The Rolex Datejust 31 68273 occupies a specific and well-loved spot in the Datejust range. At 31mm it sits comfortably between the 26mm Lady-Datejust and the full 36mm, making it a genuinely versatile size that works on a wider range of wrists than either.
Steel and yellow gold throughout, with a fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet, it is a vintage reference produced from the late 1980s to around 2000 and one that has aged well in both build and appeal.
Often referred to as the midi Datejust, the 68273 was produced alongside the Lady-Datejust 69173 and the full-size 36mm models as part of the same Rolesor generation. The 31mm case size was designed to offer something between the two, and it still fulfils that role effectively today.
It carries the same steel and 18ct yellow gold construction as its siblings, with gold across the fluted bezel, crown and Jubilee bracelet centre links, and is powered by the Calibre 2135 automatic movement.
Dial variety across the production run was also quite broad. White Roman numeral, champagne baton, champagne diamond and silver jubilee diamond configurations all appear regularly on the pre-owned market, and each gives the watch a different character while sharing the same warm Rolesor foundation.
The 31mm case means the dial itself is compact but never cramped, and the combination of gold detailing and a well-chosen dial tends to read as quietly considered rather than showy. If you are comparing sizes across the Datejust range, our full Datejust collection covers all options from 26mm upwards.
All examples of the 68273 are vintage pieces, so the usual checks apply. The Jubilee bracelet is the first thing to assess, looking for stretch across the links and any wear at the clasp. On a 31mm watch the bracelet is proportionally narrower than on the 36mm, and wear can be more obvious as a result.
The yellow gold centre links should be free from deep scratching, and the fluted bezel should retain well-defined ridges rather than the softened profile that comes from repeated polishing.
Dial condition matters more on a watch of this size, where the compact face means any discolouration or damage is harder to overlook. White and champagne dials have generally held up well on this reference, but it is worth examining them carefully in good light before buying. Box and papers are harder to find on a watch of this vintage but add confidence when present. If a specific dial or condition is what you are after, get in touch and we can help track it down.
Pre-owned examples typically sit between £5,000 and £7,500, with diamond dial variants and complete sets with box and papers tending to push towards the higher end. Plain baton and Roman dial examples in honest pre-owned condition represent good value lower down in that range.
Within the broader Datejust family, the 68273 sits above the 69173 Lady-Datejust in price, reflecting the larger case, and below the two-tone 16233 and 116233 Datejust 36 options. For a vintage Rolesor Datejust that wears well across a wide range of wrists, it sits at one of the more accessible price points in the collection.
