Rolex Datejust 178273

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 178273

The Rolex Datejust 178273 is the previous generation 31mm Datejust in Yellow Rolesor, combining a 904L Oystersteel case and bracelet with 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown, and center bracelet links. Produced from approximately 2009 until 2018, it was the workhorse two-tone midsize Datejust of its generation and was succeeded by the current production 278273. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned and unworn Rolex Datejust 178273 watches across the full range of factory dial configurations, including champagne, silver, white Roman, black, blue, and mother of pearl with diamond hour markers on both the Jubilee and Oyster bracelets.

Rolex Datejust 178273 Specifications and Configurations

The 178273 is built around a 31mm Oyster case in Yellow Rolesor, a fluted 18k yellow gold bezel, a screw down Twinlock crown, sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and 100 meters of water resistance. Inside is the Rolex Caliber 2235, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with a 48 hour power reserve. Buyers choose between the Rolex Jubilee bracelet (five link, dressier, the traditional Datejust pairing) and the Rolex Oyster bracelet (three link, sportier). Dial selection on the 178273 spans champagne sunburst, silver, white Roman, black, blue, mother of pearl with diamond hour markers, and a number of diamond-set dial configurations, with diamond bezel variants offered under sister references. To see how the 31mm size compares across the wider lineup, browse our Rolex Datejust 31mm collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 178273 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 178273 prices typically range from approximately $7,500 to $13,000 depending on dial, bracelet, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Standard champagne and silver index dials on the Oyster bracelet sit at the lower end of the range. Mother of pearl with diamond hour markers and clean Jubilee bracelet examples typically trade in the $10,000 to $13,000 range. Diamond-set dial variants and pristine unworn examples with full sets push toward the top of the range. Because the 178273 is no longer in production, pricing has been stable and the reference offers a meaningful discount versus the current 278273 with the same Yellow Rolesor finish. For factory diamond hour marker and diamond bezel variants, browse our Rolex Datejust diamond collection.

Rolex Datejust 178273 vs 278273: Generation Comparison

The 178273 and the Rolex Datejust 278273 are the same watch one generation apart. Both are 31mm Yellow Rolesor Datejusts with a fluted yellow gold bezel and the same overall design language. The 278273 replaced the 178273 in 2018 and brought three meaningful upgrades: the modern Caliber 2236 with the Syloxi silicon hairspring and 55 hour power reserve (versus the Caliber 2235 with a 48 hour reserve in the 178273), updated bracelet end links for a tighter case-to-bracelet transition, and a refreshed dial menu that introduced floral motif, mint green, and azzurro blue dials not offered on the 178273. For shoppers who prefer the same Yellow Rolesor look at a lower price point, the 178273 remains an excellent value. For the steel and white gold sister of the same generation, see the Rolex Datejust 178274 collection.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 178273 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 178273 for sale at WatchGuys, every piece is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers, priced against live secondary market data, and backed by a comprehensive set of buyer protections. We have spent over three decades focused on pre-owned Rolex, and the Datejust line is our daily bread.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 178273 FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 178273?

  The Rolex Datejust 178273 is the previous generation 31mm Datejust in Yellow Rolesor, combining an Oystersteel case and bracelet with 18k yellow gold on the fluted bezel, crown, and center bracelet links. It uses the Caliber 2235 movement with a 48 hour power reserve, has a sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens over the date, and is water resistant to 100 meters. It was produced from approximately 2009 to 2018 and was succeeded by the current production 278273.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 178273 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 178273 prices typically range from approximately $7,500 to $13,000 depending on the dial, bracelet, condition, and completeness of box and papers. Champagne and silver index dials sit at the lower end. Mother of pearl with diamond hour markers and clean Jubilee bracelet examples trade in the middle of the range. Diamond-set dial configurations and pristine unworn examples with full sets command the top of the range.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 178273?

  The Rolex Datejust 178273 is powered by the Rolex Caliber 2235, a self-winding mechanical movement with approximately 48 hours of power reserve. It is COSC certified and meets Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard. The Caliber 2235 was replaced by the Caliber 2236 with the Syloxi silicon hairspring and longer 55 hour power reserve when the 278273 superseded the 178273 in 2018.

• Rolex Datejust 178273 vs 278273: what is the difference?

  The 178273 is the previous generation 31mm Yellow Rolesor Datejust, produced until 2018. The 278273 is its current production replacement. Both share the same 31mm case size, same Yellow Rolesor construction, and same fluted yellow gold bezel. The 278273 brought three upgrades: the modern Caliber 2236 with the Syloxi silicon hairspring (an upgrade from the Caliber 2235 in the 178273), updated bracelet end links, and a refreshed dial selection that includes floral motif, mint green, and azzurro blue dials not offered on the 178273. The 178273 typically trades at a lower price point on the pre-owned market.

• Is the Rolex Datejust 178273 a mens or womens watch?

  Rolex officially categorizes the 31mm Datejust as a midsize reference rather than strictly mens or womens. It is most commonly worn by women and by men with smaller wrists, sitting between the 28mm Lady-Datejust and the 36mm unisex Datejust. The 178273 wears comfortably on wrists in the 5.5 to 6.75 inch range. Buyers who prefer more presence often step up to the 36mm Datejust, while buyers who prefer a more delicate proportion choose the 28mm Lady-Datejust.

• When was the Rolex Datejust 178273 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 178273 was produced from approximately 2009 until 2018, when it was replaced by the current production 278273. Production year on a specific 178273 can be estimated using the serial number engraved between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position, and the random serial format used during this period makes year identification dependent on Rolex production data rather than the serial itself.

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