Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1962
    Reference No: 9630
    Case No: 878'656
    Model Name: King Midas
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 650, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex King Midas bracelet
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 27mm. Width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex King Midas, reference 9630, was launched in the early 1960s to pay tribute to the mythical “King with the Midas Touch”, with a design inspired by the iconic Greek Pantheon temple. It was an extraordinary luxury watch made by Rolex thanks to the lavish use of solid gold for its thick yet supple bracelet links. Consequently, it was Rolex’s most expensive watch, and the “no compromises” use of gold made it the heaviest gold wristwatch on the market.

    Sometimes mistaken for being part of the Cellini product line, the King Midas was indeed a stand alone model.

    The most famous King Midas was offered to Elvis Presley from The Houston Livestock Show Officers, celebrating his six consecutive days of sold-out concerts in 1970. With number 343, it is on permanent display at his home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. Made in only 1000 pieces, the present example bears N°161.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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162

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 9630
An unusual, rare and limited edition yellow gold asymmetrical wristwatch with bracelet

1962
27mm. Width
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF3,000 - 5,000 
€2,800-4,600
$3,100-5,200

Sold for CHF10,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016