Please help ID vintage Air King date...

[TheDude]

A friend of mine is in the midst of an ebay fiasco.


The item is a TT 5701 (we think), the Air King with date and two-tone oyster.

A few things don't check out... Mainly, it has the 1520 movement, and the serial number is 9,3XX,XXX. That serial would put it at 1986 - 1987, which means it should have the the 1535 movement right?

Also, while the listing claims sapphire, the seller is now unsure and says it may have a plexi crystal.



The listing...


http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI....fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[agw2872]

Not sure about the movement but is def a plexi. Seller probably doesn't know what the difference is........

[bagel]

In general, 1530 movement is used in late 50's to mid 60's or so. Then it changed to other movements.

For this very late version of air king date with 9 mil serial (i.e. 80's), I think 1520 with date function is ok.

From the pics shown in the link, it looks to me a acrylic crystal instead of sapphire. You may wish to clarify with the seller on this point.

[landroverking]

for what it's worth I don't recall ever seeing a TT Airking, and never one with a date.

I could be wrong and I hope someone else posts.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by landroverking

for what it's worth I don't recall ever seeing a TT Airking, and never one with a date.

I could be wrong and I hope someone else posts.

Well, the 5701 is the TT date - it was only offered outside the US. The 5701 reference in the US was the Explorer date.


So to bagel, is there such a thing as a 1520 with date function? I found this chart for movements, and it seems to indicate that the 1525 and 1535 were the ones with date function.

[TheDude]

Hrmmm - nevermind bagel. I found these detailed pics of another (much earlier) TT Air King. You can clearly see the 1520 indication on the movement, yet it has a date.