Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Domed / Oyster / Silver Computer

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its 178248-0038 iteration, embodies the quiet refinement that has defined the collection since its introduction in 1945. This particular reference distinguishes itself through a harmonious interplay of materials and proportion, with a 31-millimeter yellow gold case that balances elegance with approachable scale. The domed caseback, a subtle nod to the Oyster case’s enduring robustness, is paired with a silver dial that exudes understated sophistication. Gem-set indexes add a touch of quiet opulence, while stick hands ensure legibility without intruding on the dial’s serene composition. The sapphire crystal, reinforced with a cyclops lens over the date window, protects a heritage of precision that dates back to the Datejust’s original innovation: the first self-winding chronometer-equipped wristwatch with a date display. At its core, the 2235 automatic movement delivers the reliability and craftsmanship expected of a modern Rolex, with a focus on durability and accuracy that aligns with the brand’s legacy of engineering excellence. The watch’s 100-meter water resistance and Oyster case construction underscore its practicality, though its appeal lies in its ability to transition seamlessly from formal occasions to everyday wear. For those who value discretion as much as prestige, this Datejust 31 is a testament to the enduring allure of a timepiece that merges tradition with contemporary subtlety. It is the kind of watch that speaks volumes without needing to shout—ideal for the discerning collector who seeks a companion as timeless as it is refined.

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.

178248-0038 is one of 38 executions of the 178248 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a silver dial and a yellow gold case.

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178248-0012 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178248-0013 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178248-0014 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · Yellow Gold

178248-0019 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178248-0020 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178248-0023 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178248-0025 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · Yellow Gold

178248-0026 · 31 mm

+ 29 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