incoming '59 Air King

[francis]

with a fresh service!
looks like it was re-lumed a long time ago but I love it :)

[adam78]

If relumed, only the hands look to have been done, not the dial. If it is truly a 1959 example, than the dial is likely a slightly later (tritium) service dial. But it might be original to the watch if it is from slightly later, e.g. 1964.

[francis]

Just put up a better pic Adam!
The lume at 6 gets into the Swiss a little bit that's why I think it may be a re-lume.
the serial is 132xxx... just checked in between the lugs.
1963?
Had 1959 on the brain from another possible purchase ;)
thanks for the correction!

[adam78]

I think the lume is original, and the whole watch is exquisite. It's probably very early in the tritium era, '63-64. The inner case back should have the year and quarter engraved.

[Brushpup]

That really is a beautiful watch. Hard to beat the looks of that era of wonderful design if you ask me.

[Old Expat Beast]

Here is my rather similar 5501. It's 1.1 mill serial, caseback stamped iv/64. Your is the only other one I have seen with no minute markers. Very nice.

[Old Expat Beast]

Clearer lume shot.

[brandrea]

Very nice congrats!

[francis]

Thanks for everyone's input. Am enjoying this vintage piece a lot.
Adam yours looks awesome and to tell you the truth, the no sub minute markers was what drew me to this. It's just such a clean look.
Is hard to believe this is the only other one like that which you have seen!
Cheers :)

[sea-dweller]

Looks great!

[Old Expat Beast]

Thanks. Yes it's a nice look they do seem to be very rare. The only downside is that you have to wait till the 5/10/15,etc minute mark to set them accurately.

I just checked my files and I have seen one other...here it is. Can't remember where I found the pic now, but it was when I was researching mine when I bought it.

[francis]

Wow she's a beauty also. I love the clean look with no " precision" printed on the dial also
I did a pretty exhaustive search of the net and only found one other. . It looks just like yours. From a site called H.Q. Milton.
It is kinda cool that the known 3 references are in such good shape also.

[antbkny]

Sharp looking watches!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by francis

Wow she's a beauty also. I love the clean look with no " precision" printed on the dial also
I did a pretty exhaustive search of the net and only found one other. . It looks just like yours. From a site called H.Q. Milton.
It is kinda cool that the known 3 references are in such good shape also.

And that's where I bought it

The lack of the word Precision is, as far as I can tell, due to the fact that it only has 17 jewels instead of the usual 26 (?). This was done to circumvent US import duty on luxury watches with x amount of jewels in the movement, I believe through the 60s and mid 70s, but I may be off with those dates.

[francis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

And that's where I bought it

The lack of the word Precision is, as far as I can tell, due to the fact that it only has 17 jewels instead of the usual 26 (?). This was done to circumvent US import duty on luxury watches with x amount of jewels in the movement, I believe through the 60s and mid 70s, but I may be off with those dates.

Wow, what a cool piece of info.. I had no idea.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by francis

Wow, what a cool piece of info.. I had no idea.

It's not a problem, though. I've found this 17-jewel 1520 movement to be as accurate as any modern Rolex I own, and very receptive to overnight positioning.

[francis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's not a problem, though. I've found this 17-jewel 1520 movement to be as accurate as any modern Rolex I own, and very receptive to overnight positioning.

Will let you know after 24 hours goes by on mine.. So far so good though.

[Vincent65]

Beauty, congrats

[R.W.T.]

WHAT is the serial number?

1,32x,xxx or 132,xxx

Makes a BIG difference.

Old Expat's 1.1 is 64 that is correct.

1.3 is 66

.132xxx is 55.

[francis]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

WHAT is the serial number?

1,32x,xxx or 132,xxx

Makes a BIG difference.

Old Expat's 1.1 is 64 that is correct.

1.3 is 66



.132xxx is 55.

1.3 million
probably case made in 1960 to 62 and movement, dial, etc, 1963.
Apparently this era is tough to nail down (via caseback serial) to the year as I have seen 3 different years of production for this serial.
The old ball of tape is not working getting the case back off so will have to wait till I get back to my watchmaker and let him peek at the caseback.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by francis

1.3 million
probably case made in 1960 to 62 and movement, dial, etc, 1963.
Apparently this era is tough to nail down (via caseback serial) to the year as I have seen 3 different years of production for this serial.
The old ball of tape is not working getting the case back off so will have to wait till I get back to my watchmaker and let him peek at the caseback.

Like Tommy says, I'll bet you it's got '66 on the inside of the case back. Have you seen the the Rolex Serial Number Project here?: http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

[francis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Like Tommy says, I'll bet you it's got '66 on the inside of the case back. Have you seen the the Rolex Serial Number Project here?: http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

Hmmmm, no I hadn't seen that. Well according to that yes it should be 66. Will know for sure tomorrow when I will have the caseback taken off.

[francis]

3rd quarter of 1965! Or is it 66 ? Will post a pic when I get home.

[alexkarbo]

I must admit I love the 50s style hands. I picked this one up last week a 1953. Congrats on that AK!

[francis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Like Tommy says, I'll bet you it's got '66 on the inside of the case back. Have you seen the the Rolex Serial Number Project here?: http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

here are case back photos...
and mvmt photo... 17 jewel 1520 and also just read where it was something to do with import taxes as to the reason for less jewels

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks like 66, especially in the second pic.

[francis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks like 66, especially in the second pic.

agreed...

btw Adam, would be curious as to whether or not yours has "1002" on the case back also instead of 5500 (or in your case 5501).. Apparently it was common for this to be the case. Mines says 5500 in-between the lugs


btw here is one more pic... keep in mind that this is a silver dial. Not champagne. The lume dots and hands have such nice yellowed patina that when light hits the silver dial and bounces around all that patina, it gives a warm golden glow which is hard to catch with this phone camera. Although you can see it here a little... am lovin this watch