THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 4611
YEAR: 1976
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 24X33MM
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—or 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.
The present example, reference 4611, dates to 1976 and features one of the most luxurious configurations within the King Midas lineup. The full 18k white gold case is crowned by a wonderful lapis lazuli dial, which remains spotless on this watch. The simple “MIDAS” (in Greek) printing and two-hand layout leave plenty of space for the lapis stone to display its mesmerising natural patterns. Three rows of diamonds are set on each side of the dial along the lugs, while the extremely heavy integrated bracelet is a work of art in itself, completed by a hidden clasp.
The watch has barely been worn over its lifetime. There are minimal marks on the case, and the bracelet and clasp are both in near-new condition. The ultra-thin manual-wind movement arrived in great health and is running at +5 s/day, with an amplitude of 261° and a beat error of 0.4 ms.
An ultra-rare—and not-so-low-key—Rolex from the 1970s that we are extremely proud to present.