The Rolex Air King (Past and present)

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Sporkmaker

My dad's 1983 model which was given to me in '97, it's been my daily wearer for the last 20 years and has only just entered semi-retirement. You can tell how much use it's seen by the wear on the top link.

It looks great, wonderful simple dial with the bulletproof caliber 1520 for power!

Puzzled though to see no "Precision' script on the lower portion of the dial, with input from others with multiple 5500's like that I thought we had bracketed the early to mid 60's for that dial variant.

Any possibility that watch could be from the mid 60's?

Cheers,
Rick

[Sporkmaker]

Originally Posted by scotrick

Any possibility that watch could be from the mid 60's?

Funny that you say that, my dad had actually told me that he purchased the watch on a trip to Switzerland in 1965 and that's what I told people for many years. When I had it serviced most recently in 2015 the serial number was on the paperwork upon its return and I found a serial number/date table online, possibly on these forums, which I thought said it was made in '83. I assumed that he had made a mistake and confused the watch with a small rose logo Tudor Prince Oysterdate which he also owned. Maybe it was me who made the mistake after all.....or maybe the service center accidentally swapped paperwork with a second Air King belonging to my next door neighbor I sent in at the same time which as far as I could tell was identical in every way except it did have "Precision" on the dial. I have never had the bracelet off to verify the serial number myself.

[scotrick]

Interesting Spork, would like to know what year it really is!

Cheers,
Rick

[Sporkmaker]

I'm guessing the papers got switched at the SF service center so mine would be the '65 like my father told me and the neighbor's watch is actually the '83. My neighbor has since passed away and his watch went to one of his sons, who in turn gave it to his wife because the size was smaller than he liked. Mine ran like a champ for nearly 20 years between services, it was on my wrist everywhere from 1997 to 2015 before it started losing an excessive amount of time and the power reserve was reduced to about 12 hours. I actually lost it in a swift moving river once and miraculously found it against all odds.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Sporkmaker

I'm guessing the papers got switched at the SF service center so mine would be the '65 like my father told me and the neighbor's watch is actually the '83. My neighbor has since passed away and his watch went to one of his sons, who in turn gave it to his wife because the size was smaller than he liked. Mine ran like a champ for nearly 20 years between services, it was on my wrist everywhere from 1997 to 2015 before it started losing an excessive amount of time and the power reserve was reduced to about 12 hours. I actually lost it in a swift moving river once and miraculously found it against all odds.

That's a great story - amazing that you could find it in a swift moving river! The watch being a '65 works well with other examples shown in these pages without the Precision script.

Cheers,
Rick

[iliketime]

so, i read earlier on it was possible to change dials?

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by iliketime

so, i read earlier on it was possible to change dials?

Yes from the late 50's through the 80's the ref. 5500 used a 1520 or 1530 movement and as far as I know the dials would interchange. As discussed above and in different threads, there are subtleties as to which dial nomenclatures associated with each of these movements and different years of production.

Cheers,
Rick

[shaspar]

Beautiful! What do you think about the Oyster Precision?

[raveltime]

Thinking about getting a 34mm 2000 model from Bob's Watches at $3500 USD, no box or papers. It has the 3000 caliber. How easy would it be to service that caliber, parts availability etc.?

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by raveltime

Thinking about getting a 34mm 2000 model from Bob's Watches at $3500 USD, no box or papers. It has the 3000 caliber. How easy would it be to service that caliber, parts availability etc.?

The 3000 caliber is readily serviceable and should run like a champ.

https://www.bobswatches.com/watch-re...r-king-history

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by raveltime

Thinking about getting a 34mm 2000 model from Bob's Watches at $3500 USD, no box or papers. It has the 3000 caliber. How easy would it be to service that caliber, parts availability etc.?

That should be a great pickup, Did you pull the trigger on that one Ravel?

[Birky101]

Originally Posted by scotrick

That should be a great pickup, Did you pull the trigger on that one Ravel?

Got my 1997 Air King 14000 with cal 3000 and it's my favourite watch

Sent from my Harrier Tab from EE using Tapatalk

[scotrick]

Nice to see that beauty again Birky!

Cheers,Rick

[Peter Toronto]

My 2001 AK is my favourite.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Peter Toronto

My 2001 AK is my favourite.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think you will keep that watch forever, it's 19 years old and looks great, and at age 61.5 it will still look great and be worth more than it is today!

[romulus8]

I keep reading about the rare "double red" variation of a 5500 where both the Air-King and Super Precision are in red. Does anyone know why I can't seem to find a picture of this one anywhere online?

[Birky101]

Originally Posted by Peter Toronto

My 2001 AK is my favourite.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 1997 AK is also my favourite says hi and just back from Rolex after a full service and new bracelet

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Gogetter]

Originally Posted by Birky101

My 1997 AK is also my favourite says hi and just back from Rolex after a full service and new bracelet

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I've got the OP 114200 just like this blue one but without the Air King.

Am I allowed to call it an Air King ?

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Birky101

My 1997 AK is also my favourite says hi and just back from Rolex after a full service and new bracelet

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Looking good Birky!

Gogetter you might also checkout the OP thread at: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...+forum&page=12

Cheers,
Rick

[Gogetter]

Originally Posted by scotrick

Looking good Birky!

Gogetter you might also checkout the OP thread at: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...+forum&page=12

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks, but that link does not work.

[scotrick]

Sorry the link didn't work Gogetter, trying another.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...&postcount=319

Cheers Rick

[Nonuendo]

Ahh, I stand corrected, I saw a picture of a new AK and an older Explorer 1 side by side and they looked identical, must just be the newer bigger case.

[Kap007]

Great watch. Got it over a year ago and never took it off. When I received it ran satisfactory, however, it did need service. (Amplitude was like 250, gaining over 10 seconds a day). After service this past December and a slight regulation the watch is running +3 seconds a day. I never take it off. It's a wonderful piece that doesn't get much attention which is what I like. Especially with the Nato, it does not scream Rolex. Bottom line is that it's a fantastic watch that does what it is suppose to do. I truly like what the Air-King represents as well. I mean no disrespect with the leaf. Personally I really like it and the change of hands. It's the only watch I need though I do have a Tudor BB 32 as a back up.

[scotrick]

Nice one Kap. Is there a particular significance to the dial logo?

Cheers,
Rick

[Kap007]

What up Rick? Thanx for your interest. I think it looks cool and adds a bit of character. What kind of bike is that?

[Kap007]

By the way. In earlier post I said amplitude of like 250 gaining 10 seconds a day. It was losing 10 seconds a day, maybe more. Sorry for confusion.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Kap007

What up Rick? Thanx for your interest. I think it looks cool and adds a bit of character. What kind of bike is that?

Thanks Kap I thought maybe it was the NACB logo (lol).

The old rig is a 1948 Scott Flying Squirrel, water cooled 600cc 2 stroke, made in Birmingham.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...11#post6867011

[Kap007]

Not with NACB but a supporter of NORML and the decriminalization. Great ride. Has to be a rare one. Not too familiar with motorcycles though my step father rides a Harley. I'm a car guy.

[johnphiladelphia]

Originally Posted by romulus8

I keep reading about the rare "double red" variation of a 5500 where both the Air-King and Super Precision are in red. Does anyone know why I can't seem to find a picture of this one anywhere online?

I'm interested in this too if anyone can help?

[J1M96]

New here and wanted to tap into the wealth of knowledge you guys have! all well attached is my "new" AK i have recently bought from a local jewellers. The case has all the correct numbers on it but i feel like the face and possibly the hands have been replaced in its lifetime.