Air-King (current series and brief history)

[sayers]

I purchased an Air King for my son's 16th birthday, he wears it everywhere. It is a terrific watch. Now I want one. :-)

[ROLEX MAN]

I just love how simple but noble it is!

[weizhen77]

I'm still looking for a quality and practical first rolex watch(no date), currently down to the choice between Air king and Submariner. Which is the better choice?

[RedBaron]

I have a new AK with the blue dial and Roman numbers and love it. I also just acquired a new OP 116000 with the silver and blue Arabic dial and love it just as well.

Either one of these is wonderful. If you have a smaller wrist the AK is perfect. Also, the OP with the black dial and silver numerals and trim is a wonderful looking watch too.

Skip any of the dials with the orange trim too. These are fads and will be worth less in time if you ever want to sell it.

Black, silver or blue dials always retain their value for resale.

You can find a new AK online for about $3100 and an OP for about $3400.

Send me a PM if you need more info.

[RolexPete32]

[JoeACE]

.

[Banu]

Originally Posted by adam78

Mine is an older model (from 1958), one of the first ref. 5500 I think (which sported the new cal. 1530 movement). It's relatively "new", however -- I bought it last year!

This watch is beautiful

[Spaniard]

Nice watch....even tho it's a entry Rolex watch...but still look classic...

[leozip]

I'm looking to buy one for my wife. It's a nice simple & elegant watch.

[Sunny Arizona]

Since I got my Explorer a while back I have been more interested in the Air King. There was something about the look and the feel that I really liked in the smaller Rolex Watches.
Being from the military I was very inclined to wear larger watches. I think it is the Type A mentality that you get or the "I have a big watch therefore I am a stud" thinking.
At any rate I went ahead and got a great deal on an M Serial recently and pulled the trigger. I am very pleased.
Points to consider
1. Watch feels more solid than you would think and wears bigger. My wrist though is a smidge under 7 inches
2. I love the new style matte finish bracelet. To me that is a huge point and adds to the overall satisfaction. I think the Explorer 114270 would be a great candidate for this bracelet
3. Accuracy is +6 seconds in the past 5 days
4. Dial is very legible

[Gerardus]

Great review and very nice pictures!
Love the AK!

[Deyn Man]

1st post (i hope i get it right this time)!
my folks gave me an Air King when i graduated high school in 97. it was my older brother's watch but when he decided to upgrade, my folks decided to buy it from him instead and give it to me as a gift.
just love the Air King! Still wearing it now! Though considered by some as a "starter rolex", it can still hold its own versus other brands' "marque" models.
Will post pics soon!

[Black Bay Dan]

When I was given my Air-King in 1978 it was not the entry level Oyster. That position was held by the manual wind Oyster Precision.

Dan

[geepee]

If Rolex made the Air King in a 38mm, IMHO, it would be the perfect watch. Simple, elegant, brushed - matte finish, new style case and bracelet.

Unfortunately, the new, non date Datejusts [Oyster Perpetuals] miss the mark in that the dials are from another planet - cannot get simple silver numbers; cannot get a simple black dial unless it's with PINK numbers. Obviously this new model was designed specifically for women.

The new 41mm Datejusts are just a little TOO big. They scream, 'look at me" and don't have that classic understated look.

Wishful thinking.

[amade9]

Here is my AK - day and night shots.

[kotsos]

How about an Air King Date.....



Just bought it and it is on its way. Wrist shots when it arrives.

[Gerardus]

Love the AK, classic watch

[cody p]

Originally Posted by wsaraceni

such a classy looking watch. i bet it would be small on my 9" wrists though.

anyone have a side by side between the airking and one of the sport models? (submariner or similar)

you have big wrists! it looks appropriate on my 6.25" wrist, but i have a feeling it would look a little lost on yours.

[frank gama]

Originally Posted by cody p

here's mine:
Attachment 56797

thats a real beauty you've got there.

[SobeSVT]

Here are mine



I am selling the silver one on eBay as I write this. :(

[Kerry G]

Originally Posted by zak98

thanks sir!

one of the man reasons i have one.. althought an older model. same history!

Local AD has one like that for $2600 new.

[OlivierD]

For my first post here, some pics of my toy....

[cody p]

nice watch and pics!

[ersnyder]

Thanks for all the great pics and stories about the Air Kings; GREAT WATCH!

[barreti]

My first post so a quick Hello to everyone

Its my first post because I've just bought my first Rolex. A 1962 Rolex Air King.

I've been looking for a birth year watch for a little while, and out of the blue on another forum up popped the Air King. After a couple of questions to the seller it turned out to be dated 4th Qtr 1962

Well, as I was born in December so it just had to be didn't it

The down side is it came on a horrid strap and without a Rolex clasp so I'm looking for a bit of advice (but not much as that would be cheeky on a first post)

The strap should be 19mm, so should I be looking specifically for a 19mm strap or does 20mm fit without being stiff or looking kak?

And lastly, what are the chances the clasps on fleabay are geniune? Or is there somewhere I can go get a genuine one. Not an AD, its nearly 50yrs old so a new one just wouldn't look right.

Cheers and once I've got it sorted out I'll get you some photos.

[tevao]

Hi!

Ive just read all this comments and Im quite amused with the watch and its story. Im starting to be interested in buying one of an old friend of mine. I still havent seen it in my hands, and I found out that it has 34mm case. I would like to ask you if it is very small for a mans wrist?
Thank you!!!

[sea-dweller]

Great review and great Air Kings, everyone !!!

[Kapture1]

Mine too ... Sorry for jacking your pic, my camera phone sux.

[Czechman]

Here's my daily driver, circa 1984 Air King Date. Gains 16 seconds every 10 days.

[Kapture1]

Very... I like the date on the Air-King