Earlier this week, I procured a ladies DateJust for the wifey. Since she has tolerated my growing collection, I felt it was her turn to get a lil' bling.
I know better than to surprise her with one of my choosing, so I got her approval on a few models. Her criteria for selection was mostly size related. She has tiny wrists, and did not want a man's size, or larger ladies model. We looked at Tags, and we looked at FMs. We looked at Cartiers and Chanels, and a few others. She always seemed to come back to the Rollies tho. After reviewing the various choices she made her selection. I contacted one of the trusted dealers and the deed was done. Two weeks later here is what arrived.
The dial of the DateJust is white MOP. I struggled to capture in a photograph the subtle shadow changes that a MOP dial creates. It is really "shimmery". The "DateJust" font is incorrect, but realize this is a tiny watch, and its hard to tell.
The datewheel font seems more in line with older models.
Here is a 2003 gen with the current version font for comparison:
The size of this DateJust is about 24.5 mm - about the size of a quarter. The genuine is 26mm from what I can find online.
The crown size seems close but not perfectly in line with the cyclops. This deviation is VERY difficult to see when in hand.
Looking at the tube, I do not see any gaskets for watersealing. Without further diassembly or pressure testing, I cannot be sure how water tight the case is. I'm guessing its a leaky hull.
The clasp and bracelet is the usual dainty jubilee rep version.
Opening up the caseback, it reveals a ETA 2671 25J hi beat... (although I'm a little skeptical its a ETA, probably a clone)
The movement spacer is (I believe) rough brass... Check out the crooked screws (they do the job just fine).
For better water resistance, I have silicon lubed the tube and caseback gasket.
The wife is enjoying the bling today. She is hard at work doing the wash with our new replica washing machine:
In general this seems to be a nice beater. Obviously on macro, the dial font needs updating. The rehaut engraving was not even seen until I did the macro photos. Time will tell if it holds up to my wife's expectations, and physical abuse (of the watch, not me). The bling factor is not over-the-top, which is just what she wanted. I find it subtly classy and it complements her.
If your thinking about a ladies Datejust for your woman (or for your own scrawny 4 inch wrist) then this rep version is sure to please.
Sorry for the uberpics.