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

[Jim Greece]

Originally Posted by MCHI09

The poll is a missing a "I love the Air-King and want to add it to my collection."
option. If that was there, I'd check it :)

Exactly!!!!

[1kokies]

i am new to Rolex but i would buy the AK 40mm in a heartbeat

[Natural1]

I personally love the aesthetic and uniqueness. I am wearing one at this very moment. I chose it as my first Rolex with price not being a factor, just because I find it very attractive. It is a comfortable watch as well..

[ak5659]

Many say the dial is too busy but I love the look and actually find it the easiest watch I have to quickly know the time. I then take extra time just to enjoy looking at it. It’s on my wrist every day.


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[draperfish]

Guess I'm in the minority, I absolutely love it! The green looks so good to me, only wish it had lumed 3,6,9 like the Explorer.

[multimedia]

Originally Posted by SoCal_Batman

...but if it was discontinued by Rolex in the near future, would that change anyones perception or feeling towards it?

Personally, I think the dial is way too busy. Much more prefer the older series, like e.g. 14000. And no, just because something is discontinued, doesn't make me like it more. :)

As always, just my 0.02 and to each his own.

Cheers,
Joe

[maxymax]

The large minute markings kill it for me!

[ciandro]

I love it. The green second hand is what makes it spectacular.

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[watchyoursix]

A very individual design, a classic case of love it or loathe it

I think it enriches the line up and I do like it.

[VacherObsessive]

Not my cup of tea

[watchyoursix]

Originally Posted by watchyoursix

A very individual design, a classic case of love it or loathe it

I think it enriches the line up and I do like it.

After mulling it over for a couple of weeks, I walked into my local AD and ordered one a couple of weeks back (and now realise I ordered almost to the day exactly two years after posting the above ;-))

[Malum]

A watch I really like . I am such a date guy that’s the only thing keeping me hesitant. I hope you enjoy the watch , I have a few that I waited on ,thought about and hesitated . When I acquired them after longing I was contented and still own them . Good luck .

[wrx04]

The 3-6-9 markers look awkward/out-of-place mixed with the minute markers, IMO. It might look better with lumed minute markers all around (15/30/45).

Its different, but I don't think I'd ever buy one as-is.

[snyde]

Definitely prefer the bezel over the OP line


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[BNA/LION]

I passed on it, not sure why, just doesn't do it for me.

[Cwillis0001]

If the Air King was fully lumed with a true B dial, it would be my favorite Rolex of all time. Get rid of the 3, 6, and 9... replace with 15, 30, 45 at full lume, well hell yes I'd want one. The fact that it's quirky in such a conservative line up, and that it induces annoyance in the more uptight Rolex fanboi circles, makes it a sleeper all star.

Lest we forget, they could barely give away tropical Daytonas until Butch Cassidy put one on a bund and smiled at the world.

[Cgill1982]

Love it and if they upgrade the movement and change the numerals to lumed I would be the new model as well

[Gaijin]

The old Air King. Yes. Big fan.

[got369]

A very sporty watch!

[subx]

it's a pure tool Rolex, and actually is tied to the Bloodhound SSC project, and a Rebel look: I love it.

[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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[Zuger]

Great watch in its own right. For me it misses all my marks. For the case I’d rather have a Milgauss. For the dial the Explorer. Neither watch I have in my collection but maybe one day.

[JSolution]

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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Everyone will want this once it’s discontinued mark my words. Especially if they completely do away with the air king line once again.

[rioboy1]

I picked up my Air King a few months ago and I absolutely love it.

I swap it out with my Sub C for daily wear.

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Everyone will want this once it’s discontinued mark my words. Especially if they completely do away with the air king line once again.

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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[jb335]

I like some of the vintage Air-Kings but the current iteration is too busy for my tastes. I get the appeal though.

[Athlone27]

had one but it just didn't sing to me

[watchyoursix]

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 tend to agree
- If it just gets a mild update (eg EXII) this will not do anything for existing models
- If the dial is scrapped and replaced by something totally new (remember the Bloodhound SSC does not exist in its original form and Rolex has, to my knowledge, no association with the successor project, Bloodhound LSR which itself is also struggling financially), I feel this will give a value bump to 116900
- The same and even more if the Air-King is dropped from the line up altogether. I think this will for sure increase the appeal of 116900 but I do not see values "exploding" under any scenario

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by Pw92676

I would love no minutes and prefer a 3 ,6,9 only. If that existed, I would be very happy lol

Then it would be an Explorer

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by Carney0121

I think you're describing an explorer?

Sorry, I should have read further