Rolex has long been a top choice for women looking for a blend of elegance and precision in a wristwatch. Historically they catered to women with smaller exquisitely styled models, for decades the typical “ladies’ Rolex” was a petite 26mm watch often adorned with precious metals or diamonds. In recent years there’s been a notable trend toward larger case sizes and simpler, sportier designs among female enthusiasts. Modern women are increasingly drawn to mid-size and even traditionally “men’s” Rolex models and Rolex has responded by offering a wide array of options that comfortably fit and flatter women’s wrists without compromising on style. Whether you prefer a classic jewel-like timepiece or a bold sports watch, Rolex’s lineup for women is more diverse than ever. Below we highlight the most popular Rolex models for women and the case sizes that are in highest demand.
Popular Rolex Models for Women:
- Rolex Datejust 28mm, 31mm, 36mm: The quintessential Rolex for women available in various sizes and known for its elegance and versatility.
- Rolex Day-Date “President” 36mm: Iconic all gold Rolex with day and date displays, a prestigious statement piece often favored by women who love luxury.
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual 28mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm: Sleek, minimalist Rolex in stainless steel, prized for its vibrant dial colors and everyday wearability.
- Rolex Pearlmaster 34mm, 39mm: An ultra luxurious Datejust variant exclusively in gold, lavishly adorned with diamonds and featuring a distinctive bracelet.
- Rolex Yacht-Master 37mm: A sporty yet refined midsize Rolex, originally designed for nautical adventures, now a chic option for women seeking a sport watch.
(Above sizes indicate common case diameters for these models in modern Rolex collections; many women also enjoy larger 40mm+ Rolex sports models, as discussed later.)
Rolex Datejust: The Iconic Ladies’ Rolex
The Datejust has been the flagship model for women’s Rolex watches for decades, celebrated for its classic design and myriad customisation options. In fact Rolex introduced the dedicated Lady-Datejust in 1957 as a smaller counterpart to the men’s Datejust, initially with a 26mm case. For nearly sixty years the Lady-Datejust remained a dainty 26mm, but in 2015 Rolex updated the size to 28mm, slightly enlarging the case to suit modern tastes. Today all new Lady-Datejust models come in a 28mm case, as the 26mm size was discontinued in favor of this trend toward larger watches.
Beyond the official “Lady-Datejust” 28mm, Rolex also offers midsize Datejust watches with 31mm cases that are heavily marketed to women. Notably the original men’s Datejust 36mm, once considered a gents’ size has become extremely popular with women in recent years. Many women now prefer the classic 36mm Datejust for its bolder presence, and Rolex has even expanded feminine dial and material options in the 36mm lineup to cater to these preferences. The move toward larger sizes is clear evidence of changing fashion, and Rolex’s response to discontinue the tiniest ladies’ model (26mm) underscores that shift.
Yet, whether in 28mm, 31mm, or 36mm, the Datejust remains instantly recognisable and timelessly stylish. It features the signature date display at 3 o’clock (with the magnifying Cyclops lens) and Rolex’s ultra-reliable automatic movement inside. The variety within the Datejust line is unmatched, you can choose from stainless steel, two-tone Rolesor or solid gold cases, smooth or fluted bezels, Oyster or Jubilee bracelets (and even the President bracelet on certain women’s models) and a rainbow of dial colors and hour markers from classic Roman numerals to sparkling diamonds. This adaptability makes the Datejust a watch that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. It’s no surprise that the Datejust is consistently Rolex’s best selling model worldwide and women buyers contribute heavily to that popularity. In fact in recent years pre-owned market data shows more ladies’ Datejust watches being sold than men’s, highlighting the Datejust’s broad appeal as a ladies’ watch that “bridges classic elegance with contemporary style”. Whether as a first Rolex or an addition to a collection, the Datejust in any size stands out as a must have for many women, combining Rolex’s heritage, elegance and everyday practicality.
Day-Date “President”: Unmatched Prestige in 36mm
For those seeking the ultimate prestige piece, Day-Date, famously nicknamed the “President” is a top contender. The Day-Date earned its Presidential moniker after several world leaders chose it as their timepiece of choice and it is defined by its signature three-link President bracelet and dual day-date apertures on the dial. Traditionally produced in a 36mm case, the Day-Date has always been crafted exclusively in precious metals (18k yellow, white, or Everose gold or platinum) and never in steel. This combined with the distinctive curved link bracelet and the spelled-out day of the week on the dial, makes the Day-Date a powerful symbol of success and luxury.
Although the Day-Date 36 was historically marketed to men, it has immense popularity among women who desire a bolder, statement making watch. Many style icons and professionals have adopted the 36mm Day-Date as their go to Rolex, appreciating that its classic proportions still wear elegantly on a woman’s wrist while making a confident impression. In Rolex’s current lineup there isn’t a separate “Lady Day-Date”, instead women wear the same Day-Date 36 that men do, or even the larger Day-Date 40 in some cases. However Rolex does offer a model often referred to as the “Ladies’ President”, which is essentially a Datejust 31 fitted with the President bracelet. This 31mm Datejust, sometimes called Datejust 31 President, is the only non-Day-Date watch that can have the President bracelet and it comes only in gold variants, effectively providing a slightly smaller all-gold option for women who love the President style. Older 26mm and 28mm Datejust models with President bracelets can also be found on the pre-owned market, but today Rolex’s focus is on the 31mm and 36mm sizes for those seeking the President look.
Importantly every Day-Date or “President” watch is a statement of opulence. From a technical perspective they offer the convenience of displaying both the date and the full day of the week spelled out at 12 o’clock, a feature unique to this luxury watch line. Aesthetically they are often paired with deluxe dial options, rich colors, diamond hour markers, mother-of-pearl faces etc… befitting their status. The combination of the 36mm case and the luxurious President bracelet has proven enduringly appealing to women. In fact industry reports note that classic yellow gold Day-Date “President” models such as the Reference 69178 in 26mm or its larger counterparts remain highly sought after by female collectors, reinforcing how iconic this model is as a women’s favorite. It’s fair to say that the Day-Date 36 in gold with its unmistakable President bracelet is considered one of the best women’s Rolex watches of all time, offering unparalleled heritage and glamour on the wrist.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual: Vibrant Colors in a Versatile Design
The Oyster Perpetual is often celebrated as the purest expression of a Rolex watch and it has become extremely popular among women who appreciate a clean, fuss free look. The Oyster Perpetual is their entry level line, defined by its simple time-only dial (no date) and robust waterproof Oyster case, a design that traces its roots back to Rolex’s pioneering water resistant watches of the 1920s For decades they produced the OP in a wide range of sizes, including very small ladies’ versions. In 1964 for example, they introduced a Ladies’ Oyster Perpetual as small as ~24mm in diameter. More recently the lineup included 26mm and 31mm women’s models. However, similar to the Datejust line, Rolex has adjusted the sizes to suit contemporary preferences, the 26mm Oyster Perpetual was discontinued in 2020 and replaced by a slightly larger 28mm model as the new smallest option. Today the 28mm and 31mm Oyster Perpetuals are marketed toward women as they are ideal for smaller wrists, but many women also opt for the larger 34mm and 36mm OP models to get a more modern, oversized look. In fact 34–36mm is a sweet spot that many ladies find offers a perfect balance of legibility and style without overwhelming the wrist.
One of the biggest draws of the current Oyster Perpetual line is the explosion of dial colors that they introduced in September 2020. Traditionally OP dials came in conservative shades, silver, black, blue, white, etc.., but they surprised the world by launching a series of bright, playful colours, often dubbed the “Stella inspired” or “candy” dials. These include Candy Pink, Turquoise Blue popularly nicknamed “Tiffany blue”, Coral Red, Green, and Yellow, alongside the classic shades. The colorful dials were an instant hit and significantly boosted the Oyster Perpetual’s appeal to a younger and more diverse audience. Notably the Turquoise Blue OP in 36mm became one of the year’s hottest watches, coveted equally by men and women due to its resemblance to the famed Tiffany & Co. colour. Rolex has since added even more whimsical variants like the “Celebration” confetti dial in 2023, a design featuring multicolor bubbles, demonstrating that the OP line is now the playground for creative dial design. All of these watches are in stainless steel with smooth bezels and Oyster bracelets, giving a casual, go anywhere character that is great for daily wear. Thanks to their reliability, 100m water resistance and fresh styling, the Oyster Perpetual models have become some of the most popular options for women who want an everyday watch that still makes a fun style statement. Whether in a restrained 31mm size or an on trend 36mm, the Oyster Perpetual offers a chic, maintenance-free (automatic, no battery) Rolex experience that resonates with many women collectors.
Pearlmaster: Jewelry Watch Extravagance
For those who believe there’s no such thing as too much sparkle, the Pearlmaster represents the pinnacle of gem set glamour in the Rolex catalog. Introduced in 1992 the Pearlmaster line was designed explicitly for women and is essentially a highly bejeweled extension of the Datejust family. Every Pearlmaster is crafted from a precious metal, yellow gold, white gold, Everose (rose) gold, or platinum and features factory set diamonds or other gemstones on the dial, bezel, or even fully covering the watch. The collection takes its name from the distinctive Pearlmaster bracelet, a five piece link design with curved, polished links that give off a jewelry like sheen. Interestingly, if you look closely at a Pearlmaster’s dial you’ll notice it’s labeled “Oyster Perpetual Datejust”; in essence, a Pearlmaster is a Datejust at heart, complete with the date window and Cyclops lens, but with a unique case and bracelet and a much heavier emphasis on diamonds. Rolex treats it as a separate collection because of these differences and its exclusive status.
In terms of size early Pearlmasters were offered in a petite 29mm and a midsize 34mm case. However following the industry trend Rolex discontinued the 29mm version around 2015 and introduced a larger 39mm Pearlmaster model in its place. Today the Pearlmaster 34 and Pearlmaster 39 are the main sizes you’ll encounter in current or recent production. The jump to a 39mm jeweled watch gives a bold, avant-garde look on a woman’s wrist, these are truly pieces of jewelry as much as timepieces. Modern Pearlmasters often come fully pavé, meaning the entire dial, bezel and even bracelet links are paved with diamonds, especially in the high-end variants that Rolex lists as “Price on Request”, indicating some of the most expensive pieces in the lineup. Others might have slightly more understated settings, like just a diamond bezel with a classic mother-of-pearl dial, for a touch of everyday elegance. No matter the configuration, a Pearlmaster is immediately eye-catching and undeniably luxurious. It’s frequently cited among the top Rolex watches for women who prioritise luxury and exclusivity. Given their hefty price tags and limited production, Pearlmasters are relatively rare, but they hold a special place in Rolex’s offerings as the ultimate ladies’ jewelry watch, blending the technical prowess of the Datejust with the opulence of high jewelry craftsmanship.
Rolex Yacht-Master 37: Sporty Elegance for Her
Not all women’s favorites are traditional dress watches, many women today love sporty Rolex models. The Yacht-Master 37 is a perfect example of a sports watch that has captured female wrists. The Yacht-Master collection introduced in 1992 was conceived as a more luxurious sibling to Rolex’s Submariner dive watch, tailored for yachting and leisure. While the first Yacht-Master was a hefty 40mm in gold, Rolex soon expanded the line to include smaller versions for those who wanted a lighter, more refined sports watch. In 1994 Rolex added a Lady Yacht-Master at 29mm and a midsize Yacht-Master at 35mm in diameter. These were clearly aimed at women (29mm) and perhaps unisex use (35mm) and became quite popular through the 1990s and 2000s.
Come 2015 Rolex updated the Yacht-Master collection and discontinued the 29mm and 35mm sizes, consolidating them into a new Yacht-Master 37 model. The Yacht-Master 37mm strikes a great balance, it’s larger and more contemporary than the tiny 29mm, yet it’s still eminently comfortable on a smaller wrist, only 2mm bigger than a Datejust 35 for instance. Over the past decade the Yacht-Master 37 has gained a reputation as one of the best sporty Rolex options for women, combining utilitarian features with elegance. The model comes in a few luxurious material choices, one popular variant is the Rolesium edition, stainless steel case with a platinum bezel, which gives a lovely bi-metallic look and a touch of platinum heft while remaining relatively understated. Rolex also offers the Yacht-Master 37 in Everose Rolesor, steel and Everose gold two-tone and in solid Everose gold. Notably the Everose gold Yacht-Master 37 introduced Rolex’s innovative Oysterflex rubber strap on this model, along with a matte black Cerachrom ceramic bezel, lending a truly sporty-chic vibe to a gold watch. Meanwhile the steel/platinum version retains the classic metal Oyster bracelet and features a platinum bezel with raised numerals, the bezel is functional rotating 60 clicks, useful for timing regattas or laps or just your morning run. With its clean sporty dial, robust build, and flash of upscale materials, the Yacht-Master 37 is a natural fit for women who want a luxury watch that leans more casual and adventurous. It’s often mentioned as a top choice for women looking at sports Rolex models. The fact that Rolex consolidated the women’s Yacht-Master to 37mm shows how tastes have evolved; this watch makes a bold statement while still being proportional for many women. Whether paired with summer sailing attire or simply weekend casual wear, the Yacht-Master 37 delivers a delightful mix of sport and style for female luxury watch aficionados.
Shifting Trends: Women Wearing Larger Rolex Models
It’s worth noting that today women are not limited to traditionally defined “ladies’” Rolex models. In fact one of the biggest shifts in recent years is the number of women proudly wearing larger sports models originally marketed to men. There is really no inherent difference between a men’s and women’s Rolex watch aside from case size and style, all Rolex watches are built with the same quality and can be worn by anyone. Many fashion forward women have embraced this idea, adopting models like the Daytona, Submariner, and GMT-Master II as stylish oversized accessories. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with a 40mm case is a prime example, although a chronograph designed for racing, it has become one of the most popular Rolex watches among women who love its sporty look and iconic status. Rolex even released special Daytona variants in the early 2000s nicknamed “Daytona Beach” with colorful dials and straps aimed at women. Today beyond those limited editions many women opt for standard Daytona models in steel or Everose gold, despite the 40mm size, the Daytona’s relatively slim profile and curved case make it surprisingly comfortable on a slimmer wrist, and adjusting the bracelet links allows a perfect fit. Similarly the GMT-Master II, also 40mm, has attracted female buyers, especially with coveted bezel colorways like the red-blue “Pepsi” or brown-black “Root Beer.” The travel friendly dual time zone feature is useful and the design, while bold, isn’t overpowering when worn confidently. The bottom line is that many modern women feel empowered to wear whichever Rolex they love, regardless of label, be it a 28mm diamond cocktail watch or a 40mm professional sports model. This inclusive trend expands the horizon for women’s watch choices tremendously.
Finding the Perfect Fit
From the classically petite 28mm Lady-Datejust to the substantial and sporty 40mm Daytona, Rolex offers an exceptional spectrum of options for women. The most popular models for women, Datejust, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual, Pearlmaster, Yacht-Master and even others like the Daytona, each offer a unique blend of style, functionality and heritage that resonates with different tastes. What’s clear is that women today have truly abundant choices in the Rolex lineup. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, the best Rolex for a woman is ultimately the one that suits her personal style, fits comfortably, and brings her joy. Fortunately whether one prefers a discreet 28–31mm watch that whispers elegance or a bold 36–40mm timepiece that asserts confidence, every Rolex delivers the same renowned craftsmanship and timeless appeal. As Rolex continues to evolve its designs and sizes in response to changing trends, women enthusiasts can look forward to ever more variety, all while the classic favorites remain just as beloved as ever. In the end a Rolex on a woman’s wrist in any model or size is an enduring symbol of sophistication and empowerment, made to be worn and enjoyed for generations.
Sources: Rolex and luxury watch expert blogs and guides swisswatchexpo.comelegantswiss.comswisswatchexpo.comgrayandsons.com, which detail the popularity of models like the Lady-Datejust, Day-Date President, Oyster Perpetual, Pearlmaster, and midsize sports watches among women. These sources highlight how Rolex has adjusted its offerings (e.g. discontinuing 26mm, introducing 28mm and 37mm models) to align with modern women’s preferencesswisswatchexpo.comelegantswiss.comelegantswiss.com, and how trends show women increasingly embracing larger, traditionally masculine modelsgrayandsons.comelegantswiss.com without sacrificing style or comfort.
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