Datejust 31 Stainless Steel / Oyster / Green

About This Watch

The 278240-0011 Datejust 31, introduced in 2020, stands apart within the Datejust lineage for its striking green dial, a hue that evokes both the quiet intensity of a forest glade and the deep, uncharted waters of the ocean. The dial’s sunburst finish catches light with subtle gradations, while the stick indexes and hands—tapered and precise—frame the time with a clarity that reflects the collection’s enduring commitment to legibility and restraint. Encased in polished stainless steel, the 31mm case exudes a quiet authority, its domed bezel and Oyster case construction reinforcing the Datejust’s legacy as a timepiece built for both durability and elegance. The sapphire crystal, paired with a closed case back, ensures the watch remains impervious to the elements, a testament to Rolex’s mastery of materials and engineering. At its heart lies the Caliber 2236, a self-winding movement that delivers the precision and reliability for which Rolex is renowned. With a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, it operates with the seamless smoothness characteristic of the brand’s in-house calibers. The Datejust 31’s design, rooted in the collection’s mid-20th-century origins, balances modern refinement with timeless proportions, making it a versatile companion for both formal occasions and moments of quiet introspection. This watch is for those who value understated sophistication, whose discernment lies not in excess but in the quiet confidence of a well-crafted object. It suits the collector who seeks a piece that bridges heritage and contemporary relevance, a daily companion as much as a heirloom in the making.

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. 55 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.

278240-0011 is one of 18 executions of the 278240 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a green sunburst dial and a stainless steel case. Introduced in 2020.

Rolex

Black · Stainless Steel

278240-0001 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · Stainless Steel

278240-0002 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Stainless Steel

278240-0003 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · Stainless Steel

278240-0004 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Stainless Steel

278240-0005 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · Stainless Steel

278240-0006 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · Stainless Steel

278240-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · Stainless Steel

278240-0008 · 31 mm

+ 9 more variants in this family.

The 2236 is the Rolex movement inside more watches in this library than any other: 907, in the 28 mm Lady-Datejust and the 31 mm Datejust 31. It was the first Rolex caliber with a silicon hairspring. Introduced in 2014 in the Pearlmaster 34, it is a 20 mm automatic with a date, 31 jewels, a 55-hour reserve and a beat of 28,800 vph, certified by the COSC and then tested again by Rolex after casing to the Superlative Chronometer tolerance of two seconds a day. Its distinction is the Syloxi hairspring: silicon, immune to magnetism, etched to a patented geometry that keeps the spring concentric in every position, and paired with Paraflex shock absorbers. The larger Rolex calibers kept the Parachrom alloy spring; Syloxi did not reach a men's movement until the 7140 of 2023. The [2236 piece](/blog/the-rolex-2236-the-most-common-movement-in-this-library) sets out that history. In the library it powers 488 [Datejust 31](/brands/rolex/datejust-31) references, the seven-digit 2782xx generation of 2020, 399 [Lady-Datejusts](/brands/rolex/lady-datejust) of the 2791xx generation of 2015, 15 [Pearlmasters](/brands/rolex/pearlmaster) and 5 [Yacht-Master 37s](/brands/rolex/yacht-master). The [2235](/calibers/rolex-2235) is the 48-hour movement it replaced, the [2232](/calibers/rolex-2232) its no-date sibling for the Oyster Perpetual, and the [3235](/calibers/rolex-3235) its counterpart in the 36 mm and 41 mm cases.

906 other watches in the library run the Rolex 2236.

Rolex

Lady-Datejust 28 Rolesor Everose Diamond / Oyster / MOP

279381RBR-0014 · 28 mm

Rolex

Lady-Datejust 28 Rolesor Rose Diamond / Jubilee / MOP

279381rbr-0013 · 28 mm

Rolex

Lady-Datejust 28 Rolesor Yellow Domed / Oyster / MOP

279163-0014 · 28 mm

Rolex

Datejust 31 Stainless Steel / Yellow Gold / Diamond / Black MOP / Oyster

278383RBR-0023 · 31 mm