King Midas Ref 3580 - New owner question

[KingMidas]

Hi guys,

New to the forum.

After a long search I was finally able to find my new addition. A King Midas Ref 3580 and serial #3,2xxx,xxx.

Trying to understand this a bit better so perhaps some experts here can chime in. I have been reading that this reference started with number 800 however my watch number is in the mid 700s. Is that possible? It also looks like the crown isn't the original (I might be wrong) but that doesn't bother me as much. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[CTech]

There's definitely something out of the ordinary with that combination of serial number and watch number, but there is so little reliable information about these watches that single sources of reference can be misleading.

Please post some detailed and well lit photos of the engravings and stampings on the rear of the bracelet links.

[TimeToGo]

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A 3.2 mil serial would put the watch at the end of the King Midas production year, thus the number mid 700's would be about right. The number referring to limited number of watches produced.

I think the number you are referring to about beginning in the 800 may be a reference made to the beginning of the production year (1961-62) thus 800k serial..

Please clarify.

[KingMidas]

I had always read it was for watch numbers starting at 800 as the only 3580s I saw online or for sale in the past were watch number 1k and up but I understand what you're saying about limited information.

Let me know if these images help! Thanks a lot. I only bought it 2 days ago so was debating if it's worth keeping or waiting for another to pop up for sale.

[CTech]

This is probably the most quoted reference about the watch numbers for the 3580 series starting at 800:

https://www.watchbrotherslondon.com/...nly-references

There are a number of inaccuracies in the article and I think your watch suggests that production of the 3580 started before watch 800.

Your watch looks to have all the correct markings for an early 3580 and so my belief is that the watch is correct and the previously received information is incorrect.

Other sources indicate that the previous production of the 9630 model was intended to be for 1000 pieces but only around 750 or so were actually made.

The most common latest 9630 (that is also shown in the article above) is watch 726 with a serial number of 3.1 million. The other sources say that the watch numbers for the 3580 series continued from where they left off at the end of the 9630 production run, so it seems reasonable to me that your watch with a 3.2 million serial number was one of the first 3580 watches made and the mid-700s watch number is legitimate.

Apart from the winding crown replacement you mentioned, you should investigate the dial a bit more as I think the 3580 would have had a MIDAS dial on it originally, not a Cellini dial.

There is a lot of confusion about dial configurations but I think the consensus now is that all of the 9630 and 3580 series watches had MIDAS dials originally, and any that now have a Cellini dial almost certainly have a service dial from the 4315 series.

[INC]

I think, this watch was made during the times of the Midas-Cellini transformation, and that could cause this mismatch.

If you need more information of your watch I suggest to ask a real expert, Knospe @ Plus Ultra AG.

[TimeToGo]

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It is obvious that this watch is a transitional piece.

@Ctech has provided a very soud explanation, as usual, of what could have happened with this piece. Unless purchased from the original owner, anything else is speculation.

[KingMidas]

Thank you very much for taking the time to send that explanation!

I love the watch regardless and don't plan to sell it but just wanted to understand a little more about it.

I'll be looking for a replacement crown and original box to try and tie it together.

Appreciate the help!

[1William]

Very nice.