Datejust 31 White Gold Diamond / Aubergine - Roman

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31 in white gold, with its gem-set bezel and aubergine dial, stands as a masterclass in understated elegance, blending the brand’s storied heritage with contemporary refinement. Introduced in 2020 as part of the Datejust collection—a lineage first established in 1945 as a symbol of precision and sophistication—this reference marries classic design with modern craftsmanship. The dial’s deep aubergine hue, finished in a sunburst pattern, exudes a quiet intensity, while the Roman numerals and stick hands lend a timeless clarity to the dial’s architecture. Encased in 18ct white gold, the watch’s bezel is adorned with meticulously set gemstones, adding a discreet touch of opulence without overwhelming the eye. The sapphire crystal, paired with a closed case back, ensures both durability and a seamless focus on the watch’s aesthetic harmony. At its heart lies the Caliber 2236, an automatic movement with a 2880-vibrations-per-hour frequency and a 48-hour power reserve, reflecting Rolex’s unwavering commitment to mechanical excellence. The 31mm case, paired with a bespoke bracelet, strikes a balance between proportion and presence, making it as comfortable as it is distinguished. This watch is for those who value subtlety over ostentation, seeking a timepiece that speaks to legacy and individuality. It suits formal occasions with quiet authority, yet its enduring design ensures it remains as relevant in the boardroom as it is on the wrist of a connoisseur who appreciates the quiet confidence of a well-crafted watch.

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.

278289rbr-0019 is one of 3 executions of the 278289rbr base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a purple sunburst dial and a white gold case.

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