Rolex King Midas Model 9630 18 KT Gold

Introducing the illustrious King Midas, a magnificent timepiece first unveiled in 1962. This limited edition watch was conceptualized and brought to life by the renowned designer, Gerald Genta. The watch garners inspiration from the iconic silhouette of the Greek Pantheon, which explains its artful and rather elelgant watch look. Its unique asymmetric design effectively mirrors the architectural structure of the well-known public building of Ancient Rome, complete with its distinctively ornamented, majestic columns.

An interesting aspect of The King Midas is the placement of its crown on the left side, a nod to the mythical Greek king, Midas, who was rumoured to be able to transmorph anything he first made contact with using his left hand into solid gold. This symbolic aspect combined with the watch's substantial weight - a hefty 200 grams of unadulterated gold - led to its launch price being a considerable third higher than a typical Rolex Day-date.

Worth noting is that the model 9630 represents the original King Midas watch. While it was widely speculated that 1000 models were initially produced, the real figures reveal a less than 800 production in total during the period from 1962 to 1972. A count of 144 units were immaculately crafted in 18-carat white gold, while a fraction - a very small one - came complemented with diamond-accented dials. The predominantly favoured variant was the 18-carat yellow gold model, with approximately 500 units thought to have been created, positioning the popularity of this series in sync with the year of this timepiece, identifying it as one of the final models to be crafted.

A remarkable element of the King Midas watch is its meticulous hand-crafted precision. Each unit was independently forged by professional goldsmiths with such profound experience and finesse that each model slightly differed in terms of weight and finish.The indents on the crown of the timepiece are designed to beautifully mimic the setting of the sun over the Greek temple. The engraving is done in a detailed manner to represent the iconic Greek Pantheon, adding to its charm.

Not all might know about the first approximately 250 pieces that did not bear the "KING MIDAS" inscription on the case, particularly on the crown side. This detail was later introduced to this luxuriant watch. As they were entirely hand-made, it's still possible to spot that the engravings on the cases slightly differ in appearance and position, providing an interesting and authentic tribute to the unique handmade characteristics of the timepiece.

This awe-inspiring blend of mythology and craftsmanship, of impeccable design and artisanal expertise, makes the King Midas a timeless and treasured piece, a watch that stands the test of time both metaphorically and literally, just like the fabled King Midas himself.