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FHH | The Quirky Backstory Of The Rolex King Midas
The Quirky Backstory Of The Rolex King Midas_1

Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory

Rolex King Midas. Rolex King Midas. Rolex King Midas. Rolex King Midas

23 December 2025

The Quirky Backstory Of The Rolex King Midas

education

by @watches_and_culture

It’s commonly known that in Greek mythology, everything that King Midas touched with his left hand turned to gold. This myth greatly influenced legendary watch designer Gerald Genta when he created the Rolex King Midas. Known for his disruptive design approach, Genta went against the grain and proposed a watch deeply connected to this ancient Greek legend.


 

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Like everything King Midas touched with his left hand, the watch was crafted from a single block of 18k gold, including both the case and the bracelet, making it at the time the heaviest watch ever offered for sale. The crown is positioned on the left side of the case, meaning the watch was intended to be worn on the right wrist and operated with the left hand. In doing so, the wearer symbolically embodies King Midas himself.


 

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This asymmetrical case design was also inspired by Greek architecture, specifically the Pantheon temple. The crown placed on top was deliberately shaped to represent the sun shining over the sacred site, further reinforcing the mythological symbolism.


 

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To complete this strong link with Greek mythology, the watch was delivered in a unique presentation box shaped like an ancient amphora. Such an exclusive timepiece was logically worn by royalty of a different kind: the king of western movies John Wayne, the king of Rock ’n’ Roll Elvis Presley, and the king of pop The Weeknd.


 

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After its initial limited release, the model was later integrated into Rolex’s Cellini collection. While less exclusive, it retained its uniquely sculpted gold case. Today, the Rolex King Midas remains a rare sight — one of the most original and unconventional watches ever produced by the brand.
FUN FACT: 
With fewer than 1,000 pieces made, the King Midas is one of only two or three limited, numbered Rolex watches ever produced.
 

Picture 1: A modified picture courtesy of Hodinkee