Official Air-King Club

[HoWink]

First post here and first Rolex on the way! Yes, it's an Air-King and will look just like Mik's. I'm fortunate to work for a superb traditional company - Southern Company in Atlanta, Georgia - that rewards thirty years of service with the best of all service awards, a Rolex watch. Until now I have not valued watches highly, though I do enjoy other fine goods such as fountain pens and bamboo fly rods. Reading about Rolex's in general and the rich heritage of the Air-King in particular has whet my appetite for what looks like the perfect dress/casual watch to carry me into a retirement wherein I plan to care somewhat less about what time it happens to be. And while I anticipate the "it won't be your last Rolex" sentiments, my plan, for now, is to focus discretionary funds on traveling to different time zones to fish!

Thanks for all the great information on this wonderful forum.

Howard

[joe100]

Welcome aboard Howard. The AirKing will be the only Rolex you ever need.

[Feras]

Originally Posted by joe100

Let's have an AirKing thread. 5500s, 14000s, super cased beauties...AKDs...whatever you have.

WOW, I never thought i would say this but those pics are even better than the ones found in the 116610LV C (THE HULK) club
Joe, you just made me an Air King fan

[joe100]

Thanks Feras! I'm glad you've come around to the AK. It's easily the best looking watch in the modern Rolex lineup. I think so anyway.

Glad you like my photos as well!

[highrollah]

You guys can't see my picture page 2 ?

[joe100]

Nope

[joe100]

Use photobucket to upload your photos. Easy and fast

[highrollah]

Originally Posted by highrollah

Sorry so apprently my post didn't work,

should work now,



http://i49.tinypic.com/167t3ro.jpg


couldn't find the exact model/colors online, you guys have info? I really want to know more :)

Just got approved

Also I apologize in advance, it might double/triple post because I didn't notice the need for mod approval and I might have sent 2 messages with the same pic

[joe100]

Mighty fine example of a 114200.

[jhunter3]

This thread gives me a new appreciation for Air King. Classic styles here. Thanks, guys!

[highrollah]

Thanks for the info Joe, really cool forum!
I will post some wrist shots when I get back in France and wear this baby

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by highrollah

couldn't find the exact model/colors online, you guys have info? I really want to know more :)

That's got what's called the 3-6-9 dial, and a nice looking one at that. I have the opposite, blue with white markers. Other than that, it's a normal, late model Air King with a domed bezel.

As for finding your dial color in a Rolex catalog, your best bet is to find one from the year your watch was made. Rolex likes to add a drop colors regularly.

[Jwitt]

Oh, I gotta join this club!!

[highrollah]

Originally Posted by Andelain

That's got what's called the 3-6-9 dial, and a nice looking one at that. I have the opposite, blue with white markers. Other than that, it's a normal, late model Air King with a domed bezel.

As for finding your dial color in a Rolex catalog, your best bet is to find one from the year your watch was made. Rolex likes to add a drop colors regularly.

Thanks for the info awesome! Can't wait to wear it and become an official member of the club.

[joe100]

Somewhere I haves scan from the catalog with this dial. I will try to find it this evening.

[joe100]

here it is.

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by joe100

here it is.

The numbers seem lighter and the lume bluer on his watch. Do you suppose it's just the lighting, or did Rolex make that variation in a different year?

For reference, I have the dial on the upper left and the colors are accurate.

[MCox]

2001 looks like new!

[joe100]

It's just a bad scan from the dial section. No variant, just a dpi issue lol

[eye4detail]

I'm feeling the AK love in this thread

Originally Posted by joe100

... the AK. It's easily the best looking watch in the modern Rolex lineup. I think so anyway.

I'd tend to agree, and the only Rolex I'd wear at the moment, part in due to my small wrist, and personal taste, is an AK 5500 or a Pre-Daytona...however the price of the Pre-Daytona is 10X more than a 5500!

[joe100]

Yeah, those are pricey. I just buy what I like. I'm one of the few around here who has no love for the Submariner. Don't get me wrong, it's great. I just don't want one.

[Mickey®]

Such a under appreciated watch...
I only wish it was larger and I'd wear the one I bought for the wife!

I am not sure why I like them more than 36 or 39mm Explorers????!!!

[joe100]

I'm fine with any sub-40mm watch. My entire collection is 38.5mm and under. The Speedmaster Date is my largest piece.

[Time Exposure]

Was about to post a new thread reflecting my love for the AK, then stumbled on this love-fest! I have a few nice watches in my collection, including a few dressy Pateks, a late 90's ExpII Polar, uncommon TT DJ Perpetual in a Quartz-shaped case/links (ref. 1630), and an 18k Perpetual head from the early 50's (ref. 6567 w/ cal. 1030). And what do I reach for, even more often than the "Everyday Explorer II?"

I love the look. Simple. Even at 6'2" and 260# with a 7.5" wrist, I think it is a good size at 34mm. (Had a 45mm Zenith chrono...ridiculous! SO done with oversize watches!) This example is from IV63, and has the wrong (but an original) USA stretch rivet bracelet with a 1957 date code. Ran fast but I made one effort to regulate it, and I think I nailed it on the first try: loses 2 sec with wear and gains 3 sec dial up overnight for a net +1 (probably needs a service). It's a 26 jewel cal. 1530.

[Ed Rooney]

I'm thinking about getting a vintage plastic AK as a dress watch.

[joe100]

Hey Time Exposure,

I'm glad to see another gentleman who has decided the oversized watch phenomenon is finished. The 34mm AK is the perfect size for comfort and readability. Recently I compared the new super cased AK to the OP 116000 and I think either of them would be a smart choice if I had to buy modern. I feel the AK is more of a sport watch than dress simply because of its utilitarian, rugged design and construction. No nonsense distilled Rolex attitude. As I've said before I've owned many Subs and GMTs over the years but I really seem to have grown out of them. Rotating bezels and depth ratings beyond the envy of nations just don't do it for me anymore. Give me a simple design any day.

[c-dub]

Hey time exposure - I love the hands/face on your classic watch. I am looking at one on a band. Simple and understated. I am not hating on the big face trend, more of equal opportunity Rolex addict at this point :)

[Time Exposure]

Thanks for the comments. I just saw a 34mm Rolex advertised for sale as a ladies watch. Gads...
I guess the hands are original, not sure since I just got it a few weeks ago and the seller had no history to offer. I'd love to add another, maybe later model with black or blue dial. The only thing I wish it had is a chronometer movement, but I guess then it wouldn't be an Air-King!

[joe100]

The Precision movements can be regulated to chronometer specs quite easily. My AK cal.1520 is +20 seconds a month!

[jaybee2712]

Hy
im liking the fluted bezel and glossy strap, looks like im on another purchase mission!! after the photgraphy classes, obviously.
The engine turned bezels are good lookers too!!!
Does anyone know if yellow metal batons are normal? ive not seen them before.
ROLEX 1675 MATT DIAL-1969
ROLEX 5500- 1970
ROLEX 6694 BLACK DIAL-1954
ROLEX 6694 SILVER DIAL-1981
BREITLING 816-1969
BREITLING TOP TIME -1965
BREITLING COLT AUTO-1992
TUDOR 79260-1999
TUDOR 7909-1959
CASIO PRO TREK
+OTHERS