Rolex Air King Date

[astcell]

I have a chance to buy one of these but I have never heard of it before. Can anyone say anything about the Rolex Air King Date?

[montecristo]

Doesn't air-king have 3 - 6 -9 on the markers and thus have no room for date?

[astcell]

Nope, this one has pips only for the hours and a date, and it says AIR KING DATE.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by astcell

I have a chance to buy one of these but I have never heard of it before. Can anyone say anything about the Rolex Air King Date?

The Air King Date SS and ones with the red date the most collectible these are quite "Sort after Rolex watches" at the moment. This is because its quite a uncommon variety of the standard Air King. And was sold mainly in Canada and Britain...the date is the feature making it more collectible like the reference 5700 with the cal 1520 But not telephone number prices, a mint 80s models might retail from around $2000- $2750 on a good day,if I was buying in would be quite a bit less. Now the late 60s early 70s TT complete with oyster bracelet model ref 5701 retail around the $1500-$1750 perhaps a little more on a good day,again buying in quite a bit less.

[JJ Irani]

Hi Robert,

Judging from Padi's excellent comments and review of the AK-date, if you can pick one up "cheap", then it would be a good investment.

However, if you're planning on wearing a 34 mm watch on your 6 foot 4 inch, 220 pound frame, I don't think anyone will ever notice it...including you!!

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi Robert,

Judging from Padi's excellent comments and review of the AK-date, if you can pick one up "cheap", then it would be a good investment.

However, if you're planning on wearing a 34 mm watch on your 6 foot 4 inch, 220 pound frame, I don't think anyone will ever notice it...including you!!

My fellow alma mater, here, AirKingDate, obviously has one and let me tell you, he's over 6' and over 200lbs and it looks great on him. He's had it for 30 years and Mike says it's a great watch (no kidding).

As Peter said, the AKDs where not available globally, so there are fewer of them around and like most discontinued Rolex watches, they'll get a following and the prices will climb, albeit slowly. But who buys a watch thinking 'resale value' anyways?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Atomic

But who buys a watch thinking 'resale value' anyways?

Come on, Johnny....millions do, even if they NEVER plan on selling it.

It's always good to know that something you've bought has a good resale value, irrespective. That could be the main reason why Rolex has such a high volume sale. The fact that it's a good, solid, well-constructed watch and the fact that it still holds the best resale value out there as compared with most other good high-end watches....yes, even those far superior to Rolex!!

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Come on, Johnny....millions do, even if they NEVER plan on selling it.

It's always good to know that something you've bought has a good resale value, irrespective. That could be the main reason why Rolex has such a high volume sale. The fact that it's a good, solid, well-constructed watch and the fact that it still holds the best resale value out there as compared with most other good high-end watches....yes, even those far superior to Rolex!!

That's because to the great unwashed consumer, it's the only easily recognizable luxrury brand of watch... that and the fact that IMO Rolex is often most people's introduction into luxury watches, and once they see other brands, they move on to other things.

I never once have considered resale value upon purchase because I generally keep what I buy. But it's nice to buy quality knowing that it'll last even beyond what you need it for.

[astcell]

The model I am looking at is $2750, is a 5700 and SS. I am also looking at a Dreadnought and Speedbird combo. Hmmmm.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Atomic

That's because to the great unwashed consumer, it's the only easily recognizable luxrury brand of watch... that and the fact that IMO Rolex is often most people's introduction into luxury watches, and once they see other brands, they move on to other things.

I never once have considered resale value upon purchase because I generally keep what I buy. But it's nice to buy quality knowing that it'll last even beyond what you need it for.

Now John agree on that Many Rolex owners probably don't even know what they wear, movement wise,they bought it because someone told them they should.I have always been of the impression that non WIS types who are successful and with plenty of spare cash, will buy a Rolex for the brand prestige rather than the watch itself.Again I am not bashing Rolex, but it is seen by some, as a sign of affluence and success. We all know if we are truthful, there are as good, perhaps even better spec watches for less money available, but to some people that lower in there eyes brand, does not say enough.I have always admired Rolex in the past and have enjoyed them immensely,but over the years have learnt to respect all brands of mechanical watches, each has there own merits and place in the watch world today.But today the brand name Rolex is a powerful voice in the watch re-sell market.Like Patek again powerful brand name and resale price holder,But quite a few others are starting to climb the price holding re-sale market.But like John said I buy a watch because I want it the re sell value seldom for me comes into the equation

[astcell]

A PFC sitting across from me right now is trying to impress a girl with his "$5,000 Rolex." (I cannot see it from here) She does not care about it, and it appears he has nothing else going for him except that he had three months of pay and nothing else to buy.

As for the air king date, third watch down on the right:

http://www.watchestobuy.com/dd_watches_for_sale.htm

What say ye, shall I purchase it? No buying it from under me now!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by astcell

The model I am looking at is $2750, is a 5700 and SS. I am also looking at a Dreadnought and Speedbird combo. Hmmmm.

That $2750 is right at the top market price at the moment if you could get price down,it would be better.Regarding Dreadnought and Speedbird I have both S/Birds one and two,all fine watches for very little money. The Dreadnought has appreciated the most over its original £400 cost

[astcell]

I think the Speedbird and Dreadnought will be about the same price as this AKD model. Flip a coin maybe?

[astcell]

Originally Posted by padi56

...if I was buying in would be quite a bit less.

Wanna be my broker?

Originally Posted by astcell

I think the Speedbird and Dreadnought will be about the same price as this AKD model. Flip a coin maybe?

Can you post a pic of a Dreadnought? Have no idea what it is beyond a sunken battleship with a pointy bow.

[astcell]

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Can you post a pic of a Dreadnought? Have no idea what it is beyond a sunken battleship with a pointy bow.

Movement: ETA 25 jewel automatic, calibre 2824-2T The top grade version, with basic decoration and "assortments chronometer certified to DIN 8319-1 running at 28,800 bph with hacking seconds.Original cost was £450 limited to just 200.But now selling for 4to 5 times the original price.500 metres water resistant,twin "O" ring seals in the case back.Patented decoupling screw down crown (tested to 2000 metres).Anti-magnetic to 30,000 A/m.He is the process stage of making a GMT version with the ETA2892,and I can see that one going the same way as the Dreadnought.And the certificate tests watch to +0.4 secs
a day not bad for a so called humble ETA 2824-2T


Assembly and proofing has been carried out by prominent Master Watchmaker Dirk Dornblüth, and there's an interesting article and interview and tested to the German din specifaction much higher thaN the swiss COSC:

Link to the Dreadnought tester Dirk Dornbluth.
http://www.timezone.com/library/coma...13056488125000

thanks Robert and Peter... definetly NOT my cuppa.

[montecristo]

Originally Posted by astcell

Nope, this one has pips only for the hours and a date, and it says AIR KING DATE.

Learn something new everyday.
Really lovely watch.

[roadcarver]

always thought that AirKings are dateless... wow.

[mikey]

I think you have it right the Air King Date is tasteless. When I was learning about Rolex, I didn't believe that Air King Date existed. The model made no sense because we have the small Date model, Mid-Size Datejust and TOG. At one time, I thought the TOG was pointless because the Submariner was born. I guess it was Darwins Evolution of the Rolex

[astcell]

I may wait for the Dreadnought GMT. Do you have information on it, pre-sales maybe?

Originally Posted by mikey

I think you have it right the Air King Date is tasteless. When I was learning about Rolex, I didn't believe that Air King Date existed. The model made no sense because we have the small Date model, Mid-Size Datejust and TOG. At one time, I thought the TOG was pointless because the Submariner was born. I guess it was Darwins Evolution of the Rolex

Mikey, you should probably know that the Air King was born from WWII and is the longest, continuously produced Rolex in the line-up, pre-dating the DJ and the TOG by more than a decade.

If someone was looking to pick up a used AK, I'd likely tell them to save their money, but the AKD is pretty rare (by Rolex standards) and a good Rolex to have in any collection.

[Mr. K]

If you are in the market for another Rolex and you want something you will not see that often. Then the AKD is a nice watch.

You may also consider an OQ, in the same price range and not something you see everyday.

[astcell]

What's an OQ?

Originally Posted by astcell

What's an OQ?

Oyster Quartz.

[astcell]

I never considered those a real Rolex.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by astcell

I never considered those a real Rolex.

Well, Rolex only introduced them in 1978 - at the height of the Quartz Revolution - in order to throw some competition into the works.

The Rolex OQ sold in large quantities, especially in the Middle East where the demand for the same was ovewhelming.

This model has been discontinued since quite some time now, but the demand by some enthusiasts is still on. The OQ is still rated by many experts as one of the best quartz watch ever made!!

JJ

Originally Posted by astcell

I never considered those a real Rolex.

Perhaps not, but they came from the same factory and have quite a following. Since they are discontinued, their prices have stablized and I'm guessing they'll increase in value.

Best quartz movement ever put in a watch, IMO.

[Mr. K]

OQ, only 1000 per year for 25 years were produced. That 1000 included all models too.

Not your average quartz, thermocompensated 11 jewel inhouse QUARTZ CHONOMETER certified movement.