Watch Paparazzi

Pilot Jackie Stewart spotted wearing Rolex

At the 2023 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Jackie Stewart casually drew back his Rolex-branded cuff to reveal one of the most storied pieces in his personal collection: a Rolex King Midas in yellow gold, almost certainly gifted to him by the brand in recognition of his first Formula 1 World Championship victory in 1969. The moment, captured on video and circulated widely, served as an unscripted reminder that some watches carry biographical weight no boutique price tag can replicate.

The Rolex King Midas ref. 9630 is a product of the late 1960s Rolex design ethos at its most extravagant. Gerald Genta — the same mind later responsible for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus — is widely credited with its distinctive integrated case-and-bracelet architecture in solid 18k yellow gold. The dial on Stewart's example appears to feature the characteristic champagne-toned, engine-turned or brushed surface typical of the reference, with the bracelet's articulated gold links flowing seamlessly from the cushion-adjacent case. The cal. 1560 or 1565 movement — a manually wound or early automatic Rolex calibre of the era — sits beneath, reliable if understated by today's standards.

From a collector standpoint, the King Midas occupies a peculiar and increasingly appreciated niche. Long overshadowed by sportier Rolex references, it is now recognised as a precursor to the integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch genre that defines the high-end market today. Surviving examples in excellent condition are scarce; those with documented provenance — particularly championship presentation pieces — are genuinely irreplaceable.

Stewart's relationship with Rolex is one of the brand's most enduring ambassador partnerships, stretching back to his active racing career in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His three World Championship titles (1969, 1971, 1973) were achieved during the King Midas's commercial lifespan, making the gift contextually precise. Stewart has spoken publicly about his bond with the brand on multiple occasions, and his appearance at Miami in a Rolex polo shirt while wearing this piece underlines that the relationship remains personal, not merely contractual.

On the grey market, the Rolex King Midas ref. 9630 in yellow gold currently trades in the $30,000–$45,000 range depending on condition, completeness, and dial variant. A piece with a documented championship provenance and Stewart's personal history would command a significant premium at auction — likely multiples of that figure.