Rolex Datejust 31 Yellow Rolesor — Fluted Bezel Silver Diamond Roman VI Dial | Ref. 178273

Reference 178273 is a Datejust 31 in Yellow Rolesor — Oystersteel with 18-karat yellow gold bezel and bracelet highlights — carrying a fluted bezel in gold and a silver dial with diamond-set Roman numerals at the VI position alongside standard Roman markers elsewhere. This selective use of a single diamond numeral rather than a fully diamond-set chapter ring is a characteristically measured approach: it introduces gemological content at a specific focal point without transforming the dial into a fully jeweled surface, preserving legibility and classical proportion.

The 31mm Datejust in 178xxx references runs Cal 2235, the generation that preceded the current 2236 introduced with the 278xxx series. Cal 2235 is a solid, reliable self-winding movement with Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorption, and while it lacks the silicon Syloxi hairspring of the newer calibre, its real-world timekeeping performance is entirely adequate for the application. The fluted yellow gold bezel is machined from an 18-karat alloy hardened specifically for bezel use, maintaining its crisp ridges through years of normal handling. Yellow Rolesor's warm contrast pairs naturally with the silver dial, with the gold elements providing warmth that the steel-only construction would lack.

Buyers evaluating this reference should understand it as an earlier-generation 31mm Datejust now available at meaningful discounts relative to current 278xxx production. For those who prioritize aesthetics over the latest movement architecture, the value proposition is sound. The VI diamond numeral dial is a relatively uncommon specification that gives this piece distinction within the broad 178273 variant pool. As always with two-tone Rolex references, bracelet and clasp condition significantly affect both appearance and value, and a properly maintained bracelet with documented service history commands a notable premium.