Rolex Air-King, one of the most underrated watches in the world?

[DP1981]

Absolutely love mine. Had it about six weeks and have worn it every day.

[Chambers]

no interest

[watchmainspring]

It takes a moment to figure out the hour in the middle of the night because only 12 o'clock has lume. That is a huge downfall. Groggy geometry is never accurate.

Better than my day-date with zero lume though.


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[mike morris]

Sold my
Love- dial , brush bracelet.
No love- lume only at 12 , it’s tool watch and you don’t know time at night always mistakes. Size too big for 3 hands .

[zengineer]

It's so close to being a watch that I'd own and wear a ton, but it's got about 3 too many things going on with that dial. If the 3/6/9 were almost anything else...

I've had several Milgauss and love the size and heft of the case, but just can't love the Air King no matter how "underrated" it's proclaimed to be.

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[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

I hope for sake of those who own one. History is not consistent when it comes to discontinued Rolexes. Take, for instance the black/white OP39 that had possibly the shortest production run. They do sell at a premium, but nothing like the Hulk. This is what will most likely happen to the AK as well.

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I respectfully disagree about that for the following reasons. Firstly it is a Rolex and once this reference is retired it's going to double in value over the MRSP.

IMHO you can't compare an Oyster Perpetual with an Air King. The Air King is a professional watch which puts in a different category to start with.

There are endless variations of the OP from color and dial changes to multiple cases sizes - yet, they are all considered OPs and while it is a solid performer, it's more of a fashion reference.

The Air King has evolved with each iteration being unique. It is a professional functional watch with magnetic shielding as well as an easy to read dial with a history dealing with speed.

As a watch that many are not interested in, I predict that interest will change once it is discontinued and no longer available at their local AD and the pricing will steadily rise.

[newonos]

My air king is a daily wearer. love it. Its 14 seconds fast since I bought it last November from AD. Other is a vintage OP 6566 with sunken dial.

[Rags]

Sorry but IMO it has a hideous dial.

[Daveh777]

Each to their own. To my mind the dial is a bit too busy and lacks lume.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

May increase slightly in price if discontinued, but not significantly. It’s size and odd look is highly unlikely to make it a hit


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Sells over $9000 grey, retail it's 6,450. Already 40% increase even without discontinuation. Davidsw has one for $10,176 new.

[APPRF]

BoB's has second hand Air Kings for $8,295, thats still around 29% over retail

[Cgill1982]

Sorry to say this but this has to be the worst argument there is against any watch!

The triangle is at the top it’s easy from there lol

Originally Posted by watchmainspring

It takes a moment to figure out the hour in the middle of the night because only 12 o'clock has lume. That is a huge downfall. Groggy geometry is never accurate.

Better than my day-date with zero lume though.


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[Cgill1982]

Oh dear maybe your best with an iPhone Lol

Originally Posted by mike morris

Sold my
Love- dial , brush bracelet.
No love- lume only at 12 , it’s tool watch and you don’t know time at night always mistakes. Size too big for 3 hands .

[Strummer25]

Originally Posted by Daveh777

Each to their own. To my mind the dial is a bit too busy and lacks lume.

Agree 100%

[HL65]

Not a fan.

[scarlet knight]

Looks like a jumble of Rolex spare parts. Sorry. If you like it, enjoy it.

[phillyEagles]

The 3,6, 9 look out of place and the bezel is too thick. Love the accent colors though

[ROBERT1183]

I registered interest at 2 of my local AD for one. Hoping one comes through. Beautiful piece. Very underrated watch

[NachoNeal]

I love some of the old Air-Kings. The new ones, not so much.

[got369]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

I hope for sake of those who own one. History is not consistent when it comes to discontinued Rolexes. Take, for instance the black/white OP39 that had possibly the shortest production run. They do sell at a premium, but nothing like the Hulk. This is what will most likely happen to the AK as well.


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The Black and White OP39 just got discontinued….it will be unobtainable in time. Two year production run will assure this!

The AK is already climbing in anticipation of getting the axe….

Comparing the Hulk to either of the above is like apples and oranges. The Hulk has the hype, and it is a anomaly in the SS Submariner history. It is a lot of firsts.

[russ86]

I ABSOLUTELY love this AirKing, I think it unique and interesting. I bought one ages ago when it came out.

[Stan Cooper]

Not a fan. According to Rolex, the minutes numbers are for navigation interval timing between checkpoints, but the Turn-O-Graph rotating bezel serves the same function without having to engage in mental gymnastics. The only useful feature IMHO is the magnetic shielding, but in today's aviation environment that's archaic.

It seems odd to me that Rolex dropped Turn-O-Graph production in 2011, but continues development and production of the Air-King.

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

The only useful feature IMHO is the magnetic shielding, but in today's aviation environment that's archaic.

Sold mine (see avatar) because the watch was unnecessarily heavy as it is equipped with a Parachrom hairspring. My cockpit is full of avionics. Never had a problem with "regular" (non magnetic shielding) Rolexes. Tired of the weight on my wrist for a plain steel, three-hander, poorly lumed watch.

But, it is one of the last watches with the 3131 movement. I strongly expect Rolex to upgrade it in 2022... which means spike of prices right after the announcement before it settles down. Whether the design will change, I don't know. At minimum, I hope for a fully lumed Air-King.

[djyolky]

The parachrom hairspring has nothing to do with the watch being heavy. The 214270 has a parachrom hairspring and it's definitely not heavy.

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[RCC watches]

I’m a fan. Perfect size, unique dial, and a little pop of color.

[acos183]

Got one in 2018... didn't wear it much compared to my other watches as I wasn't much in love with the brushed Oyster bracelet (vs the PCL of my GMT2LN) but putting a RubberB band (very comfy) on it changed it all, it gave a different/sportier vibe and made it easier to wear.

[wilsonpepper]

Not enough lume to be a functional, professional pilots watch.

[Malum]

I love everything about the AK except lack of date function.

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by djyolky

The parachrom hairspring has nothing to do with the watch being heavy. The 214270 has a parachrom hairspring and it's definitely not heavy.

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I think you misunderstood my post. I never wrote that the hairspring is causing the weight but that the weight is unnecessary because it is already equipped with a blue anti-magnetic Parachrom hairspring. (The weight is due to the soft iron inner cage… making the watch anti-magnetic.)

[Das]

Ugly. Used to hated on the forums years ago!