Royal Crown Prince and Regent of Johor spotted wearing a Rolex

The Crown Prince of Johor was recently photographed wearing a strikingly rare Rolex Daytona Ref. 126599TRU, a white gold chronograph customised from the factory with an exceptional gemstone configuration. The watch features 36 baguette-cut rubies set into the bezel and 11 ruby hour markers integrated into the dial, a specification virtually unseen in public sightings and rarely offered through standard Rolex channels.

The Daytona Ref. 126599TRU is built on the modern 40mm Oyster case in 18k white gold, housing the in-house Rolex Calibre 4130—a self-winding chronograph movement with column wheel and vertical clutch, chronometer-certified and capable of 72 hours of power reserve. The black lacquered dial presents three sub-dials in contrasting white, whilst the ruby hour markers and bezel stones lend an uncommon aesthetic to an already elite sports watch. Water resistance extends to 100 metres, standard for the Daytona line. The Oyster bracelet, also in white gold with a solid three-link construction, anchors the timepiece with appropriate heft and presence.

The Rolex Daytona has long been the pinnacle of chronograph collecting, with references like the 126599TRU occupying the apex of desirability. Factory-set gemstone variants—particularly those with rubies rather than diamonds—remain deeply scarce, making this example a singular acquisition within the collector market. Rolex's off-catalog customisation services, available to select clientele, have produced fewer than 50 documented examples of this specific configuration.

The Crown Prince's affinity for haute horlogerie aligns with the watch's rarity and the wearer's status; the Daytona functions as a statement of both technical mastery and bespoke luxury. This particular sighting underscores how the Daytona's cultural cache transcends geography, resonating with royalty and collectors across continents.

The Ref. 126599TRU trades in the private market at approximately $1.4 million USD, well above the standard white gold Daytona's retail anchor of $72,000. Scarcity, gemstone provenance, and documentation of ownership drive valuations; this example's royal provenance will likely amplify future desirability and market positioning.