Rolex Datejust 68273

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 68273

The Rolex Datejust 68273 is a 31mm midsize Datejust reference produced from 1983 through the late 1990s, defined by its two-tone Yellow Rolesor construction in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, fluted gold bezel, sapphire crystal, and Caliber 2135 movement. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68273 watches across a wide range of dial colors including champagne, white Roman, black, silver, blue, and factory diamond. Every Rolex 68273 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 68273 Unique

The 68273 sits in the Datejust line's most versatile size category. At 31mm, it bridges the 26mm Lady-Datejust and the 36mm men's Datejust, which gives it genuine unisex appeal. Women who want more wrist presence than the traditional Lady-Datejust often choose the 31mm, and men with smaller wrists or a preference for vintage proportions frequently select it as a daily-wear dress watch. The 68273 introduced two meaningful upgrades over its four-digit 6827 predecessor: the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that replaced acrylic, and the Caliber 2135 movement with a quickset date function. The two-tone Yellow Rolesor format combines an Oystersteel case and outer bracelet links with 18k yellow gold on the fluted bezel, crown, and Jubilee bracelet center links. It is one of the most balanced entries in our wider two-tone Rolex collection and a popular destination in our women's Rolex selection.

Rolex Datejust 68273 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68273 prices typically range from approximately $3,500 to $6,500+ depending on condition, dial, bracelet, and accessories. Standard champagne and silver dial examples on the two-tone Jubilee bracelet sit in the middle of the range. Factory diamond hour markers, mother-of-pearl dials, vignette dials, and Jubilee anniversary dials trade meaningfully higher. According to WatchCharts data, the 68273 has appreciated approximately 27.4% over the past five years, outperforming the broader Rolex Datejust collection by 9.5% and the overall watch market by 20%. The reference also ranks in the top 1% of all tracked watches by sales volume, reflecting consistent demand on the secondary market. For wider Datejust pricing context across all sizes and generations, see our Rolex Datejust buying guide.

Rolex 68273 vs. 6827 vs. 278273

The 68273 sits between two generations of midsize Datejust. The four-digit 6827 is the prior-generation predecessor with an acrylic crystal and Caliber 2035 movement. Stepping up to the 68273 buys you the sapphire crystal, the more modern Caliber 2135, and an upgraded Twinlock crown system in the same 31mm Yellow Rolesor format. The current-production Rolex Datejust 278273 is the modern equivalent, with the new Caliber 2236 (55-hour power reserve, paramagnetic Syloxi hairspring), updated case proportions, and a fully solid-link bracelet with concealed Crownclasp. Buyers who want vintage character and the most accessible entry into a two-tone 31mm Datejust typically choose the 68273. Buyers who want current-production status with the latest movement step up to the 278273. To explore every 31mm option side by side, browse our Rolex Datejust 31 collection.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 68273 From WatchGuys

Buying a pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68273 for sale should be straightforward. Every 68273 we list is authenticated, photographed, and described in-house before it goes live.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 68273 FAQ

• What years was the Rolex Datejust 68273 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 68273 was produced from 1983 through the late 1990s. The peak production window is widely considered 1987 through 1993, when two-tone Yellow Rolesor was at its height of popularity. The reference replaced the prior-generation four-digit 6827 and introduced the sapphire crystal and Caliber 2135 movement to the 31mm midsize Datejust line. It was eventually succeeded by the 78273, the 178273, and the current-production 278273. Production year on a specific 68273 can be estimated using the serial number engraved between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 68273 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68273 prices typically range from $3,500 to $6,500+ depending on condition, dial, bracelet, and accessories. Standard champagne and silver dial examples on the two-tone Jubilee bracelet sit in the middle of the range. Factory diamond hour markers, mother-of-pearl dials, vignette dials, and the Jubilee anniversary dial trade meaningfully higher, and full-set examples with original box and papers carry a premium across all configurations.

• Is the Rolex 68273 a men's or women's watch?

  The 68273 was originally marketed as unisex and remains one of the most genuinely versatile sizes in the Rolex lineup. The 31mm case is larger than the 26mm Lady-Datejust but smaller than the classic 36mm men's Datejust, which makes it a strong choice for women who want more wrist presence than a traditional ladies' watch and for men with smaller wrists or a preference for vintage proportions. On a typical wrist it sits comfortably as a daily-wear dress watch for either audience.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 68273 and the Rolex 278273?

  Both are 31mm two-tone Yellow Rolesor Datejusts with fluted yellow gold bezels and Jubilee bracelets. The Rolex 68273 is the discontinued five-digit reference produced from 1983 through the late 1990s, powered by the Caliber 2135 with a 48-hour power reserve. The Rolex 278273 is the current-production successor introduced in 2018, powered by the new Caliber 2236 with a 55-hour power reserve, paramagnetic Syloxi hairspring, and a fully solid-link bracelet with concealed Crownclasp. The 68273 offers vintage character at a meaningful discount, while the 278273 trades at a premium for current-production status and modern movement technology.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 68273?

  The Rolex Datejust 68273 is powered by the automatic Caliber 2135, a chronometer-certified movement with a 28,800 vph beat rate, approximately 48 hours of power reserve, and a quickset date function. It is the smaller-format counterpart to the Caliber 3135 used in the 36mm Datejust references, designed specifically for the 31mm midsize and Lady-Datejust cases. The Caliber 2135 was a substantial upgrade over the prior Caliber 2035 in the four-digit 6827 predecessor and remains highly serviceable by Rolex and qualified independent watchmakers.

• Is the Rolex 68273 a good investment?

  The Rolex 68273 has shown strong long-term value retention as a discontinued reference with a fixed supply on the secondary market. According to WatchCharts data, prices have risen approximately 27.4% over the past five years, outperforming both the Rolex Datejust collection average and the broader watch market. The reference also ranks in the top 1% of all tracked watches by sales volume, reflecting consistent and predictable demand. Original dials, sharp cases, complete box and papers, and rarer dial variants like factory diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and vignette dials carry the most upside on long-term value.

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