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jwball · 5 September 2007, 11:36 PM

My dad owns a SD and an Air-King but I have noticed an explorer with the same dial configuration as his Air-King i.e 3-6-9 . What is the difference between them, they look identical except for the obvious name difference.

Geoff · 6 September 2007, 12:49 AM

Explorer is 36mm diameter

Airking is 34mm diameter

Tools · 6 September 2007, 12:59 AM

Explorers and Air-Kings are Rolex Oyster Perpetual series.

They share the exact same movement as well as does the Non-Date Sub.

These watches were the roots of all Rolex watches to follow.... Initially, in the early 1940's, they did not have the Explorer, Air-King, or Submariner designation.

Dial designations came to identify some achievement that stood them apart.....Submariner for the watertight oyster case, Air -King to honor WW II pilots, and Explorer to show ruggedness in, mostly, mountain climbing expeditions...

They are all rugged, durable and dependable time pieces and lifetime purchases....They're just a matter of taste...

SPACE-DWELLER · 6 September 2007, 01:01 AM

Also, the Explorer is COSC rated, and the Air King (old model, 34 mm!) is a "Precision".

However, COSC ratings are more marketing hype IMHO than a true indication of how precise the watch is/would be.

Mrdi · 6 September 2007, 01:23 AM

And to try to compare them on the Rolex site is inhibitive.
The movement in the Explorer changed a few years ago.
The bracelette changed as well to the solid end link.
Did the Air King follow suit?

You will also note that although the sub is touted as a 40mm watch
and the Explorer as a 36mm watch,...
The dials are the same size!!
The difference is in the BEZEL.

Personally I find the Explorer with the 3,6,9, the most legible of all the series.

Except of course the Yachmaster II

ohlins · 7 September 2007, 05:34 PM

well.....the 3-6-9 dials for the airking are not available in black.............

mrdi.........both the airking and explorer use the 3130 movement........

BiG JeEzY · 7 September 2007, 05:38 PM

One says Explorer on the dial, the other says Air King on the dial.

The major difference is the case size where the Air King is 34 mm and the Explorer is 36 mm.

All Explorer models also have the 3-6-9 on the dial while the Air King has different styles for the dial. I have sen an Air King with roman numerals on the dial as well.

seanbrooklyn · 8 September 2007, 12:46 AM

didnt the airking change to 36mm this year? , if
thats true then there wouldnt be much difference. does anyone know if the AK is 36mm now?

ohlins · 10 September 2007, 02:39 AM

still 34 mm.............

Downing · 10 September 2007, 05:28 AM

The new Air-King now has a much more substantial clasp than does the Explorer I as pointed out to me by my AD.

I believe the new ones are also now COSC rated, but I'm not positive about that.

Surprisingly, there's not a lot of information about the A-K in either The Rolex Report, The Best Of Time or Vintage Rolex Sports Models. Mere mentions instead of whole chapters, like there are for the Explorer, Subs, GMTs, etc.

5 September 2007, 11:36 PM	#1
jwball "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Watch: Omega SMP 300 Auto Posts: 34	Explorer vs Air King - What's the difference? My dad owns a SD and an Air-King but I have noticed an explorer with the same dial configuration as his Air-King i.e 3-6-9 . What is the difference between them, they look identical except for the obvious name difference.

6 September 2007, 01:01 AM	#4
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Also, the Explorer is COSC rated, and the Air King (old model, 34 mm!) is a "Precision". However, COSC ratings are more marketing hype IMHO than a true indication of how precise the watch is/would be. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

7 September 2007, 05:34 PM	#6
ohlins "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,213	well.....the 3-6-9 dials for the airking are not available in black............. mrdi.........both the airking and explorer use the 3130 movement........ __________________ the hype is true. a crown for every achievement. visit my audio and watch blog & how to use the rolex comfort link?

7 September 2007, 05:38 PM	#7
BiG JeEzY "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jerome Location: N. California Watch: GMT I/EXP II/DJ Posts: 3,351	One says Explorer on the dial, the other says Air King on the dial. The major difference is the case size where the Air King is 34 mm and the Explorer is 36 mm. All Explorer models also have the 3-6-9 on the dial while the Air King has different styles for the dial. I have sen an Air King with roman numerals on the dial as well. __________________ -Rolex Explorer II Black dial 16570 (circa 2001) -Rolex GMT Master I Pepsi 1675 (circa 1978) -Rolex Datejust TT Champagne 16233 (circa 1991) -Vintage Longines Automatic La Grande Classique -Vintage Seiko 6138 Automatic Chronograph with "Kakume" Dial

10 September 2007, 02:39 AM	#9
ohlins "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,213	still 34 mm............. __________________ the hype is true. a crown for every achievement. visit my audio and watch blog & how to use the rolex comfort link?

6 September 2007, 12:49 AM	#2
Geoff "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 111	Explorer is 36mm diameter Airking is 34mm diameter

6 September 2007, 12:59 AM	#3
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	Explorers and Air-Kings are Rolex Oyster Perpetual series. They share the exact same movement as well as does the Non-Date Sub. These watches were the roots of all Rolex watches to follow.... Initially, in the early 1940's, they did not have the Explorer, Air-King, or Submariner designation. Dial designations came to identify some achievement that stood them apart.....Submariner for the watertight oyster case, Air -King to honor WW II pilots, and Explorer to show ruggedness in, mostly, mountain climbing expeditions... They are all rugged, durable and dependable time pieces and lifetime purchases....They're just a matter of taste...

6 September 2007, 01:23 AM	#5
Mrdi Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,478	And to try to compare them on the Rolex site is inhibitive. The movement in the Explorer changed a few years ago. The bracelette changed as well to the solid end link. Did the Air King follow suit? You will also note that although the sub is touted as a 40mm watch and the Explorer as a 36mm watch,... The dials are the same size!! The difference is in the BEZEL. Personally I find the Explorer with the 3,6,9, the most legible of all the series. Except of course the Yachmaster II

8 September 2007, 12:46 AM	#8
seanbrooklyn Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Brooklyn,NY Watch: explorer 114270 Posts: 94	didnt the airking change to 36mm this year? , if thats true then there wouldnt be much difference. does anyone know if the AK is 36mm now?

10 September 2007, 05:28 AM	#10
Downing "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Downing Location: Portland, Oregon Watch: SD ExpII GO Nav ND Posts: 1,640	The new Air-King now has a much more substantial clasp than does the Explorer I as pointed out to me by my AD. I believe the new ones are also now COSC rated, but I'm not positive about that. Surprisingly, there's not a lot of information about the A-K in either The Rolex Report, The Best Of Time or Vintage Rolex Sports Models. Mere mentions instead of whole chapters, like there are for the Explorer, Subs, GMTs, etc. __________________ One if by land, one if by sea, one if by air and one uh, just to tell time. Rolex Explorer II White Rolex Sea-Dweller Glashütte Original Navigator Panerai 183 G Black Seal

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