Entrepreneur Fawaz Mubarak Al-Hasawi spotted wearing a Rolex

Kuwaiti businessman Fouaz Mubarak Al-Hasawi was recently photographed wearing an extraordinary custom yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, a timepiece that exemplifies the brand's pinnacle of bespoke gemstone customisation. The watch, visible on his wrist in casual portraiture, showcases Rolex's ability to transcend its standard catalogue offerings for discerning collectors willing to commission truly unique pieces.

The underlying reference is a yellow gold Daytona with a 40mm Oyster case housing the automatic Caliber 4130 chronograph movement—Rolex's in-house workhorse for the Daytona line since 2000. The movement delivers a 72-hour power reserve and maintains chronometric precision across the three subsidiary dials. The custom specification departs radically from production variants: the bezel features ruby baguette inlays instead of standard tachymeter printing, while the sunburst dial is set with baguette-cut diamonds and diamond hour markers. The yellow gold Oyster bracelet features additional diamond setting at the lugs and clasp, a labour-intensive modification performed by specialised Rolex ateliers. Water resistance remains 100 metres, standard for the Daytona line.

Out-of-catalogue Daytona pieces with significant gemstone work occupy a distinct tier in the collector hierarchy. Baguette ruby bezels and diamond dials are rarely seen in production, making bespoke commissions especially coveted among ultra-high-net-worth collectors. The technical execution—precise stone setting without compromising the case's finishing—demands master-level craftsmanship. Such watches trade almost exclusively through private channels rather than authorised dealers.

Al-Hasawi's choice reflects the Daytona's unmatched cachet in the Gulf region, where yellow gold sports watches remain symbols of success and taste. The Cosmograph Daytona continues to command extraordinary secondary-market premiums, with non-gemstone examples routinely exceeding $35,000 to $50,000 above retail depending on condition and rarity.

This particular example, estimated at approximately $1.35 million USD (4.2 million KWD) on the grey market, underscores how Rolex's greatest value often lies not in its catalogue offerings but in its willingness to realise the most ambitious custom visions for its most privileged clientele.