1971ish Air King

[Thesoutherngent]

I’ve lurked for a bit and finally decided on a Datejust 41 with fluted bezel, MOP face and diamond hour markers. I had it for about 2 weeks and I was surprised to find I inherited my great uncle’s 1971ish Air King with a sort of silver colored face which actually had been the root of my watch fascination. My wife, bless her, said oh you can just put that away as a keepsake. Umm no, I’m going to wear this baby!

So the Air king is running and keeping perfect time after having sat unused in the back of a closet for probably 25 years. It definitely needs cleaning and the stem doesn’t seem to screw down completely so I need to service it. The biggest issue is somewhere along the way my great uncle replaced the band with an awful Speidel twist o flex.

Would any of you smart folks have insight into what sort of bracelet or band would have been on this when new? Failing figuring that out I’m debating what to put on this. I recently learned about Vintager straps and I like a couple of the sharkskin. A friend suggested a NATO strap but that’s just not my thing for regular wear. I could see swapping it to a NATO for sports activities if it’s as easy to switch straps on a Rolex as on any other watch.

I would truly appreciate any advice. I’m going to take it for Service this weekend and would really like to have the perfect band when I get it back.

[joe100]

7835 bracelet with 57 end links is period correct

A later solid link 78350 with 557s will work too

[Thesoutherngent]

Thanks! That’s what I needed.