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SoCal_Batman · 19 July 2018, 10:35 AM

Full disclosure: This post is picture heavy

I read somewhere that you never forget your first love and in regards to Rolex watches, I’m in love with my new 116900 Air-King!

A couple of months ago I stopped by my AD to check out their selection and inquire about getting on the waiting list for the BLNR which is my current “grail” watch. Given the current SS supply and demand, there wasn’t a lot of sports watches to look at unless I wanted to go TT or PM.

It was then that I was drawn to the Air-King in their display case. I tried it on, admired it for quite some time, reluctantly took it off, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I tried to satisfy that feeling by purchasing a Tudor Black Bay that I absolutely love, but deep down I couldn’t stop thinking about the Air-King. I like that it’s dynamic, different, and the subject of continued speculation.

I swung back by my AD about 3 weeks ago to try it back on and compare it against the Explorer 1 based on feedback from my fellow TRF’ers, but they didn’t have either in stock...I was shocked. They took down my info and would call me in a couple weeks when either one came in. Fast forward to last week when I got the call the day before I was leaving for vacation. I swung by and there was the Air-King, singing a beautiful melody to me from the coffin.

Well we all know what happened next, tried it back on and that was all she wrote...there is a fat lady singing somewhere

! I was able to get a great discount on it (double digit % off MSRP), my name on the warranty card, and my first official Rolex AD experience. Also got a few freebies thrown in and invited to their Rolex event coming up. My AD laughed when I asked them to save the stickers, must be a newbie thing haha!

Anyways, just wanted to share a good story and some cool pictures of my Air-King out and about exploring Portland this past weekend.

!!

Waiting to board and admiring that dial

AK in it’s natural habitat

Pointing to an AD who I hear has Daytona’s in stock...

Cruising on the River, should I get it wet?!

Got it wet

Back at home

Rose Gold · 19 July 2018, 10:38 AM

Congratulations on the new purchase. By the way, I love the pictures... nicely done.

rmlovett1 · 19 July 2018, 10:39 AM

Nice! I like it! Great pics and watch! Congratulations

CLG23 · 19 July 2018, 10:43 AM

congrats on the watch!

I'm actually debating grabbing the Air-King myself

AJM914 · 19 July 2018, 10:44 AM

Congrats beautiful!

distance79 · 19 July 2018, 10:47 AM

Congrats, impressive watch and great pictures!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SG56 · 19 July 2018, 10:47 AM

Congratulations!

Kostas · 19 July 2018, 10:48 AM

Congrats ! Looks great on you

Pw92676 · 19 July 2018, 10:48 AM

Congrats!

superdog · 19 July 2018, 10:49 AM

A beautiful watch.

TheRolexKingofLV · 19 July 2018, 10:50 AM

Congrats CR! I love the new AK! Great choice!

Bxtek · 19 July 2018, 10:54 AM

Very nice! Congrats!! Thanks for sharing your story about your AD experience. What a great one too, especially for your first Rolex! It seems that most of the audience is hard split on the AK. People seem to love it and others seem to really dislike it. Not very many are in between. I happen to be in the group that has always loved it, ever since it first came out. Love the modern dial design since it looks like no other model of Rolex before.

I'm currently on the hunt for my first Rolex as well which is a BLNR. I've also been thinking about the AK, but I have stayed the course so far and trying to hold out for the BLNR. I can totally understand why the AK is so tempting tho and I don't blame you one bit for pulling the trigger on one! It looks great! I'm glad to see you enjoying it while on vacation. Makes your vacation that much better I'm sure!

The Libertine · 19 July 2018, 10:56 AM

You’ll always remember your first Rolex. Congratulations!

jstan9 · 19 July 2018, 10:56 AM

There is something really fantastic about that watch. I considered it, the explorer, and ended up with the Tudor north flag. They’re each similar but there is a definite oomph to that air king.

It looks great on you and obviously enjoys traveling!

Congrats!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

r8t3d_M · 19 July 2018, 10:57 AM

Congratulations on acquiring your first Rolex! I wouldn’t mind adding this Air-King to the stable. Awesome pictures too..

watchmework · 19 July 2018, 10:57 AM

Congrats on the watch and great pictures!

SemperFi · 19 July 2018, 10:58 AM

I love the AirKing. Congratulations and wear it in the best of health.

gccmd · 19 July 2018, 10:58 AM

Congrats!

Bxtek · 19 July 2018, 11:05 AM

Very cool freebies that your AD threw in too. Nice gloves! Looking forward to an experience like yours with my AD and with my first Rolex. I saw someone else who was selling a preowned watch before that saved their stickers. They were including them with the sale. With that in mind, I had already planned to asked my AD to save the stickers too when I took delivery of my watch. Maybe it IS a newbie thing?? I think you could be right!

Largoshark · 19 July 2018, 11:09 AM

Congrats man! You made a great choice. Wear it in the best of health.

I chose the AK's cousin (see my avatar)

T01 · 19 July 2018, 11:09 AM

Congrats!

jlafou1 · 19 July 2018, 11:11 AM

Congrats! I just got my first as well, a nice no date sub

horonet17 · 19 July 2018, 11:14 AM

Congrats! Very nice pics.

GFONG · 19 July 2018, 11:39 AM

Good pick. Congrats!

037 · 19 July 2018, 11:47 AM

Not only will you always remember your first Rolex... heck... we'll always remember your first Rolex as well!

Congrats!

Fraz · 19 July 2018, 11:47 AM

Great pictures! Congratulations!

kl07rph · 19 July 2018, 12:29 PM

Wow congrats on the AK!!!! Wear her in good health :)

ocN55 · 19 July 2018, 12:40 PM

Love it! Would love to own a Air King as a daily wearer!

Slates · 19 July 2018, 12:41 PM

Congrats!

And sweet D90...that’s my “grail” ride...

KeithP · 19 July 2018, 01:04 PM

LOVE this watch. Congrats!

19 July 2018, 10:35 AM	#1
SoCal_Batman "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Real Name: C.R. Location: Los Angeles Watch: ♛ BLNR \| AK Posts: 1,029	Incoming: My First Rolex ♛ Full disclosure: This post is picture heavy I read somewhere that you never forget your first love and in regards to Rolex watches, I’m in love with my new 116900 Air-King! A couple of months ago I stopped by my AD to check out their selection and inquire about getting on the waiting list for the BLNR which is my current “grail” watch. Given the current SS supply and demand, there wasn’t a lot of sports watches to look at unless I wanted to go TT or PM. It was then that I was drawn to the Air-King in their display case. I tried it on, admired it for quite some time, reluctantly took it off, and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I tried to satisfy that feeling by purchasing a Tudor Black Bay that I absolutely love, but deep down I couldn’t stop thinking about the Air-King. I like that it’s dynamic, different, and the subject of continued speculation. I swung back by my AD about 3 weeks ago to try it back on and compare it against the Explorer 1 based on feedback from my fellow TRF’ers, but they didn’t have either in stock...I was shocked. They took down my info and would call me in a couple weeks when either one came in. Fast forward to last week when I got the call the day before I was leaving for vacation. I swung by and there was the Air-King, singing a beautiful melody to me from the coffin. Well we all know what happened next, tried it back on and that was all she wrote...there is a fat lady singing somewhere ! I was able to get a great discount on it (double digit % off MSRP), my name on the warranty card, and my first official Rolex AD experience. Also got a few freebies thrown in and invited to their Rolex event coming up. My AD laughed when I asked them to save the stickers, must be a newbie thing haha! Anyways, just wanted to share a good story and some cool pictures of my Air-King out and about exploring Portland this past weekend. !! Waiting to board and admiring that dial AK in it’s natural habitat Pointing to an AD who I hear has Daytona’s in stock... Cruising on the River, should I get it wet?! Got it wet Back at home __________________ "The more I see, the less I know for sure." - John Lennon

19 July 2018, 10:38 AM	#2
Rose Gold "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Real Name: Joe Location: North Carolina Watch: er in the rye Posts: 234	Congratulations on the new purchase. By the way, I love the pictures... nicely done. __________________ 2018 Rose Gold Daytona (116505) with Rose Gold Dial and Black Sub-Dials.

19 July 2018, 10:44 AM	#5
AJM914 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: AJ Location: NY Watch: ♕ Posts: 6,761	Congrats beautiful! __________________

19 July 2018, 10:47 AM	#7
SG56 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Tampa Watch: SD4K Posts: 2,674	Congratulations! __________________ Sea-Dweller 116600 - the manly one GMT II 16710 - the manly one Daytona 116500 - the manly-womanly one Yacht-Master 268622 - the chick version Speedy Mitsukoshi <3 Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAF141C.BA0824 - the chick version Thank you logan5tx!!! Have to link it. Too long for the signature. https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...0&postcount=14

19 July 2018, 10:49 AM	#10
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,697	A beautiful watch. __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

19 July 2018, 10:39 AM	#3
rmlovett1 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Richard Location: GA Watch: YTBD Posts: 22,506	Nice! I like it! Great pics and watch! Congratulations

19 July 2018, 10:43 AM	#4
CLG23 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: South Florida Posts: 89	congrats on the watch! I'm actually debating grabbing the Air-King myself

19 July 2018, 10:47 AM	#6
distance79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rochester Posts: 48	Congrats, impressive watch and great pictures! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

19 July 2018, 10:48 AM	#8
Kostas 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Australia Watch: @ kostastimepieces Posts: 5,241	Congrats ! Looks great on you

19 July 2018, 10:48 AM	#9
Pw92676 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 6,131	Congrats!

19 July 2018, 10:50 AM	#11
TheRolexKingofLV "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Trace Location: Vegas/Bay Area Posts: 9,234	Congrats CR! I love the new AK! Great choice! __________________ Official Host "The Penthouse Party" Las Vegas 2018 Instagram @tracenunes

19 July 2018, 10:54 AM	#12
Bxtek "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: CA Posts: 2,549	Very nice! Congrats!! Thanks for sharing your story about your AD experience. What a great one too, especially for your first Rolex! It seems that most of the audience is hard split on the AK. People seem to love it and others seem to really dislike it. Not very many are in between. I happen to be in the group that has always loved it, ever since it first came out. Love the modern dial design since it looks like no other model of Rolex before. I'm currently on the hunt for my first Rolex as well which is a BLNR. I've also been thinking about the AK, but I have stayed the course so far and trying to hold out for the BLNR. I can totally understand why the AK is so tempting tho and I don't blame you one bit for pulling the trigger on one! It looks great! I'm glad to see you enjoying it while on vacation. Makes your vacation that much better I'm sure!

19 July 2018, 10:56 AM	#13
The Libertine Banned Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Mike Location: BOS Watch: 16710;14060;214270 Posts: 6,375	You’ll always remember your first Rolex. Congratulations!

19 July 2018, 10:56 AM	#14
jstan9 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Real Name: Jon Location: Bay Area Watch: Rolex GMT BLNR Posts: 1,339	There is something really fantastic about that watch. I considered it, the explorer, and ended up with the Tudor north flag. They’re each similar but there is a definite oomph to that air king. It looks great on you and obviously enjoys traveling! Congrats! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Platinum YM, BLNR, Rhodium YM, Tudor North Flag

19 July 2018, 10:57 AM	#15
r8t3d_M "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Felipe Location: NYC Watch: Me ;) Posts: 2,894	Congratulations on acquiring your first Rolex! I wouldn’t mind adding this Air-King to the stable. Awesome pictures too..

19 July 2018, 10:57 AM	#16
watchmework "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: DC Watch: 126710BLRO, 116600 Posts: 7,869	Congrats on the watch and great pictures!

19 July 2018, 10:58 AM	#17
SemperFi "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Angelo Location: Brooklyn, NY Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 42,164	I love the AirKing. Congratulations and wear it in the best of health. __________________ Rolex Submariner Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue Tudor Ranger 79910 Nomos Club Datum 733 Nomos Metro 38 Stowa Flieger Classic 40 * Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons *

19 July 2018, 10:58 AM	#18
gccmd "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Arizona Posts: 443	Congrats!

19 July 2018, 11:05 AM	#19
Bxtek "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: CA Posts: 2,549	Very cool freebies that your AD threw in too. Nice gloves! Looking forward to an experience like yours with my AD and with my first Rolex. I saw someone else who was selling a preowned watch before that saved their stickers. They were including them with the sale. With that in mind, I had already planned to asked my AD to save the stickers too when I took delivery of my watch. Maybe it IS a newbie thing?? I think you could be right!

19 July 2018, 11:09 AM	#20
Largoshark "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Real Name: Mike Location: New England Posts: 1,753	Congrats man! You made a great choice. Wear it in the best of health. I chose the AK's cousin (see my avatar)

19 July 2018, 11:09 AM	#21
T01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: T Location: AZ, NV, CA Posts: 6,481	Congrats!

19 July 2018, 11:11 AM	#22
jlafou1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: Josh Location: Louisiana Watch: 114060 Posts: 96	Congrats! I just got my first as well, a nice no date sub

19 July 2018, 11:14 AM	#23
horonet17 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: CA Posts: 94	Congrats! Very nice pics.

19 July 2018, 11:39 AM	#24
GFONG "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Galen Location: SG / HK Watch: Lange / Rolex Posts: 2,810	Good pick. Congrats!

19 July 2018, 11:47 AM	#25
037 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: USA Posts: 6,171	Not only will you always remember your first Rolex... heck... we'll always remember your first Rolex as well! Congrats!

19 July 2018, 11:47 AM	#26
Fraz "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: N/A Posts: 175	Great pictures! Congratulations!

19 July 2018, 12:29 PM	#27
kl07rph "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 53	Wow congrats on the AK!!!! Wear her in good health :)

19 July 2018, 12:40 PM	#28
ocN55 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: WestCoast! Watch: Vintage Posts: 854	Love it! Would love to own a Air King as a daily wearer!

19 July 2018, 12:41 PM	#29
Slates "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Nyc Posts: 69	Congrats! And sweet D90...that’s my “grail” ride...

19 July 2018, 01:04 PM	#30
KeithP "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Real Name: Keith Location: NYC Watch: AK 126900/SM 300M Posts: 1,664	LOVE this watch. Congrats!

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