At 26mm, the Lady-Datejust 79174 with a black mother of pearl dial is one of the more dramatic entries in the compact Datejust catalog, and this replica diamond 79174 captures that character fully. The 79174 uses an older-generation case design with straight lugs and a stainless steel construction paired with a white gold fluted bezel. Black mother of pearl is inherently darker than the white variant, but it still carries the same iridescent quality, shifting between deep blue, green, and purple under changing light. Diamond hour markers punctuate the dark surface, creating sharp points of brightness against the moody backdrop.

Build Details

• Case diameter: 26mm
• Case material: stainless steel
• Bezel: fluted, white gold
• Dial: black mother of pearl with diamond indices
• Crystal: sapphire with Cyclops magnification
• Bracelet: Jubilee, stainless steel
• Movement: automatic
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date

The 79174 reference belongs to the pre-ceramic era of Datejust production. Its case proportions are slightly thinner than the current 179174, giving it a flatter profile on the wrist.

What Collectors Notice

Black mother of pearl dials attract collectors who want something less conventional than the standard silver or champagne options. The organic material means slight variations in pattern between individual dials, making each one visually distinct. On this 26mm platform, the dark dial creates an optical illusion of the watch appearing slightly larger than its measured dimensions, because dark surfaces recede less than light ones against the skin. For those comparing MOP options, the Pearlmaster 31mm silver dial provides a contrasting approach in a larger case format. Both belong within the diamond watches collection for easy cross-reference.

This vs Other Versions

The 79174 with black MOP occupies a niche that newer references have not fully replaced. While Rolex discontinued the 79-series in favor of the 179-series with upgraded movements, the older case shape retains a following among vintage-leaning buyers. The Jubilee bracelet on this reference uses the older-style clasp without the Easylink extension found on current production. Black mother of pearl remains one of the most photogenic dial materials in the entire Datejust range, and this replica diamond 79174 preserves that dramatic quality in a compact, wearable package.