Stemming from Rolex’s acceptance of the idea that some of their customers would like to own a second watch, the Rolex Cellini collection is perhaps one of the brands most widely varied collections, with round leather strapped dress watches to oval shaped pieces of distilled excellence and even integrated bracelet watches like the King Midas, the collection is varied and rich with diversity. Launched in the 1960s, Rolex approached a young Gerald Genta to design a gold watch fit for royalty. Inspired by Athens’ Parthenon temple, Genta designed the King Midas with an asymmetrical pentagon-shaped case with a left-handed crown arrangement, for the first time in Rolex’s history, with a minimalist integrated bracelet. Named after King Midas, whose touch could turn anything to gold, the King Midas was an exclusive timepiece that weighed double that of a Day-Date, Rolex’s flagship and most exclusive collection. Taking elements of King Midas’ story and implementing them into the watch itself, Genta showcased his ability to create a unique watch unlike anything else. With its pentagonal case reflecting the Parthenon’s roof, the left-sided crown inspired by King Midas’ left hand’s golden touch and minimalist dial serving to accentuate the rest of the design, the King Midas is perhaps one of Rolex’s most unique watches ever. Offered as a dressier member of the King Midas collection, the burgundy dial ref. 4017 that we have here swaps the King Midas’ integrated bracelet for a leather strap, making it a much more toned-down watch, but more aligned with the popular dress watch aesthetic of the time.

Blending the Midas' unique design language with the dressier elegance of the Cellini collection, the ref. 4017 is a wonderful example of how making a watch less opulent can make it even more timeless.