Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Fluted / Oyster / Champagne Diamond

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its yellow gold iteration with a champagne dial, embodies the enduring elegance of a collection that has defined luxury horology since its introduction in 1945. This particular reference, distinguished by its fluted bezel and gem-set indexes, merges the brand’s storied heritage with refined modernity. The 31mm case, crafted in 18ct yellow gold, strikes a balance between classic proportions and contemporary wearability, while the champagne dial—soft yet luminous—pairs seamlessly with the subtle sparkle of the diamond-set hour markers. The fluted bezel, a hallmark of the Datejust’s design language, adds a tactile and visual dimension that underscores the watch’s timeless sophistication. At its core lies the Caliber 2235, a self-winding movement with a date display and a 70-hour power reserve, exemplifying Rolex’s commitment to precision and reliability. The sapphire crystal, paired with a water resistance of 100 meters, ensures durability without compromising the watch’s delicate aesthetic. This timepiece is not merely an instrument of timekeeping but a testament to the craftsmanship that has elevated Rolex to an icon of status and artistry. Suited for those who value discretion as much as distinction, this Datejust 31 is an ideal companion for moments that demand both refinement and quiet authority—whether in the boardroom, at a gala, or on the wrist of a collector seeking a piece that transcends trends.

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.

178278-0132 is one of 37 executions of the 178278 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a champagne 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