The Rolex Air-King pays homage to flight innovators and the role of Oyster in the incredible aviation story. It reinforces the aeronautical tradition of the classic Rolex Oyster with its 40mm case in Oystersteel, a solid-link magnificent Oyster bracelet with an Oysterclasp and recognizable Black dial. Rolex sees the modern Air-King as a professional watch for the brand.
Rolex enthusiasts have widely recognized the Air-King as an entry-level watch due to its unique look and cost-effective price range, despite it technically being a pilot’s watch. Over the decades, the Air-King has gained more popularity and become a blockbuster success, far surpassing its initial release.
History of Rolex Air-King
Rolex has a longstanding experience of aviation that dated to the 1930s, a timeframe some attribute to as the golden era of aviation. In 1933, the Houston Expedition, with Oyster timepieces on board, made its first flight over Mount Everest in Nepal.
The founder of Rolex, German-British businessman Hans Wilsdorf, unveiled a line of Oyster Air timepieces in 1945 as a commemoration to the British Royal Air Force pilots, who had worn Oyster watches during the battle. In its debut, the Air-King watch is made of a simple and brushed stainless steel watch with a polished stainless steel Oyster case, a plain and smooth bezel, and a clear and legible time-only dial.
In 1957, Rolex presented the Air-King 5500, which reinforced the system providing of the watch, many of which regarded the 5500 to be the quintessential Air King Rolex limited edition. Air-King reference 5500 editions that say Precision on the Caliber 1520 dial. While those that have Super Precision are operated by Caliber 1530.
In 1989, the very next generation starts with the launch of Air-King 14000 and its sibling, the Air-King 14010. By that moment, Rolex had scrapped all of the two-tone, gold, date, and larger Air-King variants and had brought back to the basics. Rolex stopped the Air-King in 2014 for unclear reasons. It released the watch again in 2016 under the reference 116900.
Rolex designed the new Air-King as a suitable aviation device with a 40 mm anti-magnetic case taken from the Milgauss. It replaces the cost-effective, classical entry-level Rolex that featured a 34 mm case.
40 mm 116900
The modern Air-King retains the aviation legacy of the original Rolex Oyster. It features a 40 mm case made of Oystersteel and an Oysterclasp Oyster bracelet. The watch has an incredible black dial with a highly legible Chromalight display, offering long-lasting blue light. The dial includes a unique combination of large 3, 6, and 9 time-marking figures, along with an influential minute scale for flight control time readings. It carries the title “Air-King” in the same lettering used for the model in the 1950s, along with a green and yellow Rolex logo. Green, the brand’s emblematic color, also appears on the second’s hand.
Its case is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and smooth bezel with waterproofness of up to 100 meters. Its perpetual mechanical movement is powered by 3131 calibers with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
Superlative Chronometer Certification
Every Air-King has a Superlative Chronometer certification like all Rolex watches. This unique classification shows that Rolex has successfully carried out a range of experiments in its laboratories that meet watchmaking specifications and standards according to its criteria. The status of the superlative chronometer is symbolized by an international five-year guarantee for every Rolex watch.
Air-King’s Waterproofness
A significant example of strength and ability is the Air King’s Oyster case, which is waterproof up to 100 meters (330 feet) in depth. A solid block of exceptionally corrosion-resistant Oystersteel is being used to create the refreshingly shaped middle case. The water-resistant Oyster case ensures optimal safety for the high accuracy movement of the Air-King. It also has a protection shield, a highlight of pilots’ watches of the past, toward magnetic fields.
Materials
The Rolex Air-King has always been made of stainless steel except for a small number of vintage references. Today, Rolex uses its stainless steel 904L, which is highly corrosion-resistant and not only incredibly durable.
Air-King Perpetual Caliber 3131
The Air-King is powered by the caliber 3131, an automatic mechanical movement developed and produced by Rolex. This movement ensures exceptional accuracy and reliability. The oscillator features a precise golden microstella nut balancing wheel with variable inertia. Caliber 3131 also includes a nickel-phosphorous alloy and a paramagnetic escape wheel. It has a Rolex-manufactured blue Parachrom hairspring made from an exclusive paramagnetic alloy. The movement includes a self-winding module with a Perpetual rotor. The rotor winds the mainspring by harnessing bracelet movements, ensuring a constant energy source. Only certified Rolex watchmakers will showcase the Air-King’s movement. It is beautifully finished and adorned to meet the company’s uncompromising quality standards.
The Air-King 5500
Before the Air-King reference 116900 launched in 2016, Rolex had the Air-King 5500. The Air-King 5500 was Rolex’s longest-running collection. Purists loved it for its simple yet remarkable features.
The Air-King reference 5500 is powered by the caliber 1520 (Precision) and 1530 movements (Super Precision). It is considered one of the cleanest and most understated Rolex models of all time. The watch features a 34 mm case without any extra features. For 37 years, it remained in production with very few changes. It included all the distinctive characteristics of a Rolex, without any unnecessary or malfunctioning features.
In A Nutshell
The minimalist and uncomplicated design of the Air-King guarantees it will never go out of style. Traditional and formal collectors seek a classic Rolex timepiece that stays under the radar. While it may not be as popular as models like the Submariner or GMT-Master, enthusiasts will recognize its value. They appreciate even the simplest pieces that exist.
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