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stepwilk · 10 February 2009, 05:27 AM

First post, and from a total novice:

30 years ago, my wife gave me a simple Oyster Perpetual Air-King, which--knowing our finances in those days--was doubtless the least expensive Rolex she could find. I'm by no means a watch maven and frankly rarely even wear a watch, but I always liked the Rolex because of its simplicity--no date window, no fancy bezel, plain stainless-steel band--and because it was mechanical. I'm a traditionalist--used to fly a Falco airplane, a 1950s design, and today drive q quarter-century-old Porsche 911SC track car.

I've always assumed the watch didn't have much more than sentimental value--I've just sent it off to Bob Ridley for a complete overhaul--but I'm curious now: does this basic model still have tangible value?

rolexgiants · 10 February 2009, 05:30 AM

give it back to ur wife.... im sure the 34mm will look great on her.... that size is just too small for a mans wrist....

yannis · 10 February 2009, 05:34 AM

Welcome Stepwilk! I wouldn't know much about the tangible value but Air-Kings have some historical value and they are the first Rolexes to be connected to aviation...British aviators in WWII were presented with them by Hans Wilsdorf who was moved by their heroism! I mentioned this because you mentioned you were a pilot!

GeoGio Greece · 10 February 2009, 05:42 AM

You should love and take care of this watch. It has its own value, both sentimental and in price.

Despite any value, I believe that you should keep it, it has on it 30 years of your life.

jdc · 10 February 2009, 05:52 AM

Hi and welcome. Nice to hear you are getting it restored, lots of people here like the vintage Rolex and it has a history that is personal to you. That in itself should make it invaluable. Post some pictures when you can

acce1999 · 10 February 2009, 05:58 AM

You are doing the right thing - giving it a complete overhaul. It must have been a great gift, so the value is not really measured in money. And the good thing is perhaps the resale value, because if it would have been worth a lot of money it could have been tempting to let it go. Keep it! And let your wife know it is being overhauled to be with you for many years to come.

Do a google search and you will quickly get an idea of the resale value.

Best,

A

P.S. On Rolexgiants comments: The size is perfectly good.

jdc · 10 February 2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolexgiants

give it back to ur wife.... im sure the 34mm will look great on her.... that size is just too small for a mans wrist....

No obsession with size for me. I have a vintage oysterdate 34mm and GMT11. No problems on my wrist for either. The dial sizes of some of the older watches are quite large.

Mrdi · 10 February 2009, 06:45 AM

Classic Rolex. Never let it go.

stepwilk · 10 February 2009, 06:45 AM

Thanks, people--no, I wouldn't sell it, for exactly the reasons you mention, whether it was worth $10 or $10,000. And one of the things I like about it _is_ the small size. Walking around with a pocket watch on your wrist always seemed to me ridiculous.

Wolfgang427 · 10 February 2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepwilk

Thanks, people--no, I wouldn't sell it, for exactly the reasons you mention, whether it was worth $10 or $10,000. And one of the things I like about it _is_ the small size. Walking around with a pocket watch on your wrist always seemed to me ridiculous.

Agree 100%

Keep enjoying it.

cody p · 10 February 2009, 07:08 AM

Archetypal, atemporal and prototypical are words that come to mind when describing the Air-King. It's clean aesthetic embodies the classic template that is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The Air-King is perfect in every way for today's sporting gentleman.

jdc · 10 February 2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody p

Archetypal, atemporal and prototypical are words that come to mind when describing the Air-King. It's clean aesthetic embodies the classic template that is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The Air-King is perfect in every way for today's sporting gentleman.

funny I was thinking just the same thing

yannis · 10 February 2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody p

Archetypal, atemporal and prototypical are words that come to mind when describing the Air-King. It's clean aesthetic embodies the classic template that is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The Air-King is perfect in every way for today's sporting gentleman.

Well said cody!!

Bisquitlips · 10 February 2009, 07:21 AM

I personally never separate from that watch. I wish I had a Rolex from that time frame that I had that long!

Congratulations on owning it!

The GMT Master · 10 February 2009, 09:11 AM

The Air King is a real classic, I'm sure the sentimental value far outweighs the material value, I hope you enjoy it for many years to come

entropydave · 10 February 2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody p

archetypal, atemporal and prototypical are words that come to mind when describing the air-king. It's clean aesthetic embodies the classic template that is the rolex oyster perpetual. The air-king is perfect in every way for today's sporting gentleman.

x 2!!!

Sperry · 10 February 2009, 09:56 AM

This is the first one I plan on buying. Not for the price, since a Date or DateJust is almost the same price,
and a new Sub can be had for $4500 right here on this forum.

The reason I like it is the same as you. Simplicity, clean lines, stylish, nothing faddish about it.

I wear a 37mm Wegner right now, but I'm sold on that 34mm design. After wearing one for ten minutes in a shop,
no one was more surprised than me that I held off on the purchase.

[I certainly wouldn't know how to comment upon another's feelings of insecurity over watch size,
except to recommend professional help and possibly medication].

You'd be surprised of the value. In perfect condition, a kid born in 1978 who wanted that year/model
would probably pay exactly what an almost new copy would cost.

I'm formulating a plan to get an F-serial copy, to give my nephew when he turns 18.
I wish my uncle bought one for me in the '60s.

goduke1 · 10 February 2009, 10:00 AM

You couldn't give me enough money to sell my Air King. It's over 30 years old and going strong. And I don't think it's too small either. As far as value, they are selling from $1500-$2000 dollars (same era).

crazyjazy · 10 February 2009, 11:52 AM

As an Air King owner, I can tell you the size is just right. I am a runner, so my body is somewhat lean. The Submariner and GMT would look too big on my wrist. The Air King is subtle and classy.

GMTJOHNNY · 10 February 2009, 12:14 PM

Air King is a great model- classic lines and function.
I will keep mine forever, just wish they produced one in YG.

Singslinger · 10 February 2009, 01:53 PM

The Air-King is a very handsome watch and the fact that there are several dial variations make it even more appealing!

SonnyAK · 10 February 2009, 02:24 PM

Congratulations on having a great watch with a good history - Those are the best ones to have...Enjoy wearing it once you get it back!

I bet the Falco was a lot of fun to fly not to mention the 911! I fly a 206 for work and a PA-11 for fun, but the Falco was a little hot-rod in it's day (and still is)!

Emilee · 10 February 2009, 03:51 PM

I concur, the air king is simple and classy :)

entropydave · 10 February 2009, 05:34 PM

I have to say this thing about 34mm being "too small" is just really silly! it has been a perfect size since watches came part of our apparel!
Why DO people think that wearing a manhole cover is so acceptable?! I am a smallish 5ft 6 and have small wrists and a 40mm just looks wrong on me, not to say it gets in the way - hangs out from under my shirt cuff or stretches the cuff out. Also my eyesight is perfectly sharp enough to read the dial so I do not need big numbers!
Just because it is a bit of a fashion at the mo' to wear (IMHO) unfeasibly big watches doesn't mean that all of us have to!
My brother for example will only wear the absolute lightest and smallest watch he can find as he says he does not want to be aware of wearing a watch, but he wants it to be there so he can tell the time.
34mm has been the norm for many many decades and will remain so I am sure!
I just can bring myself to pull the trigger on any other model just because it IS just too big for me!
And yeah - I wish they made one out of Pt too!

Psmith · 10 February 2009, 08:29 PM

The AK is a great, classic design. Mine wore a tad small on me, but that issue was helpfully resolved by Lady Miss Psmith. She marched it off to the RSC, had it resized for her svelte wrist, and now it his her daily wearer (with her very own scratches)

A pre-hijack pic...

Crag145 · 10 February 2009, 09:38 PM

It really winds me up when the first post back from a member is to "give the watch to your wife" cos its 34mm...:

Am I missing something here or is anything under 40mm not to be worn by a man..??..

Psmith · 10 February 2009, 10:08 PM

Not to stray too far

but I think we are at a stage where anything from (say) 34mm upwards can be worn by either sex.
Rolex themselves of course realised this some time ago. Their advertising shows women wearing 36mm DJs, midsize YMs, even a GMT IIc in a recent Rolex special edition of Stiletto magazine ( http://www.stiletto.fr )
And we've all noticed Daytonas & Subs on various female celebrity wrists...

As Captain Barbossa said, "the code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules"

Cheers

Crag145 · 10 February 2009, 10:33 PM

I wonder when the first " Is 34mm too big for a man" post will appear. Seems that all this hype with size is targeted at the female market!!.

Psmith · 10 February 2009, 10:37 PM

Well with PH himself saying "women are the future of Rolex" (whatever that actually means) you may well be correct...

Cheers

yannis · 10 February 2009, 10:38 PM

Size (with regards to watches only) does not matter!

10 February 2009, 05:27 AM	#1
stepwilk "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cornwall, NY Posts: 6	Oyster Perpetual Air-King desirable? First post, and from a total novice: 30 years ago, my wife gave me a simple Oyster Perpetual Air-King, which--knowing our finances in those days--was doubtless the least expensive Rolex she could find. I'm by no means a watch maven and frankly rarely even wear a watch, but I always liked the Rolex because of its simplicity--no date window, no fancy bezel, plain stainless-steel band--and because it was mechanical. I'm a traditionalist--used to fly a Falco airplane, a 1950s design, and today drive q quarter-century-old Porsche 911SC track car. I've always assumed the watch didn't have much more than sentimental value--I've just sent it off to Bob Ridley for a complete overhaul--but I'm curious now: does this basic model still have tangible value?

10 February 2009, 05:34 AM	#3
yannis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Yannis Location: Europe Watch: maniac Posts: 9,070	Welcome Stepwilk! I wouldn't know much about the tangible value but Air-Kings have some historical value and they are the first Rolexes to be connected to aviation...British aviators in WWII were presented with them by Hans Wilsdorf who was moved by their heroism! I mentioned this because you mentioned you were a pilot! __________________ Rolex Submariner 116610LV \| Tudor 79220N DSSD MEMBERS - OWNERS CLUB

10 February 2009, 05:42 AM	#4
GeoGio Greece "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: George Location: Athens, Greece Watch: es --> A lot ! Posts: 2,327	You should love and take care of this watch. It has its own value, both sentimental and in price. Despite any value, I believe that you should keep it, it has on it 30 years of your life. __________________ Rolex owner since 1971. 5513 and 16700 the loved ones. DJ WG Jubilee 16170 for wife - U series Oyster Perpetual WG 177234 for daughter V-series

10 February 2009, 07:21 AM	#14
Bisquitlips 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: USA Watch: YM Deep Space Posts: 12,521	I personally never separate from that watch. I wish I had a Rolex from that time frame that I had that long! Congratulations on owning it! __________________ Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM

10 February 2009, 10:00 AM	#18
goduke1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: North Carolina Watch: 72' Rolex Air King Posts: 421	You couldn't give me enough money to sell my Air King. It's over 30 years old and going strong. And I don't think it's too small either. As far as value, they are selling from $1500-$2000 dollars (same era). __________________ Rolex Air-King 5500 Omega Seamaster Pro 300

10 February 2009, 05:30 AM	#2
rolexgiants "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: new york, usa Posts: 2,902	give it back to ur wife.... im sure the 34mm will look great on her.... that size is just too small for a mans wrist....

10 February 2009, 05:52 AM	#5
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	Hi and welcome. Nice to hear you are getting it restored, lots of people here like the vintage Rolex and it has a history that is personal to you. That in itself should make it invaluable. Post some pictures when you can

10 February 2009, 05:58 AM	#6
acce1999 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: GMT+1 Posts: 2,711	You are doing the right thing - giving it a complete overhaul. It must have been a great gift, so the value is not really measured in money. And the good thing is perhaps the resale value, because if it would have been worth a lot of money it could have been tempting to let it go. Keep it! And let your wife know it is being overhauled to be with you for many years to come. Do a google search and you will quickly get an idea of the resale value. Best, A P.S. On Rolexgiants comments: The size is perfectly good.

10 February 2009, 06:45 AM	#8
Mrdi Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,478	Classic Rolex. Never let it go.

10 February 2009, 07:08 AM	#11
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	Archetypal, atemporal and prototypical are words that come to mind when describing the Air-King. It's clean aesthetic embodies the classic template that is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The Air-King is perfect in every way for today's sporting gentleman.

10 February 2009, 09:11 AM	#15
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,150	The Air King is a real classic, I'm sure the sentimental value far outweighs the material value, I hope you enjoy it for many years to come

10 February 2009, 09:56 AM	#17
Sperry "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Jim Location: Alpha Posts: 3,383	This is the first one I plan on buying. Not for the price, since a Date or DateJust is almost the same price, and a new Sub can be had for $4500 right here on this forum. The reason I like it is the same as you. Simplicity, clean lines, stylish, nothing faddish about it. I wear a 37mm Wegner right now, but I'm sold on that 34mm design. After wearing one for ten minutes in a shop, no one was more surprised than me that I held off on the purchase. [I certainly wouldn't know how to comment upon another's feelings of insecurity over watch size, except to recommend professional help and possibly medication]. You'd be surprised of the value. In perfect condition, a kid born in 1978 who wanted that year/model would probably pay exactly what an almost new copy would cost. I'm formulating a plan to get an F-serial copy, to give my nephew when he turns 18. I wish my uncle bought one for me in the '60s.

10 February 2009, 11:52 AM	#19
crazyjazy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indiana Watch: 116710LN Posts: 84	As an Air King owner, I can tell you the size is just right. I am a runner, so my body is somewhat lean. The Submariner and GMT would look too big on my wrist. The Air King is subtle and classy.

10 February 2009, 12:14 PM	#20
GMTJOHNNY "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: LONG ISLAND, NY Watch: 2007 DAY DATE 18KT Posts: 1,378	Air King is a great model- classic lines and function. I will keep mine forever, just wish they produced one in YG. __________________ ROLEX DAY DATE 118238 (2007) ROLEX DAY DATE 18238 (1997) ROLEX GMT 16750 PEPSI (1987) ROLEX AIR KING 14000 (1991) ROLEX GMTIIC TT 116713LN (2008)

10 February 2009, 01:53 PM	#21
Singslinger "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 6,424	The Air-King is a very handsome watch and the fact that there are several dial variations make it even more appealing!

10 February 2009, 02:24 PM	#22
SonnyAK "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Watch: GMTIIc TT Posts: 407	Congratulations on having a great watch with a good history - Those are the best ones to have...Enjoy wearing it once you get it back! I bet the Falco was a lot of fun to fly not to mention the 911! I fly a 206 for work and a PA-11 for fun, but the Falco was a little hot-rod in it's day (and still is)!

10 February 2009, 03:51 PM	#23
Emilee "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Watch: Rolex Air King Posts: 13	I concur, the air king is simple and classy :)

10 February 2009, 05:34 PM	#24
entropydave "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Dave Location: Huntington, IN Posts: 680	I have to say this thing about 34mm being "too small" is just really silly! it has been a perfect size since watches came part of our apparel! Why DO people think that wearing a manhole cover is so acceptable?! I am a smallish 5ft 6 and have small wrists and a 40mm just looks wrong on me, not to say it gets in the way - hangs out from under my shirt cuff or stretches the cuff out. Also my eyesight is perfectly sharp enough to read the dial so I do not need big numbers! Just because it is a bit of a fashion at the mo' to wear (IMHO) unfeasibly big watches doesn't mean that all of us have to! My brother for example will only wear the absolute lightest and smallest watch he can find as he says he does not want to be aware of wearing a watch, but he wants it to be there so he can tell the time. 34mm has been the norm for many many decades and will remain so I am sure! I just can bring myself to pull the trigger on any other model just because it IS just too big for me! And yeah - I wish they made one out of Pt too!

10 February 2009, 09:38 PM	#26
Crag145 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Suffolk Posts: 16	It really winds me up when the first post back from a member is to "give the watch to your wife" cos its 34mm...: Am I missing something here or is anything under 40mm not to be worn by a man..??..

10 February 2009, 10:08 PM	#27
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Not to stray too far but I think we are at a stage where anything from (say) 34mm upwards can be worn by either sex. Rolex themselves of course realised this some time ago. Their advertising shows women wearing 36mm DJs, midsize YMs, even a GMT IIc in a recent Rolex special edition of Stiletto magazine ( http://www.stiletto.fr ) And we've all noticed Daytonas & Subs on various female celebrity wrists... As Captain Barbossa said, "the code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules" Cheers __________________

10 February 2009, 10:33 PM	#28
Crag145 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Suffolk Posts: 16	I wonder when the first " Is 34mm too big for a man" post will appear. Seems that all this hype with size is targeted at the female market!!.

10 February 2009, 10:37 PM	#29
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Well with PH himself saying "women are the future of Rolex" (whatever that actually means) you may well be correct... Cheers __________________

10 February 2009, 10:38 PM	#30
yannis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Yannis Location: Europe Watch: maniac Posts: 9,070	Size (with regards to watches only) does not matter! __________________ Rolex Submariner 116610LV \| Tudor 79220N DSSD MEMBERS - OWNERS CLUB

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