Review: Rolex 80339 Diamond Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster 29mm
The Lady Datejust Pearlmaster. It’s arguably the finest ladies timepiece in the world. It is of the highest caliber in quality, style, and status. It is also one of the most popular and highly sold watch models on Earth…A must-have for any classy, elegant woman who appreciates the finer things in life.
If you aren’t familiar with the diamond-covered Rolex 80339 Lady Pearlmaster 29mm, it’s time to get acquainted. We are going to review this gorgeous, soon-to-be-vintage, ladies Rolex Datejust Pearlmaster using our expert eye, and in a way that this incredible timepiece deserves, as it has never thoroughly been discussed before.
Rolex 80339 Lady Datejust Pearlmaster
Most of our watch reviews at Raymond Lee Jewelers consist of the most exquisite men’s Swiss watches, past and present. However, every so often, there are exceptional ladies watches that merit a hands-on review, such as this Diamond Rolex Ladies Datejust Pearlmaster 29mm.
The model featured in this review is a diamond, 18K white gold, Lady Datejust Pearlmaster reference 80339. And we are going to tell you everything you need to know about it…
To begin, let’s take a stroll down memory lane, to when this iconic watch for women came into existence.
Brief History of the Lady Datejust & Pearlmaster
Rolex’s most classic feminine timepiece, the Lady-Datejust, has a lineage that dates back to the first Datejust ever created – An emblematic model that is synonymous with style and accuracy, the men’s original Datejust.
Rolex released their most iconic watch, The Datejust, in 1945. It was a watch that took the world by storm. It was a highly accurate self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch with the most practical complication possible, a date display at the 3 o’clock.
With an understanding that women desired an exquisite timepiece just as much as men, 12 years later, in 1957, the first women’s Rolex was introduced. It was the Lady-Datejust.
Just like the men’s Datejust, the Lady-Datejust was also a highly accurate self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch. It brought the same character, quality, and precision of the Datejust 36 for men down to a smaller size, thus complementing a lady’s wrist beautifully.
“Femininity In All Its Diversity” – Rolex
Over the decades, since the conception of the Lady Datejust, Rolex has continued to create a range of styles for their most sought after women’s line of watches.
The Lady Datejust has been crafted from yellow, white and rose gold, platinum, and two-tone Rolesor (stainless steel and gold). It has been equipped with the Oyster, President and Jubilee bracelet.
The Lady Datejust has also seen variety in sizes. The Original Lady Datejust was 26mm, and it had a long life, lasting until 2003. Then the second phase of the Lady Datejust reference 17913 was born in the early 2000s. It was largely the same as the original, keeping the 26mm case size, but it did have a few upgrades, such as a new caliber movement and some newer innovations with bracelet, case, and dial.
Finally, in 2016, we are met by the new Lady Datejust 28, a more easily readable, slightly larger version (28mm).
NOTE: Datejust 31, which doesn’t wear the “Lady” name, is, in fact, a unisex watch. Moreover, the Datejust 36mm is deemed by the world of Rolex enthusiasts a unisex watch now, as women have grown a keen appreciation for larger watches, just as men have…
So, that is the most condensed background we can give. However, we must not forget a creation that happened within this timeline – The Lady Datejust Pearlmaster.
Lady Datejust Pearlmaster
In 1992, the celebrated Pearlmaster series arrived. The Pearlmaster, an ornate interpretation of the Datejust. It is a watch that never lacked variety. It came in all the same metals and bracelets, yet with a little more size and a lot more sparkle.
As the name suggests, the Pearlmaster is the bejeweled series of the Datejust.
“It represents the height of exquisiteness, with precious metals and gemstones.”
It’s a watch that gave Rolex’s gemologists and gem-setters free rein to work their magic.
The Pearlmaster has been adorned with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, and only of the highest grade. The bezel, case, bracelet, and dial have all been embellished in various ways. From subtle sparkle to complete extravagance, the Pearlmaster has seen more iterations than we can recall.
As for its case size, the original Lady Pearlmaster was 29mm, and also a 34mm. Then, the collection introduced a 39mm Datejust Pearlmaster in 2015.
The 29mm Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster’s Retirement
When Rolex introduced the new 39mm Pearlmaster in 2015, they retired the 29mm Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster.
Ever since then, the Rolex Pearlmaster (such as the one featured in this review) has been especially coveted in the secondhand market.
Evolution of Rolex Watches
The Lady Datejust Pearlmaster is the perfect example of the evolutionary process of Rolex watches. Although there have been historical moments, the process has been long, with each step drawing and improving on features and ideas, thus going where no watch has gone before.
The Rolex Pearlmaster is no exception. Rolex’s most flamboyant and expensive model could only be conceived in all of its greatness through years and years of development and understanding of the market and how it shifts.
And with that evolution, the Rolex models that are left behind, such as the Lady Datejust Pearlmaster 29mm, are far from forgotten like many things in this world. In fact, they become more appreciated, more desired, more sought after. Similar to an artist like Vincent Van Gogh, or Biggie and Tupac, whose influences transpire or immensely grows only after passing.
Notable Women Who Have Worn The Rolex Lady Datejust
- Kylie Jenner wears the Rolex Pearlmaster (fully diamond-covered)
- Lindsey Vonn also rocks the new Rolex Pearlmaster 39
- Sylvia Earle, USA’s first female chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sports a gold Lady-Datejust 26mm.[18]
- Swedish pro golfer Annika Sörenstam owns two Lady Datejust watches.[27]
- Yuja Wang, a Chinese classical pianist has been seen wearing the Datejust 31mm.[17]
- Zheng Jie, a Chinese pro tennis player, owns a Rolex Lady Datejust.
And the list goes on…
The world’s most elite women have always been drawn to the Lady Datejust and Pearlmaster…and now, the men’s Datejust even more so.
However, when it comes to the purest women Rolex collectors, the new versions are not the ones they look too. They all have their eyes on the Lady Datejust diamond-covered Pearlmaster 29mm.
Review of the Rolex 80339 Lady-Datejust Diamond Pearlmaster 29mm
Although women have been gravitating to men’s Rolex Datejust’s to achieve the ever-desired oversized watch style, the Lady Pearlmaster 29 is more sought after than ever.
For day-to-day casual wear, a “large” 36+mm Rolex on a woman’s wrist looks great. However, it’s not the best option for a fancy night on the town. That’s where the Pearlmaster 29 comes into play. It has all the frill and ostentation that you could ask for, and the size is a lot more sophisticated and elegant when paired with a beautiful dress and fine diamond jewelry…and when it comes to the Rolex Pearlmaster 80339, it’s on top of the list for “classy and flashy”.
The Pearlmaster 29 is an easy choice for those in the market for a ladies Rolex. We are talking about a bound-to-be vintage, value-rising timepiece, a breathtaking design, and material and mechanical engineering that will last through not one, but many lifetimes. It’s a timepiece worthy of heirloom status.
Rolex Pearlmaster 80339
This Lady Pearlmaster 29mm was released in 2001, making it just a few years out from being labeled “vintage”. The value of this diamond-adorned watch is only going to continue to increase.
The first impression of this timepiece is “striking”. It has a rich and soft appearance thanks to the countless diamonds and its all-white gold composition. Even though it’s not a large watch by any means, it provides an unparalleled wrist presence. That said, it also isn’t a tiny watch like the 26mm Lady-Datejust. For most women, this watch fits like a 38mm or 40mm watch fits a man. Simply. Perfection.
18K White Gold Case with Diamond-set Lugs
The case, as you already know, is 29mm. It has a round Oyster case that is water-resistant down to 100 meters. The features of Rolex’s patented Oyster case are a triplock winding crown and three-part case – the bezel and solid caseback screw to the middle of the case. All these components are what allows the case to be sealed tight (like an Oyster), thus protecting the movement and dial when submerged in water. You wouldn’t expect a watch with this kind of shine to be so adept under water, right? That is…unless you know Rolex. Every watch they make is water-resistant. So, if you are feeling a little pool time at the party, jump in without thinking twice…
Now, the case is made from 18K white gold and it is bevels and flanks are polished too perfection. On top of the lugs you will find round brilliant diamonds that completely fill the entire top of the case…
Even though this watch is coming on 2 decades, it still looks like new.
18K White Gold Oyster Bracelet
This Rolex Pearlmaster 80339 has an 18K white gold Oyster bracelet. It is a highly elegant and sophisticated rounded band with a hidden fold-over Crownclasp. As with the case, the bracelet is polished exquisitely.
The links of the bracelet are set with round brilliant diamonds of the same size as the lugs of the case…
What’s more, as this is the post-2000 Pearlmaster, it uses solid center links rather than hollow links. So, it has a sturdy, robust, firm feeling to it. It makes for a watch that has a lot more substance…not that there’s anything wrong per se about the hollow link Rolex bracelets of the past, it’s just that the solid link version is better. It was an upgrade that no one can deny was intrinsically great.
Diamond Bezel
The fixed bezel is crafted from 18K white gold as well. It contains two rows of round brilliant diamonds. There are in total 116 diamonds of identical size, cut and grade (the highest grade of brilliant-cut diamonds)…
The diamonds are slightly smaller than the diamonds of the case and bracelet. This gives the watch remarkable contrast as it moves the wearer’s eyes into the dial.
Diamond Dial
The dial features countless tiny round brilliant diamonds, all of the exact same size, cut and grade. They cover the entire dial, except for the white gold, blue Roman numerals, Rolex & Crown (at the 12 o’clock) and the date display.
The hands, which are seconds, minutes and hours, are made from 18k white gold as well. They use a high polished finish, allowing them to stand out on the diamond flooded background.
Covering the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a cyclops eye over the date display, which magnifies it by 2.5 times.
Overall, the dial is absolutely stunning and it’s super easy to read. This is the quintessential example of how a Ladies watch can be jaw-dropping, fitting, and easily legible.
Movement Caliber 2235
The movement is a post-1999 Caliber 2235. It’s not something people often discuss, but this movement is incredibly reliable and precise.
It is, of course, made in-house by Rolex. It’s an automatic winding movement with 31 jewels, 28,800 VpH, and 48 hours of power reserve.
It is a highly accurate COSC certified chronometer. However, it comes with a Superlative Chronometer designation from Rolex, which means it is even greater than the COSC specs performance and precision.
The point is, you’ll never have an excuse for being late.
Rolex Diamond Lady Datejust Pearlmaster 80339 ON THE WRIST
The watch is crafted from 18K white gold that is polished exquisitely and it is covered in diamonds, so it is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a 29mm watch that offers far more wrist presence than one would imagine just by hearing its size. As soon as you put it on your wrist, you will see what we mean. It is an absolute show stopper.
It fits on a women’s wrist to perfection and it beautifully complements jewelry, especially diamond jewelry, such as bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings.
It’s a watch that just feels special. And although we consider it more for dressy occasions, it goes impeccably with casual wear too, especially for those who don’t mind everyday extravagance.
On the whole, this is a watch to be extremely proud of. A watch that you will want to show off, but you won’t have to as it simply can’t be missed. What’s more, it’s a watch that someday you can pass down to your kids or grandkids, and its beauty will remain. It has a timeless style that represents elegance, grace, and spending power.
Rolex 80339 Diamond Pearlmaster Price
The Rolex Pearlmaster is the most expensive line of Rolex watches. So, this preowned Rolex 80339 Diamond Pearlmaster comes at a considerable price. It has the original Rolex paperwork and box and is in excellent condition.
We are currently keeping this model off the shelf and selling it only to those who inquire. So, if you are interested, please contact us for pricing.
