A solid eighteen carat white and yellow gold Rolex "King Midas" manual wind wristwatch. Love it or hate it, this watch is very difficult to ignore. The quality of the make, and the richness in the design and construction speaks for itself. The design may seem like a child of the 1970's. However, the King Midas first appeared in a Rolex catalog as early as 1962. Given its very bold and daring design, especially when compared to every other model that Rolex was launching or running in their line at this time, the watch must have appeared to have come from another planet.
As it may seem given the lavish name, the watch is a very hefty study in gold work. The fully integrated, and masterfully made bracelet melds seamlessly into the asymmetric case beautifully. This, exceptionally rare version found in both yellow and white gold looks so eye catching on the wrist, it is hard to distinguish from gold bracelet, or wristwatch.
At the time, the watch was essentially out of reach for most watch buyers. Coming in at 50% more than the then most expensive watch in the Rolex collection, the Day-Date, the advertising was equally unabashed;
"Never before - a watch so daringly new, so outrageously different, so harmoniously classical. Named after the legendary king with the golden touch, sculpted from a block of solid 18ct gold, the King Midas is a watch designed for the most discriminating people in the world. Each watch is a wonderfully solid mass of gold, very, very heavy and ...very, very expensive."
It enjoyed celebrity status, with Elvis Presley being presented one on 1970. The King for the King! this example is from 1971, so just after Elvis was wearing his this entered into the market. It was also on the wrist of the "Duke", John Wayne. Two impossibly bold and iconic men of their time would think to wear nothing else.
This present example is in superb condition throughout, having been worn very little. The bracelet is as tight as the day it was made. On the underside is the unique, hand engraved number, with only one thousand having been made, this one is in the third quarter of its production. The hand stamped model and reference numbers are opposite on the other side of the bracelet. This was quite special fro Rolex, as only the 5100 Oyster Quartz was to be given a hand engraved issue number.
The dial itself is a sheet of white gold featuring an applied white gold Rolex coronet, and the Midas name spelled out in Greek script, with "Swiss" in the customary six o'clock position, very clean, and in perfect untouched condition. Another interesting and unique feature to this watch is the hand engraving of King Midas into the side of the case either side of the unique saw blade crown.
The movement is an eighteen jewel, manual wind caliber 650, adjusted to five positions, also in superb condition, and working perfectly. As touched upon earlier, the tapered integrated bracelet is a work of art, and is almost manacle like in its feel on the wrist. The clasp is also unique to this watch with an unfolding mechanism from the center revels a solid eighteen carat white gold center piece, surrounded by two, more sturdy pieces of stainless steel, all original, and all signed. Once snapped into place a Rolex coronet covers the seem on both sides.
This bi-metal example is perhaps one of only a very very small handful made as none have seemingly appeared recently to market, or show up on internet searches. This exceptional watch is certainly not for everyone. But, in the world of Rolex collecting surely its most expensive, and perhaps outlandish watch ever created deserves its place upon the throne of brand history.
