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#121 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: N. California
Watch: 5500, 16030
Posts: 7
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Recently, my uncle brought this out from his memory box and I was wondering if anybody had any more information about it. He has had it in his possession since the late 60's early 70's. Before that, it belonged to my great grandparents.
5500 is engraved between the lugs and a serial number that begins with a 369XXX is engraved between the other side of the lugs. I'm not sure if this is a Explorer or Air King.. Tested out the lume and it still worked a bit. I couldn't quite capture it. All I had with me was my iPhone 4s. Any info is appreciated. Thanks! Byron |
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#122 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Alex
Location: Louisville, KY
Watch: 16610 LV, 5501/34
Posts: 8
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My 1975 Air King (my father upgraded after 33yrs and gave it to me) and my 2007 Sub with that irresistible green bezel.
![]() ![]() It had recently returned from a full servicing at the RSC in NY, I couldn't have been more pleased with the way it turned out. ![]() This one is due for a service in the very near future, mostly to buff out a few small scratches. regards, Alex |
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#123 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Looks like someone had the 5500 dial refinished. Also could be a 6352 dial installed. But, it's absolutely a 5500 AirKing. No 5500 was a certified chronometer
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It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#124 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Watch: Oysterquart 17014A
Posts: 11
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![]() Here's my Air King Ref.5500, purchased new in 1976. Originally it came with the thinner 'folded link' bracelet, which I later replaced in 1980 with the solid-link bracelet shown here, otherwise it's all original. Presently loses 3 secs p/day, which I think is pretty good for a mechanical. Tritium has died, many years ago. Interesting thread! |
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#125 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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The somewhat uncommon blue dial, very nice! Nice to see your dial hasn't chipped. A lot of blue dial AKs and DJs from that era with a blue dial had a flaw in the paint and chipped where the tritium was applied. Very nice example you have there!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#126 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Watch: Oysterquart 17014A
Posts: 11
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Quote:
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#127 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Nice OQ!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#128 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Watch: Oysterquart 17014A
Posts: 11
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A very cute black Air-King!
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#129 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Real Name: Alex
Location: Bucharest
Watch: me
Posts: 889
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#130 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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I'm really loving the blue dials boys!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#131 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Watch: Oysterquart 17014A
Posts: 11
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Very happy with this OQ.
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#132 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Australia
Watch: Oysterquart 17014A
Posts: 11
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Quote:
More to follow regarding an early ref. 17000, when I get my hands on it... |
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#133 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DFW, TX
Watch: Speedmaster
Posts: 672
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I've been collecting watches for a number of years and have been kicking around the idea of delving into Rolex for the last few months. As my collecting tastes have matured, I find myself leaning more and more toward vintage Rolex. I'm attracted to the classic designs, smaller sizes (sub-40mm), and the sport/adventure oriented history.
I think the Air-King may be my first, and I'm leaning toward the reference 5500. This has been a great thread! Very informative! I'll be reading the AK History thread next. |
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#134 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Toronto, ON
Watch: Explorer I 214270
Posts: 310
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Quote:
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#135 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Obviously I agree! Ha
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#136 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: Paul
Location: Tucson, Az
Watch: Rolex 1501
Posts: 13,461
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Just this morning, we had a '67 Air-King pop up for sale here locally. The ad says the dial has been 'refinished to the highest possible standards' but refinished is still refinished.
It's a too close to my own 1501 to actually pursue but it was nice to see one for sale anyway. We don't really get that many offered from private sellers here.
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Ain't much of a crime, whacking a surly bartender |
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#137 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Walter Wharton
Location: United Kingdom
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 70
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Dear Members,
I have a Rolex Oysterdate prescison how does this model differ from the Air King it dates from around 1975 / 1976 Regards W.W. |
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#138 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Well it has a date and it's manual wind
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#139 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,792
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#140 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,792
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Derp, missed your post Joe.
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#141 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 5
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Are Air Kings waterproof or just water resistant?
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#142 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,792
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New Air Kings are rated to 100m. Older ones 50m. So, I'd call that waterproof, as long as you've pressure checked it recently.
![]() Some might say "there's no such thing as waterproof," but Rolex marketed Oyster watches as such for many years. ;) Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2 |
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#143 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Quote:
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#144 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the replies. I have a 1995 Air King. Is that considered old (50m) or new (100m)?
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#145 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Quote:
The 5500 was rated to 165' or 50m. I have mine tested to 100m no problem. Rolex, like BMW, likes to underestimate their products a bit.
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#146 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Watch: 16233 TT Datejust
Posts: 37
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#147 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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Muy nice Trip!
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#148 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Watch: 16233 TT Datejust
Posts: 37
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#149 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Joe
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Explorer
Posts: 12,827
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There are many Rolex models and dials without numbers. The 5500s, 14000s etc
__________________
It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982- |
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#150 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Calgary
Posts: 43
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I won this Air-King date in a Rolex sales contest in 1971, when I worked for a Rolex dealer. The band is not original, but other than the usual genuine Rolex repair parts, it is all original. This one came to me direct from Rolex, Toronto, with the point of sale price ticket still on it. Read it and weep! In 1971, this watch sold for, get this, $ 215.00 in Canada!
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