Rolex Datejust 178240

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 178240

The Rolex Datejust 178240 is the discontinued 31mm Datejust 31 in Oystersteel with a smooth domed bezel, produced from approximately 2007 through 2018 before being replaced by the modern 278240. It features a 31mm Oyster case in 904L Oystersteel, a smooth polished domed bezel in Oystersteel, an Oystersteel screw-down Twinlock crown, sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and is powered by the COSC-certified Caliber 2235 self-winding movement with a 48-hour power reserve. The 178240 is fitted with the three-link Oyster bracelet in matching Oystersteel with the Oysterclasp and Easylink 5mm comfort extension. The 178240 occupies a specific position in the Rolex catalog: it is the all-steel midsize Datejust, sized between the 36mm Datejust and the 28mm Lady-Datejust, with a 31mm case that makes it the most balanced unisex Rolex Datejust ever produced. Original retail in 2007 was approximately $6,200, and the modern successor 278240 currently lists at approximately $7,700 at retail. As a discontinued reference with steady supply on the secondary market, the 178240 represents one of the most accessible entry points into a modern Rolex Datejust, with no authorized dealer waitlist friction and broad dial selection across white, black, silver, blue Roman, pink Roman, rhodium grey floral motif, mother of pearl, and diamond hour marker variants. At WatchGuys, every Rolex Datejust 178240 listed in our Rolex watches collection is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and ships with a 2-year warranty.

What Makes the Rolex Datejust 178240 Unique

The 178240 is the most accessible all-steel modern Datejust in the Rolex catalog and the cleanest expression of the Datejust 31 size category. The 31mm case is genuinely unisex in proportion, splitting the difference between the 36mm classic Datejust (often perceived as too large on smaller wrists) and the 28mm Lady-Datejust (often perceived as too small for buyers who want presence on the wrist). On the wrist, the 31mm wears slightly larger than the millimeter measurement suggests thanks to the polished lug treatment and the smooth domed bezel. The smooth polished domed bezel gives the 178240 a clean, restrained look that contrasts with the dressier fluted bezel of the white gold Rolex Datejust 178274 sibling and the more decorative bezel of the diamond-set DJ31 references. The Oystersteel Oyster bracelet keeps the watch in the all-steel category, offering the broadest day-to-day versatility within the Datejust 31 catalog. Inside the case sits the Caliber 2235, Rolex's smaller-format chronometer-certified automatic movement designed specifically for the 31mm and 26mm cases. The Caliber 2235 is the sister movement to the Caliber 3135 found in the 36mm Datejust references of the same era, scaled down for the smaller case and tuned to the same accuracy and reliability standards. For buyers wanting the broader Datejust 31 catalog including precious metal and diamond bezel variants, browse our full Rolex Datejust 31 collection. For the closest modern alternative in the same 31mm format, the Rolex Datejust 278274 features the updated Caliber 2236 with Syloxi silicon hairspring in an 18k white gold fluted bezel configuration. Browse the full Rolex Datejust collection for additional configurations across all sizes and metals.

Rolex Datejust 178240 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 178240 prices typically range from $4,500 to $9,500 depending on condition, dial variant, completeness of box and papers, and the year of production. Standard black, white, and silver index dial examples sit in the lower half of the range. Pink Roman, blue Roman, rhodium grey floral motif, and mother of pearl dial configurations trade at the upper end. Diamond hour marker variants reach $8,000 to $10,000 or more. Original retail in 2007 was approximately $6,200, and unworn or near-unworn examples with full box and papers occasionally trade at or above the original retail figure. The successor 278240 currently lists at approximately $7,700 at retail and trades at approximately $8,756 on the secondary market according to WatchCharts data, which means the 178240 sits at a meaningful discount to the modern equivalent. As a discontinued reference, the 178240 carries no authorized dealer markup, no waitlist, and no allocation uncertainty, with a steady supply available on the secondary market. Dial variant and completeness (box, papers, hang tags) have the largest impact on pricing within the reference family. For the broader picture across every Datejust reference, see our Rolex Datejust buying guide.

Rolex 178240 vs. 278240 vs. 178241 vs. 126200

The 178240 sits at the intersection of three direct sibling references and one important size-up sibling. The Rolex Datejust 278240 is the direct modern successor in identical 31mm Oystersteel construction, with the same smooth domed bezel and Oyster bracelet. The difference is the movement: the 278240 uses the updated Caliber 2236 with the Syloxi silicon hairspring (introduced as the Caliber 2235's replacement around 2018), offering improved magnetic resistance and a slightly extended 55-hour power reserve. The 278240 typically trades $2,000 to $3,500 above the 178240 on the secondary market due to the newer movement and current-production status. Stepping sideways to the metal sibling, the Rolex Datejust 178241 is the Everose Rolesor counterpart in identical 31mm construction with the addition of 18k Everose gold on the bezel, crown, and bracelet center links. The 178241 typically trades $1,500 to $4,000 above the 178240 due to the rose gold content. Stepping up in size, the Rolex Datejust 126200 is the current-production all-steel Datejust 36 with a 36mm case, the modern Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve, and a more contemporary case profile. The 126200 typically trades $3,500 to $5,500 above the 178240 due to the larger case, modern movement, and current-production status. For a smaller alternative in the same all-steel format, the Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173 is the discontinued 26mm Lady-Datejust in two-tone Yellow Rolesor. For an adjacent 34mm dress watch alternative, the Rolex Date collection in 34mm features the Date 115200 with similar smooth-bezel proportions, and the dedicated Rolex Date guide provides a complete reference breakdown for that adjacent category.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 178240 From WatchGuys

Buying a pre-owned or unworn Rolex Datejust 178240 for sale should be straightforward. Every 178240 we list is authenticated, photographed, and described in-house before it goes live.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 178240 FAQ

• Is the Rolex Datejust 178240 still in production?

  No, the Rolex Datejust 178240 has been discontinued. It was produced from approximately 2007 through 2018 and was replaced in the current Rolex catalog by the modern 278240, which features the updated Caliber 2236 with a Syloxi silicon hairspring. The 178240 is now only available on the secondary market through trusted pre-owned dealers like WatchGuys. As a discontinued reference, the 178240 has the advantage of no authorized dealer waitlist, no allocation uncertainty, and a steady supply across the full range of dial configurations originally produced. The 178240 is the predecessor to the 278240 and the successor to the 78240, with the same fundamental case format across all three generations.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 178240 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 178240 prices typically range from $4,500 to $9,500 depending on condition, dial variant, and completeness of box and papers. Standard black, white, and silver index dial examples sit in the lower half of the range. Pink Roman, blue Roman, rhodium grey floral motif, and mother of pearl dial configurations trade at the upper end. Diamond hour marker variants reach $8,000 to $10,000 or more. Original retail in 2007 was approximately $6,200. The modern successor 278240 currently lists at approximately $7,700 at retail and trades at approximately $8,756 on the secondary market, which means the 178240 sits at a meaningful discount to the current production equivalent. The 178240 is one of the most accessible entry points into a modern Rolex Datejust available on the secondary market.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 178240 and the 278240?

  Both are 31mm Datejust 31 references in identical Oystersteel construction with smooth domed bezels and the Oyster bracelet. The difference is the movement and the production era. The 178240 was produced from approximately 2007 through 2018 and uses the Caliber 2235 with a 48-hour power reserve. The 278240 is the current-production successor introduced around 2018 and uses the updated Caliber 2236 with the Syloxi silicon hairspring, which offers improved magnetic resistance and a slightly extended 55-hour power reserve. The case proportions, dial menu, bracelet construction, and overall styling are nearly identical between the two references, with the 278240 receiving minor refinements to the case and bracelet finishing. The 278240 typically trades $2,000 to $3,500 above the 178240 on the secondary market due to the newer movement and current-production status.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 178240 and the 126200?

  Both are all-Oystersteel Datejust references with smooth bezels and Oyster bracelet options, but they sit in different size categories. The 178240 is the discontinued 31mm Datejust 31 with a smaller case suitable for buyers who prefer midsize proportions and unisex wear. The 126200 is the current-production 36mm Datejust 36, the original and most classic Datejust proportion that has defined the model since the 1945 launch. The 126200 also uses the modern Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve, compared to the older Caliber 2235 with a 48-hour power reserve in the 178240. The 126200 typically trades $3,500 to $5,500 above the 178240 due to the larger case, modern movement, current-production status, and broader collector appeal. The choice between them comes down to wrist size and styling preference, with the 31mm being the more accessible entry point and the 36mm being the more universally collectible size.

• Is the Rolex 178240 a men's or women's watch?

  The Rolex Datejust 178240 is a unisex midsize watch. Rolex categorizes the Datejust 31 as a ladies' watch in its current marketing, but in practice the 31mm case size has broad unisex appeal. The 31mm proportion is well-suited to women who prefer a slightly larger Rolex than the 28mm Lady-Datejust, and it is equally well-suited to men who prefer the more compact, dressier proportions of a smaller case rather than the standard 36mm Datejust or the larger 41mm Datejust 41. The all-steel construction, smooth domed bezel, and Oyster bracelet on the 178240 specifically lean toward the more versatile, less decorative end of the Datejust 31 catalog, making this reference particularly suitable for unisex wear. Buyers with wrist sizes in the 6 inch to 7 inch range typically find the 178240 wears comfortably and proportionally.

• What dial colors are available on the Rolex 178240?

  The Rolex Datejust 178240 was offered in a broad dial selection across its production run. Standard configurations include black, white, and silver dials with stick index hour markers, and white, blue, and pink Roman numeral dials. The rhodium grey floral motif dial is one of the most distinctive options, featuring a raised floral pattern that catches light dramatically and gives the dial a decorative, almost jewelry-like character. Mother of pearl dials add a softer, more luxurious presence. Diamond hour marker variants are available across multiple base dial colors and add the most jewelry-like presence at the top of the price range. The Roman numeral dials and the rhodium floral motif dial are particularly sought-after on the secondary market and trade at the upper end of the reference price range. Most dial colors are available with the standard Oyster bracelet in matching Oystersteel.

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