Datejust 31 Stainless Steel Domed Diamond / Oyster / Grey - Roman

About This Watch

The 278344RBR-0023 Datejust 31 stands as a refined interpretation of Rolex’s enduring legacy, blending the brand’s mastery of horology with a contemporary sensibility. Introduced in 2020, this model distills the essence of the Datejust collection—a lineage dating to 1945—into a compact yet commanding form. The 31mm stainless steel case, accented with a diamond-set white gold bezel, marries understated elegance with technical precision. The dial, a deep grey sunburst finish, is framed by Roman numeral indexes and paired with stick hands, evoking a timeless aesthetic that balances tradition with modern restraint. The domed sapphire crystal and Oyster caseback underscore Rolex’s commitment to durability and clarity, while the 100-meter water resistance ensures practicality without compromising sophistication. At its heart lies the Caliber 2236, a self-winding movement with a date display and a 48-hour power reserve, reflecting Rolex’s relentless pursuit of reliability and accuracy. The watch’s proportions—narrow lug width and rounded case—enhance its wearability, making it a versatile companion for both formal and casual settings. The interplay of materials, from the polished white gold to the matte grey dial, is executed with a precision that only a brand with over a century of experience can achieve. This watch is for those who value subtlety as much as craftsmanship, seeking a timepiece that exudes quiet confidence. It suits occasions where presence matters—whether in boardrooms, at social gatherings, or during moments of personal significance. The 278344RBR-0023 is not merely an object; it is a testament to the enduring appeal of a collection that has defined luxury watchmaking for generations.

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.

278344RBR-0023 is one of 34 executions of the 278344RBR base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a grey sunburst dial and a white gold, stainless steel case. Introduced in 2020.

Rolex

Black · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0001 · 31 mm

Rolex

Black · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0002 · 31 mm

Rolex

White

278344RBR-0005 · 31 mm

Rolex

White

278344RBR-0006 · 31 mm

Rolex

Grey · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0007 · 31 mm

Rolex

Grey · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0008 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0011 · 31 mm

Rolex

White · White Gold, Stainless Steel

278344RBR-0012 · 31 mm

+ 25 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