Royal Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim spotted wearing a Rolex

Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, better known as TMJ — Crown Prince of Johor and one of Malaysia's most publicly visible royals — was recently spotted on the wrist with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 in 18k yellow gold, fitted with the brand's striking green dial. For a figure who moves between military duties, football club ownership, and high-profile social appearances, the choice of watch speaks volumes.

The Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 represents the top tier of the modern steel-free Daytona family. Introduced as part of Rolex's ongoing refinement of the Cosmograph line, the 116508 houses the calibre 4130 — a completely in-house movement developed over a decade and introduced in 2000. The 4130 is a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph with a 72-hour power reserve, widely regarded as one of the most reliable and technically accomplished chronograph movements in serial production. The 40mm yellow gold case pairs with a matching yellow gold bracelet and three-register layout that traces its DNA directly to the 1963 original.

The green dial variant of the 116508 occupies a particular place in collector culture. Rolex introduced the color as part of its centenary celebrations and periodic dial refreshes, and the green-on-gold combination draws inevitable comparisons to the legendary Paul Newman Daytonas of the 1960s in terms of visual drama, if not vintage pedigree. It is consistently one of the harder configurations to source at retail, and its secondary market premiums reflect that scarcity.

TMJ is no stranger to serious horology. The Crown Prince has been photographed across a wide spectrum of references over the years, from sportswear-grade Rolexes to high-complication independents. His willingness to wear and publicly share his collection has made him one of the more genuinely engaged watch enthusiasts among global royalty — not simply a passive owner of inherited pieces.

At UK list price, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 in yellow gold with green dial sits at £26,750 — a figure that bears little relationship to what buyers actually pay. On the grey market, demand for this reference remains elevated well above retail, driven by the perpetual waitlist culture surrounding Rolex's precious metal Daytona offerings. Collectors looking to acquire one through unofficial channels should budget accordingly.