Any thoughts on the Rolex Air-King series

[Ricky Rolex]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Absolutely f'ing beautiful quote. Seriously, almost brought tears to my eyes.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Absolutely f'ing beautiful quote. Seriously, almost brought tears to my eyes.

It really was beautiful. I sent him an e mail thanking him for indulging me last week. He replied with his personal phone number. He's 89 years old and I don't know that they make them like him these days.

[MaxCargo]

Originally Posted by hehedavid

Sorry, but that thing is simply a poor man's fake Rolex

what?

[JCZ5]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

True story -

In 1997 I bought my AK (shown earlier in this thread) at the downtown Seattle Ben Bridge on Christmas Eve. And there was a very gracious, older gentleman wearing a gold DD greeting customers. He congratulated me on my AK purchase. Knowing that I purchased an entry level Rolex I sheepishly replied 'but it's only an Air King'. He replied 'but it's a Rolex.'

Outstanding response and a true class act. Before I was interested in watches, I thought >$300 was a lot of money for a watch. An Air King at a couple of grand was out of my comprehension.

Regardless, the AK still uses the same quality steel and same movement as many others in the lineup. If anything, it's quite a find for all it contains at a relatively reasonable price for rolex standards.

[viper9669]

I plan on getting one, my AD says it will look small-ish on my wrist, but I like the simplicity, very cool range.

[jctrolex]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Same here! The Air King is the most comfortable watch on a bracelet that I've ever tried.





Unfortunately it's true; because of Rolex USA's copyright laws it's technically only legal to import a Rolex into the USA if it's one on your wrist. It probably would slip by...but it could very well get confiscated. I don't hesitate to buy any other brand from a trusted foreign seller though. Customs varies depending on the country of origin but usually about 4-8% from my experience IIRC.

I was timing your watch, FYI it is running fast. Better send it in for regulation...

[wuzzzer]

There's always the 36mm Oyster Perpetual if you're worried that the Air-King might be too small.

[bondtoys]

When I read the title, I thought: "Oh no - not another Seaking thread"

It seems that it's getting legs !

Airkings are great!

[travisb]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

True story -

In 1997 I bought my AK (shown earlier in this thread) at the downtown Seattle Ben Bridge on Christmas Eve. And there was a very gracious, older gentleman wearing a gold DD greeting customers. He congratulated me on my AK purchase. Knowing that I purchased an entry level Rolex I sheepishly replied 'but it's only an Air King'. He replied 'but it's a Rolex.'

That gentleman was Herb Bridge - the son of the Ben Bridge founder. I remembered that encounter well. So last week, I was in the basement of a building (I'm in media) and Mr. Bridge walked by. I interrupted him and recounted the story. He smiled and showed me the gold DD he still wears and told me I made his day.

This true gentleman left an impression on me. That is, class isn't based on money or things. So enjoy what is special to you. A Seiko, Casio, Rolex...it really doesn't matter.

What it's all about.

[GRDowntown]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

think of the airking more as a 34mm explorer,,, and you may be getting the idea ,, or even a sub without the bezel , they have shared the same movements in the past ,,
or a gentlemans daily watch , pp got by for a long time at 34mm .. ys , it may be an entry point watch for many , but its alos a watch of choice for a lot of us ,, either way , its a rolex. pedigree rolex at that.

I go back and forth on the Air-King size. It looks fine from the photos on my wrist and it is comfortable. And I prefer no other watch more than the 3-6-9 white dial. It is just so striking. But are we at a time when we may see the Air-King go to 38mm either as that or Air-King II?

I think a lot of the negativity comes from the fact that the Air-King due to its size is worn by a lot of women. Does a man want to wear a watch that is perceived as either unisex or God forbid a "women's" watch? I took a friend of mine shopping with me. I tried on the Air-King, the DateJust and the Explorer. She told me that the Explorer was a minimum of what she would consider a "men's" watch. Just one opinion. In its earlier years the Air-King was consider a big watch. Some people today are wearing pocket watches from yesterday on their wrists.

[AF_Rob]

Poor mans Rolex? IMO there is no such thing... The AK is a good looking watch, that I almost considered. It is just a tad small. Size is relative, if you look at the ladies Trans Atlantic from Breitling, its 36mm. I would totally rock that watch.

[Oyster1982]

The AK is a nice looking elegant watch. It really is the foundation of the Oyster Perpetual line. An AK is not entry level but more the original Oyster Perpetual the platform for other Oyster out there.

Sent from my VK810 4G using Tapatalk

[vintage69]

Originally Posted by hehedavid

Sorry, but that thing is simply a poor man's fake Rolex

My father-in-law was a gentleman of extreme wealth (he was one of San Diego's wealthiest citizens) whose many associates wore Air-Kings as daily watches. They wore Air-Kings not because of cost but because of the quality that the Air-King represented.

[wjgoretsky]

I had almost purchased the AirKing, but found it to be a little small for my wrist. I ended up buying the OP no date which was 36mm and it fit well.



It's my "go to" watch when I don't feel like wearing my day-date, which isn't all that often.




Sent from my iPhone 6

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by hehedavid

Classic would be any other models from Rolex besides the Air King.



DJ II does not exist in YG or in any other precious medal. SS or TT only. Maybe you are confused with a DD II.

You are correct. Some may not prefer a DJ or DD, but that's the reason for Rolex offers everything from a Sub, GMT to Daytona and etc. BUT... Air King is just wrong.



Perhaps, you're an Omega kind of person like others who love their Omegas.



You are correct. I don't like Tudor, but it isn't like I don't like Air King only because of the price. It is cheapening the brand and it just doesn't belong in the family

Excuse the crassness, guys, but "hehe", you deserve a banishment , but not before taking a dick-punch from every single one of the members here.

[Jake B]

Air-King is killer. Here's one of mine...



It has its place in my "poor man's" Rolex collection alongside another Air-King, a Milgauss, a GMT-Master II, a Sub-C, and a Sub 14060. Yep, I like 'em so much that I have two of them, and bought them for that reason, & not because of the price.

[Slowtoes]

Been wearing my AK over my Daytona and Sub more and more recently. There's just something about its elegant simplicity, as well as it's comfort on my wrist.

I have 8" wrists, so some may say 34mm is too small (and one or two have, but they wear 45mm+ monstrosities on their dainty apendages). When it comes to watches, wear what YOU like as you're the one looking down at it several dozen times a day. However, there is a growing trend here in NYC toward vintage everything, so vintage watches translates into smaller dials.

[Slowtoes]

And the flip side...

[cerbom]

I think the argument that women are wearing the AK is irrelevant. Women wear large watches as jewelry like they wear large braclets and such. To me that doesn t translate to a man wearing a watch. Some women wear mens suits too that doesn t mean I have to change.

[rustyduck]

This true gentleman left an impression on me. That is, class isn't based on money or things. So enjoy what is special to you. A Seiko, Casio, Rolex...it really doesn't matter.


nice point to consider about alot more than watches. thanks for sharing the story.

[kbutler1]

I really like the Air King line. Lots of cool watches and history.
I will say that being smaller they'll feel a little different on the wrist vs. larger heavier models but that comes with the territory.
Some may view these models as lesser but I don't at all, they're just different.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

I would gladly add one to any collection. It's a fine watch with just enough to stand on its own.

Yup

[AlBacon!974]

I got my Air-King BNIB awhile back and forgot to post it to the thread I started, lol. A little smaller than my SubD or even it's distant cousins my 1603 and 16013 DJ but none the less still just as bit a workhorse as any of the aboved mentioned. I love it and it stays in a decent amount of wrist time. Cheers!

[Old Expat Beast]

Very nice Roman. I have had my 5501 on for a few days now, it's so comfortable on leather.

[jshepard]

I would proudly wear it if I had one! I was kind of hoping my wife would've liked the Airking when we were looking around for her watch just so I could wear it from time to time. However, she wanted the 26mm TT DJ and I'd look ridiculous wearing that one from time to time!

[AlBacon!974]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Very nice Roman. I have had my 5501 on for a few days now, it's so comfortable on leather.

Very beautiful, Beast!

[pinkelle21]

AK is awesome and so comfortable on the bracelet I have 71/4 wrist and think it fits just fine! 3130 movement to boot!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gerardus]

My wife is a huge AK fan :)
(sorry for the bad pic.)

[Jack T]

If you're looking for a simple everyday watch, my preference is the Oyster Perpetual. Not a fan of the steroid infused maga watches, yet 34mm is a tad small for me. The OP is 36mm, is discreet, low profile, and durable. A new one comes with the up to date bracelet and clasp, so that alone is of value, to me. And the price isn't that much more.

[LouisGLoizides]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk