A fake Rolex 278273 is a replica of the Datejust 31, the 31 mm two-tone watch Rolex builds in Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold. Copies of this reference range from quartz lookalikes that fool nobody to high-end 1:1 builds that match the case size, dial layout, and bracelet weight of the original. The reference number matters: 278273 is steel and yellow gold, while 278274 is the same watch in steel and white gold.
What Is the Rolex 278273?
The 278273 is a Datejust 31. Rolex calls the steel-and-gold mix Rolesor, and on this reference the fluted bezel, winding crown, and the center links of the bracelet are 18k yellow gold while the case and outer links are Oystersteel.
Inside sits the caliber 2236, an automatic movement with a Syloxi silicon hairspring and about 55 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters.
Specs at a glance
- Case: 31 mm, Oystersteel with yellow gold bezel and crown
- Movement: Rolex caliber 2236, automatic
- Power reserve: about 55 hours
- Bracelet: Jubilee with concealed Crownclasp, or Oyster with Oysterclasp
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Dials: many options, including olive green, champagne, silver, and diamond-set
What Does a Fake Rolex 278273 Look Like?
At arm's length, a decent copy of the 278273 looks like the real thing. The case is small, the shape is easy to reproduce, and the two-tone effect comes down to color matching.
Problems appear up close: gold tone, bezel cuts, bracelet gaps, and the date window. Cheap fakes miss the scale first. A 34 mm case sold as a 278273, or a bloated lug profile, gives the watch away before you check the dial.
Replica Tiers: What You Get at Each Level
Sellers group replica 278273 watches into three rough bands. The band tells you more than any product photo.
Budget tier (quartz)
- Ticking seconds hand instead of a sweep
- Plated gold that fades to gray or green within months
- Hollow, rattling bracelet with loose end links
Mid tier (entry automatic)
- Chinese automatic movement (DG2813 class) with a rough sweep
- 316L stainless steel case and thicker gold plating
- Cleaner dial printing, but the date font and cyclops are often wrong
High-end 1:1 or super clone
- Case dimensions taken from a real watch, with a sapphire crystal and blue anti-reflective coating under the cyclops
- Gold wrap or heavy plating on the bezel, crown, and center links, and real 18k on the top builds
- Clone or modified automatic movement, sometimes with a decorated rotor and engraved bridges
- Solid end links and a clasp with the correct coronet stamp
How to Check a Fake Rolex 278273 Before You Pay
- Measure the case. It should be 31 mm across, not 34 or 36.
- Compare the gold. Bezel, crown, and bracelet center links should match in tone. Mixed shades mean plating done in separate batches.
- Count the beats. Hold it to your ear. A mechanical movement sounds like a fast hum, while a quartz tick is a dead giveaway.
- Check the date. The cyclops should magnify about 2.5 times, the date should sit centered, and the font should match the one Rolex uses.
- Inspect the bracelet fit. Press the end links against the case. Gaps or overhang point to a cheap build.
- Weigh it. A two-tone 31 mm watch on a Jubilee should feel dense for its size.
- Read the rehaut. The ROLEX engraving on the inner ring should be crisp with even spacing.
- Ask about the movement. A seller who cannot name the movement is selling a mystery watch.
What Do Fake Rolex 278273 Watches Cost?
Prices split into three bands. Budget quartz copies sell for under $100, entry automatics land in the low hundreds, and high-end 1:1 builds of this reference run into the several hundreds. The gap tracks the movement, the gold work, and the bracelet, not the dial color.
Beware listings that show genuine Rolex photos and ship something else. Ask for timestamped shots of the exact watch, including the caseback and the clasp stamp.
Is a Fake Rolex 278273 Legal?
Selling counterfeit watches is illegal in the United States, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments of counterfeit goods at the border. Buying one for personal use is a gray area that varies by state, but resale, trade, and import for commerce are not gray at all.
A replica also carries no Rolex warranty, and authorized service centers will refuse to touch it. Repair options come from independent watchmakers, and parts for clone movements can be hard to source.
FAQ
Is the 278273 a men's or women's watch?
It is sold as a women's model. The Datejust 31 sits in Rolex's smaller size range, and the 278273 is the two-tone yellow gold version of that case.
What is the difference between the 278273 and the 278274?
Only the gold. The 278273 uses 18k yellow gold for the bezel and center links, and the 278274 uses 18k white gold. Case size, movement, and bracelet options are the same.
Does a fake 278273 use a real Rolex movement?
No. Rolex does not sell movements to outside parties, and the caliber 2236 never leaves the factory as a loose part. Any replica sold with a claim of a genuine Rolex movement is either mislabeled or a red flag.
Will a jeweler service a replica 278273?
Most will not. Authorized Rolex service centers turn them away, and many independent shops avoid them too because the parts are not standard. Plan on the seller's repair channel or a watchmaker who works with clone movements.
Can a 1:1 replica pass as the real thing?
Not under close inspection. Weight, gold color, bracelet feel, and movement finish differ. The gap shows from the back of the watch and on a scale.
The Short Version
A fake Rolex 278273 is only as good as its case size, its gold matching, and its movement. Buy from a seller who can name all three, and inspect the watch on arrival before you trust it.