800 personal exemption does not cover counterfeit items. Sellers ship from China, Hong Kong, and sometimes a domestic address. Ask which route is used and who carries the loss on a seizure.
Price summary
Listed prices for a replica Lady-Datejust run about $120 to $750, set by case size and movement. A 31 mm with a Swiss ETA and a fluted bezel sits near $450. A 26 mm quartz sits near $150. Numbers move with gold content claims and stone settings. Treat any price below $100 as a quartz watch with a printed dial.