Datejust 31 White Gold Diamond / Silver - Diamond

About This Watch

The Rolex Datejust 31, in its 278289RBR-0021 iteration, embodies the quiet authority of a timepiece that balances tradition with refined modernity. This particular model, introduced in 2020, distinguishes itself through a white gold case that exudes warmth and durability, paired with a bezel and indexes adorned with meticulously set diamonds, their presence understated yet unmistakable. The dial, a polished silver surface with a sunburst finish, reflects light with a subtlety that enhances its elegance without drawing undue attention. The stick hands, paired with the gem-set indexes, create a visual harmony that echoes the Datejust’s longstanding reputation as a benchmark of classic design since its debut in 1945. At its core, the watch houses the Caliber 2236, a self-winding movement with a date display, notable for its precision and reliability—qualities that have long defined Rolex’s engineering ethos. The sapphire crystal, paired with a closed case back, ensures both clarity and protection, while the 100-meter water resistance underscores its practicality without compromising its sartorial grace. This configuration, though newly added to the collection, feels like a natural evolution of the Datejust’s legacy, a testament to the brand’s ability to refine its icons without straying from their essence. Suited for those who value discretion as much as craftsmanship, this watch is an heirloom-in-waiting—ideal for formal occasions, yet equally at home as a quiet statement of discernment. It speaks to the wearer not through excess, but through the quiet confidence of a design that has endured decades of refinement.

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-0021 is one of 16 executions of the 278289RBR base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a silver sunburst dial and a white gold case.

Rolex

Grey · White Gold

278289RBR-0006 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · White Gold

278289RBR-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · White Gold

278289RBR-0011 · 31 mm

Rolex

Silver · White Gold

278289RBR-0012 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · White Gold

278289RBR-0013 · 31 mm

Rolex

Grey · White Gold

278289RBR-0014 · 31 mm

Rolex

Green · White Gold

278289RBR-0015 · 31 mm

Rolex

Pink · White Gold

278289RBR-0016 · 31 mm

+ 7 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