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Juantxo · 14 September 2016, 01:10 PM

Today I saw the new Air King for the second time. And if I didn't much care for it the first time, the second time I found it awkward and absurd. The excessive amount of mismatched numbers and the childish colors on the logo and script turned me off. The Explorer I makes sense in its simplicity, balance and purposefulness. The Air King looks forced and childish.

By the way, the YM with the grey dial makes the hands hard to read under most conditions and angles. And the light blue hands adds to the washed-out look.

Just my $0.02.

FremStar · 14 September 2016, 01:28 PM

Very interesting assessment of the 116900. Are you aware of what the concept was for the dial? I agree with you on version 2 of the 214270, to me it is the modern Rolex all fans of the brand should own. In terms of the new YM1 configuration it's cool, however, I prefer my 16623 over the new one. As they say, different strokes for different folks...

Adding a picture... Test driving a watch at an AD is entirely different than owning and wearing the watch or any watch for that matter out doors in the open. It's a very cool piece and a welcome deviation from the run of the mill pieces we see daily with Subs, GMT's, etc...

LostInTime · 14 September 2016, 01:39 PM

Agree with OP regarding the Air King.

Muzz · 14 September 2016, 02:06 PM

Completely disagree and considering this is a site where several members own the reference the choice of wording is pretty disrespectful.

bdex75 · 14 September 2016, 02:21 PM

I have a love hate relationship with it. But that big crown look of it in Sam's picture is pure love.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Runner1975 · 14 September 2016, 03:07 PM

I wasn't too taken with the Air King the first few times I saw it, but it really has grown on me. For me (female), it wouldn't be my only Rolex but I could see adding it later as something fun to wear (after, say, two other Rolex watches I like). For guys, depending on lifestyle, needs, etc., I can see it fitting well as an only watch --- or one of several, of course.

johnnyjazz · 14 September 2016, 04:11 PM

I think a lot of younger people coming into Rolex will like it, it kinda looks like a solid funky watch to me, think Rolex have a winner with this one, btw i am not in the younger league but i think it is a fine piece.

RJM25R · 14 September 2016, 04:15 PM

It's cool. As mentioned above, it's a bit different to the norm and will attract people who don't like the models that are perceived as "boring, old fashioned" (my 18 yr old son's view of Rolex design)

I do think it's a touch overpriced T £4150 though, I'd like one when they hit the 2nd hand market.

xlarge · 14 September 2016, 04:43 PM

Totally unnecessary new thread... Just my $0.02...

DeeTee · 14 September 2016, 04:51 PM

I feel like the new AK is missing something. With all that stuff going on with the dial, it needs a fluted or ceramic bezel.

regnant · 14 September 2016, 06:43 PM

I respectfully disagree with the op. Opinions may vary. However, 5 and 10 is granulatedly errr slightly smaller than the rest of minute markers. This is a dent from me too. Well,9, 6 and 3 are oversized and it adds vividity to the dial. It works fine with this particular model.
I have been wearing this watch since I bought it and not a regret at all.
Pilot themed watches are fashionable and this model is a response by Rolex.
May be Air King script should have been more compliant to match the other famous 5 line wording, this would be only thing for me to modify the dial

Old Expat Beast · 14 September 2016, 08:11 PM

Thought it was a hopeless mess when it was released at Basel, but I'm starting to quite like it lately.

1William · 14 September 2016, 08:28 PM

Not for me. The dial of the Air King is too busy.

crowncollection · 14 September 2016, 08:49 PM

The dials a bit busy for me, the rest of the watch is great IMHO

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padi56 · 14 September 2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thought it was a hopeless mess when it was released at Basel, but I'm starting to quite like it lately.

Exactly and other opinions are just that opinions,IMHO its a very different eye catching dial instead of the normal stick or plot marker Rolex norm.

Majin Buu · 14 September 2016, 08:57 PM

From my perspective, for what it represents,
I belive they have a hit and future very sought after reference by collectors ..

Cheers!

J.

Rags · 14 September 2016, 11:11 PM

IMO it has too much going on. Not a fan at all. Prefer the AK my wife has over this model.

porschedude · 14 September 2016, 11:16 PM

I actually really like the air-king, the yachtmaster isn't my favorite but man the rose gold on the oysterflex is totally awesome. They cant make all of them perfect!

Lightforce1911 · 14 September 2016, 11:20 PM

it doesnt do it for me

ap1 · 14 September 2016, 11:22 PM

id like to see lume on the 3/6/9 as for a pilot watch it doesn't glow so well. I like the quirkiness

AK797 · 14 September 2016, 11:22 PM

We've got the Exp1, long and short hands, for those that like a simple dial so this is a great alternative if you want more visual interest. Great move I say by Rolex as all too often too many of their models look too similar, but recently they are making more unique pieces.

capote · 15 September 2016, 12:33 AM

I like it, the design is not as restrained as most Rolex. It makes sense that it shares the case and movement with the Milgauss, the other fun Rolex.

Randy63 · 15 September 2016, 12:44 AM

I really like the new Air King. It would have been perfect for me had they used the thinner lighter case of the Explorer.

Randy

Orangejoe · 15 September 2016, 01:00 AM

Two things.

1). The color concept for the watch is well established.
2). The 5, 10, 3 layout is not exactly new to the Oyster Perpetual line.

If you follow Rolex you know where these two design elements came from.

Chewbacca · 15 September 2016, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capote

I like it, the design is not as restrained as most Rolex. It makes sense that it shares the case and movement with the Milgauss, the other fun Rolex.

agreed.

it tics all the boxes my milgauss didn't.

Ragna · 15 September 2016, 02:09 AM

Personally i think that things will change a lot for the New Air King next year.

Bloodhound first world record attempt will be in October 2017. Then i predict that New Air King will skyrocket (literally).

That could also affect the price. Anyway its just a thought.

Peace

T. Ferguson · 15 September 2016, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK797

We've got the Exp1, long and short hands, for those that like a simple dial so this is a great alternative if you want more visual interest. Great move I say by Rolex as all too often too many of their models look too similar, but recently they are making more unique pieces.

Agreed. The previous Air-King was sort of an Explorer with less resale value. Now it has come into its own.

joe100 · 15 September 2016, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Agreed. The previous Air-King was sort of an Explorer with less resale value. Now it has come into its own.

Now it's just sort of a Milgauss

Ragna · 15 September 2016, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Agreed. The previous Air-King was sort of an Explorer with less resale value. Now it has come into its own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe100

Now it's just sort of a Milgauss

donq · 15 September 2016, 04:28 AM

One of my favorites. Quite out there for Rolex!

14 September 2016, 01:10 PM	#1
Juantxo Banned Join Date: May 2016 Location: Utopia Posts: 2,101	New Air King Today I saw the new Air King for the second time. And if I didn't much care for it the first time, the second time I found it awkward and absurd. The excessive amount of mismatched numbers and the childish colors on the logo and script turned me off. The Explorer I makes sense in its simplicity, balance and purposefulness. The Air King looks forced and childish. By the way, the YM with the grey dial makes the hands hard to read under most conditions and angles. And the light blue hands adds to the washed-out look. Just my $0.02.

14 September 2016, 01:28 PM	#2
FremStar "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Sam Location: Gotham City Watch: Wall Street Posts: 9,954	Very interesting assessment of the 116900. Are you aware of what the concept was for the dial? I agree with you on version 2 of the 214270, to me it is the modern Rolex all fans of the brand should own. In terms of the new YM1 configuration it's cool, however, I prefer my 16623 over the new one. As they say, different strokes for different folks... Adding a picture... Test driving a watch at an AD is entirely different than owning and wearing the watch or any watch for that matter out doors in the open. It's a very cool piece and a welcome deviation from the run of the mill pieces we see daily with Subs, GMT's, etc... __________________ "Wealth is of the heart and mind, not of the pocket!" "A Watch Is An Emotional Object, And So, It Is The Responsibility Of The Brand To Create Emotion Through It's Products" - Georges Kern "In the 1950s and 60s, they made the Ref 8171, which is a cult collectible—now that’s the ultimate Rolex you could own with a calendar and a moon phase.” - John Reardon "Heh, heh, heh..." - Michael Kilyung

14 September 2016, 08:49 PM	#14
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,215	The dials a bit busy for me, the rest of the watch is great IMHO Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ watches many

14 September 2016, 11:11 PM	#17
Rags 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: SW Florida Watch: 16233,16610,214270 Posts: 11,196	IMO it has too much going on. Not a fan at all. Prefer the AK my wife has over this model. __________________ 16233 Y Serial Datejust 16610 Z Serial Submariner 214270 Explorer *114300 Oyster Perpetual* *76200 Tudor Date+Day*

15 September 2016, 01:00 AM	#24
Orangejoe "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: PA, USA Posts: 284	Two things. 1). The color concept for the watch is well established. 2). The 5, 10, 3 layout is not exactly new to the Oyster Perpetual line. If you follow Rolex you know where these two design elements came from. __________________ Truth be told today many don't wear a watch, they just wear the brand. -padi56

14 September 2016, 01:39 PM	#3
LostInTime "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Is Everything Posts: 205	Agree with OP regarding the Air King.

14 September 2016, 02:06 PM	#4
Muzz "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Real Name: Steve Location: TO CAD, HCMC VN Watch: MP 18946 Posts: 7,292	Completely disagree and considering this is a site where several members own the reference the choice of wording is pretty disrespectful.

14 September 2016, 02:21 PM	#5
bdex75 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Brandon Location: Indianapolis Watch: my money vanish Posts: 8,506	I have a love hate relationship with it. But that big crown look of it in Sam's picture is pure love. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14 September 2016, 03:07 PM	#6
Runner1975 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 165	I wasn't too taken with the Air King the first few times I saw it, but it really has grown on me. For me (female), it wouldn't be my only Rolex but I could see adding it later as something fun to wear (after, say, two other Rolex watches I like). For guys, depending on lifestyle, needs, etc., I can see it fitting well as an only watch --- or one of several, of course.

14 September 2016, 04:11 PM	#7
johnnyjazz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: britain Posts: 712	I think a lot of younger people coming into Rolex will like it, it kinda looks like a solid funky watch to me, think Rolex have a winner with this one, btw i am not in the younger league but i think it is a fine piece.

14 September 2016, 04:15 PM	#8
RJM25R "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Real Name: Rick Location: U.K. Northwest Posts: 265	It's cool. As mentioned above, it's a bit different to the norm and will attract people who don't like the models that are perceived as "boring, old fashioned" (my 18 yr old son's view of Rolex design) I do think it's a touch overpriced T £4150 though, I'd like one when they hit the 2nd hand market.

14 September 2016, 04:43 PM	#9
xlarge "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hungary Watch: an extinct 116600 Posts: 119	Totally unnecessary new thread... Just my $0.02...

14 September 2016, 04:51 PM	#10
DeeTee "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Los Angeles Watch: Netflix Posts: 3,978	I feel like the new AK is missing something. With all that stuff going on with the dial, it needs a fluted or ceramic bezel.

14 September 2016, 08:11 PM	#12
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,780	Thought it was a hopeless mess when it was released at Basel, but I'm starting to quite like it lately.

14 September 2016, 08:28 PM	#13
1William 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 47,566	Not for me. The dial of the Air King is too busy.

14 September 2016, 08:57 PM	#16
Majin Buu "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Joe Location: Planet Earth Watch: Datejust now Posts: 927	From my perspective, for what it represents, I belive they have a hit and future very sought after reference by collectors .. Cheers! J.

14 September 2016, 11:16 PM	#18
porschedude "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Watch: 116610LV Posts: 1,207	I actually really like the air-king, the yachtmaster isn't my favorite but man the rose gold on the oysterflex is totally awesome. They cant make all of them perfect!

14 September 2016, 11:20 PM	#19
Lightforce1911 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: evanston Posts: 260	it doesnt do it for me

14 September 2016, 11:22 PM	#20
ap1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: usa Posts: 19,508	id like to see lume on the 3/6/9 as for a pilot watch it doesn't glow so well. I like the quirkiness

14 September 2016, 11:22 PM	#21
AK797 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Neil Location: UK Watch: ing ships roll in Posts: 59,368	We've got the Exp1, long and short hands, for those that like a simple dial so this is a great alternative if you want more visual interest. Great move I say by Rolex as all too often too many of their models look too similar, but recently they are making more unique pieces.

15 September 2016, 12:33 AM	#22
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	I like it, the design is not as restrained as most Rolex. It makes sense that it shares the case and movement with the Milgauss, the other fun Rolex.

15 September 2016, 12:44 AM	#23
Randy63 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scranton Watch: 16610 Posts: 996	I really like the new Air King. It would have been perfect for me had they used the thinner lighter case of the Explorer. Randy

15 September 2016, 02:09 AM	#26
Ragna Banned Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: The Matrix Posts: 1,070	Personally i think that things will change a lot for the New Air King next year. Bloodhound first world record attempt will be in October 2017. Then i predict that New Air King will skyrocket (literally). That could also affect the price. Anyway its just a thought. Peace

15 September 2016, 04:28 AM	#30
donq "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas tx Watch: 16610,1675,16030 Posts: 1,136	One of my favorites. Quite out there for Rolex!

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