Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Rolex's timepiece meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) ($10,000–$25,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

RolexDatejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)$10,000–$25,000 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

Transparency — We earn a small commission on purchases made through our Amazon links. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.

Rolex

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

$10,000–$25,000

Check Price Full Review

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$10,000–$25,000	$100–$150
Case Size	31mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135	Quartz
Caliber Type	Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer	Quartz
Power Reserve	About 42 hours	Battery
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops	Mineral crystal
Case Material	18k yellow gold, fluted bezel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Rolex's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) features a 18k yellow gold, fluted bezel case at 31mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Rolex

Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 vs Quartz

The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) runs the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 (Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer, About 42 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) edges ahead on power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

31mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 31mm, the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) sits at $10,000–$25,000 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops with About 42 hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Rolex

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

Choose the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) if you prioritize Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $10,000–$25,000, it delivers Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 with About 42 hours power reserve.

Check Price on Amazon

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

Check Price on Amazon

Try Prime Free — Free Shipping on Both Watches Students & 18–24: start Prime for Young Adults free

The Bottom Line

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Rolex bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $10,000–$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 Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at 31mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

More Comparisons

Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph vs Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Tag Heuer's chronograph meets Rolex's timepiece

Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Tag Heuer's chronograph meets Stauer's dress watch

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 vs Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Two timepieces compared — $500–$1,000 vs $10,000–$25,000

Explore These Watches

Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) — Full Review Stauer 1920s Retrograde — 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.