What This Watch Is
The Rolex Datejust 31 White Mother of Pearl Diamond Bezel 278240 is a 31mm steel dress watch upgraded with an aftermarket diamond bezel and diamond-set dial that delivers the look of a factory diamond configuration at roughly half the price. If you want sparkle and refinement without the Rolex boutique premium, this is the configuration to consider.
Shop all Rolex Datejust Lady Datejust 31 watches
The Numbers
- Reference: 278240
- Case Size: 31mm diameter
- Case Material: Oyster steel with white gold and custom diamond bezel
- Water Resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 2236, automatic, in-house
- Accuracy: +/- 2 seconds per 24 hours
- Power Reserve: 55 hours
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire with Cyclops magnification
- Bezel: Aftermarket diamond bezel, approximately 1.1 to 1.3 carats
- Dial: White mother of pearl with diamond hour markers and pavé diamond VI roman numeral
- Bracelet: Oyster, three-piece links with Easy Link 5mm extension
- Price Range: $8,000 to $9,000 (as configured, versus nearly double for factory equivalent)
What The Specs Mean In Practice
The Caliber 2236 is one of Rolex’s newest movements, and it shows. The Syloxi hairspring in silicon resists electromagnetic interference and temperature changes, so whether you’re dealing with summer heat or winter cold, the watch keeps consistent time. That 55-hour power reserve is genuinely useful. Set it down Friday evening, pick it up Monday morning, and it’s still running.
The +/- 2 seconds per day accuracy exceeds standard Swiss chronometer requirements. And the screw-down crown combined with a monoblock middle case and solid caseback means 100 meters of water resistance is reliable, not just a number on paper.
But here’s the real story with this particular Rolex Datejust Lady Datejust 31 configuration: getting the diamond bezel and diamond dial look from Rolex directly would cost nearly double. The aftermarket work on this piece is extremely precise, with hand-set diamonds that complement the factory dial perfectly.
Design Details
The white mother of pearl dial is the foundation here. As you move it through different lighting, tiny colors radiate from the surface, giving the dial life that a standard silver or white dial simply cannot match. The diamond hour markers are larger than typical index markers, which actually improves legibility while adding visual weight.
The pavé VI at six o’clock contains 11 hand-set diamonds. It balances the Rolex crown at 12 o’clock and creates genuine symmetry. The diamond bezel itself runs approximately 1.1 to 1.3 carats, set flush and precise all the way around. Yes, it looks abundant, but within the full context of the watch, the composition works.
The original watch came with a silver index dial and a domed smooth bezel. That’s a fine look, but pairing diamonds with a plain dial would feel incomplete. This configuration, with diamond bezel, diamond hour markers, and pavé VI together, makes it a complete package.
On The Wrist
At 31mm, the Rolex Datejust 31 White Mother of Pearl Diamond Bezel 278240 wears compact. On a larger wrist, there’s visible bracelet on either side, but that actually frames the watch nicely. The diamonds on the bezel and dial give this piece more wrist presence than its modest diameter would suggest.
The Oyster bracelet is the flat three-piece link design: high polish center links with brushed finishing on the sides. It tapers gradually down to the Oysterclasp, which includes the Easy Link system for 5mm of quick adjustment. If your wrist swells during the day, you pull the extension out. Simple.
Date adjustment is quick. The crown is small on the 31mm case, and the throw is less than a quarter turn to advance the date. If you need to catch up several days, it happens fast.
Who Should Buy This
This Rolex Datejust 31 White Mother of Pearl Diamond Bezel 278240 is for someone who wants distinction and aesthetics with their functionality. The date window works like any Datejust, the timekeeping is Rolex-accurate, and the 55-hour power reserve means you can take a weekend off without resetting.
But the real buyer here is someone who wants the elevated look of a diamond Rolex without paying the factory premium. The aftermarket bezel and dial work is precise, the diamonds are well-set, and the total cost comes in at $8,000 to $9,000 versus nearly double for the equivalent from Rolex directly. If you’re upgrading from a standard Datejust 31 and want more sparkle, this is the path.
The JazTime Verdict
The Rolex Datejust 31 White Mother of Pearl Diamond Bezel 278240 delivers a factory-diamond look at a significant discount. The aftermarket work is precise, the white mother of pearl dial has genuine depth, and Rolex’s Caliber 2236 is as reliable as movements get. If you want a refined dress watch with serious sparkle, this is the one. Check the current price and availability at JazTime.
