Rolex Datejust 278289RBR

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 278289RBR

The Rolex Datejust 278289RBR is the apex of the current-production 31mm Datejust catalog, a solid 18k white gold Datejust 31 with a factory diamond-set bezel and the iconic President bracelet, powered by the Caliber 2236 movement with Syloxi silicon hairspring. The "RBR" suffix in the reference indicates the round brilliant diamond bezel configuration, typically set with 46 diamonds. This is a fundamentally different watch from the steel-and-gold Rolesor RBR variants in the same family. The case, bezel, and bracelet are all crafted entirely in solid 18k white gold, placing this reference at a price tier well above the Rolesor diamond bezel siblings and overlapping with the Rolex Day-Date catalog. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned and unworn Rolex Datejust 278289RBR watches across multiple factory dial configurations including white mother of pearl with diamond markers, blue diamond, silver diamond, dark grey diamond, and Roman numeral variants.

Rolex Datejust 278289RBR Specifications and Configurations

The 278289RBR is built around a 31mm Oyster case in solid 18k white gold (not Rolesor or two-tone), a factory diamond-set 18k white gold bezel typically set with 46 round brilliant diamonds, a screw down Twinlock crown, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens, and 100 meters of water resistance. Inside is the Rolex Caliber 2236, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date, stop-seconds for precise time setting, and approximately 55 hours of power reserve. The Caliber 2236 introduced the Rolex Syloxi silicon hairspring, which is highly resistant to magnetism and temperature variation. The defining bracelet element is the iconic Rolex President bracelet in solid 18k white gold, the semi-circular three-link design with concealed folding Crownclasp that is normally reserved for the Rolex Day-Date. The 278289RBR is one of the rare Datejust references offered exclusively on the President bracelet, a configuration that immediately signals the watch's position at the top of the Datejust 31 catalog. For broader 31mm context, browse our Rolex Datejust 31mm collection and the full Rolex Datejust collection.

Rolex Datejust 278289RBR Price

Pre-owned and unworn Rolex Datejust 278289RBR prices typically range from approximately $40,000 to $55,000 or more depending on dial, condition, year of production, and completeness of box and papers. Standard silver and white dial diamond hour marker configurations sit at the lower end of the range. Blue diamond, dark grey diamond, and Roman numeral dials trade in the middle of the range. The most sought-after configurations, including white mother of pearl with diamond hour markers, full-set unworn examples with original box and papers, and rare dial variants, command the top of the range. As a current-production Rolex catalog reference in solid 18k white gold with significant diamond content, the 278289RBR holds value exceptionally well. Buyers in this segment often cross-shop the Rolex Day-Date in 36mm white gold (reference 128239), which trades in a similar price band but adds the day window aperture and the larger case proportion. For broader factory diamond context across the wider Datejust catalog, browse our Rolex Datejust diamond collection.

Rolex Datejust 278289RBR vs 278343RBR: Solid White Gold vs Yellow Rolesor

The 278289RBR and the Rolex Datejust 278343RBR are both current-production 31mm Datejusts with factory diamond bezels and the Caliber 2236 movement, but they sit at fundamentally different points in the catalog. The 278289RBR is solid 18k white gold throughout (case, bezel, bracelet, crown), comes exclusively on the President bracelet, and trades in the $40,000 to $55,000+ range. The 278343RBR is Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel case and bracelet with 18k yellow gold bezel and accents), comes on the Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, and trades in the $22,000 to $35,000+ range. The 278289RBR is the choice for buyers who want a fully precious-metal Datejust 31 with the dressy President bracelet and have effectively stepped into Day-Date territory. The 278343RBR is the choice for buyers who want significant gold and diamond presence at roughly half the price, with the more traditional Datejust bracelet options. Both share the same Caliber 2236 and Syloxi hairspring, but the materials and bracelet configurations make them very different watches on the wrist. For the 36mm White Rolesor diamond bezel cousin, see the Rolex Datejust 126284RBR.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 278289RBR From WatchGuys

When you shop for a Rolex Datejust 278289RBR 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 Rolex and apply special care to high-tier solid gold references like the 278289RBR where factory diamond authentication and President bracelet verification are essential.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 278289RBR FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 278289RBR?

  The Rolex Datejust 278289RBR is the apex reference in the current-production 31mm Datejust catalog, a solid 18k white gold Datejust 31 with a factory diamond-set bezel (typically 46 round brilliant diamonds) and the iconic Rolex President bracelet in solid 18k white gold. It is powered by the modern Caliber 2236 with Syloxi silicon hairspring and approximately 55 hours of power reserve. Unlike the Rolesor RBR variants in the same family, the 278289RBR is solid precious metal throughout, placing it at a meaningfully higher price tier and overlapping with the Rolex Day-Date catalog.

• What does "RBR" mean in the Rolex 278289RBR reference?

  The "RBR" suffix in the 278289RBR reference is Rolex's internal designation indicating the round brilliant diamond-set bezel configuration. In Rolex's catalog nomenclature, a reference number followed by a letter suffix typically denotes a specific factory gem-setting or material option layered on top of the base reference. In the case of 278289RBR, the base 278289 designates the 31mm Datejust in solid 18k white gold, and the RBR suffix specifies that the bezel is factory set with round brilliant cut diamonds. The standard 278289RBR bezel carries approximately 46 diamonds.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 278289RBR cost?

  Pre-owned and unworn Rolex Datejust 278289RBR prices typically range from approximately $40,000 to $55,000 or more depending on the dial, condition, year of production, and completeness of box and papers. Standard silver and white dial diamond hour marker configurations sit at the lower end. Blue diamond, dark grey diamond, and Roman numeral dials trade in the middle of the range. The most sought-after configurations including white mother of pearl with diamond hour markers, full-set unworn examples, and rare dial variants command the top of the range. As a current-production solid 18k white gold reference with significant diamond content, the 278289RBR holds value exceptionally well.

• Is the Rolex Datejust 278289RBR solid gold?

  Yes. The Rolex Datejust 278289RBR is solid 18k white gold throughout. The case, bezel, crown, and full President bracelet are all crafted in solid 18k white gold. This is the defining feature that separates the 278289RBR from the Rolesor RBR variants in the same Datejust 31 family (the 278343RBR Yellow Rolesor and similar references), which combine Oystersteel with 18k gold accents. The solid white gold construction places the 278289RBR in Day-Date territory both in price and in styling, and is the reason it is offered exclusively on the President bracelet rather than the more common Jubilee or Oyster bracelets.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 278289RBR?

  The Rolex Datejust 278289RBR is powered by the Rolex Caliber 2236, a self-winding chronometer-certified movement with quickset date, stop-seconds, and approximately 55 hours of power reserve. The Caliber 2236 is the smaller-format counterpart to the Caliber 3235 used in the 36mm and 41mm Datejust references, designed specifically for the 28mm Lady-Datejust and 31mm Datejust cases. It is the first Rolex movement to feature the Syloxi silicon hairspring, which is highly resistant to magnetism and temperature variation. The Caliber 2236 meets Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard with an accuracy specification of -2/+2 seconds per day.

• Rolex Datejust 278289RBR vs Day-Date: which should I choose?

  The 278289RBR and the Rolex Day-Date overlap in price tier and styling. Both are solid precious metal watches on the President bracelet at the $40,000+ range. The key differences are case size and complication. The 278289RBR is 31mm and shows only the date, with the Caliber 2236 inside. The Day-Date is available in 36mm or 40mm and adds the day-of-the-week display at 12 o'clock, with the Caliber 3255 inside. The 278289RBR appeals to buyers who want the slightly smaller, more delicate Datejust 31 case proportion in solid white gold, while the Day-Date appeals to buyers who want the larger case size and the additional day complication. For deeper detail, see our Rolex Day-Date buyer's guide in the Resources section below.

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