Watch Paparazzi Logo
Watch Paparazzi
royalSpotted November 2022

Royal Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim spotted wearing a Rolex

royal Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim spotted wearing a Rolex 116595RBOW
Who & what: 18K Everose Gold Rolex Daytona 'Rainbow' Ref. 116595RBOW with Diamond Rainbow Bezel and Pavé Dial

The Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim — widely known as TMJ and one of the most prominent and outspoken members of Malaysian royalty — was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Daytona Rainbow in 18K Everose gold, reference 116595RBOW. The sighting immediately drew attention among collectors and watch followers across social media, where TMJ commands a substantial and engaged following.

The Rolex Daytona 116595RBOW is among the most technically ambitious watches in the current Rolex lineup. Its 40mm Everose gold case is powered by Calibre 4130, the brand's proprietary self-winding chronograph movement featuring a column wheel and vertical clutch, offering a 72-hour power reserve. The bezel is set with 36 baguette-cut sapphires in a carefully graduated spectral sequence — from warm yellows and oranges through to deep purples and blues — a stone-by-stone colour progression that demands extraordinary precision from Rolex's in-house gem-setters. The dial itself is fully pavé-set with diamonds, leaving almost no metal surface visible.

First introduced at Baselworld 2018, the 116595RBOW caused an immediate sensation. Rolex had previously released rainbow bezels on the Daytona in precious metal, but the Everose variant elevated the concept further. The reference became near-instantly unobtainable at retail, cementing its status as one of the defining grail watches of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Collectors prize it for the combination of legitimate horological credibility — Calibre 4130 is universally respected — with an uncompromising level of gem-setting artistry rarely seen outside dedicated jewellery houses.

TMJ is no casual watch wearer. The Prince of Johor has long been associated with serious horology, and his choices tend to reflect considered taste rather than conspicuous accumulation. Wearing the 116595RBOW signals an appreciation for pieces that sit at the intersection of watchmaking and high jewellery — a category Rolex commands more quietly than its competitors.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Daytona Rainbow 116595RBOW has traded at remarkable premiums. Auction results have reached into the £250,000 range, and grey-market valuations remain substantially above retail. For a watch that carries genuine Rolex manufacture credentials, the numbers reflect both scarcity and enduring desirability.

More watches like this

Other celebrities spotted with the same brand, model or star