Rolex Datejust 31mm

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 31mm

The Rolex Datejust 31, also called the "midsize" Datejust, is the case size that sits between the Lady-Datejust 28mm and the Datejust 36, offering the broader dial and proportional presence of the men's Datejust line in a more compact 31mm package. The 31mm has been a continuous part of the Datejust catalog for decades, with reference families spanning vintage, neo-vintage, and current production. Pre-owned and unworn Rolex Datejust 31mm watches at WatchGuys span Oystersteel, Yellow Rolesor and Everose Rolesor (two-tone), and full 18k yellow gold, white gold, and Everose configurations. Every Datejust 31mm is authenticated in-house, backed by a 2-year warranty, and ships overnight. Prices typically range from $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on reference, material, dial, and condition.

The Datejust 31 is offered with the same broad range of dials, bezels, and bracelets that defines the Datejust family. Bezel options include smooth steel, fluted 18k gold, and diamond-set. Bracelet options include the five-link Jubilee, the three-link Oyster, and on full-gold variants, the President bracelet. Dial options include sunray-finished colors, diamond-set, mother of pearl, Roman numerals, applied indices, and rare configurations like the aubergine deep-purple dial that is exclusive to the Datejust 31 and 36. For the broader Datejust overview, see our Rolex Datejust hub or the complete Rolex Datejust Buying Guide.

Datejust 31 vs. Datejust 36 vs. Lady-Datejust 28mm

The Datejust 31 sits in the middle of the three primary Datejust case sizes. The Lady-Datejust 28mm is Rolex's dedicated women's Datejust, built with proportionally scaled features and traditionally marketed toward smaller wrists. The Datejust 36 has been the standard men's Datejust size since the model's 1945 launch and is widely considered a unisex fit on modern wrists. The Datejust 31 sits between the two, offering more wrist presence than the 28mm Lady-Datejust while remaining more compact than the 36mm. It shares design DNA with the larger Datejust 36 and 41, including a wider dial profile and the slightly thicker case proportions of the men's lineup, but in a smaller diameter. Buyers cross-shopping these three sizes typically choose based on wrist measurement (under 6 inches favors 28mm, 6 to 6.5 inches works for 31mm, 6.5 inches and up suits 36mm) combined with personal preference for wrist presence.

Datejust 31mm Reference Families

The Datejust 31 is currently produced as the 278-series with the upgraded Caliber 2236 (Syloxi silicon hairspring, 55-hour power reserve). The previous generation 178-series ran from approximately 2009 to 2018 with the Caliber 2235. Earlier generations include the 78-series (1990s neo-vintage) and the 68-series (1980s vintage). Within each generation, the second-to-last digit of the reference identifies the bezel and bracelet configuration: references ending in -240 use a smooth bezel and Jubilee bracelet, -274 use a fluted white gold bezel with Jubilee, -344 use a diamond-set bezel, -384 use a diamond-set bezel with Jubilee, and -271/-273 use the Oyster bracelet variant. Full precious-metal references including the 178159 (white gold), 178248 (yellow gold), 178275 (Everose), 178279 (white gold President), and 178288 (yellow gold President) cover the gold and President-bracelet configurations.

Datejust 31mm Materials and Bezels

The Datejust 31 is offered in every material configuration that the broader Datejust family supports. Oystersteel models like the 178240, 178274, 178344, 178384, and current 278274 are the most popular and most accessible entry points. Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel paired with 18k yellow gold) appears in references like the 178243, 178273, and 178313. Everose Rolesor (Oystersteel paired with 18k Everose gold) appears in the 178241, 178271, and 178341. Full 18k yellow gold variants include the 178248 and 178288. Full 18k white gold appears as the 178159 and 178279. Full Everose gold variants include the 178275 and 178245. Bezel options across these references include smooth steel, fluted 18k yellow or white gold, and diamond-set. Both the Jubilee bracelet (the original Datejust bracelet from 1945, with a five-link design) and the Oyster bracelet (a sportier three-link design) are offered, with full-gold variants additionally available on the President bracelet.

Datejust 31mm Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 31mm prices vary significantly by reference, material, dial, and condition. Vintage 68-series examples in steel typically trade from $5,000 to $7,500. Neo-vintage 78-series examples generally sit between $5,500 and $8,500 in steel, higher in two-tone or gold configurations. The 178-series in Oystersteel typically trades from $7,000 to $10,000+, with diamond-set bezels (178344, 178384) commanding higher premiums. Yellow Rolesor and Everose Rolesor 178-series variants generally run $9,000 to $15,000+. Full 18k gold 178-series examples (178248, 178275, 178279, 178288) trade from $14,000 to $25,000+ depending on configuration and dial. The current 278-series Oystersteel models typically range from $9,000 to $14,000+, with the rare aubergine dial 278274 reaching $10,000 to $14,000+ and full-gold President 278279 examples extending to $30,000+. Box and papers completeness, factory polish, and bracelet condition are the primary price drivers.

Who Is the Datejust 31 For?

The Datejust 31 is the right size for buyers who want the visual presence of the Datejust family in a more compact package. It works particularly well for wrists between 6 and 6.5 inches, where the 36mm can read slightly oversized and the 28mm Lady-Datejust can read undersized. While Rolex has historically positioned the 31mm and smaller toward women, the Datejust 31 is increasingly worn as a unisex size, particularly in clean Oystersteel configurations with smooth bezels and Roman numeral dials. Buyers shopping for a daily-wear Rolex with broad versatility, who want more wrist presence than the Lady-Datejust 28mm but find the Datejust 36 too large, typically land here. For more on Rolex sizing across the broader catalog, see our midsize Rolex collection and the women's Rolex collection.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 31mm From WatchGuys

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 31mm watches for sale at WatchGuys are authenticated in-house, accurately described, and protected by the policies below. Whether you are buying a vintage 68-series, a neo-vintage 78-series, a modern 178-series, or the current 278-series, every Datejust 31mm ships with the same standards.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 31mm FAQ

• What is the Rolex Datejust 31?

  The Rolex Datejust 31 is the 31mm "midsize" version of the Datejust, sitting between the Lady-Datejust 28mm and the Datejust 36 in the case size lineup. It shares the design DNA of the larger Datejust models including the wider dial profile, the date window with Cyclops magnifier, and the same range of bezel, bracelet, and material options. Current production references use the 278-series prefix and the Caliber 2236 movement; previous-generation 178-series references used the Caliber 2235.

• Is the Rolex Datejust 31 a women's watch?

  Rolex has historically marketed the 31mm size toward women, but the Datejust 31 is increasingly worn as a unisex size. The 31mm case fits comfortably on wrists from 5.5 to 6.5 inches and works for buyers who want more wrist presence than the 28mm Lady-Datejust but find the 36mm too large. Many men with slimmer wrists choose the 31mm in clean Oystersteel configurations with smooth bezels and Roman numeral dials, while women often select the same size in two-tone or gold variants with diamond accents. Size preference is more important than gender.

• What is the difference between the Datejust 31 and Datejust 36?

  The primary difference is case diameter (31mm versus 36mm) and corresponding wrist presence. Both share the same core design (date window with Cyclops, fluted or smooth bezel, Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, broad range of materials and dials), but the Datejust 36 wears noticeably larger and offers a wider dial. The 36mm has been the standard Datejust size since 1945 and offers the widest selection of vintage and neo-vintage references. The 31mm offers a more compact fit and is the better choice for wrists under 6.5 inches. Both currently use the Caliber 2236 (31mm) or Caliber 3235 (36mm) movements with similar timekeeping performance.

• What is the difference between the Datejust 31 and Lady-Datejust 28?

  The Lady-Datejust 28mm is Rolex's dedicated women's Datejust with proportionally scaled features (a narrower dial, smaller case, and smaller bracelet links). The Datejust 31 has a 31mm case and shares its design DNA with the men's Datejust 36 and 41, including a wider dial profile and slightly thicker case proportions. Both share the same core features (automatic movement, date display, Cyclops magnifier, and a wide range of material and dial options), but the 31mm reads slightly more substantial on the wrist. Buyers wanting a more compact, traditionally feminine Datejust often prefer the 28mm; buyers wanting more presence in the same general size category typically choose the 31mm.

• Which Rolex Datejust 31mm references are available?

  The 31mm Datejust spans multiple reference generations. The current production 278-series includes the 278240 (steel), 278274 (steel with white gold fluted bezel), 278344 (steel with diamond bezel), 278384 (diamond-set), 278241 (Everose Rolesor), 278243 (Yellow Rolesor), and full-gold variants 278248, 278275, 278279, 278288. The previous 178-series (2009 to 2018) includes the 178240, 178274, 178344, 178384, 178241, 178271, 178243, 178273, 178159, 178248, 178275, 178279, and 178288. Earlier 78-series and 68-series references cover the 1990s and 1980s respectively. All share the 31mm case diameter with the same broad range of materials, dials, and bracelets.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 31mm cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 31mm prices vary significantly by reference and material. Vintage 68-series examples in steel typically trade from $5,000 to $7,500. Neo-vintage 78-series examples generally sit between $5,500 and $8,500. The 178-series in Oystersteel typically trades from $7,000 to $10,000+, with diamond-set bezels commanding higher premiums. Yellow Rolesor and Everose Rolesor 178-series variants generally run $9,000 to $15,000+. Full 18k gold 178-series examples trade from $14,000 to $25,000+. The current 278-series Oystersteel models typically range from $9,000 to $14,000+, with full-gold President variants reaching $30,000+. Box and papers completeness, factory polish, and bracelet condition are the primary price drivers.

• What movement powers the Rolex Datejust 31?

  The current production Datejust 31 (278-series) is powered by the Caliber 2236, an in-house automatic movement with a Syloxi silicon hairspring and a 55-hour power reserve. It is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day after casing. The previous-generation 178-series used the Caliber 2235 with a 48-hour power reserve and a Parachrom hairspring. Earlier generations used progressively older Rolex calibers (the Caliber 2135 in the 78-series and the Caliber 2035 in the 68-series). All Datejust 31 movements are self-winding chronometer-rated movements.

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