18ct white gold Rolex, reference 4316 King Midas wristwatch. Made 1976
18ct white gold Rolex, reference 4316 King Midas wristwatch. Made 1976
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Information
- Brand: Rolex
- Made: 1976
- Model: King Midas
- Reference: 4316
- Calibre: 651
- Movement: Manual
- Material: 18ct white gold
- Features/complications: N/A
- Dial: Square white gold dial featuring applied white gold crown Rolex logo at 12 o'clock and white gold baton hands
- Case dimensions: 24 x 24mm
- Bracelet/strap: Integrated 18ct white gold 'ribbed' bracelet, length approximately 168mm
- Accessories: N/A
- SKU: 3085
Essay
Based on the Greek Pantheon temple, this watch takes its name from King Midas in Greek Mythology, who had the ability to turn anything he touched into gold. The first model within this collection was the King Midas reference 9630, released in 1964. Living up to its name, the King Midas was, the most expensive Rolex watch available at the time and was designed by the legendary watch designer, Gérald Genta.
Crafted from blocks of 18ct white gold or 18ct yellow gold and each watch weighed between 150 and 200 grams. The winding crown was fashioned to look like the sun, while the words KING MIDAS are engraved into the case sides framing the sun-like crown.
Introduced in 1964, the first King Midas model, the reference 9630, was limited to 1,000 pieces, followed by the reference 3580 in the 1970's, which was also produced in a limited series.
The King himself, Elvis Presley, was given a yellow gold King Midas, reference 9630 after his sold-out shows at the Houston Autodrome in 1970. The watch No.343 currently resides at Graceland, on display for all to admire.