Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 Ref. 178240 (Custom/Aftermarket Modified)
Dress/Mid-size Luxury Watch · Rolex SA (Luxury Tier); note that the finish wear suggests potential aftermarket plating or modification.
Period: Modern (2000s onwards; design features typically 2005-2015)
Type
Dress/Mid-size Luxury Watch
Brand
Rolex SA (Luxury Tier); note that the finish wear suggests potential aftermarket plating or modification.
Movement
Automatic/Self-winding, likely mimicking or containing Rolex Caliber 2235; 28,800 vph, approx. 48-hour power reserve.
Dimensions
31mm diameter, 10.5mm thickness, 37mm lug-to-lug, 16mm lug width. Wears true to size for a mid-size watch.
Description
This is a mid-size 31mm Datejust featuring a distinctive concentric dial, blending the utility of the Oyster case with a more ornate, textural dial aesthetic. It features Arabic numerals which offer a more casual, legible alternative to traditional stick or Roman indices.
Key Features
Concentric circle dial texture; high-relief Arabic numerals; 178xxx series 6-digit reference case profile; Cyclops date magnifier.
Dial Description
White/Silver concentric circle (concentric) tuxedo-style texture, applied gold-tone Arabic numerals, baton hands, date window at 3 o'clock with Cyclops lens.
Case Material
Base stainless steel 904L with yellow gold-color plating (Note: visible wear and silver-toned steel show through the plated finish).
Crystal Type
Synthetic Sapphire, flat, with distinct Cyclops magnifying lens over the date (approx 2.5x magnification).
Bezel Details
Fixed smooth/domed bezel, yellow gold-plated steel.
Crown & Pushers
Screw-down Twinlock crown with Rolex Coronet logo; no crown guards.
Bracelet or Strap
Oyster-style three-piece link bracelet, yellow gold-plated, folding Oysterclasp (possibly with Easylink extension).
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down fluted stainless steel caseback; typical for Rolex to be sterile/no engravings.
Movement Type
Automatic/Self-winding, likely mimicking or containing Rolex Caliber 2235; 28,800 vph, approx. 48-hour power reserve.
Water Resistance
Rated 100 meters (330 feet). Requires screw-down crown to be fully tightened for swimming.
Origin & Provenance
Switzerland (Geneva); in-house Swiss movement (if authentic components).
Age Estimate
Circa 2006-2015 based on the dial style and 6-digit reference design language.
Cultural Significance
The Datejust remains the archetype of the modern wristwatch and the best-selling luxury watch model in history, favored by figures from Winston Churchill to Jennifer Aniston.
Condition Notes
Fair. Significant wear to the gold plating on the lugs and bracelet links, exposing the underlying steel. Scratches on the bezel and bracelet. Lume appears aged or missing on hands. Overall Grade: Fair.
Value Estimate
Current market for authentic steel 178240: $4,500 - $6,500. Due to plating wear and aftermarket finish, value may be significantly lower ($2,500 - $3,500).
Care & Maintenance
Service every 10 years; 10-year waterproof testing. Avoid polishing if the gold plating is thin, as it will further expose the base steel.
Similar Watches
Rolex Date Ref. 115200 (34mm), Tudor Black Bay 31, Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm.
Interesting Facts
The 'concentric' dial was a briefly popular design choice in the mid-2000s intended to modernize the Datejust line before Rolex returned to more conservative sunray finishes.