Air-King vs Explorer 40

[Wilco68]

So little in it, but in the current iterations the A-K wins doesn’t it?

The Explorer gets deserved good press whilst the A-K seems to often get maligned as almost an oddity, but apart from the dial it’s virtually the same watch.

And the A-K dial is the more interesting of the two (and that model has crown guards!).




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[worldofoyster]

The Explorer 1 is simple yet very clean and classic. Personally, I would opt for the 36mm

[Know1isgod]

I picked up an AK last year precisely because of the pop of color and busy dial. Comes down to personal preference i guess.

[nyc2la]

Personal preference but the Exp 1 is the winner for me. And I love that there are no crown guards. Simple. Thin. Legible. And on the 39mm, you get the matte dial.

This watch can do it all. From the boardroom to the beach, from a nice dinner on the town to a hiking trail, this watch has you covered.

[CaptT]

They're both great, quite similar in many ways, but the differences can be substantial (to some). Personally I prefer the 126900, but one can't go wrong here.

For more on the topic, there are three pages of dialogue here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...rking+explorer

[Meyrin]

I like both, and particularly like the pop of colour on the Air-King. But for my older eyes the perfect legibility of the Explorer makes it a win for me. With any watch "at a glance" time checking is a must for me...one reason I love my old Submariner so much! The Air-King is just a bit busier, but I still like it!

[rohada]

Either one is a bit unique across the Rolex sport watch line up where most dials are the same basic template. These two, the Daytona, and the YMII have unique dials. Everything else has the same basic layout, regardless of diver, YM, GMT and such. Different colors, materials, and sizes, but overall the same layout with dots, sticks, and a triangle. Don't get me wrong, they look great.

If I had to add one of these, it would be the Explorer, personal preference for the cleaner look and something different from those listed above. Had a TT Explorer and loved it, but would want the larger version, 39mm or 40mm.

[TimeAZ]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Personal preference but the Exp 1 is the winner for me.

The perfect watch.

[xrole]

Explorer is a way cleaner design than the Air King and without the horrible green and yellow. It's timeless.

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

The Explorer 1 is simple yet very clean and classic. Personally, I would opt for the 36mm

The 36mm will look like a womans watch unless you have wrists 6" or less. It wears more like a 34-35mm.

[MJ EXPLORER]

I’ve owned practically every modern Explorer and Air-King. The mk1 and mk2 39’s, the 116900 and 126900 Air-Kings and both the steel and two tone 36mm Explorers. Loved them all, so no wrong answer here.

For me the best of the lot (and the one I still have) is the 116900 Air-King. The extra thickness makes it much more substantial. Love the oversized crown. And the white gold 3, 6 and 9 match the polished bezel really nicely. The polished elements give it an upscale feel.





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[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

I like both, and particularly like the pop of colour on the Air-King. But for my older eyes the perfect legibility of the Explorer makes it a win for me. With any watch "at a glance" time checking is a must for me...one reason I love my old Submariner so much! The Air-King is just a bit busier, but I still like it!

Agreed, but interestingly from a telling the time perspective it’s hard to beat the minute hand on the Air-King pointing directly at a huge 25 (for example), to quickly and precisely tell the time.


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[SPACE PEPSI]

Originally Posted by MJ EXPLORER

I’ve owned practically every modern Explorer and Air-King. The mk1 and mk2 39’s, the 116900 and 126900 Air-Kings and both the steel and two tone 36mm Explorers. Loved them all, so no wrong answer here.

For me the best of the lot (and the one I still have) is the 116900 Air-King. The extra thickness makes it much more substantial. Love the oversized crown. And the white gold 3, 6 and 9 match the polished bezel really nicely. The polished elements give it an upscale feel.





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I second that. Best Air-King hands down. Ever since they changed to the loom from the white gold, it's not been the same. On that particular model it looks far better without the crown guard also. The only thing I like about the newer iteration is that it's a smaller profile even though I do like the substantial size of the old Milgauss case.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Wilco68

. . . but apart from the dial it’s virtually the same watch.

. . .

Couldn't that be said of almost any wrist watch and several within the Rolex line-up?

However, isn't that the point of the different dials, to facilitate a different use entirely.

The Explorer is a straight watch but with large numerals at quarterly intervals for a quick time approximation at a glance.

The Air King has prominent seconds numerals to see flight timing more readily during navigation.

Two like watches that are very unlike.

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Personal preference but the Exp 1 is the winner for me. And I love that there are no crown guards. Simple. Thin. Legible. And on the 39mm, you get the matte dial.

This watch can do it all. From the boardroom to the beach, from a nice dinner on the town to a hiking trail, this watch has you covered.

I have the 39mm and I agree that the matte dial makes it amazing.

[mjolnir2thor]

I have both the 214270 Explorer and the 116900 AK for over 4 years now and there is no wrong choice here; however, the Explorer gets the most wrist time due to the smaller wear on my 6.8” wrist. The 116900 AK is a thicker watch and heavier watch.

[Boothroyd]

I haven't checked on the AirKing in a while, but doesn't is have the same Faraday cage as the Milgauss, rendering in thicker and sitting higher on the wrist?

Explorer for me.

[Knooger]

Another vote for the Explorer, that's the next Rolex I have my eyes on.

[IFlyPlanes]

I’m an AK fan. I had the 116900 then upgraded to the 126900.

It’s my daily.

[KoNhEi]

Air King is a lot more noticeable compare to explorer. The dial might look busy at first, but it is very easy to tell time.

[amphr1]

My problem with the AK dial is that it's made to look like the gauge in a car, a very fast car. But still a car and nothing to do with being in the air.

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[MSL]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

The Explorer 1 is simple yet very clean and classic. Personally, I would opt for the 36mm

[harvey]

Explorer.

[1William]

As much as I have tried to like the AK over the years I can not get over the statement I heard that said, "It looks like Rolex threw up on the dial". Personal preference is always a part of any discussion but the design language of the dial is confusing to me and not consistent with typical Rolex production. That maybe the point though, so for its fans, enjoy. The Explorer is the one for me and the design language and history make it an icon. The AK, not at all.

[Gerardus]

As much as a live the Airking. The new reference with the crownguard is not my cup of tea. If it was the 116900 that would be my pick.
In this case the Explorer for me.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Wilco68

So little in it, but in the current iterations the A-K wins doesn’t it?

If you're asking for opinions, as for mine, it doesn't.

I've always admired the pure simplicity of the 3-6-9 dial. But, to each his own.

[Kreyzhorse]

I was an Omega man. While Rolex were interesting, they seemed stale to me. The 126900 AK really grabbed me. It's busy, the dial has color and to me, seemed so un Rolex.

It became my first Rolex and my favorite watch. I've since grown to appreciate many other Rolex designs, including the Explorer, but to me, the green and yellow dial drafted from a land speed car is so un Rolex and so cool, its by far my favorite design on any watch, any place.

[SMPc]

My AD offered them both to me and I chose the AK. Next to each other the dial was just more interesting. The Explorer had a lot of empty space. That being said, I am a fan of the Explorer in 36mm

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Simplicity beats complexity.

[GST15]

I don't have an Airking, but I would prefer over a 36 DJ

[painexpert]

I have the 40mm Exp I. I also had the AK but sold it. The dial was too "busy" for my liking (green,yellow,etc.) IMHO. Love the simplicity of the Ex. Its one of my favorite watches. So comfortable on the wrist.