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Rolex Datejust 31
Ref. 278271
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The Datejust has been in continuous production since 1945, making it one of the longest-running watch designs in the industry — but the 31mm sizing is not simply a scaled-down version of the men's model. It occupies a deliberate middle position, large enough to carry the fluted bezel and Cyclops date lens with proper presence, compact enough that it reads as a dress watch rather than a sports one. The Everose Rolesor combination — Oystersteel for the case and bracelet links, Rolex's proprietary rose gold alloy for the bezel and crown — handles the transition between the two metals better than most two-tone watches manage, because the fluting catches light differently from the polished steel and gives each material a distinct character. The calibre 2236 inside is worth noting: its silicon Syloxi hairspring makes it genuinely resistant to magnetic fields that would trouble a conventional lever escapement, and Superlative Chronometer certification means Rolex has verified it to ±2 seconds per day after the movement is cased — tighter than COSC alone requires. The Oysterclasp's Easylink extension adds 5mm of wrist room without tools, which makes the difference between a bracelet that fits through the seasons and one that needs a watchmaker every autumn.
- Reference
- 278271
- Brand
- Rolex
- Collection
- Datejust
- Case size
- 31mm
- Lug width
- 16mm
- Case material
- Two-tone
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Grey
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 2236
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Two-tone
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Pre-owned
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 55 hours
- Gem set
- Yes
Learn more about Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.
Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.
The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.
The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.
Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.
- 1905
- Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
- 1908
- The Rolex name is registered.
- 1926
- The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
- 1931
- The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
- 1953
- The Submariner and Explorer launch.
- 1963
- The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.
Also in 7 collections
This watch appears in the Rolex Datejust range (17), Back in Stock (3,538), Watches Under 37mm (1,908), Automatic Watches (1,867), Women's Watches (1,786), Two-Tone Watches (526) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (423).
2-year Goldsmiths warranty
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- 31mm wears small and slips under any cuff
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Rolex's range as we list it
Rolex Datejust 31 alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 278271 | 485.SX.1170.RX.1604 | 275378-5005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £14,950 | £13,425 | £15,950 |
| Case size | 31mm | 33mm | 33mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 30m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Rubber strap | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 55 hours | 40 hours | 42 hours |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 55 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
What size strap does it take?
16mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as women's.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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