Spotted: Dhanda Nyoliwala’s ₹17 Lakh Rolex Datejust, and Why the Datejust Is Suddenly Everywhere

Dhanda Nyoliwala recently drew attention wearing a Rolex Datejust reported to be worth around ₹17 lakh. But the more interesting part isn’t the price tag. It’s the model itself.

The Datejust is one of Rolex's most recognisable watches, and it keeps turning up on wrists across India's music and entrepreneur circles for reasons that have very little to do with any one celebrity. Here's what's actually going on.

Dhanda Nyoliwala's Rolex Datejust: What We Know

Dhanda Nyoliwala, the Haryanvi singer known for tracks like “Illegal” and “Ego Killer,” was seen performing in a Rolex Datejust that social media posts, including Elite Hours’ own celebrity-spotting series, valued at approximately ₹17 lakh. That figure has not been confirmed by an independent retailer or by Rolex, so it should be read as a reported estimate rather than an official price.

Based on visible design cues, the watch appears to be a steel and white gold Datejust with a fluted bezel, a configuration Rolex sells in both 36mm and 41mm cases. The exact reference cannot be confirmed from available images, but the reported price lines up closely with current market pricing for that combination.

Why the Rolex Datejust Is Everywhere Right Now

Walk into any circle of Indian musicians, entrepreneurs or collectors right now and the Datejust shows up more than almost any other Rolex. Part of it is visibility. Punjabi and Haryanvi artists have increasingly worn Rolex on stage and in music videos, and the Datejust's steel and gold versions photograph well under concert lighting without looking as loud as a diamond-set piece.

Part of it is practicality. Unlike a dress watch that only works with a suit, or a dive watch that reads casual, the Datejust sits comfortably in both worlds. That makes it a natural choice for people who wear one watch for everything: business meetings, stage performances, weddings.

And part of it is simple recognition. Even someone with no interest in watches can usually identify a Rolex Datejust on sight, which matters when the watch is meant to be seen, not just worn.

What Makes the Rolex Datejust So Recognisable?

A few details define the look. The Cyclops lens, the small magnifying bubble over the date window, was introduced specifically to make the date easier to read, and it remains one of the most identifiable features in all of watchmaking. The fluted bezel, when present, is another signature, originally functional and now purely aesthetic on most models.

Datejust bracelets come in three main styles: Oyster (sportier, flat links), Jubilee (five-piece links, dressier), and President (reserved for precious-metal models). Case sizes run from 31mm to 41mm, and dials range from plain steel to colour options like mint green and olive. The proportions stay close to Rolex's original 1945 design, which is part of why the watch reads as classic rather than trendy.

Why Does a Rolex Datejust Cost ₹17 Lakh?

Not every Datejust costs ₹17 lakh, and that number only makes sense once you know the configuration. Rolex's official India pricing for the Datejust starts around ₹7.5 lakh for a steel 31mm model and climbs past ₹55 lakh for gem-set precious-metal versions. A steel and white gold 41mm with a fluted bezel, similar to what Dhanda Nyoliwala appears to be wearing, typically retails new in the ₹14 to ₹16 lakh range in India, with pre-owned examples often priced close to or slightly below that depending on condition and availability.

Elite Hours currently lists a comparable pre-owned Rolex Datejust 41 (ref. 126334) in Oystersteel and white gold with a fluted bezel and black dial, in like-new condition, at ₹16,25,000, which sits right around the reported ₹17 lakh figure. That gap between new retail and secondary-market pricing is normal for Rolex, where demand often keeps pre-owned prices close to retail.

Is the Rolex Datejust a Good Everyday Luxury Watch?

This isn’t a case of one watch being better than another. It’s about what the Datejust is built to do. Buyers tend to use it as a daily piece that also works for formal occasions, rather than a watch reserved for special events. Its size range and dial variety mean it can lean traditional with a white dial and fluted bezel, or slightly more contemporary with a colour dial and smooth bezel. That flexibility is why it keeps showing up on wrists that otherwise have very different styles. Browsing pre-owned luxury watches side by side is often the fastest way to see how much that flexibility varies by configuration.

The Rolex Datejust Is Bigger Than the ₹17 Lakh Price Tag

Whatever the final number on Dhanda Nyoliwala’s watch turns out to be, the more useful story is why a design Rolex introduced eight decades ago still fits comfortably into a Haryanvi music video, a boardroom, or a wedding. The Datejust wasn’t built to chase trends, and that may be exactly why it keeps appearing in them. If you’re thinking about buying one, our guide on how to buy a pre-owned Rolex in India without getting cheated is a useful place to start, and if you already own a Rolex sitting unworn, you can also sell your luxury watch through Elite Hours directly.