73 Rolex Precious and Massive, King Midas, Wristwatch in White Gold, With Black Roman Numbers Dial, Reference 4316
Estimate: €12,000 – 24,000
Sold (Premium)€19,500
Model: King Midas
Reference: 4316
Case Material: White Gold
Bracelet Material: White Gold
Year: 1976
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 651
Case N°: 4 276 123 N° 3964
Dimensions: 23 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
The Rolex Midas watches are very unusual and yet iconic in design and are universally known to be lavish and equipped with heavy bracelets. Mida’s style is absolutely unique and doesn’t look like anything from the Oyster collection. The celebrated “Midas” series was designed by the renowned Gérald Genta and launched in the late 1960s with the ref. 9630 in a limited edition of 1000 examples followed by ref. 3580, also produced in a limited series. The cases were made from a block of 18K yellow or white gold and, at the moment of its creation, was Rolex’s most expensive model and considered the heaviest gold wristwatch on the market. It is considered to be one of the favorites among the stars: in James Bond’s “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974), Christopher Lee, who played the villain Francisco Scaramanga, used to wear a King Midas. But the most famous King Midas was owned by the King of rock ’n’ roll, Elvis Presley who used to wear a ref. 9630 while performing six shows at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1970. The example here offered is a valuable example of reference 4316, fully realized in 18 kt white gold and preserved in great conditions. Very solid and precious, this watch is equipped with satin silvered, black Roman indexes dial. The present lot fashions in incredible style and certainly is the perfect fit for the forthright collector of showstopper timepieces.