{"id":35200,"date":"2026-02-26T10:40:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?p=35200"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:40:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:40:49","slug":"gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html","title":{"rendered":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Rolex King Midas is a legendary limited edition timepiece designed by <a href=\"\/rolex-blog\/resources\/gerald-genta-mind-behind-design.html\" title=\"G\u00e9rald Genta\">G\u00e9rald Genta<\/a> in the early 1960s. Carved from a single block of 18k gold and inspired by the Greek Parthenon, it was the heaviest gold watch of its era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time of its release, the King Midas was also the most expensive watch in the Rolex lineup. It cost nearly twice as much as a solid gold Day-Date at just under $3,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What started as a standalone limited series eventually became part of the Cellini family. However, the original reference 9630 remains a cult classic for serious collectors. Elvis Presley owned one. So did John Wayne and the fictional James Bond villain Scaramanga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today the King Midas is one of the most unusual <a href=\"\/vintage-rolex-1.html\" title=\"vintage Rolex watches\">vintage Rolex watches<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Designer:<\/strong> G\u00e9rald Genta. He designed the King Midas before he created the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Material:<\/strong> Carved from a single block of 18k yellow or white gold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Reference:<\/strong> The original Ref. 9630. It was limited to approximately 800 pieces with roughly 144 in white gold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong> A left-handed crown positioned at 9 o&#8217;clock to represent King Midas\u2019s golden touch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Famous Owners:<\/strong> Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Francisco Scaramanga from The Man with the Golden Gun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First for Rolex:<\/strong> One of the first Rolex models to feature a sapphire crystal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide explores why this unconventional Rolex has increased in value and popularity among collectors who appreciate watches that break the mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History and Origins: A G\u00e9rald Genta Design<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9765-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Design\" class=\"wp-image-69347\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Design\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9765-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9765-2-Edit-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9765-2-Edit-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9765-2-Edit-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a title=\"Rolex\" href=\"\/rolex\/\">Rolex<\/a> asked a young G\u00e9rald Genta to design a gold watch fit for a king back in the 1960s. Now keep in mind, this was years before Genta would go on to create the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 1972 or the Patek Philippe Nautilus in 1976. The result was the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Midas\" title=\"King Midas\">King Midas<\/a>. It took its name from the mythological Greek king whose mere touch turned objects into solid gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rolex is also well-known for its rugged tool watches, like the Submariner and Explorer.&nbsp; But the King Midas is nothing like those watches.&nbsp; It was designed more as a jewelry watch or a status symbol. &nbsp;Instead it was crafted to make a statement on the wrists of the elite. Genta took inspiration from the geometric designs of ancient Greece. He created what many consider his earliest masterpiece for a major watch brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design Features: The Midas Touch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The design of the King Midas sets it apart from anything else in the Rolex catalog. It\u2019s wearable art. The asymmetrical case, the placement of the crown.&nbsp; Every bit was intentional and inspired by Green mythology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Asymmetrical Case and Bracelet<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9786-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Case and Bracelet\" class=\"wp-image-69348\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Case and Bracelet\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9786-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9786-2-Edit-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9786-2-Edit-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_3580_5D3_9786-2-Edit-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The King Midas doesn\u2019t look like any other round-cased Rolex. The case is five-sided, sharply angular, and almost architectural. Tilt it with the crown pointing up and it takes the shape of a Greek temple, the grooved bracelet links representing the columns beneath it. Rolex was clearly thinking about the Parthenon here. But instead of making something literal, they turned the idea into a solid block of sculpted gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/beautiful-integrated-bracelets.html\" title=\"integrated bracelet\">integrated bracelet<\/a> uses a brick-link style construction with flat links measuring just under 4mm thick. This nearly matches the slim profile of the case itself. Early references like the 9630 and 3580 featured a double deployant clasp with Rolex crowns on either side. Later models used a single fold-over clasp. The hidden clasp design maintains the seamless appearance of the bracelet. Inside the clasp you will find the engraving &#8220;King Midas by Rolex of Geneva&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Left-Handed Crown<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex King Midas Gold Cellini Gold Watch Case Engraving Winding Crown\" class=\"wp-image-47986\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Dial and Crystal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9806-2-Edit-1-570x380.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll probably instantly notice the crown sitting at 9 o\u2019clock instead of the usual 3. It\u2019s unusual for Rolex, and even today it catches you a bit off guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s tied directly back to Greek mythology. As the story goes, everything King Midas touched with his left hand turned to gold, so Rolex positioned the crown on the left side of the case, encouraging wearer to sport the watch on their right wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The crown is special, too.&nbsp; It\u2019s shaped like a sun with saw-toothed edges to make it easier to grip. The words &#8220;King&#8221; and &#8220;Midas&#8221; are deeply etched into the gold case on either side of the crown to add another layer of detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Dial and Crystal<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Dial and Crystal\" class=\"wp-image-47989\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Dial and Crystal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9757-3-Edit-1-570x380.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In contrast to the bold case and bracelet, the dial is remarkably simple. It features only the essential elements. There\u2019s the hour and minute hands and the Rolex crown logo at 12 o&#8217;clock. On the original Ref. 9630 you also see the Greek letters &#8220;\u039c\u0399\u0394A\u03a3&#8221; (Midas) at 6 o&#8217;clock. Later Cellini versions replaced the Greek lettering and added &#8220;Gen\u00e8ve&#8221; below the Rolex logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The King Midas was also one of the first Rolex models to feature a sapphire crystal. In fact, this watch was using sapphire to protect the case long before Rolex made it the norm on sport models. Back in the mid-\u201960s, that wasn\u2019t common. Acrylic was still the industry standard. Rolex set the crystal flush with the case, making the profile clean and low rather than bulky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Urn Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even the packaging was different. Instead of the standard green Rolex box, the King Midas came in an amphora-shaped case modeled after a Greek urn. It felt more like opening an artifact than a watch. The outer box featured gold and white cardstock decorated with Grecian figures depicting battle scenes. The inner box was crafted from black wood with red embossing in the style of ancient Greek vase paintings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This box has become a highly collectible item on its own. While the boxes could once be found for one or two thousand dollars, complete examples with the urn have reportedly sold for well over ten thousand dollars recently. According to collectors, the original box can significantly impact the value of a King Midas set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Production Numbers and Reference Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9784-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas 9630\" class=\"wp-image-69353\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas 9630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9784-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9784-2-Edit-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9784-2-Edit-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9784-2-Edit-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The early Ref. 9630 isn\u2019t just another <a href=\"\/rolex-cellini-1.html\" title=\"Cellini\">Cellini<\/a> variation. It&#8217;s a rare, limited-edition watch, finished by hand, so no two will ever be identical in weight or finish. Flip the bracelet over, and you\u2019ll see the production number engraved near the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The later Cellini versions started with the Ref. <a href=\"\/rolex\/cellini-3580\" title=\"3580\">3580<\/a> and were integrated into the Rolex dress watch collection. These models can be identified by production numbers of 800 or higher. They also include &#8220;Gen\u00e8ve&#8221; or &#8220;Cellini&#8221; markings on the dial. These watches have the same silhouette, but they\u2019re generally considered less collectible than the original 9630. However the Ref. 3580 is actually rarer with an estimated production of only 500 pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"container-xl pt-4\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div class=\"container-fluid px-4 px-xl-5 py-4 rounded mb-4 shadow\" style=\"background-color: var(--color-white);\">\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n<table class=\"serialNumbers table table-striped\"><tbody><tr><td>Reference &amp; Era<\/td><td>Classification<\/td><td>Key Distinctions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ref. 9630 (1964 \u2013 c. 1972)<\/td><td>King Midas (Limited Series)<\/td><td>The original model limited to fewer than 800 pieces total. Dial reads &#8220;\u039c\u0399\u0394A\u03a3&#8221; in Greek. Typically lacks &#8220;Gen\u00e8ve&#8221; on the dial. Heaviest version at approximately 190g or more.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ref. 3580 (c. 1972 \u2013 1977)<\/td><td>Cellini King Midas (First Mass Production)<\/td><td>Integrated into the Cellini line. &#8220;GEN\u00c8VE&#8221; added to dial below Rolex logo. Even rarer than the 9630 with approximately 500 pieces produced.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ref. 4315 (Late 1970s)<\/td><td>Cellini King Midas (Updated Movement)<\/td><td>Powered by the thinner Caliber 651 movement. Features an updated flatter folding clasp and thinner bracelet measuring approximately 3mm.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ref. 4017 (Late 1970s \u2013 1980s)<\/td><td>Cellini King Midas (Asymmetrical Variant)<\/td><td>Part of the broader Cellini King Midas family. Features the asymmetrical case design with various dial options, leather straps.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ref. 3581 (Various)<\/td><td>Queen Midas (Ladies Variant)<\/td><td>Smaller 23mm case size. Identical asymmetrical design and saw-toothed crown scaled down for women.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Famous Owners and Pop Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas 3580\" class=\"wp-image-69352\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas 3580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-3580-edited-1536x865.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The King Midas wasn\u2019t just sitting in display cases. It ended up on some very famous wrists, which only added to its reputation as a watch for people who didn\u2019t want something ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Elvis Presley:<\/strong> The King of Rock and Roll owned yellow gold Rolex King Midas No. 343. It was a gift from the Houston Livestock Show Officers after Elvis performed six consecutive sold-out shows at the Houston Astrodome in 1970. Elvis reportedly loved the watch so much that he wore it swimming and bathing. This caused some degradation visible on the dial. Today this watch sits on display at Graceland in Memphis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>John Wayne:<\/strong> The legendary actor known as &#8220;The Duke&#8221; owned King Midas No. 557. His watch was sold in 2011 during a personal property auction. It fetched $26,290 which was more than three times its pre-sale estimate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Francisco Scaramanga:<\/strong> The villain played by Christopher Lee in the 1974 James Bond film <em>The Man with the Golden Gun<\/em> wore a King Midas on screen. It fit perfectly with his character&#8217;s golden gun and obsession with gold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Modern Era:<\/strong> The King Midas has experienced a resurgence recently among contemporary celebrities. Rihanna and The Weeknd have both been spotted wearing customized versions. This introduced the watch to a new generation of collectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specifications: Movement and Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9817-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex King Midas Gold Cellini Clasp\" class=\"wp-image-69350\" title=\"Rolex King Midas Gold Cellini Clasp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9817-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9817-2-Edit-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9817-2-Edit-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9817-2-Edit-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Weight: <\/strong>Between 150g and 200g depending on reference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Movement: <\/strong>Caliber 650 or 651. Based on the ultra-thin Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Piguet design with a height of just 1.8mm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mechanism: <\/strong>Manual wind rather than automatic. This allows for the ultra-thin case profile.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jewels<\/strong>: 17 to 18 jewels depending on caliber.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Case Material<\/strong>: 18k yellow gold or 18k white gold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Case Dimensions:<\/strong> Approximately 27mm to 28mm wide and less than 5mm thick.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crystal:<\/strong> Sapphire. One of the first Rolex models to use this material.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The manual winding movement was an intentional choice. An automatic rotor would have added thickness to the case. This would compromise the slim bracelet-like profile that makes the King Midas so distinctive. The thin caliber combined with solid gold construction allows the watch to sit close to the wrist like fine jewelry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Price and Collectability: Is It a Good Investment?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9810-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Limited Edition Gold Watch\" class=\"wp-image-69349\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Limited Edition Gold Watch\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9810-2-Edit-1-edited.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9810-2-Edit-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9810-2-Edit-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KingMidas_5D3_9810-2-Edit-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The King Midas spent years as an undervalued oddity in the vintage Rolex market. Collectors favored sport models like the <a href=\"\/rolex-submariner-1.html\" title=\"Submariner\">Submariner<\/a> and <a href=\"\/rolex-daytona-1.html\" title=\"Daytona\">Daytona<\/a>. This left the King Midas in relative obscurity. That\u2019s has changed in recent years, though, with renewed interest in watches with integrated bracelets like the Royal Oak and Nautilus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prices for a vintage Rolex King Midas vary based on reference and condition. Based on completed sales at Bob&#8217;s Watches here is what collectors can expect to pay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Ref. 9630 (White Gold): $30,000 &#8211; $80,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ref. 9630 (Yellow Gold): $80,000 &#8211; $95,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ref. 3580: $12,000 &#8211; $90,000 (yellow or white gold)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ref. 4315: $65,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ref. 4017 (Cellini King Midas): $12,000 &#8211; $15,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pristine Ref. 9630 examples in yellow gold with original boxes and papers can command close to six figures at major auction houses. John Wayne\u2019s watch sold for $26,290 in 2011. Given the appreciation in the vintage Rolex market since then, comparable examples would likely fetch significantly more today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collectors should be aware that finding an unpolished King Midas is difficult. The softness of 18k gold means most examples show signs of polishing over the decades. This can reduce value for purists. Complete sets with the original amphora box and paperwork are highly prized and can increase the overall value of a watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Golden Legacy Reimagined<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1.jpg\" alt=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Limited Edition Gold Watch\" class=\"wp-image-47990\" title=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Limited Edition Gold Watch\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/KingMidas_5D3_9745-3-Edit-1-570x380.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The King Midas is the anti-Rolex. It is not a rugged <a href=\"\/rolex-blog\/history-of-time\/complete-history-rolex-oyster-case.html\" title=\"Oyster\">Oyster<\/a> built to withstand the elements. It is a brutalist masterpiece of jewelry design that represents a time when Rolex took massive avant-garde risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an era defined by tool watches, Rolex created something that was purely about aesthetics and luxury. The King Midas proves Rolex can compete with the best of the watchmakers out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The King Midas isn\u2019t the kind of watch you buy casually. With its rarity and rising values, they aren&#8217;t exactly floating around the market. That\u2019s why authentication is key. Every watch we sell at Bob\u2019s Watches is verified in-house, so collectors can buy with confidence instead of second-guessing their purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Midas is a rare find. If it\u2019s the gold Rolex aesthetic you\u2019re after, though, the <a href=\"\/rolex-day-date-1.html\" title=\"Day-Date\">Day-Date<\/a> and certain Cellini references offer a different expression of that same general heritage, just in a more traditional case design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<bui-accordion faq-schema=\"\">\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"How many Rolex King Midas watches were made?\n\">The original reference 9630 was produced in fewer than 800 pieces total. Approximately 144 were made in white gold and the rest in yellow gold. While often cited as limited to 1,000 pieces, research suggests actual production was lower. Later King Midas Cellini models were produced in larger numbers but remain relatively rare compared to standard Rolex models. The Ref. 3580 is estimated at approximately 500 pieces.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"What makes the Rolex King Midas so unique?\n\">Some of the factors that set the King Midas apart are the asymmetrical pentagonal shape inspired by the Parthenon, its history as an early G\u00e9rald Genta design, its manual-wind movement, and the left-sided crown that honors the legend of King Midas. It was also one of the first Rolex watches to feature a sapphire crystal and was the heaviest gold watch on the market when released.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"Is the Rolex King Midas a Cellini?\n\">It depends on the era. The original Ref. 9630 released in 1964 was simply called the &#8220;King Midas&#8221; and predates the Cellini collection. Later references starting with the 3580 in 1972 were integrated into the Rolex Cellini collection to distinguish dress watches from the waterproof Oyster Perpetual line.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"Did Elvis Presley wear a Rolex King Midas?\n\">Yes. Elvis Presley owned a yellow gold Rolex King Midas. It was a gift from the organizers of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after he performed six consecutive sold-out shows in 1970. The watch is now on permanent display at his home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"Is the Rolex King Midas automatic?\n\">No. The Rolex King Midas uses a manual-wind movement, specifically the Caliber 650 or 651. This was a deliberate design choice to maintain the ultra-thin profile of the watch. An automatic movement would have required a thicker case.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<bui-accordion-item open=\"\" header=\"What is the Rolex King Midas worth today?\n\">Prices vary significantly based on reference and condition. Cellini King Midas models like the Ref. 4017 current sell for between $12,000 and $15,000. The Ref. 3580 ranges from $12,000 to $90,000 and the Ref. 4315 trades hands for around $65,000. The original Ref. 9630 commands higher prices. White gold examples sell for between $30,000 and $80,000 and pristine yellow gold versions with complete original packaging can reach $100,000 at auction.<\/bui-accordion-item>\n<\/bui-accordion>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Rolex King Midas is a legendary limited edition timepiece designed by G\u00e9rald Genta in the early 1960s. Carved from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":69346,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2171],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[2294],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bob&#039;s Watches\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2180\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Carol Altieri\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bobswatches\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Carol Altieri\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Carol Altieri\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/94507e4ff8f04ad372967531dc5f8732\"},\"headline\":\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Ultimate Guide\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\"},\"wordCount\":2283,\"commentCount\":8,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Watch Review\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\",\"name\":\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00\",\"description\":\"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg\",\"width\":2180,\"height\":700,\"caption\":\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Bob's Watches\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Watch Review\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Ultimate Guide\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/\",\"name\":\"Bob&#039;s Watches\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bob's Watches\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png\",\"width\":600,\"height\":138,\"caption\":\"Bob's Watches\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/bobswatches\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bobswatches\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bobs-watches\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/BobsWatches\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/bobswatches\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/94507e4ff8f04ad372967531dc5f8732\",\"name\":\"Carol Altieri\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/9a96872c670cc1600c2458575104c5cd\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Carol Altieri\"},\"description\":\"Carol Altieri is the co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bob's Watches, bringing over 15 years of specialized expertise in the luxury watch market. Her extensive hands-on experience evaluating, authenticating, and trading high-value timepieces has positioned her as a trusted authority on watch collecting, market dynamics, and investment value. Carol's deep knowledge spans everything from vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe to contemporary complications, allowing her to guide both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers through the complexities of the secondary market. She has personally handled thousands of luxury timepieces, developing an expert eye for the subtle details that distinguish exceptional quality and authentic craftsmanship from lesser alternatives. At Bob's Watches, Carol has been instrumental in establishing industry-leading standards for transparency, authentication processes, and client education. Her commitment to building long-term relationships based on trust and expertise has helped shape the company's reputation as a reliable resource in the luxury watch community. As an active collector herself, Carol brings genuine passion and firsthand insight to her work, making her uniquely qualified to understand both the emotional and financial aspects of watch collecting.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com","description":"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com","og_description":"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html","og_site_name":"Bob&#039;s Watches","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches","article_published_time":"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2180,"height":700,"url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Carol Altieri","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bobswatches","twitter_site":"@bobswatches","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Carol Altieri","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html"},"author":{"name":"Carol Altieri","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/94507e4ff8f04ad372967531dc5f8732"},"headline":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Ultimate Guide","datePublished":"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html"},"wordCount":2283,"commentCount":8,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg","articleSection":["Watch Review"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html","name":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Guide - BobsWatches.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-26T18:40:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-26T18:40:49+00:00","description":"The King Midas is easily the most unusual looking watch to ever be produced by Rolex. Read on to discover the unique history of the Rolex King Midas.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas-hero.jpg","width":2180,"height":700,"caption":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review\/gerald-genta-rolex-king-midas.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Bob's Watches","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Watch Review","item":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/watch-review"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Gerald Genta Rolex King Midas Ultimate Guide"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/","name":"Bob&#039;s Watches","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#organization","name":"Bob's Watches","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bobs-watches-logo.png","width":600,"height":138,"caption":"Bob's Watches"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bobswatches","https:\/\/x.com\/bobswatches","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bobswatches\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bobs-watches\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/BobsWatches\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/bobswatches"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/94507e4ff8f04ad372967531dc5f8732","name":"Carol Altieri","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/9a96872c670cc1600c2458575104c5cd","url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg","caption":"Carol Altieri"},"description":"Carol Altieri is the co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bob's Watches, bringing over 15 years of specialized expertise in the luxury watch market. Her extensive hands-on experience evaluating, authenticating, and trading high-value timepieces has positioned her as a trusted authority on watch collecting, market dynamics, and investment value. Carol's deep knowledge spans everything from vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe to contemporary complications, allowing her to guide both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers through the complexities of the secondary market. She has personally handled thousands of luxury timepieces, developing an expert eye for the subtle details that distinguish exceptional quality and authentic craftsmanship from lesser alternatives. At Bob's Watches, Carol has been instrumental in establishing industry-leading standards for transparency, authentication processes, and client education. Her commitment to building long-term relationships based on trust and expertise has helped shape the company's reputation as a reliable resource in the luxury watch community. As an active collector herself, Carol brings genuine passion and firsthand insight to her work, making her uniquely qualified to understand both the emotional and financial aspects of watch collecting.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.bobswatches.com"]}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":2294,"user_id":27,"is_guest":0,"slug":"carol","display_name":"Carol Altieri","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/carol-altieri-240-300-bio.jpg"},"author_category":"1","user_url":"http:\/\/www.bobswatches.com","last_name":"Altieri","first_name":"Carol","job_title":"","description":"Carol Altieri is the co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bob's Watches, bringing over 15 years of specialized expertise in the luxury watch market. Her extensive hands-on experience evaluating, authenticating, and trading high-value timepieces has positioned her as a trusted authority on watch collecting, market dynamics, and investment value.\r\n\r\nCarol's deep knowledge spans everything from vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe to contemporary complications, allowing her to guide both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers through the complexities of the secondary market. She has personally handled thousands of luxury timepieces, developing an expert eye for the subtle details that distinguish exceptional quality and authentic craftsmanship from lesser alternatives.\r\n\r\nAt Bob's Watches, Carol has been instrumental in establishing industry-leading standards for transparency, authentication processes, and client education. Her commitment to building long-term relationships based on trust and expertise has helped shape the company's reputation as a reliable resource in the luxury watch community.\r\n\r\nAs an active collector herself, Carol brings genuine passion and firsthand insight to her work, making her uniquely qualified to understand both the emotional and financial aspects of watch collecting."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35200"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35200"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69356,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35200\/revisions\/69356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35200"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bobswatches.com\/rolex-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=35200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}