Property from Mark Cho Collection
969
Rolex
Ref. 4316
Cellini King Midas
An extremely attractive and rare white gold rectangular-shaped wristwatch with bracelet and lapis lazuli dial
- Estimate
- HK$100,000 - 200,000€12,100 - 24,200$12,800 - 25,600
HK$279,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1976
- Reference No
- 4316
- Case No
- 4’288’894, last three digits engraved inside caseback, No. 5545
- Model Name
- Cellini King Midas
- Material
- 18K white gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 651, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K white gold Rolex bracelet, endlinks stamped “721”, max length 175mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 24mm width
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The lavish Rolex King Midas, conceived in the late 1960s, remains a star-studded celebrity darling. The first ref. 9630 was the bold timepiece of choice for Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock n' Roll", and John Wayne, "The Duke". Its daring design sprang from the brilliant mind of Gerald Genta, the iconic watchmaker behind the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Drawing inspiration from the Greek myth, the King Midas architecture reflects his legendary "Midas touch" - the ability to turn anything to gold. The inaugural King Midas references 9630, 3580, and 4315 pioneered a singular case design, with striking asymmetrical lines evoking the majesty of the Parthenon. Accordingly, its ribbed bracelet forms from a single ingot. This Hellenic theme established the Midas aesthetic, though Rolex would later reinterpret the model as part of the refined Cellini collection.
This particular King Midas ref. 4316, part of the Cellini collection, dazzles in white gold with an exotic lapis lazuli dial. Preserved in excellent overall condition, this rare and distinctive timepiece stands out as a treasure amongst vintage Rolex models.
Drawing inspiration from the Greek myth, the King Midas architecture reflects his legendary "Midas touch" - the ability to turn anything to gold. The inaugural King Midas references 9630, 3580, and 4315 pioneered a singular case design, with striking asymmetrical lines evoking the majesty of the Parthenon. Accordingly, its ribbed bracelet forms from a single ingot. This Hellenic theme established the Midas aesthetic, though Rolex would later reinterpret the model as part of the refined Cellini collection.
This particular King Midas ref. 4316, part of the Cellini collection, dazzles in white gold with an exotic lapis lazuli dial. Preserved in excellent overall condition, this rare and distinctive timepiece stands out as a treasure amongst vintage Rolex models.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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