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Newbietoo · 13 June 2008, 07:41 AM

Hi guys, you have a great forum here. I have been doing some research on the Air King lately, due to a chest that I got that use to belong to my grandpa. On that chest, I found what appears to be an Air King Rolex. I was so surprised about it that immediately started to navigate in search for news. Fortunately I found this forum. Following your comments, first thing I do was to see if there were model and serial numbers on it, and they were there. Watch is in a bad shape I guess, dial is yellowish, looks like moisture penetrate the case. The band is missing some links, plastic cristal has some scratches, it looks pretty old. The numbers that I found were 5504 with the words "registered design" below the 5504 model No. at the twelve position, and on the six o'clock position all I foud was a six digit number with no letter. Will this be a "fake"? Dial has no numbers, only marks and the legends "ROLEX"
"OYSTER PERPETUAL" "AIR KING" on the top of it. On the bottom saids: 'SUPER PRESICION" and at the bottom of the "six" marker the word "SWISS". Unfortunately I was not able to find any paperwork, box or certificate for it. Any comments will be greately appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Tools · 13 June 2008, 08:36 AM

Welcome to the forum

The 5504 is indeed a Rolex, but is the non-date version of the 36mm Explorer.

However, with Rolex, all is not cast in stone so it is very possible that you have an Air-King badged Explorer.

The models back then (~1955) looked identical except for the name.

I would look inside and ensure that it has a Rolex movement, have it cleaned and oiled, and enjoy this heirloom.

Newbietoo · 13 June 2008, 01:15 PM

Can someone tell me, more or less how old is this watch? The first tree digits from the serial number are "372xxx". And also if this model has "hack movement", because I have not been able to stop the "seconds" hand.

Tools · 13 June 2008, 01:23 PM

As I said, that would be a ~1955 model. Confirmation would be a date code stamped inside the caseback...such as II 55, for second quarter of 1955 etc.

You have a "non-hacking" movement. Hacking means that the second hand can be stopped. Hacking movements did not come out until about 1972.

You can apply some back pressure to the crown when setting the time and "bump" the second hand and that will periodically stop it..

Measure from one side of the case to the other at where the crown sits...in other words, do not include the crown. Air-Kings were 34mm and Explorers were 36mm.

mickeydainish · 13 June 2008, 01:46 PM

sounds interesting... a few pics would be nice... :-)

jac67 · 13 June 2008, 03:05 PM

I agree with Larry.

The 5504 case was used as both the Air-King as well as the Explorer. 1530 calibre movement.

Please post us some pics.

John.

SPACE-DWELLER · 13 June 2008, 06:50 PM

Welcome to TRF!

Can't wait for the pics!

If you have it serviced, I suggest to have it serviced by an independent RSC like the one in San Francisco since the 3 official US RSC's probably would not touch the watch due to its old movement (and Radium dial - see more about Rolex lume by clicking here).

Be sure to keep the dial untouched (not exchanged) to preserve collectability of the watch.

Newbietoo · 17 June 2008, 01:01 PM

Here Are Some Pictures...

SubDiver · 17 June 2008, 01:19 PM

Wow!! That's old. Nice heirloom indeed.

Tools · 17 June 2008, 01:20 PM

Great looking piece.........

Rolex had the precision and the super precision which was their up graded movement at the time..

That is probably a very rare watch.... This is one you want an expert to work on rather than just anybody....

entropydave · 17 June 2008, 04:18 PM

Lovely! it's that 50's vibe again....they really knew how to design watches in the late 40's- early 50s.
Well, in my taste, that is!

SPACE-DWELLER · 17 June 2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Great looking piece.........

Rolex had the precision and the super precision which was their up graded movement at the time..

That is probably a very rare watch.... This is one you want an expert to work on rather than just anybody....

Agreed!

I suggest Bob Ridley (member here and high-quality watchmaker). For the case refurbishment, Dalton would be a very good man to hand the watch to.

Newbietoo · 24 June 2008, 01:27 PM

I am not a good photographer. Still working at it...

Thanks!!!

mywifespissed · 10 June 2011, 02:24 AM

Here is my new 5504 Air King I got a couple of days ago for $600! Pretty nice overall. Wasn't worn for 30+ years.

tedwedz · 22 June 2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mywifespissed

Here is my new 5504 Air King I got a couple of days ago for $600! Pretty nice overall. Wasn't worn for 30+ years.

Nice.. But the photos of the strap saying "China" let it down! ;-)

ANALOGUE · 22 June 2018, 05:57 AM

Hi guys!
I am trying to understand this ref as I have a 19mm oyster that I have no use for... So what to do? Buy a watch :)
I would like a black dial or bright honeycomb Explorer dial,but I guess the risk of buying a franken is huge as the same ref came with both Airking anf Explorer dial and the latter is worth quite much more I suppose?

What years (Serial numbers) was it produced with exp dial? What else do I need to think about?

13 June 2008, 07:41 AM	#1
Newbietoo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 5	rolex model 5504: EXPLORER OR AIR KING? Hi guys, you have a great forum here. I have been doing some research on the Air King lately, due to a chest that I got that use to belong to my grandpa. On that chest, I found what appears to be an Air King Rolex. I was so surprised about it that immediately started to navigate in search for news. Fortunately I found this forum. Following your comments, first thing I do was to see if there were model and serial numbers on it, and they were there. Watch is in a bad shape I guess, dial is yellowish, looks like moisture penetrate the case. The band is missing some links, plastic cristal has some scratches, it looks pretty old. The numbers that I found were 5504 with the words "registered design" below the 5504 model No. at the twelve position, and on the six o'clock position all I foud was a six digit number with no letter. Will this be a "fake"? Dial has no numbers, only marks and the legends "ROLEX" "OYSTER PERPETUAL" "AIR KING" on the top of it. On the bottom saids: 'SUPER PRESICION" and at the bottom of the "six" marker the word "SWISS". Unfortunately I was not able to find any paperwork, box or certificate for it. Any comments will be greately appreciated. Thanks!!!

13 June 2008, 08:36 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	Welcome to the forum The 5504 is indeed a Rolex, but is the non-date version of the 36mm Explorer. However, with Rolex, all is not cast in stone so it is very possible that you have an Air-King badged Explorer. The models back then (~1955) looked identical except for the name. I would look inside and ensure that it has a Rolex movement, have it cleaned and oiled, and enjoy this heirloom. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

13 June 2008, 01:23 PM	#4
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	As I said, that would be a ~1955 model. Confirmation would be a date code stamped inside the caseback...such as II 55, for second quarter of 1955 etc. You have a "non-hacking" movement. Hacking means that the second hand can be stopped. Hacking movements did not come out until about 1972. You can apply some back pressure to the crown when setting the time and "bump" the second hand and that will periodically stop it.. Measure from one side of the case to the other at where the crown sits...in other words, do not include the crown. Air-Kings were 34mm and Explorers were 36mm. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

13 June 2008, 06:50 PM	#7
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Welcome to TRF! Can't wait for the pics! If you have it serviced, I suggest to have it serviced by an independent RSC like the one in San Francisco since the 3 official US RSC's probably would not touch the watch due to its old movement (and Radium dial - see more about Rolex lume by clicking here). Be sure to keep the dial untouched (not exchanged) to preserve collectability of the watch. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

17 June 2008, 01:20 PM	#10
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	Great looking piece......... Rolex had the precision and the super precision which was their up graded movement at the time.. That is probably a very rare watch.... This is one you want an expert to work on rather than just anybody.... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

13 June 2008, 01:15 PM	#3
Newbietoo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mexico Posts: 5	Can someone tell me, more or less how old is this watch? The first tree digits from the serial number are "372xxx". And also if this model has "hack movement", because I have not been able to stop the "seconds" hand.

13 June 2008, 01:46 PM	#5
mickeydainish Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Michael Location: LaLa Land Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 1,757	sounds interesting... a few pics would be nice... :-)

13 June 2008, 03:05 PM	#6
jac67 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Me Posts: 1,950	I agree with Larry. The 5504 case was used as both the Air-King as well as the Explorer. 1530 calibre movement. Please post us some pics. John.

17 June 2008, 01:19 PM	#9
SubDiver Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Ryan Location: Roseville, CA Watch: TT Submariner Posts: 144	Wow!! That's old. Nice heirloom indeed.

17 June 2008, 04:18 PM	#11
entropydave "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Dave Location: Huntington, IN Posts: 680	Lovely! it's that 50's vibe again....they really knew how to design watches in the late 40's- early 50s. Well, in my taste, that is!

22 June 2018, 05:57 AM	#16
ANALOGUE "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sweden Posts: 24	Hi guys! I am trying to understand this ref as I have a 19mm oyster that I have no use for... So what to do? Buy a watch :) I would like a black dial or bright honeycomb Explorer dial,but I guess the risk of buying a franken is huge as the same ref came with both Airking anf Explorer dial and the latter is worth quite much more I suppose? What years (Serial numbers) was it produced with exp dial? What else do I need to think about?

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