Rolex Datejust White Rolesor — Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Roman VI Dial | Ref. 178344

Reference 178344 belongs to the previous generation of the Datejust 31, produced before the 2016 introduction of the 278-prefix family. In White Rolesor — Oystersteel paired with 18-carat white gold — with a 24-diamond bezel, this watch presents a cooler, more subdued palette than its yellow or Everose counterparts. The mother-of-pearl dial, set with diamond hour markers and a Roman VI at the six o'clock position, adds organic iridescence to a composition that already draws strongly on fine jewellery conventions.

The movement in this reference is Calibre 2235, the predecessor to the current 2236. It features a Glucydur beryllium bronze balance wheel and a Parachrom hairspring, providing good resistance to shocks and magnetic fields though not matching the silicon Syloxi's stability metrics. The Perpetual rotor winds the movement bidirectionally, and accuracy falls within Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard of +2/-2 seconds per day. A 35-hour power reserve is adequate for the Lady-Datejust's primary use case as a daily-wear dress watch. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres.

Earlier-generation Datejusts like the 178344 have established a stable secondary market, with well-preserved examples in White Rolesor and diamond-bezel configuration holding value reliably. While the 2235 movement is technically superseded by the 2236, it remains a thoroughly competent calibre with a long service history and widely available parts. Collectors who prioritise the Jubilee bracelet — whose construction subtly differs between the 178xxx and 278xxx generations — sometimes specifically seek out earlier references for this reason.