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

Reference 80318 belongs to the earlier Lady-Datejust generation in a 29 mm case rendered entirely in 18 ct yellow gold, fitted with a factory bezel set with 12 round brilliant diamonds and a white dial carrying Roman numeral indices. The 29 mm case size was Rolex's primary ladies' Datejust specification before the current 28 mm generation was established, and references in the 8xx range occupy a specific historical bracket — pre-dating the modern Calibre 2235/2236 era — making them representative of an important transition period in the collection's evolution.

The movement present in this reference is Calibre 2235, a robust automatic calibre with a Parachrom hairspring and bidirectional rotor winding. Constructed entirely in yellow gold, the Oyster case provides the foundational water resistance and structural solidity associated with the model line, while the yellow gold President bracelet — the traditional pairing for precious metal ladies' Datejust references — gives this piece the formal, jewellery-forward character that defines its category. The diamond-set bezel, housing 12 individual stones positioned at even intervals, delivers a restrained gem content compared to fully pavé-set variants.

On the secondary market, all-gold ladies' Datejust references from this generation attract buyers with a preference for precious metal construction and traditional aesthetics over the Rolesor two-tone configurations. The 29 mm size appeals specifically to collectors who find the current 28 mm slightly diminutive or the 31 mm too large. Condition of the yellow gold case and bracelet is the primary value determinant, as polishing history can materially affect the sharpness of the case lines and overall collector desirability.