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novocainekarma · 14 January 2011, 09:28 PM

Hi all, new member and new to vintage rollies.
i was wondering if you could give me any advice or info about a 1974 rolex air king with a 1520 movement.
i've never had much to do with rolex before because theyve always been a bit out of my league pricewise, ive always had omega, oris or longines.
anyway, to cut a long story short, ive been offered this air king in exchange for an oris BC4 that has a value of around the 1200gbp mark.. and was wondering if any of you guys would mind having a nose at the pictures and letting me know what kind of condition you think its in for age, and whether the movement is a good one thats likely to give years more service.
Also, on a completely novice note, is it a hand wind job or an automatic? and is it water resistant?

the only knowledge i have of it so far is from these pictures, and also that it has recently had a full overhaul recently and the work has been warrantied.

also, if anyone has any doubts about its authenticity, if they could give me a heads up id really appreciate it.

sorry to turn up with a series of odd questions, but i'm a complete rolex amateur so would appreciate a bit of help.

heres the pics.

Subexplorer · 15 January 2011, 12:30 AM

Hello!! Welcome to TRF!! I wish you´ll enjoy this place so much!

You can find more info about this variant or model of Rolex, if you look in our archives through the search feature.

Your watch looks in very nice overall shape, and its movement (mechanism) looks very clean. You say that had a recent service, so it is ok in this aspect.
The movement is an automatic one. The words "perpetual" means that, and also you can see the fan shaped moving piece on the top of the movement, which is the one which winds it, taking advantage of the movement of your hand while it is strapped to your wrist.

Anyway, you should wind it manually for the first time, before setting the correct time, and putting on your wrist. You can turn about 30 to 40 turns of the crown.
You should unscrew the crown, give the above mentioned turns, set the correct time, and then screw it back, to mantain the waterproof quality of this watch.

Then your watch will keep working as long as you wear it.
You may take it off during nights if you wish, and will find it working in the morning, and keep working as long as you wear it at least several hours a day.

Should you leave the watch for several days, it will come to an stop after about 30/40 hours of not wearing it, so you will need to repeat the winding/set time procedure again.

Hope this info is of help, and you will enjoy your classic Rolex Air King in good health.
Best cordial regards, Abel.

novocainekarma · 15 January 2011, 12:47 AM

Hi there,
Thanks for the reply.
I was wondering about the movement, I recognised the rotor and thought that it should be an auto.. but ive read a few blurbs about 70s air kings that have said that they are hand winding.. confusion!

this watch, if all is well with it is going to go to my mother, who has decided out of the blue that she wants a rolex now she is old. :)

Subexplorer · 15 January 2011, 01:12 AM

Hello novocainekarma! Thank you!
I guess there existed some versions of AK with manual movements, but I do not know much about its history. In anycase, yours is automatic of course.

If your Mom wishes to have a Rolex, this one will be very nice on her. It is never too late or too old to own a Rolex, and if your Mom wishes are these, it will be so nice of you presenting this nice one! Hope she will surely enjoy it and appreciate your gesture.

All the best for you and your Mom! Kind regards, Abel.

NikkiTyler · 15 January 2011, 04:06 AM

I bought my AK back in march. Mine is a 1951 model. And it runs perfect. Mine is automatic as well. This one that your are thinking of purchasing is alot newer then mine and this watch would be a great buy if for the right price. here is a pic of mine for comparison.

Thanks Danny

adam78 · 15 January 2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikkiTyler

I bought my AK back in march. Mine is a 1951 model. And it runs perfect. Mine is automatic as well. This one that your are thinking of purchasing is alot newer then mine and this watch would be a great buy if for the right price. here is a pic of mine for comparison.

Thanks Danny

Danny, I'm pretty sure yours is later than 1951, at least from the later '50s. The SNs were a little screwed up in that decade. It's probably a cal. 1530 or even 1520. What is the SN (between the lugs at 6:00)?

slcbbrown · 15 January 2011, 06:31 AM

This AK looks great on the inside. If the seller had it serviced recently, you should have a pretty wter resistant watch that could last for decades more. It's obviously an automatic.

I would guess that it would sell for $1,000 to $1,500, unless it is some kind of collector's piece. The service could add a few hundred dollars to the value.

JEC · 15 January 2011, 06:54 AM

Nice example... I would check the date on the bracelet though, if it is 1974 it should have a folded link bracelet. You can look at the clasp and there will be a date code (with the quarter I-IV and the year). It's probably not original, but the bracelet if legit is worth a few hundred on its own, good condition rivet link vintage items are highly sought after.

I had a 1977 with the 1520 calibre. I miss it. It's a bulletproof movement from the days when Rolex made rugged and simple tool watches. They can run very accurately too, within 5 secs a day if adjusted properly.

ncstate1201 · 15 January 2011, 01:18 PM

NikkiTyler, I don't think I have ever seen one that says "super precision" is there anything different with this one, then again maybe I wasn't paying attention I haven't collected any Air Kings yet, and so far it is one of the few models I have missed out on

novocainekarma · 16 January 2011, 12:47 AM

hey,
i have no idea if the bracelet is original to the watch or not.
it hasnt arrived yet but when it does i'll be looking. it may well be aftermarket but i dont know.. ill probably be asking you guys later :D

i think that ill be keeping this one for myself.. it has been decided by parent that she wants a new one, which as far as im concerned is fine, ill keep the oldie and look after it the best i can.
with some help and advice on the way i hope!

yours looks like a lovely one nikki.. if mine is anywhere near as nice ill be happy.. it will be sitting on tatts too.

David AP · 16 January 2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncstate1201

NikkiTyler, I don't think I have ever seen one that says "super precision" is there anything different with this one, then again maybe I wasn't paying attention I haven't collected any Air Kings yet, and so far it is one of the few models I have missed out on

I have a 1958 with a 1030 calibre and that says super precision on.

There are stacks of super clued up peeps on here who know the full sp. I'm sure one will be along in a bit to explain.

There is a full airking thread in here somwhere. A little searchshould find it. It's got some great info in.

15 January 2011, 12:30 AM	#2
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	Hello!! Welcome to TRF!! I wish you´ll enjoy this place so much! You can find more info about this variant or model of Rolex, if you look in our archives through the search feature. Your watch looks in very nice overall shape, and its movement (mechanism) looks very clean. You say that had a recent service, so it is ok in this aspect. The movement is an automatic one. The words "perpetual" means that, and also you can see the fan shaped moving piece on the top of the movement, which is the one which winds it, taking advantage of the movement of your hand while it is strapped to your wrist. Anyway, you should wind it manually for the first time, before setting the correct time, and putting on your wrist. You can turn about 30 to 40 turns of the crown. You should unscrew the crown, give the above mentioned turns, set the correct time, and then screw it back, to mantain the waterproof quality of this watch. Then your watch will keep working as long as you wear it. You may take it off during nights if you wish, and will find it working in the morning, and keep working as long as you wear it at least several hours a day. Should you leave the watch for several days, it will come to an stop after about 30/40 hours of not wearing it, so you will need to repeat the winding/set time procedure again. Hope this info is of help, and you will enjoy your classic Rolex Air King in good health. Best cordial regards, Abel. __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

15 January 2011, 01:12 AM	#4
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	Hello novocainekarma! Thank you! I guess there existed some versions of AK with manual movements, but I do not know much about its history. In anycase, yours is automatic of course. If your Mom wishes to have a Rolex, this one will be very nice on her. It is never too late or too old to own a Rolex, and if your Mom wishes are these, it will be so nice of you presenting this nice one! Hope she will surely enjoy it and appreciate your gesture. All the best for you and your Mom! Kind regards, Abel. __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

15 January 2011, 12:47 AM	#3
novocainekarma "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: edinburgh Posts: 55	Hi there, Thanks for the reply. I was wondering about the movement, I recognised the rotor and thought that it should be an auto.. but ive read a few blurbs about 70s air kings that have said that they are hand winding.. confusion! this watch, if all is well with it is going to go to my mother, who has decided out of the blue that she wants a rolex now she is old. :)

15 January 2011, 06:31 AM	#7
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,688	This AK looks great on the inside. If the seller had it serviced recently, you should have a pretty wter resistant watch that could last for decades more. It's obviously an automatic. I would guess that it would sell for $1,000 to $1,500, unless it is some kind of collector's piece. The service could add a few hundred dollars to the value.

15 January 2011, 06:54 AM	#8
JEC Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: J. Location: Montreal Watch: Speedmaster Pro Posts: 232	Nice example... I would check the date on the bracelet though, if it is 1974 it should have a folded link bracelet. You can look at the clasp and there will be a date code (with the quarter I-IV and the year). It's probably not original, but the bracelet if legit is worth a few hundred on its own, good condition rivet link vintage items are highly sought after. I had a 1977 with the 1520 calibre. I miss it. It's a bulletproof movement from the days when Rolex made rugged and simple tool watches. They can run very accurately too, within 5 secs a day if adjusted properly.

15 January 2011, 01:18 PM	#9
ncstate1201 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NC/USA Posts: 295	NikkiTyler, I don't think I have ever seen one that says "super precision" is there anything different with this one, then again maybe I wasn't paying attention I haven't collected any Air Kings yet, and so far it is one of the few models I have missed out on

16 January 2011, 12:47 AM	#10
novocainekarma "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: edinburgh Posts: 55	hey, i have no idea if the bracelet is original to the watch or not. it hasnt arrived yet but when it does i'll be looking. it may well be aftermarket but i dont know.. ill probably be asking you guys later :D i think that ill be keeping this one for myself.. it has been decided by parent that she wants a new one, which as far as im concerned is fine, ill keep the oldie and look after it the best i can. with some help and advice on the way i hope! yours looks like a lovely one nikki.. if mine is anywhere near as nice ill be happy.. it will be sitting on tatts too.

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