Datejust 31 Stainless Steel Fluted / Jubilee / Silver

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its 178274-0009 iteration, embodies the enduring elegance of a collection that has defined understated sophistication since its introduction in 1945. This particular reference marries the timeless appeal of the Datejust’s fluted bezel with a dial that exudes quiet refinement—its silver hue is rendered with a precision that captures the interplay of light and texture, while stick indexes and hands add a minimalist clarity to the composition. The case, a harmonious blend of stainless steel and white gold, underscores the model’s versatility, bridging the gap between classic sportiness and formal restraint. The Jubilee bracelet, with its gentle curvature and polished finish, ensures a secure yet comfortable fit, a hallmark of Rolex’s attention to ergonomic detail. At its core, the Datejust 31 is powered by the Caliber 2235, an automatic movement distinguished by its Parachrom balance spring and Chronergy escapement—technical innovations that enhance accuracy and resilience without compromising the watch’s discreet presence. The sapphire crystal, paired with a closed case back, reinforces the robustness of a timepiece designed for both daily wear and moments of significance. The 31mm diameter, a nod to the collection’s evolution over decades, strikes a balance between presence and proportion, making it a natural choice for those who value subtlety in design. This watch is for the discerning individual who seeks a companion that transcends trends, a piece as enduring as the craftsmanship behind it. It suits the boardroom, the gala, or the quiet confidence of a well-tailored suit—worn not as a statement, but as a testament to quiet mastery.

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.

178274-0009 is one of 52 executions of the 178274 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a silver dial and a white gold, stainless steel case.

Rolex

Black · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0004 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0005 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0008 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0012 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0014 · 31 mm

Rolex

Grey

178274-0016 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0017 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold, Stainless Steel

178274-0018 · 31 mm

+ 43 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