1999 Air King Precision blue dial

[Stonecutter6]

Hello all, I was cruising on Chrono24 and found a really neat 1999 Air King. It's got a Blue Dial and the 3,6,& 9 with sticks on the hours. I know nothing about buying a 20yr old Rolex. The ad says original box but no papers. I guess I would be more curious about the service history and if it's got all the right pieces and parts. The ad below is what I am looking at. Any insight is appreciated, thanks again.

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/---14000--id12614148.htm

[offrdmania]

From the pics it looks nice and correct. It is definitely a Japanese market watch with that case back sticker. I hate when sellers put watches on light tables or photoshop out the background and adjust the lighting because it sometimes hides defects.
As for service history, its hard to know so you always need to factor in a service in the price you pay.
The only thing I would request is a pic of the movement and the opened case back to check for corrosion on anything that looks bad on the inside.
Also, keep in mind that you will most likely have to pay import taxes on that piece when it comes into the country. You may be able to find one for about the same price stateside without having to jump through hoops.

[Stonecutter6]

Thank you very much for the info, I appreciate that. I'll definitely keep an eye out for a piece like that stateside. I've only ever bought 1 Rolex and that was a new SubC a couple months back from an AD. The buying process for used pieces seems quite different.

When you say it's a Japenese market watch, do you mean it was only available in that market or its just coming from a vendor their currently?

[othertbone]

I personally wouldn't buy from a dealer outside the country. So tricky... communicating language, communicating with different time zones, customs, returns and recourse is tough if needed.

There are countless places in the U.S. to buy, including here on TRF, so I would stay in your own playground. Just my 2 cents.

[Dan S]

Not sure why this is posted in the Vintage Forum.

[Stonecutter6]

OTB, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I'm going to keep a look out. That was just the style/ reference that I like. I'm by no means sold on purchasing from them.

[miamiclay]

I recently imported a similarly priced piece, the import duty should be around $180-200. The exact figure depends on how one breaks down the purchase price, specifically how much of the total is assessed among the case, movement, and bracelet (because the US duty %s are slightly different for each type of component).

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Stonecutter6

Thank you very much for the info, I appreciate that. I'll definitely keep an eye out for a piece like that stateside. I've only ever bought 1 Rolex and that was a new SubC a couple months back from an AD. The buying process for used pieces seems quite different.

When you say it's a Japenese market watch, do you mean it was only available in that market or its just coming from a vendor their currently?

When new, the only difference would be the sticker on the back and the owners manuals in the box would be in Japanese.

[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

When new, the only difference would be the sticker on the back and the owners manuals in the box would be in Japanese.

Thanks much; I appreciate that!

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[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

I recently imported a similarly priced piece, the import duty should be around $180-200. The exact figure depends on how one breaks down the purchase price, specifically how much of the total is assessed among the case, movement, and bracelet (because the US duty %s are slightly different for each type of component).

That's interesting, so all those pieces taxed separately?

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[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Not sure why this is posted in the Vintage Forum.

So twenty year old watches don't count? How old must something be to be considered vintage?

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Stonecutter6

So twenty year old watches don't count? How old must something be to be considered vintage?

Its ok, dont mind him. Your question will still get answered.

There is no exact conclusion about what is and what isnt vintage. I could post links to a hundred posts asking that exact question with no clear answer.

The consensus is roughly pre-1985 or when acrylic crystals switched to sapphire.

[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Its ok, dont mind him. Your question will still get answered.

There is no exact conclusion about what is and what isnt vintage. I could post links to a hundred posts asking that exact question with no clear answer.

The consensus is roughly pre-1985 or when acrylic crystals switched to sapphire.

Hey, thanks much; I appreciate your answer. I'm still on the hunt and have seen a few from US Dealers. Thanks again!

[Swaye]

You cannot go wrong with old Air Kings. I have given serious thought the last couple of years to starting a small collection within a collection of older Air Kings. They have so many excellent dial combos over the years, tons of history, and perhaps best of all are affordable (relative term I know). I love them. I always catch myself searching Chrono24 for older Air Kings. And guilty pleasure alert, actually thinking of asking my AD to get me a new one. I like them. Unlike most of the world it seems.

[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by Swaye

You cannot go wrong with old Air Kings. I have given serious thought the last couple of years to starting a small collection within a collection of older Air Kings. They have so many excellent dial combos over the years, tons of history, and perhaps best of all are affordable (relative term I know). I love them. I always catch myself searching Chrono24 for older Air Kings. And guilty pleasure alert, actually thinking of asking my AD to get me a new one. I like them. Unlike most of the world it seems.

I really like the new AK as well. Truth be told that watch got me into look at the Rolex brand and was the first I tried on at the AD. I went back to look at it again and got offered a Subc that morning. It took a few days of research and thinking to make the choice of which to buy.

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[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Stonecutter6

I really like the new AK as well. Truth be told that watch got me into look at the Rolex brand and was the first I tried on at the AD. I went back to look at it again and got offered a Subc that morning. It took a few days of research and thinking to make the choice of which to buy.

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Which did you end up getting?

When the new AK first came out I was very luke warm on it, but it has grown on me considerably. I think of it now as a fun quirky piece that's way different for Rolex. I just might add it one day.

[javier]

It looks ok, just ask the seller to open the back case, chek it out, and ask for a discount. In my opinión is expensive at that price

[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by javier

It looks ok, just ask the seller to open the back case, chek it out, and ask for a discount. In my opinión is expensive at that price

Thank you very much for the idea; I've never dealt with an older watch before but I've got to imagine the value to be very negotiable. What exactly am I looking for once the back is off?

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[Stonecutter6]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Which did you end up getting?



When the new AK first came out I was very luke warm on it, but it has grown on me considerably. I think of it now as a fun quirky piece that's way different for Rolex. I just might add it one day.

I went with the SubC after learning about all the hype; I don't regret it at all either. I'd add the AK if I'm flush with cash someday. It's got enough going for it that it's different from the rest of the pack of Steel Sports.

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[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Stonecutter6

I went with the SubC after learning about all the hype; I don't regret it at all either. I'd add the AK if I'm flush with cash someday. It's got enough going for it that it's different from the rest of the pack of Steel Sports.

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Good idea. The nice thing about my desire for an older AK is the prices are still decent, and there are tons of them out there. Easy to pick one up in the future.