Rolex Datejust 31 278273

Datejust 31 278273 specifications

The figures below describe a 31 mm Yellow Rolesor watch with a fluted 18 ct gold bezel. In practice, the numbers that matter most are the 55-hour reserve and the 100 m rating. Both mean this is a daily watch, not a safe-queen.

Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.

History and reference evolution

Rolex calls its steel-and-gold combination Rolesor, a name it registered in 1933. The Datejust has worn it since the model's early years. In the 31 mm size, the yellow version is the most recognisable configuration of all.

What the 278273 changed over the 178273

The 178273 was the last of the calibre 2235 generation. In 2018, the 278273 replaced it with calibre 2236. That swap brought the Syloxi silicon hairspring and lifted the reserve to 55 hours. It also brought the Superlative Chronometer standard of −2/+2 seconds a day.

Visually, the two references look very similar. The fluted gold bezel and Jubilee option carried over. However, Rolex refined the lug shape on the new case. So, for value, the biggest difference is simply age and warranty: a 278273 can still carry a recent card, while a 178273 cannot.

Two-tone's comeback and why it matters

Two-tone watches went out of style for a while. As a result, used prices lagged steel models through the 2000s. Since then, demand has recovered, and the 278273 now trades close to retail. That said, it still trails the Everose 278271 by a small margin. For a buyer, that gap is an opportunity rather than a warning.

The dial line-up

Champagne is the classic dial and the most liquid on resale. It also hides light scratches on the crystal and bezel better than darker colours, which suits a watch meant for daily wear. Rolex also offers white Roman, silver, black and slate. The Wimbledon dial, slate with green Roman numerals, sits at the top of the standard range. Mother-of-pearl and diamond-set dials complete the menu. You can compare current dials on rolex.com.

Reading the full reference

Rolex adds a four-digit suffix to each configuration, such as 278273-0004 or 278273-0019. The suffix tells you the dial and bracelet. For example, -0004 is a diamond-dial Jubilee and -0019 a diamond-dial Oyster. So, when a listing gives only "278273", ask for the full number from the warranty card. Our reference number decoder explains the system.

278273 pre-owned prices compared

Here are October 2026 bands for the Datejust 31 278273, from dealer asks and tracked sales. In short, a good used 278273 Datejust costs about the same as a new one. Because the lower bands are derived, treat them as guides rather than exact quotes.

Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$13,100. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.

For a plain-dial Oyster version, the list we hold says US$13,100. However, no second source confirmed that number. US feeds only listed diamond versions, such as the Jubilee 278273-0004 at US$15,550. Meanwhile, The Hour Glass in Malaysia lists the diamond-dial Oyster 278273-0019 at RM66,250.

What moves the price of this reference

• Dial: champagne sells quickest, while Wimbledon and green diamond dials command the most.
• Bracelet: buyers expect a Jubilee, so Oyster versions can take longer to sell.
• Gem-set dials: diamond or mother-of-pearl dials add roughly US$2,000 to US$4,000.
• Bracelet wear: the small gold Jubilee links stretch and scratch, and both cut value.
• Full set: box, card and tags still matter, especially for overseas buyers.
• Bezel: sharp, unpolished flutes are worth more than a shiny, softened bezel.

Where to check prices

For a new Datejust 31 278273, ask an official retailer in KL for the dial you want. Two-tone Datejusts often have shorter waits than steel ones. Next, compare grey dealer asks, which for champagne dials often sit just below retail. Marketplaces such as Chrono24 and Mudah show the widest spread, but asking prices rarely equal selling prices. Finally, check how much a no-papers discount saves you. Our box and papers guide shows typical gaps.

When a price is too good to be true

A polished, papers-free 278273 still sells for around US$9,000 or more. Therefore, treat any full set under roughly US$8,500, or about RM34,700, as a red flag. Also, watch for listings that use catalogue photos. A real seller can photograph the watch, card and serial together on request.

Buying a 278273 in Malaysia

Since no plain-dial Malaysian list price is published online, a written retailer quote is your real anchor. Grey dealers in KL often stock champagne Jubilee pieces, and their prices tend to sit just under the new price. That makes negotiation possible. Also, ask whether a dealer's price includes any warranty of its own. A dealer warranty is not the same as Rolex's five-year cover, but it helps.

Genuine vs replica: how to check a 278273

Yellow Rolesor has been copied for decades, so fake 278273 Datejusts are everywhere. However, gold is the counterfeiter's weak point. Real 18 ct gold costs too much to use in a cheap fake.

Start with the gold

Look at the flute peaks and at the outer edge of each Jubilee centre link. Solid 18 ct gold simply scuffs. By contrast, plated fakes wear through to grey steel at exactly those points. Also, compare the yellow of the bezel, crown and links. On a real watch they match; on a fake, the tones often differ slightly.

Movement behaviour

Watch the seconds hand closely. Calibre 2236 beats at 28,800 vibrations an hour, so the hand glides in fine steps. A quartz fake ticks once a second. Many automatic clones also sweep, though, so this test only catches the cheapest replicas.

Cyclops, rehaut and crystal

Under the Cyclops, the date should appear 2.5 times larger and perfectly centred. Fakes often magnify only about 1.5 times. Next, read the inner flange. Its engraved lettering and the serial at 6 should track the minute scale exactly. Then, check for the faint coronet etched in the crystal above 6. Finally, the caseback should be plain, solid steel with no window.

What only a watchmaker can confirm

Only an opened caseback proves the movement is a genuine 2236. With it open, a watchmaker can also check the dial for genuine markings and test the gold parts. Furthermore, they can spot service dials or replaced bezels, which affect value. Malaysian owners can use an experienced independent or send the watch to Rolex in Kuala Lumpur. Our real vs fake Rolex guide lists every step.

Who the 278273 suits, and the alternatives

The Datejust 31 278273 suits a buyer who wants the classic, unmistakable two-tone look. It looks right with gold jewellery and with both formal and casual clothes. Also, 31 mm sits neatly on most wrists under 17 cm. Men with smaller wrists sometimes choose it as a vintage-sized alternative to the 36 mm.

If you prefer pink gold, compare the Everose Datejust 31 278271. For a quieter look, the steel 278240 skips the gold altogether. For a larger two-tone, see the Datejust 36 126233. Our Datejust 36 vs 41 comparison also helps if you are unsure about size.

Wearing a Yellow Rolesor Jubilee every day

The Jubilee is comfortable, because its many small links follow the wrist closely. However, those links also collect dirt and wear on their edges. So, rinse the bracelet in fresh water after a humid day or a swim, and dry it well. Over years, the pins and links stretch slightly. A service can tighten this, but replacing gold links is costly. Therefore, gentle daily care saves real money on this reference.

• 

  Datejust 31 278271

  Steel and Everose gold Datejust 31 with a fluted bezel. Dial premiums, prices and gold checks.

  Retail US$13,550 · Pre-owned US$12,000 – US$14,500

• 

  Datejust 36 126233

  Yellow Rolesor two-tone Datejust 36. The classic champagne-on-Jubilee look, with calibre 3235.

  Retail US$15,050 · Pre-owned US$14,000 – US$16,000

278273 FAQ