Datejust 31 White Gold Diamond / Jubilee Diamond / Black Diamond

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its 178159-0037 iteration, embodies a quiet mastery of proportion and refinement, marrying the enduring elegance of the Datejust collection with the understated opulence of white gold. The 31mm case, crafted in 18ct white gold, frames a striking black dial adorned with gem-set indexes that catch light with subtle precision, while the bezel—also encrusted with diamonds—adds a layer of sophistication without overwhelming the eye. The Jubilee bracelet, a hallmark of the Datejust’s legacy since its 1945 debut, complements the watch’s balanced silhouette, its five-link design offering both comfort and a timeless sense of occasion. The sapphire crystal, paired with a water resistance of 100 meters, ensures durability without compromising the watch’s delicate aesthetic. At its core, the 2235 automatic movement delivers the precision expected of a modern Rolex, featuring a perpetual calendar and chronometer certification that underscores the brand’s commitment to mechanical excellence. The interplay of materials—white gold, black lacquer, and diamonds—reflects a restrained approach to luxury, where every element serves a purpose rather than a statement. This watch is for those who seek distinction through subtlety, where heritage and craftsmanship are worn with quiet confidence. It suits the discerning collector, the professional in a high-stakes environment, or the individual who values a timepiece that transcends trends, serving as both a functional instrument and a testament to enduring design.

In Context

At 31 mm it is small by current standards, in the range most wristwatches occupied before cases began growing through the 1990s. The case back is closed, so the movement stays out of sight, and the sapphire crystal will resist everything short of deliberate abuse. 100 m is genuine swimming resistance — more than the shape of this watch suggests it would need.

The movement winds itself from the motion of your wrist. 48 hours of reserve is enough to set it down on Friday evening and find it still running on Monday. At 28,800 vph the seconds hand advances 8 times a second.

178159-0037 is one of 36 executions of the 178159 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a black dial and a white gold case.

Rolex

White · White Gold

178159-0001 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · White Gold

178159-0002 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold

178159-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold

178159-0010 · 31 mm

Rolex

Grey · White Gold

178159-0011 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold

178159-0012 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · White Gold

178159-0014 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · White Gold

178159-0015 · 31 mm

+ 27 more variants in this family.

The 2235 is the small Rolex automatic of the six-digit generation, a 20 mm movement with a date. It carried the Datejust 31 and the 26 mm Lady-Datejust from around 2000 until the 2236 replaced it. It powers 733 watches in this library. It has 31 jewels, a 48-hour reserve and a beat of 28,800 vph, and every one is a COSC chronometer. It is the same architecture as the [2236](/calibers/rolex-2236) that followed, without the silicon Syloxi hairspring and with seven hours less reserve; the [2236 piece](/blog/the-rolex-2236-the-most-common-movement-in-this-library) explains what changed. The library finds it almost entirely in the [Datejust 31](/brands/rolex/datejust-31): 682 references, the 1782xx generation, whose 45 base references and hundreds of dial variants make that collection the largest here. The 26 mm [Lady-Datejust](/brands/rolex/lady-datejust) of the 1791xx generation accounts for 29, the [Pearlmaster](/brands/rolex/pearlmaster) 29 mm and 34 mm for 19, and the 35 mm Yacht-Master for 3. A six-digit Datejust 31 reference is a 2235; the seven-digit one is a 2236, as the [reference-number guide](/blog/how-to-read-a-watch-reference-number) explains. The 2231 was its no-date sibling in the Oyster Perpetual, and the [3135](/calibers/rolex-3135) its counterpart in the 36 mm cases.

732 other watches in the library run the Rolex 2235.

Rolex

Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Diamond / Oyster / Black MOP

178158-0056 · 31 mm

Rolex

Datejust 31 Stainless Steel Diamond / Oyster / Pink MOP

178384-0061 · 31 mm

Rolex

Datejust 31 Rolesor Everose Domed / Jubilee / Black MOP

178241-0043 · 31 mm

Rolex

Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Domed / Oyster / Champagne Roman

178248-0079 · 31 mm