LOVING the new Air-King!!!

[MJ EXPLORER]

I've always loved the 116900 Air-King. I owned it for a while, but the lack of lume bothered me (same with my Wimbledon dial Date-Just). Not a huge deal, but I was also a tad too thick.

I was shocked when I woke up this morning to see the new watches only to find that not only was the Air-King not discontinued, but improved upon! They basically took a watch I really liked and made it one I absolutely love.

Lumed 3,6,9, and triangle at 12 - check
Slimmer case - check
Crown guards - very cool - check
5 to 05 - slight improvement - check
AR coating - nice improvement - check
New movement with longer power reserve - very nice - check
New clasp - very nice - check

I called my local AD and they said the first one that comes in is mine. They've always come through for me. I know it's not for everyone, but I for one am really excited to get this one!

Cheers

[Jackie Daytona]

I quite like the update as well. I’ve always liked the Air King, but like it more now that it has its own unique profile. The dial still may be just a little busy for me with so many 5s, but overall I really like it, and then again it may loose a bit of that funky uniqueness if they lost it.

[IR201]

Originally Posted by MJ EXPLORER

I've always loved the 116900 Air-King. I owned it for a while, but the lack of lume bothered me (same with my Wimbledon dial Date-Just). Not a huge deal, but I was also a tad too thick.

I was shocked when I woke up this morning to see the new watches only to find that not only was the Air-King not discontinued, but improved upon! They basically took a watch I really liked and made it one I absolutely love.

Lumed 3,6,9, and triangle at 12 - check
Slimmer case - check
Crown guards - very cool - check
5 to 05 - slight improvement - check
AR coating - nice improvement - check
New movement with longer power reserve - very nice - check
New clasp - very nice - check

I called my local AD and they said the first one that comes in is mine. They've always come through for me. I know it's not for everyone, but I for one am really excited to get this one!

Cheers

Where is the proof of the slimmer case? Been trying to find!

[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by IR201

Where is the proof of the slimmer case? Been trying to find!

No proof yet! It just appears noticeably slimmer. If you find the number, please share.

[Bxtek]

I've always liked the newer Air King ever since it came out. Such a unique dial which looks like no other model of Rolex! I totally agree with you OP on all of the things on your list. Every single item is an improvement. I'm especially loving how the crown guards really changes the look of the whole watch. Home run imo!

[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I quite like the update as well. I’ve always liked the Air King, but like it more now that it has its own unique profile. The dial still may be just a little busy for me with so many 5s, but overall I really like it, and then again it may loose a bit of that funky uniqueness if they lost it.

I found the 116900 loud and crazy in blown up pictures. It was so much better on the wrist though. And really, Rolex doesn't get credit for having created a watch with hour markers at the cardinal positions and minutes everywhere else that make reading the time a snap.

[MikeMWatchFan]

I feel the same way! I need one of these!

[MJ EXPLORER]

The more I think about it and watch videos....the crown guards are a huge change. They really change the appearance of this watch. I suspect this watch will be very unpopular for 6 months, then it will gain momentum. It's never going to be Sub, GMT, Daytona hot, but it will gain in popularity over time.

[MasonDixon]

It's growing on me. I'd still prefer it with 15,30,45 and all lumed numerals, but it's a definite improvement over the old model. I see it as kind of a stand-in for the discontinued 39mm Explorer.

[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by MasonDixon

It's growing on me. I'd still prefer it with 15,30,45 and all lumed numerals, but it's a definite improvement over the old model. I see it as kind of a stand-in for the discontinued 39mm Explorer.

I agree with your assessment of the stand-in for the discontinued 39mm Explorer. Lume all around would be so cool! Maybe we'll get that on the 136900 in a few years.

[Chewbacca]

It is an improvement and I’m happy you love it and will have one in short order.



But I’m also thinking a green Exp dial in that case would have been a perfect Rolex.

[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It is an improvement and I’m happy you love it and will have one in short order.



But I’m also thinking a green Exp dial in that case would have been a perfect Rolex.

Thanks CJ! A green Explorer...now that would be cool. Also, you have the best/funniest avatar/profile/quotes on TRF. "Kashyyyk" makes me laugh every time.

[underpar]

I don't get it.

[burnthesehills]

I like it a lot as well. Not a popular watch around here, but I have always loved the look. The updates are appreciated.

[JimSnyder]

Have always loved the new Air King. But I am not sold on the crown guards, really like the other upgrades .......

[jlovda]

Don't forget....no more yellow.

Also, The AK was previously a Milgauss with a different dial. Now that it has a new case with crown guards Rolex may have gotten rid of the Faraday cage so the watch would be slimmer.

[MJ EXPLORER]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

I've always liked the newer Air King ever since it came out. Such a unique dial which looks like no other model of Rolex! I totally agree with you OP on all of the things on your list. Every single item is an improvement. I'm especially loving how the crown guards really changes the look of the whole watch. Home run imo!

An interesting trend that Rolex doesn't feel obligated to scrap watches that are due for an upgrade. They seem to making smart tweaks with many models and making them better. The Explorer and Explorer II last year were really nice improvements. The Submariner has had some nice subtle improvements lately. Well done Rolex!

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MJ EXPLORER

Thanks CJ! A green Explorer...now that would be cool. Also, you have the best/funniest avatar/profile/quotes on TRF. "Kashyyyk" makes me laugh every time.

Thank you.

I’m happy you get a kick out of my nonsense. You yourself bring a level of non-gaudy sophistication which is a great contribution here, and your enjoyment and watch preferences are clearly evident through the screen.

[BNA/LION]

Good Luck!

This thread needs a picture!

[Boopie]

I’m glad you like it.

There have been several suggestions here for the past few years that changing the “5” to “05” would balance out the look. It’s nice to see that it was implemented.

I’m wearing a 114200 AK as I speak. I saw two guys wearing the current AK in one day just a few weeks ago. I like the heritage behind the AK name and am glad Rolex made the improvements.

[MikeMWatchFan]

Can we get a side by side? Any hands on videos out yet?

[Mifune]

Love it... want it.

[NachoNeal]

Agreed that the 05 is a big improvement.

[GJ-PGMTII]

Originally Posted by MJ EXPLORER

AR coating - nice improvement - check

Cheers

Wait it has AR…? Rolex 1990 called they want their tech back

Fwiw no mention of AR on watch page: https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/...6900-0001.html

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Hedgeman]

I heard the dial is actually .8mm bigger and noticeable side by side. Everything is just slightly bigger and with the AR coating I think everything will just pop a bit more.

Anyone know if the slightly larger dial is true? Still a 40mm

[GJ-PGMTII]

Originally Posted by Hedgeman

I heard the dial is actually .8mm bigger and noticeable side by side. Everything is just slightly bigger and with the AR coating I think everything will just pop a bit more.

Anyone know if the slightly larger dial is true? Still a 40mm

Isn’t the date window 8% larger as well?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[baamvino]

same here amazing piece

[28mm]

Originally Posted by jlovda

Don't forget....no more yellow.

Still there.

[StillTrying]

OP, I agree. Much better. I love crown guards.

[Srct]

I struggle with the crown guards - as one member put it they look a bit lonely with a rotating ( or fixed) bezel - may just be a matter of time and seeing one in the flesh - as with the upside down GMT !