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Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 06:12 AM

I just bought this air king [edited]. I had it opened and the serial number looked at and it dates to 1975. But I have never seen an air king with this font before. The seller gave me two bracelets with it. One is the original Jubliee bracelet that is USA made but missing the end links (if you know what aftermarket ends I need that would be awesome) and a new oyster from the 80s. Is this a really Rare Model? Also the Dial is slightly off center. But that may be due to the age of the piece. My jeweler is cleaning the case and bracelet at the moment. Here are some pictures right before I dropped it off. He took the back off.

Tools · 3 October 2019, 06:37 AM

That's not an Air King dial.

Does the case reference number match the case-back?

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 07:16 AM

The case back number is 1002 as you can see from the photo. The case number between the lugs is a 3.9mil serial number and a 5500 ref number. I was able to find an one Air King from 1978 that has that same font.
Hmm are you sure this isn't a type of rare model? The watch is genuine, just look at the movement. The original owner bought the watch in 1980s from an estate sale and had that oyster bracelet changed. I asked him for the end links for the jubilee but unfortunately he lost them. Do you think that dial is a rare variant?

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 08:31 AM

The Case Ref number is 5500. However that doesn't really mean anything though. Most 34mm Rolexes from that time had a 1002 case back. Whether it was an Oyster Perpetual, Air King or even some Explorer models. Check out this old post. It pretty much sums it up. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=546251

SunTzu · 3 October 2019, 09:07 AM

Both examples look like poor redials and the lume looks awful on the second example.

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 09:18 AM

Here are several Ebay listings with similar Air Kings with that strange font.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-Mens-...QAAOSw0yVcdHMf

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...cAAOSwP7tc6CQ8

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...75.c100623.m-1

Old Expat Beast · 3 October 2019, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

Here are several Ebay listings with similar Air Kings with that strange font.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-Mens-...QAAOSw0yVcdHMf

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...cAAOSwP7tc6CQ8

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...75.c100623.m-1

That seems to be the same watch head on three different straps, if you look at the shapes of the re-applied lume plots and scratch on the hour hand. Same seller too. It's a really bad redial.

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 09:29 AM

Mine I got from a different seller. I did get it really cheap. As I said before. Im just looking to flip this one to get a 14010 Air King. It is a bummer that the dial was redone.

Old Expat Beast · 3 October 2019, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

Mine I got from a different seller. I did get it really cheap. As I said before. Im just looking to flip this one to get a 14010 Air King. It is a bummer that the dial was redone.

The hands are wrong for a 1970s AK, too. I'd just get a refund if I were you.

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 09:31 AM

I got it for 1400. Bobs watches pays out 2000 for a 5500 Air King. Worst Case I will just sell it to them.

Knappo 1307 · 3 October 2019, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

I got it for 1400. Bobs watches pays out 2000 for a 5500 Air King. Worst Case I will just sell it to them.

Good luck with that, what you are quoted from Boob's and what you get are usually way too different things....

Old Expat Beast · 3 October 2019, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

I got it for 1400. Bobs watches pays out 2000 for a 5500 Air King. Worst Case I will just sell it to them.

I'd be surprised if they even took it off your hands as is, to be honest.

GGGMT · 3 October 2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

I got it for 1400. Bobs watches pays out 2000 for a 5500 Air King. Worst Case I will just sell it to them.

Funny! Bobs ain’t gonna mess with it; ruff redial; hands off. No upside here. Hopefully you can Get a refund.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Liquid Snake · 3 October 2019, 01:27 PM

Its actually a 1973. But yeah it looks like the dial was redone in some way. Its a 3 million serial. Bobs actually has a similar watch. Or well they did. My theory is the dial was redone. Here are others with those same hands and similar dial as well.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-vi...-air-king.html

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/air-k...id11211428.htm

Either way I wont get my watch back till Friday from my Jeweler. He is polishing and cleaning the case and oyster bracelet for me. He is the owner of a Patek and Cartier dealer. And a good friend of mine. I don't know. That font is really unique though. I have never really seen anything like it.

Old Expat Beast · 3 October 2019, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

Its actually a 1973. But yeah it looks like the dial was redone in some way. Its a 3 million serial. Bobs actually has a similar watch. Or well they did. My theory is the dial was redone. Here are others with those same hands and similar dial as well.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-vi...-air-king.html

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/air-k...id11211428.htm

Either way I wont get my watch back till Friday from my Jeweler. He is polishing and cleaning the case and oyster bracelet for me. He is the owner of a Patek and Cartier dealer. And a good friend of mine. I don't know. That font is really unique though. I have never really seen anything like it.

Those hands and dials are still different to yours.
I'm still calling replaced hands and repainted dial. That Air-King font was never put on a dial by Rolex, and the hands look like parts-bin replacements from the 1950s.

freefly · 3 October 2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'm still calling replaced hands and repainted dial. That Air-King font was never put on a dial by Rolex, and the hands look like parts-bin replacements from the 1950s.

+1

Junk or poorly refinished dial, and replacement hands. Almost look like ones from a 50's/60's Tudor.

Liquid Snake · 4 October 2019, 11:57 AM

You know what. Maybe I will just buy a nice 5500 OEM Dial with Hands and put that on when I get it serviced. It will need service anyway. I have found original dials with hands for around 200-300$. Still though the sword hands are quite unique. But I do believe that dial is original but it did have a sloppy redone though. The hands might be original but I think I will just look for a nice OEM dial and hands set and call it a day. Also I think I need the 555 end links for that original jubilee bracelet but I may be wrong though. Any help with that will be greatly appreciated.

Liquid Snake · 4 October 2019, 02:01 PM

I found this listing for 250 with hands. What do you think? https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTE...0AAOSwW~FcVchY

FloridaSam · 4 October 2019, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Snake

I found this listing for 250 with hands. What do you think? https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTE...0AAOSwW~FcVchY

That would look nice on what you have. If you can't return it, that would make a pretty combo to wear proudly.

Liquid Snake · 4 October 2019, 11:06 PM

I could return it. The seller was quite nice. But since I got it so cheap. Swapping out the dial and getting a service, I'm still going to be under 2k. What are your thoughts on swapping it with this Explorer 5500 dial and hands? Will this hurt the value or not really? This dial looks genuine, but again i'm no expert with vintage dials.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rol...MAAOSwHQRdlmdJ

Liquid Snake · 5 October 2019, 10:05 AM

Im returning it on wednesday. The seller has sentimental value towards it and would like it back. Im just going to look for a good deal on a blue dial 14010 or 14010m Air King. I love that engine turned bezel, it really gives it that sporty look I want.

3 October 2019, 06:37 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,049	That's not an Air King dial. Does the case reference number match the case-back? __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

3 October 2019, 09:07 AM	#5
SunTzu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NJ Watch: 5513 116234 79280P Posts: 2,144	Both examples look like poor redials and the lume looks awful on the second example. __________________ The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori

3 October 2019, 08:31 AM	#4
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	The Case Ref number is 5500. However that doesn't really mean anything though. Most 34mm Rolexes from that time had a 1002 case back. Whether it was an Oyster Perpetual, Air King or even some Explorer models. Check out this old post. It pretty much sums it up. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=546251

3 October 2019, 09:18 AM	#6
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	Here are several Ebay listings with similar Air Kings with that strange font. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-Mens-...QAAOSw0yVcdHMf https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...cAAOSwP7tc6CQ8 https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-14k-s...75.c100623.m-1

3 October 2019, 09:29 AM	#8
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	Mine I got from a different seller. I did get it really cheap. As I said before. Im just looking to flip this one to get a 14010 Air King. It is a bummer that the dial was redone.

3 October 2019, 09:31 AM	#10
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	I got it for 1400. Bobs watches pays out 2000 for a 5500 Air King. Worst Case I will just sell it to them.

3 October 2019, 01:27 PM	#14
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	Its actually a 1973. But yeah it looks like the dial was redone in some way. Its a 3 million serial. Bobs actually has a similar watch. Or well they did. My theory is the dial was redone. Here are others with those same hands and similar dial as well. https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-vi...-air-king.html https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/air-k...id11211428.htm Either way I wont get my watch back till Friday from my Jeweler. He is polishing and cleaning the case and oyster bracelet for me. He is the owner of a Patek and Cartier dealer. And a good friend of mine. I don't know. That font is really unique though. I have never really seen anything like it.

4 October 2019, 11:57 AM	#17
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	You know what. Maybe I will just buy a nice 5500 OEM Dial with Hands and put that on when I get it serviced. It will need service anyway. I have found original dials with hands for around 200-300$. Still though the sword hands are quite unique. But I do believe that dial is original but it did have a sloppy redone though. The hands might be original but I think I will just look for a nice OEM dial and hands set and call it a day. Also I think I need the 555 end links for that original jubilee bracelet but I may be wrong though. Any help with that will be greatly appreciated.

4 October 2019, 02:01 PM	#18
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	I found this listing for 250 with hands. What do you think? https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTE...0AAOSwW~FcVchY

4 October 2019, 11:06 PM	#20
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	I could return it. The seller was quite nice. But since I got it so cheap. Swapping out the dial and getting a service, I'm still going to be under 2k. What are your thoughts on swapping it with this Explorer 5500 dial and hands? Will this hurt the value or not really? This dial looks genuine, but again i'm no expert with vintage dials. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rol...MAAOSwHQRdlmdJ

5 October 2019, 10:05 AM	#21
Liquid Snake "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Brandon Location: Florida Watch: Rolex Oysterquartz Posts: 73	Im returning it on wednesday. The seller has sentimental value towards it and would like it back. Im just going to look for a good deal on a blue dial 14010 or 14010m Air King. I love that engine turned bezel, it really gives it that sporty look I want.

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