Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Fluted / President / Silver Diamond

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its 178278-0040 iteration, embodies the quiet authority of a timepiece that has defined elegance for generations. A modern interpretation of the Datejust collection, introduced in 1945 as Rolex’s first self-winding waterproof chronometer with a date display, this reference marries enduring design principles with refined execution. The 31-millimeter yellow gold case, adorned with the brand’s signature fluted bezel, exudes a warmth and presence that feels both timeless and meticulously contemporary. Paired with a president bracelet—its smooth, polished links a hallmark of Rolex’s commitment to wearability—the watch balances sophistication with a touch of understated luxury. The dial, a luminous silver backdrop, is accented by gem-set indexes that catch light with subtle precision, while the stick hands offer a clean, legible contrast. Beneath the sapphire crystal, the in-house Caliber 2235 automatic movement operates with the precision expected of a watchmaker that has long set benchmarks for mechanical excellence. Its date function, housed within a discreet window at 3 o’clock, is a testament to the seamless integration of utility and artistry. This watch is for the individual who values heritage without sacrificing modernity, whose presence is marked by quiet confidence. It suits formal occasions, yet its versatility ensures it remains a constant companion—whether in the boardroom, at a gala, or simply on the wrist of someone who understands the quiet power of a well-crafted timepiece.

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.

178278-0040 is one of 37 executions of the 178278 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a silver dial and a yellow gold case.

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178278-0010 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178278-0018 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178278-0021 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178278-0025 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178278-0028 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178278-0031 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178278-0034 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178278-0037 · 31 mm

+ 28 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