Royal Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim spotted wearing a Rolex

The Crown Prince of Johor, General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim — widely known as TMJ — was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Sky-Dweller in 18kt yellow gold with a champagne dial, reference 326938. Known for his outspoken personality and high-profile social media presence, TMJ made a watch choice here that is as technically serious as it is visually commanding.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 is among the most technically demanding pieces in the entire Rolex catalogue. Introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller was the brand's first truly new complication in decades, built around the in-house Calibre 9001 — a 42-jewel, bidirectional self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement incorporates an annual calendar using the patented Saros system, which displays the month via 12 apertures on the dial's flange ring, and a GMT second time zone indicated by an off-centre 24-hour disc. Crucially, all three functions are set through a single ingenious mechanism: rotating the bezel through three distinct positions. In the 326938 configuration, the 42mm case, fluted bezel, and Oyster bracelet are all rendered in solid 18kt yellow gold — a full yellow gold execution that adds appreciable weight and presence to the wrist.

Among collectors, the Sky-Dweller occupies a distinctive position. It is simultaneously one of Rolex's most underappreciated complications from a horological standpoint and one of its most commercially recognisable luxury statements. The full yellow gold Oyster bracelet variant is particularly sought after for its cohesive, monolithic look. The champagne dial on ref. 326938 amplifies that warmth, giving the piece a decidedly formal, almost aristocratic register.

TMJ is no stranger to high-end horology and has been photographed wearing a range of significant references over the years. His choice of the Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 signals an appreciation for mechanical complexity beyond the usual Daytona or Submariner conversation — the Sky-Dweller rewards those who understand what is actually happening beneath the dial.

At a UK list price of approximately £33,950, the Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 in 18kt yellow gold sits firmly in Rolex's upper tier. On the grey market, demand for full-gold Sky-Dweller references remains steady, with prices historically hovering at or modestly above retail — a reflection of both genuine desirability and the relative accessibility of this reference compared to sportier steel models.