Pictorial Review: Ladies Datejust 69174 Build - Warning! Many Facts and Pictures

[justlounging]

There is a saying that goes like this:

"Behind every successful man, there stands a woman"

Here is a review that has not had its fair share of attention..and this build has been made specially for my missus..for her support, patience and understanding on my participationg in the 'Dark Side'..

I had always wanted to get my missus a gen Ladies DJ and so did she in the early 2000s, when prices were not so ridiculous..right now, current prices for an early 2000-2003 series Ladies DJ would set you back at least US$3,500, depending on the condition, complete with box & papers, serviced, etc..

Simply do a search on Google and anywhere on the World Wide Web with the words 'Ladies Datejust" and you will be hit with so many variations and combinations of this particular watch..

In Asia, I personally believed that this had been the 'must-have' watch for most women..Of course in this new age, we have seen many women moving away from the small 29mm watchsize to much larger watchsizes such as 34mm, 36mm and as large as 40mm.

Don't get me wrong, I think if a lady can pull of the look of having a chunky watch on her wrist, kudos to her! In fact I have seen a few women in my office wearing 40-44mm PAMs with no issues..

That being said, I still like how a smaller watch doesn't call out for attention..Like a woman in a corporate power suit but discreetly wearing small and sexy pieces of lingerie for her man or lover..

What originally got me started on reps (which i then quickly sworn off) was a His and Hers Datejust in 36mm and 29mm respectively..

I destroyed mine but this was her DJ from the streets of Bangkok circa 2005..

Clear casebook, crappy optics from the glass, rigid Jubilee, everything was simply: JUNK!

Before I proceed any further, here are some general specifications of the Ladies Datejust:

Disclaimer: The following information has been pulled off the Internet and I do not claim any ownership to it.

Here are some Gen Reference Pics:

Facts about the Rolex Caliber 2235 Movement:

Basic technical info for the 2235:

Diameter = 20mm

Casing diameter = 19.7mm

Height = 5.95mm (5.4mm for the non-date Cal. 2230)

Jewels = 31

Power Reserve = Approximately 50 hours

Introduced in 1999 when the 2135 was phased out.

Some of the models that are installed with this movement:

Ladies & Midsize Datejust and Yacht-Master

2235 - introduced in 1999

76188, 76198, 76243, 77080, 77014, 77483, 77518, 78158, 78159, 78238, 78240, 78248, 78266, 78268, 78273, 78274, 78278, 78279, 78286, 78288, 79068, 79078, 79079, 79089, 79126, 79136, 79138, 79158, 79159, 79160, 79163, 79166, 79173, 79174, 79178, 79179, 79190, 79238, 79240, 79288, 80298, 80299, 80318, 80319, 80328, 80329, 80359, 81209, 81339, 168622, 168623, 168628, 169622, 169623, 169628, 178238, 178288, 178158, 178279, 178239, 178159, 178243, 178246, 178296, 178286, 178245, 178274, 178275, 179136, 179138, 179158, 179175, 179178, 179179, 179239, 179160, 179165, 179166, 179168, 179173, 179298, 179368, 17945

A closer look at the movement:

The complete movement with both the automatic module and rotor (oscillating weight) attached.

Module still in place, but with the rotor removed

A clearer view of the movement, now that the automatic module has been removed. Note that, unlike the ETA 2892, the automatic module fits onto the movement allowing for larger diameter wheels of the driving train, and more freedom concerning their layout.

The disadvantage of this approach is seen in the fact that the ETA 2892 is only 3.6mm thick versus the Rolex 2235 which is almost 2.5mm thicker!

Like its larger sibling, the Cal. 3135, the balance wheel has a bridge supporting it with provision for quick and easy adjustment of the end-shake.

The underneath of the automatic module. One can clearly see how the reversing wheels have been modified slightly from those of the older Cal. 2135. I'm no mechanical engineer, but my feeling is that the slightly larger steel teeth allow for a more positive locking action when they are turned in reverse.

The dial side with both the calendar module and date indicator in place

The calendar module is still in place, but the date indicator has been removed.

The dial side sans calendar module

Back to the build, I would like to extend an extremely big THANK YOU goes to member jmb for his help. Without him, this build would not ever happen. :applause:

He had posted earlier a thread about an upgrade of the Ladies DJ for his missus and I quickly PM-ed him if he was still needing the rep parts..Luckily for me, he was most willing to sell me an almost complete watch..I only had to assemble it or find someone to do it for me.

These are the rep parts that I received:

Black Baton Markers Dial with Matching Hands

Midcase with Flute Bezel

Sapphire Crystal with Cyclops

Caseback with O-rings

Crown

Jubilee with Clasp and Endlinks

ETA 2671

DWO

Having not worked or seen an ETA 2671 before, I approached Spinmaster to assist me with assembling it. Doing a full service to the movement to ensure a few more years of worry-free usage.

And now that I got it back, It will be gift-wrapped for her birthday towards the end of August.

Before that happen may I present to you the Ladies DateJust 69174..

Dial and Hands

Fluted Bezel, Sapphire Crystal & Cyclops, Crown

Jubilee Bracelet, Endlinks and Clasp

Caseback

A quick comparison between what is and what was:

The differences are as obvious as day and night..

And finally a quick pic on the missus' wrist..had to pry it off her..

Hope you guys enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed putting it together..and hopefully thru this, there will be more love for the Ladies DJ and more love shown to the women supporting us men in this hobby..

Edited July 29, 2012 by justlounging

[krpster]

Great story! Nice gift for the missus.Definitely a model that does not get much attention around here. I have gotten 2 for my wife over the years and she loves them both.

[jmb]

You did a great job on the build, they are somewhat "tedious" to build. I really like the black stick dial and built my wife a rather unusual franken - this rep dial with gen case! If anybody wants to build one of these give me a shout if you have trouble finding a movement ring/spacer as I ordered some extras on my last parts order.

[justlounging]

J: I might need to get another movement spacer from you in the near future..

Thanks once again for your help and parts!

[amespinosa]

excellent build! nicely done. i too have an ongoing lady dj project (white dial, smooth bezel, oyster band)

[Tiyal]

Great Job!! My wife wants the white Pan AM GMT however I talked her into an Explorer 1 (which shes given to my mom).

What case are you guys using??

[justlounging]

@Tiyal: The parts that I got are basically all rep..not too sure of its origin..maybe jmb can fill in more on that..

I will let the missus upgrade this watch herself slowly (i.e her funds)..lol

first with a gen jubilee bracelet/endlinks and then gen white gold fluted bezel..next would then be the gen dial..