.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The King Midas, designed by the renowned Gérald Genta, prior to his celebrated work on the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet and the Nautilus for Patek Philippe, was first introduced in 1962. Produced throughout the 1960s and later incorporated into the Cellini collection in 1972, the model stands as one of Rolex’s most daring and unconventional creations. Its bold asymmetrical case, inspired by classical Greek architecture, and its left-hand crown evoke the legend of King Midas, whose touch turned everything to gold. At the time of its release, it was priced approximately 30% higher than the Day-Date, then the only other Rolex model crafted entirely in precious metal, making it both the most expensive and among the heaviest gold wristwatches ever produced by the brand.
It is thought that only about 1'000 King Midas watches were made, and only about 144 of them were made in white gold, underscoring the rarity and exclusivity of the present timepiece.
The model’s status was further elevated through its association with cultural icons. Elvis Presley famously owned a yellow gold reference 9630, number 343, gifted to him in 1970 and today preserved at Graceland. Its presence in popular culture was further cemented when Christopher Lee wore a King Midas in his role as Francisco Scaramanga in the 1974 James Bond film 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
It is thought that only about 1'000 King Midas watches were made, and only about 144 of them were made in white gold, underscoring the rarity and exclusivity of the present timepiece.
The model’s status was further elevated through its association with cultural icons. Elvis Presley famously owned a yellow gold reference 9630, number 343, gifted to him in 1970 and today preserved at Graceland. Its presence in popular culture was further cemented when Christopher Lee wore a King Midas in his role as Francisco Scaramanga in the 1974 James Bond film 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.