Datejust 31 Rolesor Yellow Diamond / Oyster / Steel Roman

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its Rolesor iteration with a yellow diamond-set bezel, stands as a masterclass in restrained opulence. This reference marries the enduring elegance of the Datejust collection—first introduced in 1945 as a symbol of timeless sophistication—with a contemporary reinterpretation of luxury. The case, a harmonious blend of yellow gold and stainless steel, is accented by a subtle yet striking row of yellow diamonds that frame the dial without overwhelming the eye. The grey dial, adorned with Roman numerals and sleek stick hands, exudes quiet authority, its understated hue complementing the warmth of the gold and the precision of the steel. The 31mm diameter ensures a presence that is neither too imposing nor too delicate, striking a balance that has defined the Datejust’s appeal across generations. Beneath the sapphire crystal lies the Caliber 2235, a self-winding movement with a certified chronometer rating, ensuring accuracy and reliability. The closed caseback, while discreet, underscores the watch’s commitment to durability, a hallmark of Rolex’s Oyster construction. This piece is not merely a timepiece but a testament to the brand’s ability to blend heritage with innovation. It is for the discerning individual who values subtlety over ostentation, a collector who appreciates the quiet confidence of a watch that demands no explanation. Whether worn for a formal evening or as a daily companion, it speaks to a life lived with precision and poise.

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.

178383-0046 is one of 33 executions of the 178383 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a grey dial and a yellow gold, stainless steel case.

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

178383-0001 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

178383-0002 · 31 mm

Rolex

White

178383-0003 · 31 mm

Rolex

Green · Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

178383-0005 · 31 mm

Rolex

Champagne · Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

178383-0006 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

178383-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

White

178383-0008 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black

178383-0009 · 31 mm

+ 24 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