Rolex Datejust 31 Reference 278271 Aubergine Diamond Dial: A Complete Buying Guide

If you have been searching for a Rolex that combines everyday wearability with a genuinely rare dial color, the watch shown in these photos is one of the most requested pieces we see at Watch Trader UAE. It is the Rolex Datejust 31, reference 278271, crafted in Oystersteel and 18k Everose gold, fitted with a striking aubergine (deep purple) sunburst dial and a diamond set Roman numeral VI, worn on a two tone Jubilee bracelet.

Below we walk through the reference details, the history behind this dial, why it is genuinely difficult to source right now, and how you can buy one with full confidence in its authenticity.

Quick Reference Details

Reference number 278271 Model Datejust 31 Case size 31mm Case material Oystersteel and 18k Everose gold (Rolesor) Dial Aubergine sunburst with Roman numerals and a diamond set VI Bezel Fluted, solid 18k Everose gold Bracelet Two tone Jubilee Movement Rolex Calibre 2236, automatic, 31 jewels Power reserve 55 hours Certification Superlative Chronometer, COSC certified Water resistance 100 metres Crystal Scratch resistant sapphire with cyclops date lens

This same reference family is also produced with other dial finishes, including a black dial with rose gold markers on an identical two tone Jubilee case, which you can see in some of the closer detail shots above. So if aubergine is not exactly what you are after, we can also help you source a sibling dial from the same 278271 or 278274 family.

A Bit of History on the Datejust

The Datejust was introduced in 1945 to mark Rolex’s fortieth anniversary. It was the first self winding wristwatch to display the date automatically through a window on the dial, which was a genuine innovation at the time and set a new standard for the entire industry. Over the decades it has become Rolex’s most recognisable and continuously produced model, and the Jubilee bracelet, launched alongside it, was designed specifically to complement its two tone Rolesor construction.

The 31mm case size came about as Rolex moved away from strict men’s and women’s sizing conventions, giving collectors a genuinely versatile option that sits comfortably on most wrists. The fluted bezel is still one of the more labour intensive details Rolex produces. It is machine finished in solid gold and requires a level of precision that simply cannot be replicated through casting.

Why This Aubergine Dial Stands Out

Rolex’s aubergine, or deep purple, sunburst dial is not a permanent catalogue colour. It has appeared on and off across a handful of Datejust and Day Date references over the years, and it remains one of the more elusive dial variants among collectors. A few things make it special.

The colour shifts under different lighting, moving from a deep plum tone to something closer to black depending on how the light hits it, which gives the dial real depth rather than a flat, single tone finish.

The numeral at six o’clock is individually set with diamonds, a detail that only appears on specific dial configurations and is not part of the standard Datejust lineup.

Purple and aubergine dials are also produced in much smaller numbers than black, white, or silver dials. Authorized dealers typically receive only a piece or two per allocation, and most of those are gone before they ever make it into a display case.

How Hard Is It Actually to Find One

Honestly, quite hard. New pieces in aubergine dial configurations are almost never sitting on the shelf at an authorized Rolex boutique. Waitlists for even a standard steel Datejust can stretch into months, and colour or diamond set dials tend to go to top clients before general customers ever hear about them. On the pre owned market, genuine 278271 aubergine dial pieces do not surface often, and demand from collectors across the UAE and the wider GCC region, where two tone Rolesor pieces are especially popular, keeps supply tight.

This is where Watch Trader UAE can help. We actively source rare Datejust dial variants like this one through our vetted network of dealers and collectors, so you do not have to spend months on a waiting list hoping one becomes available.

Own This Watch With Confidence

At Watch Trader UAE we deal exclusively in one hundred percent authentic pre owned and unworn luxury watches. Every piece we sell, including this Rolex Datejust 31 reference 278271 aubergine diamond dial, goes through strict authentication checks before it ever reaches a customer.

If this exact piece is currently in our inventory, or if you would like us to help you source one in aubergine, black diamond, or any other dial variant from the 278271 or 278274 family, get in touch with our team today.

Looking to sell instead? If you own a genuine luxury watch, whether it is a Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, or another leading Swiss brand, we offer fair and transparent valuations along with fast payment. Reach out to Watch Trader UAE to sell your watch with confidence.

Watch Trader UAE is an independent luxury watch dealer based in the UAE. We are not affiliated with Rolex or any watch manufacturer mentioned in this article. Every product we sell is guaranteed authentic.