Royal Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim spotted wearing a Artisans De Genève

Spotted at what appears to be an outdoor motorsport-adjacent event, Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim of Johor — known widely as TMJ — is seen wearing one of the most talked-about Rolex customizations in recent collector memory: the Artisans De Genève Cosmograph Daytona 'La Barrichello,' based on the Rolex reference 116520.

Artisans De Genève is a Geneva-based atelier founded by Yan Dorol that specializes in bespoke transformations of existing Rolex calibers. The 'La Barrichello' project was born from a direct commission by Brazilian F1 driver Rubens Barrichello, who wanted his Daytona 116520 reimagined as an open-worked tribute to the mechanical precision of grand prix racing. Artisans De Genève hand-skeletonized the dial to reveal the architecture of the Rolex Cal. 4130 automatic chronograph movement beneath — an operation requiring extraordinary delicacy given that the movement was not originally designed for display. The black DLC-treated case and bracelet, ceramic tachymetre bezel, and red-accented subdial hands reinforce the motorsport aesthetic without crossing into vulgarity.

From a collector standpoint, the 'La Barrichello' occupies a fascinating niche. Purists debate the ethics of modifying a Rolex — the brand voids any warranty, and the resale narrative becomes tied to the atelier rather than the manufacture. Yet the craftsmanship Artisans De Genève brings is genuinely haute horlogerie: the skeletonization is executed by hand under magnification, preserving full chronograph functionality. Provenance matters here too; editions directly tied to Barrichello carry documented motorsport history.

Tunku Ismail is no stranger to serious watches. The Crown Prince of Johor maintains a publicly visible collection that spans independent watchmakers and major maisons alike. His choice of the 'La Barrichello' — wearing it casually with Nike and a Mercedes-Benz cap — signals both his comfort with unconventional horology and an apparent personal affinity for motorsport culture.

At a listed price of approximately $46,700, the Artisans De Genève Daytona 'La Barrichello' sits well above the current grey-market premium on a standard 116520, reflecting the bespoke labor premium and the atelier's growing global reputation. Secondary market interest in signed ADG pieces has increased steadily as the workshop gains international visibility through high-profile placements like this one.