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Old 8 April 2019, 01:26 AM   #61
bblewis
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I had the chance to try this on when I was hunting for a sub. I actually really liked on the wrist. It was tempting, as that was a watch which was much easier to find than other SS models. Ultimately, held out for what I was really searching for. Who knows, maybe it’s Rolex #2!

I do wonder if the fact it’s more readily available makes it overall less desirable than other SS models? After reading through the forum for months I have a feeling if Rolex discontinued it, like the 116710LN, it would all of a sudden be viewed in a whole new light.
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Old 8 April 2019, 01:34 AM   #62
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I always say “who cares” to what others think about my watches. I’m also the guy who sold his Black SubC because he got sick of seeing ten of them at every airport he was at. Everyone and their brother has one. So I won’t.


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Old 8 April 2019, 01:39 AM   #63
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Conversely I hear a lot of people say they need to make the Explorer II at 40mm and a ceramic bezel. So....a Submariner with an orange 24 hand.

I’m glad there are lots of options. Something for everyone.


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Old 8 April 2019, 01:46 AM   #64
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I dislike the fact that the styling is nothing short of schizophrenic - it's so all over the place and impossible to follow. You have the cockpit stopwatch styling for most of the indicators, with the WG 3-6-9 thrown in, and then for some reason Rolex decided on green for the hands/lettering, and bright yellow for the crown.

Then throw in the fact that it is considered part of the Pro line, but lacks the flip-lock clasp and is only a tiny bit larger (1mm) than the Exp. I, which already wears larger than its 39mm.

It's also such a wasted opportunity (IMO) to do one of the following:

1. Add a 37 mm watch to the lineup that follows the tradition of Explorer-like styling at 1mm smaller.

2. Reintroduce a manually wound watch to the Oyster lineup (weren't there some manual AK at one point?).

3. If the piece was meant as a "tribute" then do an "Air" series (Air King, Air Lion, Air Giant, etc.), and either do each in a different dial color (black, white, silver) or different size (35, 37, 39).
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Old 8 April 2019, 01:50 AM   #65
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I like mine because it's different and has that funky look that's not too far out there. Love the brushed bracelet and timekeeping has been excellent (basically zero seconds per day).

You have to see this one in person to appreciate it. Once you do, you may change your mind.

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Old 8 April 2019, 02:09 AM   #66
chloebear
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Originally Posted by JMtimes5 View Post
It really is in the eye of the beholder. I love the classic Air-King text, the yellow coronet and the green Rolex text.
YMMV :)
Peace!






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This might be the best pic of the Air King. Well done!


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Old 8 April 2019, 03:41 AM   #67
Verdi
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Busy dial
No identity/connection to the old air-king

Competes against Explorer 1, OP39 and Milgauss, which all have strong identity and following.

The new airking is a flop imo
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Old 8 April 2019, 04:43 AM   #68
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I had the option of buying either the Airking or the Explorer. From a technical perspective the Airking really appealed to me as I travel a lot and had issues with magnetised automatic movements in the past. The deciding factors against buying it were the thicker case and that very modern dial. I do disagree that the dial makes it a challenging buy. I have seen many many worse looking sport watches imho.

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Old 8 April 2019, 05:10 AM   #69
Rocket launcher
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Its one of the best watches in the Rolex line up The Airking watch cannot really be fully understood unless it is worn and only then do you see the dial it is amazing ..look at the 3 6 9 and it's an hour watch ..look at the 5 10 20 and it's a minute watch..look at it at a different light and the dial becomes 3D it's superb and as a bonus it's housed in a milgauss case..

At a bargain price compared to the other dials housed in this case...

Don't knock it until you have tried it
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Old 8 April 2019, 05:22 AM   #70
Bob the brush
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I really enjoy mine, love its quirkiness, I feel it sits well in my small collection.
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Old 8 April 2019, 05:39 AM   #71
JMtimes5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chloebear View Post
This might be the best pic of the Air King. Well done!


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Thank you. Phone camera can sometimes nail it.
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Old 8 April 2019, 05:49 AM   #72
jimcameron
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At 34 it's too small. At 40mm it's too expensive.
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Old 8 April 2019, 09:08 AM   #73
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The new AK is a real sleeper. Ten years from now it will be the new 1016!
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Old 8 April 2019, 10:22 AM   #74
Yobber76
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I'd rather have an Explorer.
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Old 8 April 2019, 10:45 AM   #75
MP5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dantheman View Post
I always say “who cares” to what others think about my watches. I’m also the guy who sold his Black SubC because he got sick of seeing ten of them at every airport he was at. Everyone and their brother has one. So I won’t.


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Lotta fakes out there
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Old 8 April 2019, 10:54 AM   #76
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I think the Air-King is a compliment to one's collection once they have acquired their Sub, GMT, and/or Daytona.

As a first Rolex I wouldn't recommend. For the watch collector you can appreciate the great bang per buck and the controversial dial. I
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Old 8 April 2019, 01:38 PM   #77
Fedpete
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Hideous dial


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Old 8 April 2019, 02:08 PM   #78
BisonHead
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I like them, think they are a nice watch. Does the job IMHO
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Old 8 April 2019, 02:41 PM   #79
Galaga167
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I like it. Nothing wrong with it.

IMG_5953.jpg
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Old 8 April 2019, 03:53 PM   #80
Nairn1980
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lifeisarolliecoaster View Post
The Explorer I 214270 makes more sense
I think most agree
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Old 8 April 2019, 03:55 PM   #81
Galaga167
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I think most agree
It is sublime.

8209aff5-0b7f-4471-88c4-a5877c1e8de1.jpg
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Old 8 April 2019, 04:01 PM   #82
Nairn1980
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Why Air King is such an unpopular reference?

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Originally Posted by Tekken View Post
It is sublime.



Attachment 1033031


Beautiful. I went for mk1 but love mine too

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Old 8 April 2019, 04:06 PM   #83
Galaga167
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Beautiful. I went for mk1 but love mine too



Nothing wrong with yours my friend. I hopefully get my mark II later this year.
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Old 9 April 2019, 12:25 AM   #84
actionkwj
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It's a lazy release imo.

Other than the green hands it is all resued parts from either the milguass or the explorer 1. Pilots use GMTs now a days not this style watch.


I agree with this. It’s not the design that puts me off, per se, it’s that it’s not an Airking! They took the branding of a classic model and stuck it on a parts bin collection. Would like it better if they just have it a different name, LOL


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Old 9 April 2019, 12:42 AM   #85
delboylee
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Busy busy dial and looks a little like a toy? Like not too much thought has gone into it. Poor air king!
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Old 9 April 2019, 01:36 AM   #86
Juicemt
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It's an enormous 3 hander
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Old 9 April 2019, 05:19 AM   #87
javier
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Not my cup of tea indeed !!!
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Old 9 April 2019, 05:28 AM   #88
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The only thing I dislike is the 3-6-9. That and the lack of lume. If they kept design coherence with the numbers and lumed them, I'd be all over this watch. Love the green accents
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Old 9 April 2019, 06:22 AM   #89
askdanny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by actionkwj View Post
I agree with this. It’s not the design that puts me off, per se, it’s that it’s not an Airking! They took the branding of a classic model and stuck it on a parts bin collection. Would like it better if they just have it a different name, LOL
Most who've known the Air-King before the 116900 are disappointed with the design of the new one because "it's not an Air-King." Those who are discovering the Air-King for the first time in the Rolex line-up tend to be pleased.

I've had an abusive relationship with the new Air-King. I'm probably the only one in the world who has bought and sold -- for personal use -- the 116900 four times. I've loved the watch but in general grow tired of three-hand watches. Give me a date, a bezel or a chrono. The splash of color and the dial quirkiness does keep the boredom at bay... for a while.
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Old 9 April 2019, 06:23 AM   #90
misterbass
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I love the quirkiness of the dial.
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