Got the call. Long live the (Air-)King

[Purple Hayz]

After a shockingly not long wait, I got the call (AD in VA) that my 126900 had arrived yesterday. Wore it home and have yet to take it off (my chronoscope is keeping the box warm ).

20220520_175743_HDR (Custom).jpg

I'm really pleased with this update. Everything I loved about that zany, busy-looking, oddball gen I bloodhound, and none of what I didn't love, all in one package.

At first blush, the 126 looks like the 116. With crown guards.

But spend even 2 seconds and you'll soon see why they don't share a single part. It's actually quite striking how different they are in the flesh. The lumed numerals and better AR coating are the first thing that stands out. No more 3-6-9 "disappearing act" under the light. Throw in the sharpened (and minutely more spaced out) printed indices and everything looks crisper and "higher res." Even the black dial, now about 1mm larger, "pops" on the wrist. From youtube:

AK new vs. old (Custom).jpg

But the real star, for me at least, is the case. As unique as the Millgauss double-case was, I always found it a bit "puffy" and soft looking. There was no mistaking this thing for anything from the sports/pro line:

Screenshot 2022-05-21 170008 (Custom).jpg

The new one is an utterly different (if familiar) animal. Flanks like a knife edge. Honestly, I can't tell the difference b/w this and a Sub 41 or current gen GMTII case. They might even be the same? Either way, gone are the graceful curves and puffed out, rounded surfaces of the 116. This one is chiseled, angular, and sharper at every turn.

Sure the new lume and "fixed" (0)5 marker are the easy giveaways, but the case is by far the biggest improvement, IMO.

Screenshot 2022-05-21 165821 (Custom).jpg

I can't say I miss the 13+mm thickness of the last gen either. The new one clocks in at a wrist hugging 11.5--having ditched the faraday cage that was the old AK's (and Millie's) calling card--and wears like a champ.

Let's just hope Rolex has worked out the kinks in the 3200 series (supposedly antimagnetic enough to make the double case obsolete). I'll put it through the paces on the TG soon enough, though I doubt any caliber will run as tight as my Tudor BBMC or Omega 9906, and I'm ok with that.

Last but not least are the crown guards, the most recognizable and yet underwhelming new addition, IMO. Functional to be sure, but I find them a bit undersized for the watch and perhaps the one element that still looks a bit too rounded. Eyes could be tricking me, but I'd swear they were slightly smaller (and less angular) than the ones on the sub. Anyone know for sure?

On balance, though, I couldn't be happier with the new King. I was delighted when Rolex not only didn't kill it off, but, if anything, seems to have put more thought into improving it than anything else they released this year.

Cheers

[thelinendial]

Congrats and thanks for the review and pictures.

When I was buying my Explorer 36 the guy beside me was getting the same Air King and it looks really spectacular in real life.

He was wearing a suit and it looked really sharp! Now I know why it fit under his cuff so well at only 11.5mm.

[KeithP]

Congrats! I’m a fan and just got one myself, haven’t had the time to post a proper incoming. When I do, it’ll be hard to top yours. You said it all really. Great piece.

[Watcheroo]

Congrats!! Thank you for the great review. I wasn’t aware of how drastically the case changed.


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[MJ EXPLORER]

Congratulations!!! Haven't seen many of these on TRF yet. Is this the first one? Either way, I absolutely love it. I was a big fan of the 116900 Air-King, but when this was announced, I liked literally every change they made. I said it then and I'll say it again......Very few people liked this move when it was announced, but this is going to be a very popular reference once people start seeing them in person.

[wetsum3]

That’s a great write up. Thank you for taking the time to do a perfect comparison. What a help to the forum. Great watch. Enjoy!

[Seddyspaghetti]

Congrats

[cjhurni]

I think this is the first incoming I’ve seen for one of these! Congrats, and thank you for the info.

[MJ EXPLORER]

Also OP, please keep the pictures coming! Seeing it on wrist as in your first pic, really shows how thin and refined it is. Not that we look at these things too closely, but cool that the second hand counterweight is exactly in place to spell ROLEX.




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[uniqueMR]

Congrats :)

[waterking]

Congrats! Love the watch!

[Beto737]

Congratulations, it’s an awesome piece! I’ve officially asked for one. And they’ve officially responded with, “we’ll see!”

[StillTrying]

Originally Posted by MJ EXPLORER

Also OP, please keep the pictures coming! Seeing it on wrist as in your first pic, really shows how thin and refined it is. Not that we look at these things too closely, but cool that the second hand counterweight is exactly in place to spell ROLEX.



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Good catch, MJExp!

OP- congratulations!! And yes, more wrist pics please. I love all the changes Rolex made to this reference.

[mgsooner]

Congrats OP. They unquestionably made the watch better than the previous gen. I personally still wish they would've taken the opportunity for a more significant refresh of the dial, but as it is it's a compelling entry in the catalog - particularly for those who might've missed out on an Explorer 39.

[massie8250]

Congrats! I am very tempted by one of these.

[taitun4life]

��

Can’t wait to get mine

[Cru Jones]

Congrats! Looks great.

Thanks for the well written review and photos.

[Cauhauna]

great post, great pics, and great observations

congrats!

[JeanValjean14]

Congrats,applied for one myself. I really think it will be a great daily beater and and a future classic,something like no date sub. Post more wristshots !

[2loaded]

Congrats!
What do you fly?

[rmlovett1]

Looks great! Congrats!

[Old Expat Beast]

I think it's good to see Rolex going back to smaller crown guards. They've been way oversized since the arrival of six-digit cases. I disliked the Milgauss/Air-King, but I quite like this one (and I have a couple of vintage AKs).

[brandrea]

Congratulations, and great review OP, enjoy your new AK

[JayHantz]

Congratulations! I am a fan of the 05 on the new dial, the symmetry is perfect!

[ap1]

Wow didn’t realize it was materially thinner, enjoy!

[Madprofx]

Great looking watch and I much prefer this revised edition and the updates made. I said I was done for a while having received my Sky Dweller recently, but now……


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[skipstar]

Congrats

[JoseR]

Congrats. I have the 116900 which was my first Rolex and I like the changes that were made to the new AK. It's different. That's what I like. Enjoy..

[Danny83]

Congrats this one looks great the clasp is a great improvement too

[Beo3]

Love it! Congrats