Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) vs Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Two timepieces compared — $25,000+ vs $10,000–$25,000

Quick Verdict

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) ($10,000–$25,000) delivers Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer technology in the tier below the Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) ($25,000+). The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) measures 31mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic, Rolex calibre 2135, quickset date. Both represent excellent choices in the timepiece category.

RolexLady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial)$25,000+ Check price RolexDatejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)$10,000–$25,000 Check price

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Rolex

Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial)

$25,000+

Check Price Full Review

Rolex

Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

$10,000–$25,000

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial)	Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)
Price	$25,000+	$10,000–$25,000
Case Size	26mm	31mm
Movement	Automatic, Rolex calibre 2135, quickset date	Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135
Caliber Type	Rolex 2135, chronometer certified	Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer
Power Reserve	About 42 hours	About 42 hours
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case Material	18k yellow gold, factory diamond bezel and diamond-set lugs	18k yellow gold, fluted bezel
Origin	Swiss Made	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Rolex's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) features a 18k yellow gold, factory diamond bezel and diamond-set lugs case at 26mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) offers 18k yellow gold, fluted bezel construction at 31mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Draw

Automatic, Rolex calibre 2135, quickset date vs Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135

The Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) runs the Automatic, Rolex calibre 2135, quickset date (Rolex 2135, chronometer certified, About 42 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 (Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer, About 42 hours reserve) at standard. Power reserves are closely matched.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

26mm vs 31mm — different wrist presence

At 26mm, the Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at 31mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Rolex

Rolex sits in the lower tier

The Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) sits at $25,000+ and the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at $10,000–$25,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) uses Sapphire Crystal with About 42 hours, against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 42 hours on the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) is rated to 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case while the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) handles 100m (10 ATM). Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Rolex

Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial)

Choose the Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) if you prioritize Rolex 2135, chronometer certified engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Automatic, Rolex calibre 2135, quickset date with About 42 hours power reserve.

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Rolex

Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Choose the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) if you value Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 31mm proportions. At $10,000–$25,000, the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 with About 42 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) and Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) represent two distinct approaches to the timepiece category — the Rolex bringing Swiss Made tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

On price, the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) sits a band lower ($10,000–$25,000 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $10,000–$25,000. However, the Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) at 26mm with 100m (10 ATM) per Rolex for the Oyster case water resistance handles everyday situations. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at 31mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) uses Sapphire Crystal while the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

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Rolex Lady-Datejust 26 (18k gold, diamond bezel and lugs, red vignette dial) — Full Review Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) — Full Review Browse All Guides

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.