Air King

[richieo]

Hi all,

First time post on this forum.

I went into an authorised dealer in the UK recently and was quoted a 3 to 4 year wait for an Air King. That just sound ridiculous to me, has anyone else been quoted such a long lead time.

I'm guessing this means one of two things.

1. The AD doesnt really want to sell to me, or

2. When they get an AK in the next couple of months they will try the hard sell with me by saying what a great opportunity it is to get ahead of the "4 year" waiting list.

Any thoughts welcome?

[jacowestt]

Welcome to the forum!

A 3 to 4-year wait for an Air-King does seem quite long, but it’s not entirely unheard of given the current demand for Rolex. Many ADs provide extended wait times to manage expectations, especially for first-time clients, as it’s hard to predict exactly when specific models will become available.

Your thoughts could be spot-on. Sometimes, ADs mention these extended timelines to encourage relationship-building and gauge your interest over time, so you may actually get a call sooner, especially if they sense genuine interest.

If you’re set on the Air-King, it might be worth staying in touch and stopping by the store occasionally to express continued interest. There’s also a chance they could call you with an “unexpected” opportunity, as you mentioned. Good luck—hope it works out quicker than expected!

[43Airking]

Sounds like a really long time. Maybe expand your list to include a OP or DJ. All three of those should be “gettable” in less than a year. Agree with “jacowestt”, don’t be a stranger and pop in to the store. Good luck

[996marty]

3-4 years for an Air King is ridiculous. I’d be looking for another AD or maybe choose something else.

[rohada]

Depends on how fast you want it. Unless you just want to buy via an AD, an Air King can be had now on the grey or used (like new) markets around + or - MSRP, at least from what I see in the US. I don't know if such things are different in the UK. Not a terribly hard watch to find and you can do so without breaking the bank. Personally, I wouldn't wait that long for that watch. I wish you well.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by richieo

Hi all,

First time post on this forum.

I went into an authorised dealer in the UK recently and was quoted a 3 to 4 year wait for an Air King. That just sound ridiculous to me, has anyone else been quoted such a long lead time.

I'm guessing this means one of two things.

1. The AD doesnt really want to sell to me, or

2. When they get an AK in the next couple of months they will try the hard sell with me by saying what a great opportunity it is to get ahead of the "4 year" waiting list.

Any thoughts welcome?

They are having a laugh. Buy grey for around retail price if not below

[goldboy]

That's not an accurate wait time whatsoever, it was a way for the sales rep to discourage you or push you into a spend history trap.

Change AD's immediately.

[Victor Cohen]

The announced delay is not a good sign, especially for an Air King. Either the AD doesn't want to sell to you, or he's going to want you to build a purchase history.

I'd go and see another AD if I were you, and eventually I'd go back to that AD and try to get another Sales Rep before giving up definitively.

[IFlyPlanes]

I've bought 2 Air Kings from 2 different ADs as a first purchase. One took a week and one took a day. Not saying that's common but it shouldn't take years.

[Gearjockey]

I see retail at $7450 and market at $8k.

This is a no-brainer.

Go find one secondary. Wouldn’t waste my time at (that) AD.

[Guppydriver]

I just saw a mint almost new one for $7150. TRF trusted sellers listing for $8K. Would probably take a hundred or two less. When you add in sales tax, it’s the same price.

A 4 year wait for an AK is asinine. I guarantee that you resemble some bloke who banged his wife. There is no other explanation.

[stevestil]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

I just saw a mint almost new one for $7150. TRF trusted sellers listing for $8K. Would probably take a hundred or two less. When you add in sales tax, it’s the same price.

A 4 year wait for an AK is asinine. I guarantee that you resemble some bloke who banged his wife. There is no other explanation.

[planemad]

Just sent you a PM

[paul cbc]

Go to another AD.

[911_3.6]

It may be the fact that your AD just doesn’t receive many since it’s not a very popular model.

I waited a couple years for one in the US and was able to get a GMT faster because they rarely received Air Kings, but when one finally came in, it was mine.

Good luck.

[OttoUnion]

I indicated interest in an Air King at my local AD in mid-June of this year. They said it could be 3-12 months and they had not received many this year. I checked in monthly and they contacted me a couple weeks back to inform me one had arrived and I could purchase it if I wished. Now a proud owner!

[JoseR]

The AK is my fist Rolex, and I still love it. It's not for everyone, but to be honest, I prefer it more than a Daytona which was never my cup of tea. The AK is different, and that's why I like it.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by OttoUnion

I indicated interest in an Air King at my local AD in mid-June of this year. They said it could be 3-12 months and they had not received many this year. I checked in monthly and they contacted me a couple weeks back to inform me one had arrived and I could purchase it if I wished. Now a proud owner!

Congrats and enjoy.

[Murphtimes]

Welcome to the forum.
A 3-4 year wait for an Air King is long but not unheard of. It could be a strategy from the AD to manage expectations or gauge your commitment. Building a relationship with them, checking with other ADs, or considering pre-owned options could help. Staying in touch and patient might get you the watch sooner than expected.

[resp5790]

If you’re keen on the Air King, it might be worth staying in touch with other ADs or exploring pre-owned options to bypass the wait.

[Ny325]

Originally Posted by JoseR

The AK is my fist Rolex, and I still love it. It's not for everyone, but to be honest, I prefer it more than a Daytona which was never my cup of tea. The AK is different, and that's why I like it.

Share the same sentiment.

The AK is just different in a good way in my opinion.

[Kite]

The AK can be gotten in the secondary market from a trusted seller quicker, waiting 3-4 years is way too long but if you are not in a hurry to own one sure you can wait and check in regularly with the AD to build a relationship. Good luck.

[OttoUnion]

Originally Posted by JoseR

Congrats and enjoy.

Thanks! This is my first Rolex. I've wanted one ever since I was a young watch enthusiast but it just never happened. This piece is such a contrast to other watches I have. In a way, I'm really surprised I got the opportunity after I told a Rolex rep at an event at the AD back in June that i "was not going to kiss anyone's butt for the privilege of spending $7K+ for a watch". I did check in monthly but was not obnoxious!

[rolexjackson]

I suggest that after you get it go back to the Ad and ask them to get you something else because you were able to get the AK. Will teach them that you’re a real customer and they should have treated you better.

[JoseR]

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[Ny325]

Originally Posted by JoseR

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I have the new iteration AK. It’s my fun watch.