Rolex Datejust 31 178278
Datejust → 178278
Rolex listed the 178278 as a 31 mm, 18 ct yellow-gold Datejust. Its 2008 and 2011 US lists specify a fluted bezel, sapphire crystal and 31-jewel chronometer movement.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 178278 |
| model | Oyster Perpetual Datejust |
| case | 31 mm, 18 ct yellow gold |
| bezel | fluted yellow gold |
| crystal | synthetic sapphire |
| movement | Cal. 2235, identified by Christie's in case Y824402; Rolex lists a 31-jewel chronometer movement |
| water resistance | 100 m, according to Quark |
| bracelets listed in 2008 US catalogue | President 83168; Jubilee 63168; Oyster 73168 |
| bracelets listed in 2011 US catalogue | President 83168; Oyster 73168 |
Place in the line
Quark places the 178278 after the 78278 and before the 278278. It describes a redesigned 31 mm case and bracelet, with Cal. 2235 retained from the preceding model.
Dates
Christie's dates case Y824402 to 2003. The reference appears in Rolex's May 2011 US list. Quark's chronology dates the run to 2003–2018.
Movement notes
Christie's identifies Cal. 2235 in case Y824402. Rolex's 1999 technical manual covers the caliber. A 2004 AWCI article gives its dimensions as 20 mm across and 5.95 mm high, with 31 jewels and an approximate 50-hour reserve.
Dial map
| listed dial option | 2008 US list | 2011 US list |
|---|---|---|
| ten diamond indexes | yes | yes |
| ten diamond indexes on a “Jubilee” dial | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl Roman or decorated Roman numerals | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl with ten rubies or ten sapphires | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl diamond dial | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl “Jubilee” diamond dial | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl “Jubilee” dial with eight round and two baguette diamonds | yes | yes |
| mother-of-pearl with ten emeralds | yes | yes |
| Goldust mother-of-pearl Arabic dial with two diamonds; Goldust mother-of-pearl diamond dial | yes | yes |
| onyx; onyx Arabic dial with two diamonds; onyx diamond dial | yes | onyx Arabic with two diamonds; onyx diamond |
| lapis-lazuli Arabic dial with two diamonds | yes | yes |
| howlite dial with applied gold Roman numerals | yes | — |
| “Myriad” Arabic, Roman, or diamond-marker dial | yes | yes |
| “Mother-of-Pearl Myriad” diamond dial set with 11 rubies, sapphires, or emeralds | yes | 11 rubies or sapphires listed |
| pavé dial with black-enamel Roman numerals; “Pavé Extra Large” | yes | yes |
“Jubilee” in a dial name refers to the dial pattern; the bracelet appears as a separate catalogue option.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes
Quark gives a 100 m depth rating. Christie's describes a screw back and screw-down crown on case Y824402.
Quark lists a diamond-set bezel for ref. 178278. Rolex's 2008 and 2011 US catalogues show a fluted bezel for 178278 and put the 48-diamond bezel under separate ref. 178288.
Recorded examples
| record | what it documents |
|---|---|
| Christie's, lot 5309304 | Case Y824402, catalogued as manufactured in 2003; Cal. 2235; white dial with applied diamond numerals; yellow-gold Jubilee bracelet; 31 mm. The listing mentions guarantee papers dated 2009. |
| Sotheby's marketplace listing, dated 2003–2004 | 31 mm yellow-gold 178278 with black diamond-set numerals, screw-down back and deployant buckle; no case number given. |
| Sotheby's marketplace listing, dated 2015 | 31 mm yellow-gold 178278 with silver Roman-numeral dial, fold clasp, box and papers; no case number given. |
| Kaplans, Watches auction 3541, lot 149 | Serial 1N67P641, case 2308, Cal. 2235, mother-of-pearl dial with ten diamonds and Oyster bracelet 73168-8YG. Passed. Kaplans catalogued the same watch in 2018. |
| Subastas Segre, lot 2606 | Closed 18 December 2025, unsold; yellow-gold 178278 with white Roman-numeral dial and Jubilee bracelet. |
Sources
- "Rolex US price list, effective 1 March 2008 — ref. 178278", Rolex, 2008-03-01
- "Rolex US price list, effective 10 May 2011 — ref. 178278", Rolex, 2011-05-10
- "Quark Datejust 31 reference guide — ref. 178278", Quark
- "Christie's lot 5309304 — Rolex Datejust ref. 178278, case Y824402", Christie's
- "Sotheby's marketplace listing — Rolex Datejust ref. 178278, dated 2003–2004", Sotheby's
- "Sotheby's marketplace listing — Rolex Datejust ref. 178278, dated 2015", Sotheby's
- "Kaplans Watches auction 3541, lot 149 — Rolex Datejust ref. 178278, case 2308", Kaplans Auktioner, 2019-03-02
- "Subastas Segre lot 2606 — Rolex Datejust ref. 178278", Subastas Segre, 2025-12-18
- "Rolex Technical Manual A, Calibres 2230–2235, Technical Information No. 55, 1999", Montres Rolex S.A., 1999
- A Watchmaker, "“Inside the Rolex Caliber 2235,” Horological Times, December 2004", American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute, 2004-12