THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 4315
YEAR: 1976
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 27X28.5MM
CASE MATERIAL: 18K WHITE GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: 18K WHITE GOLD
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND
In the 1970s, a young Gérald Genta designed two of the most iconic watches in quick succession—the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus—both featuring stainless steel integrated bracelet cases and uniquely avant-garde silhouettes. However, this was not Genta’s first experiment with integrated bracelet design. In fact, he began over a decade earlier with the Rolex reference 9610 “King Midas,” which featured an asymmetrical case design.
The watch was appropriately named after the King of Phrygia in Greek mythology, who had the ability to turn everything he touched into gold with his left finger (hence the saw-tooth crown on the left), perhaps because only King Midas himself could afford it. Indeed, the full 18k gold Midas was the most expensive watch in the Rolex catalogue at the time—nearly double the price of a full gold Day-Date, and enough to purchase most of the stainless steel models in the range. The original release was limited to around 800 watches. The model was subsequently incorporated into the Cellini lineup, but over the following two decades it is believed that only around 6,000 pieces were ever produced.
This example sits in the third series, the 4315. A few changes were made for the 4315 and 4609, mainly to the bracelet. It became slimmer at 3 mm and featured a single-lock clasp. If you’ve ever worn a series one or two Midas, the third series wears and feels like a different watch—more balanced in weight. The keen-eyed among you will notice that this has a diamond-set case, which is correct for the ref. 4609. The setting isn’t factory, but was done in period and to a high standard. This was common, as factory-set watches were significantly more expensive.
The watch is in outstanding condition, with no signs of polishing, and the bracelet is full length. It will accommodate a 19 cm wrist.
The Cal. 651 movement has just been serviced and is running at +5 s/d, 270 amplitude, with a beat error of 0.3 ms.