Datejust 31 Yellow Gold Diamond / President / MOP

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, a timepiece steeped in tradition since its introduction in 1945, finds a refined expression in this yellow gold iteration with a gem-set bezel and mother-of-pearl dial. The 31-millimeter case, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, exudes warmth and presence, its polished surfaces reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship synonymous with the brand. The bezel, adorned with a halo of diamonds, frames the dial’s ethereal white mother-of-pearl surface—a material chosen for its natural iridescence and subtle luminosity. Gem-set indexes and slender stick hands lend a sense of quiet elegance, balancing the watch’s ornate details with a timeless simplicity that aligns with the Datejust collection’s enduring legacy as a symbol of understated sophistication. At its core, the watch houses the Caliber 2235, a self-winding movement with a date display and a Parachrom balance spring, ensuring precision and resilience against magnetic interference. The sapphire crystal, paired with a closed case back, protects the mechanism while emphasizing the watch’s durability and attention to detail. This reference, though discreet in its design, carries the weight of Rolex’s heritage as a pioneer in horology, blending innovation with the enduring appeal of classic aesthetics. Suited for those who value heritage and discretion, this watch is an ideal companion for formal occasions or as a quiet testament to achievement. Its presence is not ostentatious, yet its craftsmanship speaks volumes—perfect for the discerning 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.

178288-0001 is one of 38 executions of the 178288 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a white dial and a yellow gold case.

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178288-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178288-0010 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · Yellow Gold

178288-0011 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178288-0012 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · Yellow Gold

178288-0016 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold

178288-0021 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Yellow Gold

178288-0025 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold

178288-0028 · 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