Opinions on this vintage Air King blue & valuation?

[eye4detail]

Hi there,

I'd like to hear some Rolex WIS opinions and valuation on this vintage Air King blue dial: 1972, no box or papers.






What do you make of the white indices? All the other examples I've seen don't have this - was this added at a later date?


Thanks in advance

[gregorpal]

Nice dial! Without bracelet I think usd 900 /1100

[gregorpal]

Not white but silver indices, it is just a ligth reflect i assume

[joe100]

Sans bracelet I'd go with what gregorpal said. The dial "appears" okay but the AirKings have a few dial repairs which can slip through the cracks. Not saying this is one at all, just I'd need to see a better resolution photo of the dial.

Areas to watch are the AirKing text on the dial and the - T SWISS T - at the base. Look at some of the dials on here to see how this text should appear. If in doubt pass.

Best regards,

Joe

[eye4detail]

Hi and thanks for the replies,

Originally Posted by gregorpal

Without bracelet I think usd 900 /1100

I am in the UK and the seller is asking $2,000 without bracelet, which seems high to me.

Originally Posted by gregorpal

Not white but silver indices, it is just a light reflect i assume

The seller is advertising this piece as having "unusual white stick applied hour markers", and "applied block hour indicies, giving it an outstanding, deeper appearance", plus has another black faced vintage Air King with the same, but I have not seen these on other examples, and am wondering about them?

The condition and appearance of the hands also look almost 'too good', which is rare on a 40-year old vintage piece, so am wondering whether they have been touched up or altered as well?


@joe100 - thanks for the info, this is the highest resolution I have at the moment of the dial, so will compare and contrast against other examples, as you suggest.


Are there also different vintage blue dials? - i.e. ones that shine in the light like the 2nd pic above, and 'flat blue' dials which do not shine, or is there only this one type which is the same but just depends on the light?

In addition, is this regarded as a "blue jeans" dial?


Thanks

[eye4detail]

*update*

This is a high res pic, all opinions gratefully received.




Thanks in advance

[joe100]

Appears okay to me

[gregorpal]

Dial is OK. Silver indices, not white. I had a silver version like the one you have there. Again, usd 900/1100 should be a fair price. I would not pay more. There are many 5500 out there. Good luck!

[eye4detail]

Hi and thanks,


Here is a high res pic of the movement:




All comments appreciated


Thanks