ROLEX Midas Ref. 4315 WG – 1976
The King Midas, launched in 1962, is a legendary limited edition designed by the iconic Gerald Genta. Named after the mythical King Midas, who was said to turn everything he touched with his left hand into gold, the watch pays homage to this myth with its unique design. Notably, the crown—shaped like the sun—is positioned on the left side of the square case, a nod to the Midas legend. The first King Midas reference was 9630, part of a total production run of 1,000 pieces, which included later references like 3580 and 4315. Remarkably, the unique numbering for each watch continued across all models, with the number 3051 engraved on the back of the upper strap of this particular piece. This King Midas is crafted from white gold and remains in excellent condition, featuring sharp edges and well-defined lines. Dating back to 1976, it appears to have never been polished, preserving its original form. In its time, the King Midas was 50% more expensive than the Day-Date, and it held the title of the heaviest gold watch on the market. Despite its prestige and exclusivity, it remains surprisingly affordable today, especially considering how rare the white gold King Midas is.