A fake Rolex 278271 is a replica of the Rolex Datejust 31 made in Everose Rolesor, the two tone pairing of Oystersteel and Everose gold. The most reliable tells are the diamond setting on the dial and bezel, the specific tone of the Everose alloy, the 31 mm case proportions, and the finishing inside the clasp and between the lugs. Genuine examples trade in the five figure range, which is exactly why this reference gets copied so often.
What the Rolex 278271 Is
The 278271 sits in the Datejust 31 line, a smaller case size built for slender wrists. Rolex produces it as a Rolesor model, meaning the case and bracelet combine Oystersteel with Everose gold, the brand's proprietary rose gold alloy. Depending on configuration, the watch arrives with a fluted, domed, or diamond set bezel and a sunray, mother of pearl, or diamond set dial.
- Case: 31 mm Oyster case, screw down crown, 100 m water resistance
- Movement: Calibre 2236, automatic, Syloxi hairspring, roughly 55 hours of power reserve
- Bracelet: Jubilee or Oyster in Everose Rolesor with a folding or concealed clasp
- Bezel and dial: fluted or diamond set bezel, gold markers or diamond markers
Those details matter because each one becomes a comparison point when you evaluate a fake Rolex 278271. A replica can look close in a photograph and still fail on three or four of these points in hand.
Why This Reference Attracts So Many Copies
Two factors drive counterfeit production of the 278271. First, the genuine price. A new Datejust 31 in Rolesor with a diamond dial costs several times more than a steel Datejust, and pre owned examples still sit in the thousands of dollars on the secondary market. Second, the visual payoff. Diamonds, rose gold, and a Jubilee bracelet read as luxury at a glance, which makes the model appealing to buyers who want the look without the full outlay.
The result is a wide spread in replica quality, from crude pieces with glued on stones to high end copies that get the case shape right but miss the dial printing and movement finish.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex 278271
Work from the dial outward, then check the parts most sellers never photograph.
Dial and Diamond Setting
Rolex sets diamonds in gold, using polished grains that hold each stone flush with the dial surface. The stones sit level, matched in size and color, with clean metal around them. Replicas often show uneven grain, cloudy stones or cubic zirconia, visible adhesive, and markers that sit slightly high or rotated. On a diamond set dial, study the spacing between each marker and the minute track. Any drift is a red flag.
Case, Bezel, and Everose Color
Everose gold includes platinum in the alloy to keep the pink tone stable over time. Copies usually use standard rose gold plating or a copper heavy alloy that looks too orange in daylight, or shifts toward red within months. Compare the bezel flutes: Rolex cuts and polishes each flute so reflections break in sharp lines. On a replica the flutes look softer, unevenly spaced, or so heavily polished that the edges round off.
Bracelet, Clasp, and Weight
A genuine Jubilee bracelet in this size has real weight and tight, quiet articulation. Links move without rattle, and the clasp closes with a firm, even click. Replicas are usually lighter, and the bracelet stretches fast at the end links. Check the clasp stamping, where the crown, the text, and the code should be crisp and consistent in depth. Look at the end links where the bracelet meets the case. Gaps and sharp edges there are common on copies.
Movement and Winding
Calibre 2236 runs at 4 Hz, so the seconds hand sweeps smoothly. That alone proves nothing, since many replicas use high beat movements too. Feel the crown instead. Winding should be smooth with clear positions for date and time setting, and the crown should thread cleanly. Fakes often feel gritty or loose, and the date can flip late or sit off center. A watchmaker can open the caseback and check the movement finish, rotor engraving, and hairspring type in minutes.
Engravings, Papers, and Boxes
Check the rehaut, the inner ring between the dial and crystal, where ROLEX repeats around the circumference. Genuine engraving is sharp and aligned to the minute track. Also inspect the engravings between the lugs, which should be evenly cut and easy to read. Boxes, booklets, and cards are widely copied, so paperwork supports a genuine watch but never proves one. Only a watchmaker's inspection does.
Replica vs Genuine: Where Most Copies Fall Short
- Diamond quality and setting depth on the dial and bezel
- Everose tone consistency under different lighting
- Bracelet weight, link fit, and clasp stamping
- Dial printing, including coronet shape and text weight
- Movement finish and date change accuracy
- Water resistance, which most replicas do not actually achieve
Checklist Before You Decide
- Ask for sharp, in focus photos of the dial, rehaut, clasp, and between lug engravings.
- Request a movement photo or a timegrapher reading if the seller has one.
- Weigh the watch and compare it to the expected range for a Rolesor 278271.
- Compare the Everose tone in natural daylight, not studio light.
- Confirm the return policy in writing before any payment.
- Have a qualified watchmaker inspect the watch with the caseback off.
Legal Notes for Buyers in the US
Selling a counterfeit watch as genuine is trademark infringement and fraud, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit goods entering the country. If a seller describes a replica as authentic, that is a legal problem for the seller, not just a quality problem for you. Buyers who want the Datejust 31 look without the genuine price should confirm exactly what they are purchasing and keep the description on record.
Common Questions About the Fake Rolex 278271
Is the 278271 easy to authenticate?
Not from photos alone. The diamond setting and Everose tone help, but the movement and caseback inspection settle it.
Do high end replicas use real diamonds?
Rarely. Most use cubic zirconia or low grade stones, even when a seller claims otherwise.
Does a smooth sweep mean a watch is genuine?
No. Plenty of replicas run at 4 Hz. Use the crown feel, date change, and movement finish instead.