Rolex King Midas Ref. 3580 - 'Brushed' Champagne Dial 'Second Series'

In the late 1960s, Rolex was looking to expand their lineup of watches with both more traditional designs, as well as design-forward offerings. This line of watches became known called the Cellini line with a subsidiary lineup called 'Midas.'

Like the rest of the Cellini line, the Midas pieces would come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and dial options, and all in solid gold. The flagship offering within the Midas line, the 'King Midas' were amongst the most expensive models the brand had ever produced and, at the time, limited in their production.

The piece that we have here is one of those watches, a King Midas Reference 3580. This very special piece features a five-sided case with a screw-down caseback, "King Midas" engraved into the left case profile, a truly integrated 'flat-link' bracelet with a 'hidden' deployant clasp, and a recessed crown at the 9 o'clock position styled to look like a sun.

This particular yellow gold example dates to circa 1974 and is what is known as a 'second series' execution, distinguished by the 'ΜΙΔΑΣ' text on the lower half of the dial and the 'butterfly' deployant clasp. It is offered in excellent overall condition, with the case and bracelet showing matching normal wear with correct finishing throughout and no notable damage or blemishes and no 'stretch.' The dial within features a 'brushed' texture on the champagne dial with an applied coronet logo and a simple yellow gold stick handset. Most of the Cellini family features manual-winding movements, and this piece is no different.

This then, is a brilliant example of Rolex displaying a more artistic side, all while very much being a Rolex at heart. Low production, precious materials, and its a Rolex. Hard to beat.