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Glen Parva · 2 August 2020, 09:37 PM

Looking through white dialed Air Kings and I came across this one for sale in the UK.
Information is minimal but (without lug info) is it likely to be a 5500? Is the dial original to the watch.
Expert advice would be welcomed.

Tools · 3 August 2020, 03:10 AM

The 5500 was introduced in 1957

I would want to look this one over, but that dial was not uncommon in the 50's. The movement would tell us a lot. All 5500's used the 1520/1530 movement with the "Super Precision" being the 1530. The previous 6552 used a 1030 movement.

I do not believe that those are original hands.

Glen Parva · 3 August 2020, 05:10 AM

Thanks for the reply.

I really like the old Air King dials especially "white 3 6 9 waffle" if that's the correct term?! And lockdown has allowed me far too much time to search around for them and others.

I clearly have a lot to learn though, as when this one popped up I thought that it didn't look quite right. The "Swiss Made" looked odd to me and I've not seen batons like this either. I envy the knowledge of you guys!

If someone can point me towards a resource of "Every Vintage Rolex Dial Ever Made" that would be great

Tools · 3 August 2020, 05:29 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if this dial was a repaint. It's seems a bit too "white" for the time period.

dhknola · 4 August 2020, 12:39 AM

Hard to tell from lone photo, but I would say it has a coin flip chance of being real...Looks like late 50's when funky stuff was known to happen. Super precision is a 'better' movement than the ones labelled "precision".
Cool watch!

offrdmania · 4 August 2020, 03:35 AM

That dial is definitely a repaint. And it was done poorly. Most watches from this time wont have bright white dials, they are usually an eggshell white at this point.

R.W.T. · 7 August 2020, 11:51 AM

Refinished.

Dial would have said SWISS or t SWISS t

Swiss made ended in 1953 and was not used again until recent years.

kip595 · 8 August 2020, 07:12 AM

Been looking at a lot of these myself lately; I'd side on this one being redone at some point.

Nice vintage 5500's aren't too rare, but it depends on budget, what exactly you want, and must frustratingly - for me, anyway - patience.

Oh, and if anyone finds that whole every-Rolex-Dial-Rolex-ever-made directory put me down for a copy. ;)

3 August 2020, 03:10 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	The 5500 was introduced in 1957 I would want to look this one over, but that dial was not uncommon in the 50's. The movement would tell us a lot. All 5500's used the 1520/1530 movement with the "Super Precision" being the 1530. The previous 6552 used a 1030 movement. I do not believe that those are original hands. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

3 August 2020, 05:29 AM	#4
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,037	I wouldn't be surprised if this dial was a repaint. It's seems a bit too "white" for the time period. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

4 August 2020, 03:35 AM	#6
offrdmania 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Wine Country, Ca Posts: 5,838	That dial is definitely a repaint. And it was done poorly. Most watches from this time wont have bright white dials, they are usually an eggshell white at this point. __________________ TRF Member 11738

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3 August 2020, 05:10 AM	#3
Glen Parva "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Rob Location: UK Watch: Submariner Date Posts: 6	Thanks for the reply. I really like the old Air King dials especially "white 3 6 9 waffle" if that's the correct term?! And lockdown has allowed me far too much time to search around for them and others. I clearly have a lot to learn though, as when this one popped up I thought that it didn't look quite right. The "Swiss Made" looked odd to me and I've not seen batons like this either. I envy the knowledge of you guys! If someone can point me towards a resource of "Every Vintage Rolex Dial Ever Made" that would be great

4 August 2020, 12:39 AM	#5
dhknola "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,153	Hard to tell from lone photo, but I would say it has a coin flip chance of being real...Looks like late 50's when funky stuff was known to happen. Super precision is a 'better' movement than the ones labelled "precision". Cool watch!

7 August 2020, 11:51 AM	#7
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,973	Refinished. Dial would have said SWISS or t SWISS t Swiss made ended in 1953 and was not used again until recent years.

8 August 2020, 07:12 AM	#8
kip595 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: U.S. East Coast Posts: 160	Been looking at a lot of these myself lately; I'd side on this one being redone at some point. Nice vintage 5500's aren't too rare, but it depends on budget, what exactly you want, and must frustratingly - for me, anyway - patience. Oh, and if anyone finds that whole every-Rolex-Dial-Rolex-ever-made directory put me down for a copy. ;)

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