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2 August 2020, 09:37 PM | #1 |
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Vintage Air King
Looking through white dialed Air Kings and I came across this one for sale in the UK.
Information is minimal but (without lug info) is it likely to be a 5500? Is the dial original to the watch. Expert advice would be welcomed. |
3 August 2020, 03:10 AM | #2 |
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The 5500 was introduced in 1957
I would want to look this one over, but that dial was not uncommon in the 50's. The movement would tell us a lot. All 5500's used the 1520/1530 movement with the "Super Precision" being the 1530. The previous 6552 used a 1030 movement. I do not believe that those are original hands.
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3 August 2020, 05:10 AM | #3 |
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Thanks for the reply.
I really like the old Air King dials especially "white 3 6 9 waffle" if that's the correct term?! And lockdown has allowed me far too much time to search around for them and others. I clearly have a lot to learn though, as when this one popped up I thought that it didn't look quite right. The "Swiss Made" looked odd to me and I've not seen batons like this either. I envy the knowledge of you guys! If someone can point me towards a resource of "Every Vintage Rolex Dial Ever Made" that would be great |
3 August 2020, 05:29 AM | #4 |
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I wouldn't be surprised if this dial was a repaint. It's seems a bit too "white" for the time period.
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4 August 2020, 12:39 AM | #5 |
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Hard to tell from lone photo, but I would say it has a coin flip chance of being real...Looks like late 50's when funky stuff was known to happen. Super precision is a 'better' movement than the ones labelled "precision".
Cool watch! |
4 August 2020, 03:35 AM | #6 |
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That dial is definitely a repaint. And it was done poorly. Most watches from this time wont have bright white dials, they are usually an eggshell white at this point.
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7 August 2020, 11:51 AM | #7 |
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Refinished.
Dial would have said SWISS or t SWISS t Swiss made ended in 1953 and was not used again until recent years. |
8 August 2020, 07:12 AM | #8 |
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Been looking at a lot of these myself lately; I'd side on this one being redone at some point.
Nice vintage 5500's aren't too rare, but it depends on budget, what exactly you want, and must frustratingly - for me, anyway - patience. Oh, and if anyone finds that whole every-Rolex-Dial-Rolex-ever-made directory put me down for a copy. ;) |
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