The Rolex Datejust 31 Reference 278271: A Closer Look at One of the Most Wanted Two Tone Watches in the UAE Right Now

Every few months a particular Rolex configuration starts trending harder than the rest, and right now in the UAE that watch is reference 278271, the Datejust 31 in steel and Everose gold with the chocolate diamond dial on a Jubilee bracelet. We get asked about this exact combination often enough that it made sense to put together a proper guide covering what it actually is, where it comes from, and why getting your hands on a genuine one takes more effort than people assume.

A Quick Word on the Datejust Itself

Few watches in the world carry the kind of instant recognition that the Datejust has. First released in 1945, it was the watch that gave Rolex its date window at three o’clock, a small mechanical detail that ended up shaping how an entire industry thinks about everyday watch design. Decades later, the Datejust is still the reference most people point to when asked to picture a Rolex, more than any sports model, more than any limited edition.

Reference 278271 uses the 31 millimetre case, which sits in the middle of Rolex’s Datejust size range, larger than the smallest vintage inspired ladies models, smaller than the standard 36 or 41 millimetre men’s Datejust. It is a size that Rolex clearly designed with versatility in mind, substantial enough to feel like a serious watch, refined enough to sit comfortably on a smaller wrist.

The Dial, the Case, and the Bracelet, Broken Down

Start with the dial. Chocolate is one of Rolex’s warmer, less common dial colors, and it behaves differently depending on the light hitting it, sometimes reading almost black, other times opening up into a lighter caramel brown. Set into that dial are diamond hour markers applied by Rolex at the factory, not added by a third party after the fact. That distinction matters enormously, both for how the watch is valued and for how easily it can be verified as genuine down the line.

The case and bracelet use Rolex’s Rolesor construction, steel through the body of the case and the outer bracelet links, Everose gold on the fluted bezel, the crown, and the center bracelet row. Rolex has used this two metal approach since the 1930s, and it remains one of the most requested combinations across their entire current lineup because it offers the look of gold without the full weight or cost of a solid gold piece.

The bracelet itself is the Jubilee, which actually debuted alongside the original Datejust back in 1945 to mark the watch’s launch. Its five link design gives it a noticeably softer drape on the wrist compared to a plain link Oyster bracelet, and against the alternating steel and Everose case, the Jubilee bracelet’s own mix of polished and brushed links pulls the whole watch together visually.

Inside, reference 278271 is powered by the Rolex Caliber 2236, a manufacture movement with a power reserve of roughly 55 hours and the kind of day to day accuracy Rolex chronometers are built around.

Why This Exact Piece Is Harder to Find Than People Expect

The Datejust as a whole is Rolex’s most widely produced family, which leads a lot of buyers to assume any Datejust should be simple to find. That assumption falls apart quickly once you start looking for this specific reference. 278271, at 31 millimetres, in Rolesor, with a chocolate dial, factory diamonds, a fluted bezel, and a Jubilee bracelet, is a fairly narrow configuration within a very large catalogue, and boutique stock for exactly this dial and metal pairing tends to move fast when it does appear.

The bigger issue on the resale side is authenticity rather than availability. Diamond dial watches attract a disproportionate amount of counterfeit activity and aftermarket tampering compared to simpler dial designs, since added stones are far easier to disguise than an entirely fake case or movement. A buyer without deep experience in this exact reference can easily overlook a dial that has been altered after leaving the factory. Finding one that is fully original, correctly documented, and in genuinely good condition takes real expertise to confirm, not just time spent searching.

Why Watch Trader UAE Is the Right Place to Buy This Piece

Given how much authenticity matters specifically with diamond dial Rolex watches, we treat every piece that comes through Watch Trader UAE with a full verification process before it is ever offered for sale, covering the dial, the diamond setting, the bracelet, the movement, and all accompanying paperwork. That level of scrutiny is exactly what protects you from the kind of altered or misrepresented piece that shows up far too often in this category.

We also have an active sourcing network across the UAE, so when clients come to us looking for this precise configuration, we are frequently able to bring a well kept, verified example to them faster than waiting on boutique allocation alone. If this is the watch you have been searching for, reach out to our team and we will tell you what is currently available or what we can source on your behalf.

Thinking of Selling a Rolex Instead

If you own this Datejust, or any other Rolex or luxury watch, and selling is on your mind, Watch Trader UAE buys pre owned watches directly from owners throughout the UAE, with a fair evaluation and a quick, straightforward process. Whether it is a single piece or a wider collection, get in touch with us and we will guide you through it.

A Note on Authenticity

Watch Trader UAE is an independent luxury watch dealer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Rolex or any other watch manufacturer mentioned in this article. All brand names, model names, and trademarks belong to their respective owners and are referenced here purely for descriptive and informational purposes.