Rolex Datejust 29 Yellow Gold — 12-Diamond Bezel White Diamond Dial | Ref. 80318

Reference 80318 belongs to the classic Lady-Datejust 26 lineage — a 29mm yellow gold dress watch that distils decades of Rolex gem-setting expertise into a format designed for the wrist. The case is crafted in 18ct yellow gold and fitted with a diamond-set bezel featuring twelve brilliant-cut stones in a channel-style configuration, framing a white dial adorned with diamond hour markers. The result is a watch of considerable jewellery presence, its warm gold tones amplifying the fire of the surrounding diamonds.

This reference is driven by a self-winding Calibre 2235 or its predecessor, appropriate to the Lady-Datejust production era. Rolex has consistently equipped this case size with movements developed in-house that deliver Superlative Chronometer performance. The self-winding mechanism, wound via the Perpetual rotor — a Rolex invention since 1931 — ensures the watch remains wound during normal wear. The Parachrom hairspring, integral to the 2235 family, provides robust resistance to temperature variation and magnetic interference, critical for a daily-wear piece.

The 80318 represents a transitional reference in Rolex's small ladies' segment — an era before the Lady-Datejust 28 consolidated the range under the 279xxx reference family. For collectors, this lends the 80318 a distinct character: it reflects Rolex craftsmanship at a moment of refinement, with gem-setting quality and dial execution matching contemporary standards. Yellow gold combined with diamond-set bezels has experienced a significant resurgence among collectors in recent years, making references like the 80318 increasingly sought after by those who appreciate both horological integrity and jewellery-quality execution.