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

Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor and a figure well known in serious watch circles, was photographed wearing what is arguably the most technically ambitious custom Rolex Daytona ever produced by Geneva-based atelier Artisans De Genève. The piece — known as 'The Barrichello Gold Project' — was worn at what appears to be a formal event, its rose gold bracelet catching the light against a sharp black suit.

Artisans De Genève, founded in 2012, has built its reputation on doing precisely what Rolex will not: opening up the Calibre 4130 movement inside the Daytona and transforming it into a high-finishing showcase. The 'Barrichello Gold Project' takes this philosophy to its apex. The entire dial side of the movement is skeletonised by hand, with bridges and plates reshaped, bevelled, and hand-polished to Geneva Stripes standard. The rose gold applied indices and hands are bespoke, and the black ceramic tachymetre bezel — sourced from a production Rolex 116500LN base — provides the necessary contrast to make the open movement readable. The case and integrated Oyster bracelet are rendered in 18k Everose gold, consistent with the ref. 116505 donor platform.

The horological significance of this project extends beyond aesthetics. Skeletonising the Cal. 4130 is notoriously complex: Rolex engineers the movement with tight tolerances and minimal excess material, leaving little room for the removal of metal without compromising structural integrity. That Artisans De Genève executes this reliably — and with finishing that rivals independent maisons — explains why their waiting lists run long and their commissions attract royalty and racing legends alike.

The 'Barrichello Gold Project' takes its name from two-time Formula 1 vice-champion Rubens Barrichello, who collaborated directly with the atelier on the concept. The project underscores Artisans De Genève's strategy of pairing iconic sports personalities with landmark horological commissions, elevating both parties' profiles in the process.

As a bespoke, one-of-a-kind commission, this piece carries no official retail price. Grey-market equivalents of Artisans De Genève skeleton Daytonas — far less elaborate than this project — regularly trade above $150,000 USD. The 'Barrichello Gold Project' in Everose gold, given its provenance and complexity, would conservatively exceed $200,000 in any private transaction. For the Crown Prince of Johor, it is a watch that reflects both connoisseurship and access.