Oman Coral Dial 3585 Rolex Queen Midas

A white gold Queen Midas with a coral dial is a rare and fantastic enough sight in its own right. But this example has an Oman khanjar at 6. In all my time in watches, I’ve only ever seen two of these. One popped up randomly in yellow gold at auction in 2023 in yellow gold, also coral khanjar.  This is the other, which I first saw at Christies in 2019 and has surfaced a few times (case no. 2585) This is that same watch, many years later now in Mexico. The dial still has no hairlines, the case is still excellent. And it’s still a fascinatingly unusual Rolex.

The Queen Midas was conceived originally as a midsized counter to the King Midas, both born of a desire of Rolex in the later 1960s to expand artistically and upmarket (at the time, Midas was by some margin the most expensive watch in the Rolex catalogue). Both are Genta case designs, but there is no asymmetry in this later-production Queen Midas. Instead, it looks like an integrated bracelet sports watch penned back when The Jetsons was on TV, but imagining the future. As it sold poorly, most sources agree that fewer than 200 examples were likely made across all metals, with certainly fewer than 50 in white gold. The queen Midas comes from less certain and more experimental time of Rolex, which, it should be no surprise, is craved in modernity.

In addition to lapis, coral dial Queen Midas exist but are probably far fewer than 15 examples in totality. This example, ordered by the Sultanate of Oman, was likely either in his personal collection or gifted to dignitary, diplomat, or family friend. Few Midas or any sort exist with Oman provenance but they are out there. It would be fantastic if someone could one day tell us what the story behind these is, but for now all we can do is enjoy a coral dial with green khanjar, something you won’t be seeing again for some time. Oh, and a word to the wise, shipping coral between the borders of countries isn’t easy (which is probably for the best).   

This example has a great case and looks the part. It should be noted that the prior auction sales haven't quite come close the sum being asked, however we are in a different market now both in and out of Midas. It comes from a well-regarded retailer out of Mexico, watch only