Rolex

Introduced in 1962, the King Midas is one of Rolex’s most distinctive creations, with a history as bold as its design. Initially conceived as a limited-production model before becoming part of the Cellini collection, it was designed by Gérald Genta prior to his work on the Royal Oak and Nautilus. The case draws inspiration from classical Greek architecture, such as the Parthenon, with its angular profile evoking the triangular temple roof, while the bracelet’s ribbed structure recalls the rhythm of its columns.

Continuing this classical theme, the watch was named after the mythological King Midas, famed for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. In a playful nod to the legend, the winding crown was placed on the left side of the case, symbolically aligned with Midas’s “golden touch” with his left hand. The distinctive, saw-tooth crown is further designed to evoke the sun rising above a Greek temple, reinforcing the piece’s architectural inspiration.

The iconic asymmetrical design was later carried forward into the Cellini line with the introduction of reference 4315 in 1977, which featured a number of refinements, including a slimmer bracelet, a single-fold clasp, and caseback screws to facilitate easier bracelet removal.

The King Midas remains one of the most unconventional watches ever produced by Rolex. It was the only model in the brand’s history to feature a left-sided crown until the introduction of the GMT-Master II “Sprite” in 2022. We are therefore pleased to present this highly collectible example at auction, in overall excellent condition with its original case back sticker still intact.