A fake Rolex 278273 is a replica of the Datejust 31 in two-tone Oystersteel and yellow gold, the 31mm model with a fluted bezel and a Jubilee bracelet. The reference number 278273 belongs to the genuine Rolex, so any watch sold under it is either the real thing or a copy built to look like it. Good replicas match the case shape, dial print, and bracelet feel; weak ones miss the bezel cut, the date window, or both.
What the Genuine 278273 Looks Like
The 278273 sits in the Datejust 31 line, the smallest Datejust in the current Rolex catalog. It pairs a 31mm Oyster case in Oystersteel with an 18k yellow gold fluted bezel and a two-tone Jubilee bracelet. Inside is the Caliber 2236, a self-winding movement with a Syloxi hairspring and about 55 hours of power reserve.
- Case: 31mm Oystersteel, water resistant to 100m
- Bezel: 18k yellow gold, fluted or smooth
- Crystal: sapphire with a Cyclops lens over the date
- Dial: sunray, mother of pearl, or diamond-set options
- Bracelet: Jubilee, steel outer links, gold center links
Genuine examples trade on the secondary market for five figures in US dollars, which is the reason the replica market exists.
Why Buyers Search for a Fake 278273
Most people hunting for a fake 278273 want the look of a two-tone Datejust at a price far below retail. The 31mm size also suits wrists that a 36mm or 41mm Datejust swallows, and that narrow size is harder to find in stores, so buyers turn to copies instead.
Expect a wide quality gap. Two watches with the same listing photos can come from different factories, different steel, and different movements.
How to Spot a Bad Fake 278273
Replica quality varies more than any other factor, so check these points before you pay.
- Bezel fluting. The genuine fluted bezel has sharp, deep cuts that throw light in narrow bands. Cheap fakes have shallow, rounded grooves that look soft under a lamp.
- Date magnification. Rolex uses a 2.5x Cyclops lens. On low-grade copies the date looks small and the lens shows a blue or purple glare ring.
- Dial print. Compare the coronet shape and the weight of the ROLEX and OYSTER PERPETUAL lettering. Fat or blurry text is the most common giveaway.
- Bracelet. Center links should match the bezel gold in tone. Plated links turn pale or flake at the clasp and along the link edges.
- Movement. A smooth second hand that sweeps at 28,800 beats per hour points to a better caliber. A ticking hand means quartz, and quartz is not a serious replica.
- Case profile. Lugs should flow into the bracelet with even gaps. Wide or uneven gaps show a cheap case.
Materials Used in Better Replicas
Two steel grades dominate the replica market: 316L and 904L. The genuine watch uses 904L, a harder alloy that takes a brighter polish, and top-tier copies match it. Mid-tier copies use 316L, which looks close but scratches sooner.
Gold is the bigger problem. Rolex uses solid 18k gold for the bezel and center links. Replicas use plating, gold wrap, or PVD, and each option wears at a different rate. Plated bezels show steel or brass at the corners within a year of regular wear.
Movement Options Inside a Replica 278273
The 31mm case is small, so the movement has to be small as well. Most replicas use a clone of the ETA 2671, an automatic caliber that fits the narrow case and runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Swiss-made versions of the same movement cost more and hold time better over months.
- Asian 2671 clone: common, cheap to service, decent timekeeping
- Swiss ETA 2671: smoother winding, tighter rate
- Decorated clones: rotor and bridges engraved to imitate a Rolex caliber
Ask the seller for the beat rate and the power reserve. A replica that stops overnight has a tired mainspring or a worn movement.
What a Fake 278273 Costs
Replica Datejust 31 watches fall into three price bands. Entry-level copies sit under $100 and show it in the bezel, the dial, and the bracelet. Mid-range copies run from about $150 to $300 and fix most visual flaws. Top-tier builds land between $400 and $800 and are the ones worth comparing side by side against photos of the real reference.
Anything far above that range is either a genuine watch or a seller charging extra for the same factory output. Always ask for photos of the exact watch, not catalog renders.
Size and Fit on the Wrist
The Datejust 31 measures 31mm across, so it wears small and reads as a dress watch on most arms. The Jubilee bracelet tapers into a compact clasp, which keeps the two-tone look balanced on wrists from roughly 5.5 to 7 inches. A 31mm replica that feels heavy and top-balanced has a case that is too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fake Rolex 278273 waterproof?
Treat it as splash resistant at best. Case gaskets fail first on replicas, so keep the watch out of pools and showers even when the listing claims 100m.
Does a replica 278273 use real gold?
No. The bezel and center links are plated, wrapped, or coated. Solid 18k gold shows up only on the genuine watch.
How do I tell a replica from a real Datejust 31?
Check the date magnification, the crispness of the bezel flutes, and the gold tone next to the steel. A watchmaker can open the case back and name the movement in minutes.
Is it legal to buy a replica watch in the US?
Buying a counterfeit for personal use is a gray area, but importing, shipping, or selling one as genuine breaks US trademark law. Never resell a replica as a real Rolex.
Before You Buy
Ask for photos of the exact watch, a short video of the running second hand, and the movement name. Compare those shots to official images of the 278273. If the seller dodges the request, walk away.