Air King with colored dials?

[lucifer23]

Hi all,

I'm no expert in Rolexes, but we've been looking for one for my wife for quite some time. (She's very particular and into vintage design.) She recently noticed that one of the big department stores has a small case of vintage Rolex Air Kings with different brightly-colored faces such as red, aqua, yellow, and green. The salesperson said they're from the 1970s. They cost around $3800. My wife absolutely loves these. Obviously, these have custom dials that aren't official Rolex. My thought though is that I could probably do better getting her a new (or more recent, or better priced) Air King and a custom dial separately. (I know, I know, frankenwatch... but I want to make her happy. I love my "stock" Submariner, myself.)

Any thoughts on this? Or good places to look for these used Rolexes with the bright colored dials? I'd imagine this department store charges far more than they're worth. Or best spot to buy the colored dials?

Thanks so much!
David

[Mrdi]

There is a current issue blue dial Air King and a Salmon colored dial as well.

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by lucifer23

Hi all,

I'm no expert in Rolexes, but we've been looking for one for my wife for quite some time. (She's very particular and into vintage design.) She recently noticed that one of the big department stores has a small case of vintage Rolex Air Kings with different brightly-colored faces such as red, aqua, yellow, and green. The salesperson said they're from the 1970s. They cost around $3800. My wife absolutely loves these. Obviously, these have custom dials that aren't official Rolex. My thought though is that I could probably do better getting her a new (or more recent, or better priced) Air King and a custom dial separately. (I know, I know, frankenwatch... but I want to make her happy. I love my "stock" Submariner, myself.)

Any thoughts on this? Or good places to look for these used Rolexes with the bright colored dials? I'd imagine this department store charges far more than they're worth. Or best spot to buy the colored dials?

Thanks so much!
David

Welcome David. I would recommend a new Air-King. The story on those brightly painted dials is that in the 80's and early 90's many of the Air-Kings and Oyster Precision models(non-perpetual) were scooped up by the hundreds because they were the cheapest Rolex watches you could buy in bulk. Many were quickly polished and had the dials painted in fashion colors to attract new customers to buy them at jacked up prices. Your best bet is to buy a new one and get it at with the color dial you want.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF, David!

Have a look at the Rolex website:

New Air-Kings! CLICK!

[zak98]

the new airking concentric dials are really unique. probably a love or hate thing.. but i love em'

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by zak98

(...)probably a love or hate thing.. but i love em'

It is all a matter of personal preference, but I for my part do not like the eccentric (oops: concentric) dials.