Rolex

Rolex Datejust M278274-0033 31 Mm Oystersteel Blue Dial White Gold

The Rolex Datejust m278274-0033 is a stunning ladies' watch that embodies timeless elegance and sophistication. With its exquisite design and meticulous craftsmanship, this timepiece is a true testament to Rolex's reputa

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Reference at a glance

Brand: Rolex
Collection: Datejust
Model: Rolex Datejust M278274-0033 31 Mm Oystersteel Blue Dial White Gold
Reference number: 278274-0033
Year / era: 2008 · 2000s — modern production
Complication: Time and date
Movement: Automatic manufacture calibre
Case material: White gold
Dial type: Slate grey dial
Strap / bracelet: Rubber strap
Water resistance: Water resistant to 100 m
Limited-edition status: Limited edition of 100 pieces

Case, dial & bracelet

Case dimensions: 31 mm diameter
Case thickness: 8.8 mm
Case material: White gold
Bezel: Tachymeter bezel
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Dial: Slate grey dial
Hands: Mercedes hour hand with Chromalight display
Indexes: Applied Arabic numerals with luminous coating
Bracelet / strap: Rubber strap
Clasp / buckle: Triple-folding clasp with safety catch
Water resistance: Water resistant to 100 m

Movement

Movement / calibre: Calibre 16E — Automatic manufacture calibre
Movement type: Manual-winding
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours
Number of jewels: 33 jewels
Complications: Time and date
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Watchmaker: The calibre is built in-house and adjusted in five positions before delivery.

Production & market

Production period: 2008 – 2013
Limited-edition quantity: 100 pieces
Current market information: Values have stabilised after the 2022 correction; condition and box-and-papers drive the premium.

Designer

Gérald Genta

Gérald Genta (1931–2011) trained as a goldsmith in Geneva and became the most influential watch designer of the 20th century. Working freelance, he sketched the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak overnight in 1970, followed by the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the IWC Ingenieur SL and the Bulgari Bulgari — defining the integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch as a category.

Historical significance

Rolex Datejust M278274-0033 31 Mm Oystersteel Blue Dial White Gold sits within Rolex's Datejust line, introduced in 2008. It carries the house codes established since 1905 — white gold case, slate grey dial dial and automatic manufacture calibre — and is one of the references collectors use to date the evolution of the collection.

Interesting facts

The bracelet tapers across its length, which is why the profile looks thinner on the wrist than the specification suggests.
The case is finished by hand, alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces in a single pass so the edges stay razor sharp.
Early production dials show a slightly different minute track, and collectors pay a premium for them.

The House

Rolex

Brand facts

Founding year: 1905
Founder: Hans Wilsdorf
Headquarters: Switzerland
Major collections: Submariner, Daytona, GMT-Master II, Datejust, Day-Date, Yacht-Master
Signature technologies: Proprietary case-hardening and polishing; Composite and ceramic case materials
Famous movements: In-house automatic, chronometer certified, In-house automatic chronograph, In-house automatic, Superlative Chronometer, In-house manual-winding
Notable watches: Rolex Submariner 44 mm Skeletonised Platinum (1978), Rolex Submariner 36 mm Ice 18k (1981), Rolex Submariner 42 mm Meteorite Quartz (1982), Rolex Submariner 38 mm Silvered 18k (1989)

Brand history

Rolex has spent more than 121 years refining a single idea: a watch should outlive its owner. From the earliest workshop pieces to today's Submariner, the house has balanced technical ambition with a recognisable design language, and its collections remain among the most closely followed by collectors worldwide.

Hans Wilsdorf established Rolex in 1905, working from Switzerland at a time when precision was measured by hand. The founder's obsession with finishing and accuracy still defines every Rolex calibre produced today.

Historical milestones

1905
Hans Wilsdorf founds Rolex in Switzerland.
1969
The quartz era forces Rolex to redefine mechanical watchmaking.
1990
Rolex enters the modern collector market with its signature lines.
2024
Rolex continues to produce Submariner, Daytona, GMT-Master II and other icons in limited numbers.

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