Info on this Air King please.

[alexkarbo]

Greetings,

I was wondering is this combination of SS case, jubilee, dial with yellow gold was ever an existing Air King model or if it was 'Frankenstein'ized'.

Thank you!

[Vlad]

what's the model? what's the serial? I would say that someone put it together, though it's a common modification - gold markers, gold hands - but in this case, I would like to know the serial number to match the hands to the case production date.

[alexkarbo]

Model is a 5500 and the year is 1962. The seconds hand is kind of metallic blue.

[Vlad]

I like it - looks nice and easy to wear. What numbers are there on the end links? Do you have a photo of the clasp - for some reason, to me the Jubilee looks to be a 20mm band (not 19mm) - maybe it's just the angle which makes the clasp look big. The most interesting and desirable parts of the watch are 1) the 1530 movement w/ butterfly rotor (at least I would assume that's what you have); 2) the 5500 case back - they are very much in demand for anyone who is trying to put together a 5500 explorer.

[alexkarbo]

The only pictures I have are from the seller. I'm thinking of purchasing this watch.

[janice&fred]

quite common to see gold markers and hands in these vintage SS oysters and some actually came with gold dials as well. the bracelet also looks legit and correct for the era. while 19mm oysters of yesteryear had quite slim clasps, the jubilee's were fairly wide. don't see any reason to suspect it is a franken watch at all.

[alexkarbo]

Originally Posted by janice&fred

quite common to see gold markers and hands in these vintage SS oysters and some actually came with gold dials as well. the bracelet also looks legit and correct for the era. while 19mm oysters of yesteryear had quite slim clasps, the jubilee's were fairly wide. don't see any reason to suspect it is a franken watch at all.

I finally got the provenance of the watch.

Was purchased new in 62 by a lady as a gift for her husband who rarely wore it because of the nature of his work during the week. Then on weekends he would go hunting so the watch was left in a drawer for most of it's life. I will have it by next week and post some better pictures.

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by alexkarbo

I finally got the provenance of the watch.

Was purchased new in 62 by a lady as a gift for her husband who rarely wore it because of the nature of his work during the week. Then on weekends he would go hunting so the watch was left in a drawer for most of it's life. I will have it by next week and post some better pictures.

sounds like you found yourself a real nice piece and these vintage airkings are quite collectible and fun to wear! the jubilee is a nice alternative to the gazillion examples on oysters and gives the watch some '60's snazz

[lenzh]

Looks very similar to mine. Not franken at all

Great find congrats. If only I could find such a nice jubilee bracelet for mine...

IMG_0078.jpg

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by lenzh

Looks very similar to mine. Not franken at all

Great find congrats. If only I could find such a nice jubilee bracelet for mine...

Attachment 793471

Keep an eye out Lenzh, the USA made jubes turn up fairly often and can be purchased for reasonable money.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...65#post6942765

Cheers,
Rick