Rolex Datejust 68278

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Datejust 68278

The Rolex Datejust 68278 is a 31mm midsize Datejust reference produced from 1986 through 1999, defined by its solid 18k yellow gold case and bracelet, fluted yellow gold bezel, sapphire crystal, and Caliber 2135 movement. It is the only solid-gold midsize Datejust ever produced. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68278 watches across a range of dial colors and bracelet configurations, including the President bracelet most commonly fitted to this reference. Every Rolex 68278 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 68278 Unique

Two details set the 68278 apart from every other midsize Datejust. First, it is the only midsize Datejust ever produced in solid 18k yellow gold throughout the case, bezel, crown, and bracelet. The two-tone Rolex Datejust 68273 uses gold only on the bezel and bracelet center links, while the 68278 is gold throughout. Second, the 68278 most often comes on the President bracelet, the same semi-circular three-piece-link design normally exclusive to the Day-Date. That combination gives the 68278 the visual signature of a midsize Day-Date in solid yellow gold but in a smaller 31mm case and at a meaningfully lower price. The reference was also offered with the rare bark-textured bezel, a finish never made on any other midsize Rolex. Inside, the Caliber 2135 is the smaller-format counterpart to the Caliber 3135 used in 36mm Datejusts, with a 28,800 vph beat rate, approximately 48 hours of power reserve, and a quickset date function.

Rolex Datejust 68278 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68278 prices typically range from approximately $13,000 to $18,000+ depending on dial, bracelet, condition, and accessories. Standard champagne dial examples on the President bracelet sit in the middle of the range. Rare configurations such as onyx, hard-stone, mother-of-pearl, factory diamond, and lemon-diamond dials trade meaningfully higher. According to WatchCharts data, the 68278 has appreciated approximately 31.7% over the past five years, outperforming the Rolex Datejust collection by 14.1% and the broader Rolex market by 27.5%. The reference also ranks in the top 4% of all tracked watches by sales volume, reflecting consistent demand among collectors of solid-gold midsize Rolexes. For wider Datejust pricing context across all sizes and generations, see our Rolex Datejust buying guide.

Rolex 68278 vs. Day-Date 18238

The most common decision facing solid-gold 31mm Datejust buyers is whether to choose the 68278 or step up to the contemporary 36mm Rolex Day-Date 18238 from the same era. Both are solid 18k yellow gold watches with fluted bezels, sapphire crystals, and the President bracelet, and both were produced over roughly the same window. The 68278 is the smaller, simpler watch: a 31mm case with date-only display, powered by the Caliber 2135. The Day-Date 18238 is the larger, more complicated piece: a 36mm case with the day display spelled out at 12 o'clock and the date at 3 o'clock, powered by the Caliber 3155 with double-quickset functionality. The 18238 trades at a meaningful premium because of the larger case, heavier President bracelet, and added complication. Choose the 68278 if you prefer a smaller dress-watch profile in solid gold at a lower price. Choose the 18238 if you want the full 36mm Day-Date complication. For more on the Day-Date, see our Rolex Day-Date buying guide.

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Why Buy a Rolex Datejust 68278 From WatchGuys

Buying a pre-owned solid gold Rolex Datejust 68278 for sale should be straightforward. Every 68278 we list is authenticated, photographed, and described in-house before it goes live.

Common Questions

Rolex Datejust 68278 FAQ

• What years was the Rolex Datejust 68278 produced?

  The Rolex Datejust 68278 was produced from 1986 through 1999, with serial numbers ranging from R-series through A-series. It replaced the prior-generation four-digit 6827 and introduced the sapphire crystal and Caliber 2135 movement to the solid 18k yellow gold midsize Datejust line. It was eventually succeeded by the 78278 and the 178278 before solid yellow gold was largely phased out of the midsize Datejust catalog. Production year on a specific 68278 can be estimated using the serial number engraved between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position.

• How much does a Rolex Datejust 68278 cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Datejust 68278 prices typically range from $13,000 to $18,000+ depending on dial, bracelet, condition, and accessories. Standard champagne dial examples on the President bracelet sit in the middle of the range. Rare configurations such as onyx, hard-stone, mother-of-pearl, factory diamond, and lemon-diamond dials trade meaningfully higher, and full-set examples with original box and papers carry a premium across all configurations. Pricing is meaningfully higher than the steel and two-tone 31mm Datejust references because the 68278 contains substantial 18k yellow gold across the case, bracelet, bezel, and crown.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 68278 and the Rolex 68273?

  The two references are identical in size, movement, and case construction, but use very different amounts of gold. The Rolex 68278 is solid 18k yellow gold throughout, including the case, fluted bezel, crown, and bracelet, and most often ships on the President bracelet. The Rolex 68273 is two-tone Yellow Rolesor, which combines a stainless steel case and outer Jubilee bracelet links with 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown, and bracelet center links only. Both share the Caliber 2135, sapphire crystal, and 31mm Oyster case. The 68278 is significantly heavier on the wrist and trades at roughly three to four times the price of the 68273 because of the gold content.

• What is the difference between the Rolex 68278 and the Day-Date 18238?

  Both are solid 18k yellow gold watches with fluted bezels, sapphire crystals, and the President bracelet from the same production era. The Datejust 68278 is the smaller, simpler piece: a 31mm case with date-only display, powered by the Caliber 2135 with quickset functionality. The Day-Date 18238 is a 36mm case with the day of the week spelled out at 12 o'clock and the date at 3 o'clock, powered by the Caliber 3155 with double-quickset that adjusts day and date independently. The Day-Date 18238 trades at a meaningful premium because of the larger case, heavier President bracelet, and added complication. Choose the 68278 if you prefer a smaller dress-watch profile in solid gold at a lower price, or the 18238 if you want the full Day-Date complication.

• What movement is in the Rolex Datejust 68278?

  The Rolex Datejust 68278 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, which is a meaningful consideration for any vintage solid gold watch.

• Is the Rolex 68278 a good investment?

  The Rolex 68278 has shown strong long-term value retention as a discontinued solid-gold reference with a fixed supply on the secondary market. According to WatchCharts data, prices have risen approximately 31.7% over the past five years, outperforming both the Rolex Datejust collection average and the broader Rolex brand. The reference ranks in the top 4% of all tracked watches by sales volume, reflecting consistent demand. The 18k gold content provides a built-in pricing floor tied to gold spot prices, and Rolex has largely phased solid yellow gold out of the midsize Datejust catalog, which limits future supply. Rare dial variants like factory diamond, mother-of-pearl, hard-stone, and lemon-diamond configurations carry the most upside on long-term value, though the reference does carry higher market volatility than average due to the wide spread of dial configurations.

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