The Rolex Air King (Past and present)

[scotrick]

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Totally normal. The caseback number doesn't always need to match the model number. Lots of 5500's came with 1002 casebacks etc.

[darwen]

Here's my 14000 :

[joe100]

Nice roman 14000

Regarding the 1002 case back, there are far fewer 5500s with matching case backs than with. The 1002 case back is the same part, with a different stamp. Seems by the 1970s most were stamped 1002

[scotrick]

Thanks also, Joe.

I'm interested in the late 50's - 60's vintage and have seen examples with the riveted and folded link bracelets, both are OK?

Rick

Originally Posted by joe100

Nice roman 14000

Regarding the 1002 case back, there are far fewer 5500s with matching case backs than with. The 1002 case back is the same part, with a different stamp. Seems by the 1970s most were stamped 1002

[baltobikeboi]

Was handed down to me at my wedding a few years back from my father from his grandfather. Awesome watch. Not particularly common (which is always nice.)

[scotrick]

Looks to be a beautiful watch! Better pic would help. What year is your watch?

Originally Posted by baltobikeboi

Was handed down to me at my wedding a few years back from my father from his grandfather. Awesome watch. Not particularly common (which is always nice.)

[kitsuna]

Hello,

I'm researching Air-Kings as a first Rolex and I was hoping someone could confirm if I've got the right idea. I'm looking for a relatively modern Air King. As I understand it, the 14000M has the 3130 movement which first became available in 2000 and ceased in 2007 when it was replaced with the 14200 model. So in theory 14000M model Air Kings with the 3130 movement should have serial numbers P, K, Y, F, D, Z or M. After this, the Air King was replaced with the 14200, which also had the 3130 movement, but is COSC certified.

Is that right? Out of curiosity, is there any mechanical difference between a 3130 movement from a 14000M and a 14200, other than the 14200 being able to meet COSC certification?

Also, regarding the bracelets. For a 14000M what is the model number for a correct matching bracelet?


Thanks.

[joe100]

All 14000Ms have the 3130, hence the "M" suffix. There is no mechanical difference between 3130 movements, except rolex had one certified and the other not. Really the cosc stuff is pure marketing. A movement can either be regulated to cosc standards or it can't. Even the old 1520 movements can be regulated as such. The bracelet for the 14000m is a 78350.

Welcome aboard

[kitsuna]

Thanks Joe.

The reason I asked about the mechanical differences between the 14000M 3130 and 14200 3130 is because I recall a Hodinkee article which stated that Rolex sometimes did upgrades to parts without notice, within the same model number. I don't know if that's true or not.

Thanks for the bracelet number.

[joe100]

The changes would be so minor, you'd never know. Not really an issue at all. A 3130 is a 3130.

[tedwedz]

My 1961 Rolex Oyster Air King Super Precision 35mm Oversized, model 5504

I have the original strap too. The watch has just had a full service at Rolex in St James, England HQ

Owned from new, still have the receipt, bought by my dad at Bucherer in Lucerne, Switzerland

[cerbom]

OMG, what a watch. My birth year is 1960. I would love one of those. Wear it in good health. Thanks for sharing!!!

[tedwedz]

Originally Posted by cerbom

OMG, what a watch. My birth year is 1960. I would love one of those. Wear it in good health. Thanks for sharing!!!

no problem, glad you like it. It may have been made in 1960 I guess, sold June 1961! Nice as a family heirloom too.

[scotrick]

That's a great Air King with first-rate provenance Ted.

Cheers,
Rick

[tedwedz]

Originally Posted by scotrick

That's a great Air King with first-rate provenance Ted.

Cheers,
Rick

Cheers Rick!

[jklein]

I've been trying to research this watch and can't find much about it, can anyone help? It says 4499 but it's not an air king? 1950 production year...

Thanks,

Josh

[kitsuna]

On the 14200 model, what is the band number and should there be any markings on the end links (assume stainless steel)?

[joe100]

The 114200 or 14000 or 14010? There is no 14200 AK

[kitsuna]

Yeah I meant the 114200. derp.

[joe100]

70190 Oyster with the Oyster clasp

[joe100]

114200 bracelet from the rolex master catalog

[kitsuna]

Thanks Joe. I take it 70190 is stamped on one of the links in the way the 78350's are for the 14000M?

[joe100]

I haven't looked that closely, Someone with a 114200 will be around shortly to answer your question

[kitsuna]

Thanks.

[joe100]

Are you looking for a 114200 Kit?

[kitsuna]

I'm looking for either a 14000M or 114200 and I want to make sure that the bracelet and end links are correct. You've given me some good information about the 14000M and I'm looking to learn a bit more about the 114200 to try to avoid someone slipping me a dud or pulling a fast one on after market (or fake) bracelets.

[joe100]

No worries, but there is no such thing as a fake 70190 bracelet with the engraved clasp. No is there a fake 78350. There is a fake 78360 but the 19mm bracelets are ignored it seems, thankfully. At least outright fakes. Now someone could put a generic clasp on a 19mm oyster. That's possible, and I've seen it happen.

Also, fake 557 end links do appear every now and then

[kitsuna]

Originally Posted by joe100

No worries, but there is no such thing as a fake 70190 bracelet with the engraved clasp. No is there a fake 78350. There is a fake 78360 but the 19mm bracelets are ignored it seems, thankfully. At least outright fakes. Now someone could put a generic clasp on a 19mm oyster. That's possible, and I've seen it happen.

Also, fake 557 end links do appear every now and then

Fair enough.


So the gist is, 14000M should have a stamped 78350 bracelet and the 114200 should have the 70190 (presumably stamped with that number somewhere - I've not been able to find a picture of a 114200 with a bracelet stamped in the same position as the 78350 so I'm unsure where to look).

I guess when I'm ready to buy a 114200 I'll just have to ask and make sure its stated if the bracelet is after market or not, or for a 14000M just look in the right spot.

[joe100]

I think the best thing to do is buy from a trusted seller here and you won't have to worry about authenticity.

Then you'll have an awesome watch, with no worries

[kitsuna]

Originally Posted by joe100

I think the best thing to do is buy from a trusted seller here and you won't have to worry about authenticity.

Then you'll have an awesome watch, with no worries

That was always the plan, but I don't automatically assume every person on here is 100% trustworthy. Absolutely no sense in not being as informed as possible.