Changing the date on my Airking

[Dazzle]

Hi everybody,

I have a 1984 Air King, the time and the date move perfectly but when I try to fast set the date nothing happens so I have to wind it around 24hrs to change the date.

Trying to find some info on this forum and I'm unsure if it's actually meant to be like that or if there is something wrong with it?

Thank you for your advice.

[TonyD]

I'm sure the experts will be in here shortly with better advice... but for now...

A good habit is to set the time so that the hands are down near 6. On some movements if you change the date near midnight you can mess up the gear train.

Then silly idea.... try turning the crown the other way. I've seen movements where the date wheel indexes when you turn the crown one way and nothing happens if you turn it the other way.

[padi56]

On the non quick-set models pull crown out to (2nd Position) for the Date change. To set the date, wind the crown clockwise or counterclockwise past the midnight position twice, after which you can set the correct date. When completed, push and screw the crown back down just finger tight

[joe100]

Quickset started in '77 but I don't think the 1525s recieved this feature.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by joe100

Quickset started in '77 but I don't think the 1525s recieved this feature.

Correct. Air-King-Dates never had quickset date. Also, the date doesn't "click" at midnight, but rather slowly rotates from about 10:30pm-12:30am.

[Alpino]

.

Air King date

AK never came with date feature. Do you know the model number of your Watch ?

[Dazzle]

The model number on the guarantee says it's a 5700/0.

I get the feeling it's not got quick set. I bought it 2nd hand & initially thought it was broken, but it sounds like that's the way it's meant to be....

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by Dazzle

The model number on the guarantee says it's a 5700/0.

I get the feeling it's not got quick set. I bought it 2nd hand & initially thought it was broken, but it sounds like that's the way it's meant to be....

You're right, I was wrong. 5700 is effectively an Air King Date.

Movment 1525, it's a caliber without quickset date. It doesn't have either quick date jump.

[Dazzle]

Perfect thank you! You've made me realise my watch is actually in perfect working order!

You made my day!

[Time Exposure]

Wolf.
That's in case you think you need a winder now and ask our advice before searching "winder" on the forum. :)
Of course, there's the old, "you don't need a winder, use your wrist!"
Is your AKD a two-tone? We don't see many here, and we love pictures!

[Dazzle]

A winder makes perfect sense now! I'll check wolf out.

Not a TT I'm afraid.....never seen one of those before

[Alpino]

.

Very nice. I am happy to discover this model previously unknown to me.


5700 is full SS , 5701 was the TT version.

[petee1997]

I own a tt AKD. I bought new in 1981 from an AD and wore it daily until 2012. That's 31 years and was last serviced at the RSC in Toronto in 2010. It came back totally refurbished and looking like new. I retired the watch in 2012 when I purchased my Bluesy.

The watch is priceless..... to me and I would never sell it. That being said I am curious what a vintage, in perfect condition watch like this could be worth.

I would love to show you a picture but I don't know how to do it.

[joe100]

Well, it's time to repost the article I wrote on the AK....

The Rolex Air-King has one of the most complex histories of any Rolex model spanning nearly 70 years of continuous production. During the Second World War, Rolex would supply their SpeedKing or other specified model on credit to British POWs. As the war drew to a close, Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, chose to honor the RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain with a series of aviation themed watches. The "Air" series included the Air-Lion, Air-Giant, Air-Tiger, and of course the Air-King. Today, only the Air-King remains.

The first true Air-King was introduced in 1945 with the 4925. The 4925 was the follow-on to the 4365 series of "Air" models. For the international market the progression was from the 4925/4365 (sub-seconds), 4499, 6552, 5500, 14000, 14000m, then finally the super cased 114200. In 1958, however, a separate line evolved independently for specific markets. These included the Air-King-Date and the 550X models for the Commonwealth market. At the same time the 5504 Explorer 35mm case was used for the Air-King as well. This reference being the only 35mm Air-King to date. To make matters more complex, the 5500 case was used for both the Air-King and Explorer. This, of course, isn't the end of the Air-King/Explorer connection but for the sake of clarity we will leave that for another discussion.

The models preceding the 5500, with the exception of the 6552, used Hunter movements. Rolex continuously issued new reference numbers as they refined the Air-King line. The 6552, introduced in 1953, can be considered a transitional model to the 5500 as they appear very similar.

The 5500 was introduced in 1957 and used a caliber 1520 or 1530 movement but due to import laws, the jewels were reduced in the 1520. The 1520 was either 17 (US market) or 26 jewels. The 1530 had 17, 25 or 26 jewel variants. The movement type was denoted on the dial with the text Precision or no text for the 1520 and Super Precision for the 1530. Many dials were used during the long 37 year production run. Today, some are extremely rare, including the double red. This dial was an early production dial with the words Air-King and Super Precision in red.

After the 5500s long and mostly unchanged 37 year run, the Air-King line was upgraded to a sapphire crystal and new cal 3000 movement. This new Air-King was rechristened with the reference number 14000. Refreshed versions of the 5500 dials carried on with new 3/6/9 Explorer style dials following shortly after. This reference also marked the introduction of the engine turned bezel , reference 14010. The 14000 series received the cal 3130 movement in 2000 and the change was noted in the reference number with the letter M for Modified.

The 14000 series gave way to the 1142XX in 2007. This reference series was a full face lift for the AirKing. New concentric dials were added, the case became thicker at the lugs, and a brand new machined Oyster bracelet replaced the 78350. The engine turned bezel was retained but dropped only a couple of years later. A white gold fluted bezel became an option for the first time. Also, the 1142XX was the first Air-King to receive COSC certification. These changes took the Air-King line firmly into the modern Rolex range before most of the more famous Rolex cousins such as the Submariner.

34mm Standard Air-King

4925 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4365 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4499 Introduced in 1946 Cal 10.5'
6552 Introduced in 1953 Cal 1030
5500 Introduced in 1957 Cal 1520/1530
14000 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000
14010 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000 (Engine Turned Bezel)
14000M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130
14010M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel)
114200 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Smooth Bezel, COSC)
114210 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel, COSC, Discontinued)
114234 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (White Gold Fluted Bezel, COSC)

550X for the US, UK, and Commonwealth Markets

5520 Introduced in 1974 until 1986 34mm Gold Filled Case, Steel Case Back Cal 1520
5504 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1530 (35mm)
5501 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Two-Tone Fluted Bezel 14k)
5502 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)
5506 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)

Air-King-Date Commonwealth Markets (Production lasting into the 1980s)

5700 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535
5701 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535 (Two-Tone)

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Alpino

.

Air King date

AK never came with date feature. Do you know the model number of your Watch ?

Must be 5700 or 5701. Saw three in one shop this past weekend.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by joe100

Well, it's time to repost the article I wrote on the AK....

The Rolex Air-King has one of the most complex histories of any Rolex model spanning nearly 70 years of continuous production. During the Second World War, Rolex would supply their SpeedKing or other specified model on credit to British POWs. As the war drew to a close, Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, chose to honor the RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain with a series of aviation themed watches. The "Air" series included the Air-Lion, Air-Giant, Air-Tiger, and of course the Air-King. Today, only the Air-King remains.

The first true Air-King was introduced in 1945 with the 4925. The 4925 was the follow-on to the 4365 series of "Air" models. For the international market the progression was from the 4925/4365 (sub-seconds), 4499, 6552, 5500, 14000, 14000m, then finally the super cased 114200. In 1958, however, a separate line evolved independently for specific markets. These included the Air-King-Date and the 550X models for the Commonwealth market. At the same time the 5504 Explorer 35mm case was used for the Air-King as well. This reference being the only 35mm Air-King to date. To make matters more complex, the 5500 case was used for both the Air-King and Explorer. This, of course, isn't the end of the Air-King/Explorer connection but for the sake of clarity we will leave that for another discussion.

The models preceding the 5500, with the exception of the 6552, used Hunter movements. Rolex continuously issued new reference numbers as they refined the Air-King line. The 6552, introduced in 1953, can be considered a transitional model to the 5500 as they appear very similar.

The 5500 was introduced in 1957 and used a caliber 1520 or 1530 movement but due to import laws, the jewels were reduced in the 1520. The 1520 was either 17 (US market) or 26 jewels. The 1530 had 17, 25 or 26 jewel variants. The movement type was denoted on the dial with the text Precision or no text for the 1520 and Super Precision for the 1530. Many dials were used during the long 37 year production run. Today, some are extremely rare, including the double red. This dial was an early production dial with the words Air-King and Super Precision in red.

After the 5500s long and mostly unchanged 37 year run, the Air-King line was upgraded to a sapphire crystal and new cal 3000 movement. This new Air-King was rechristened with the reference number 14000. Refreshed versions of the 5500 dials carried on with new 3/6/9 Explorer style dials following shortly after. This reference also marked the introduction of the engine turned bezel , reference 14010. The 14000 series received the cal 3130 movement in 2000 and the change was noted in the reference number with the letter M for Modified.

The 14000 series gave way to the 1142XX in 2007. This reference series was a full face lift for the AirKing. New concentric dials were added, the case became thicker at the lugs, and a brand new machined Oyster bracelet replaced the 78350. The engine turned bezel was retained but dropped only a couple of years later. A white gold fluted bezel became an option for the first time. Also, the 1142XX was the first Air-King to receive COSC certification. These changes took the Air-King line firmly into the modern Rolex range before most of the more famous Rolex cousins such as the Submariner.

34mm Standard Air-King

4925 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4365 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4499 Introduced in 1946 Cal 10.5'
6552 Introduced in 1953 Cal 1030
5500 Introduced in 1957 Cal 1520/1530
14000 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000
14010 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000 (Engine Turned Bezel)
14000M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130
14010M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel)
114200 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Smooth Bezel, COSC)
114210 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel, COSC, Discontinued)
114234 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (White Gold Fluted Bezel, COSC)

550X for the US, UK, and Commonwealth Markets

5520 Introduced in 1974 until 1986 34mm Gold Filled Case, Steel Case Back Cal 1520
5504 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1530 (35mm)
5501 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Two-Tone Fluted Bezel 14k)
5502 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)
5506 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)

Air-King-Date Commonwealth Markets (Production lasting into the 1980s)

5700 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535
5701 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535 (Two-Tone)

A TRF Classic

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

A TRF Classic

Danke Herr Adam

[Scot_3]

Been searching for one like this for a long time. Found a couple, but have yet to pull the trigger. I just haven't found the right seller. Great post great watch, wear it be happy

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Alpino

.

Air King date

AK never came with date feature. Do you know the model number of your Watch ?

You must be joking some vintage AK did have a date but expect that's not in your master Rolex catalouge.The first Airking date arrived on the scene late 1960s Ref 5700 and were only sold in the then Commonwealth countries like Canada and the UK.Now they made a 5700n Explorer Date but that was only sold in the USA.Later on in the 1970s the 5701 Airking dates had the cal,1525/35 movements,and they made a TT version of the 5701 quite rare not many of those around even some with the roulette date wheel, but again made mostly for the Canadian, UK, market but the Airking date faded out of production in the 1980s.


http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...irking+history

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by padi56

... Rolex catalouge ...

Catalouge what is this ?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Alpino

Catalouge what is this ?

Catalogue a simple typo but most of my Rolex information is stored in my head,but as you get to a mature age it sometimes takes longer to access it.

[Dazzle]

So is my Air King quite rare then?

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by padi56

...

thank you for that clarification and as we say here "la jalousie est un vilain défaut"

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Dazzle

So is my Air King quite rare then?

Not really that rare, but certainly uncommon.

[Dazzle]

Good answer (o:

I think I might keep it then, I was originally going to sell it on but now I'll add it to my collection

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Not really that rare, but certainly uncommon.

Agree today this term rare with Rolex watches in the real world means some were made in lesser numbers but Airking dates well not exactly two a penny but many around.Now if someone wants a really rare Rolex try finding a left had wind Rolex how they are really rare.

[Old Expat Beast]

I have never seen a black handset like that on an AK before, though. Some of the lume seems to be blacked out, too. I wonder if the hands have been painted.

[Dazzle]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I have never seen a black handset like that on an AK before, though. Some of the lume seems to be blacked out, too. I wonder if the hands have been painted.

Funnily enough a few people have said that about the black hands....I'd never noticed the lume though.....you may be right

[joe100]

If the hands are black, they've been painted

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Dazzle

A winder makes perfect sense now! I'll check wolf out.

Not a TT I'm afraid.....never seen one of those before

Aren't Precisions all manual wind? I guess I'm confused or uninformed.