Opinion: Air King 34 Future

[wuyeah]

Curious about your opinion about Air King 34. Do you think Rolex will eventually going back to 34mm size?

Are you optimistic about fashion will eventually loop back. Small size will be the new cool or this size is so outdated to be popular, Rolex will NEVER going downsize to 34mm for men.

Do you wish Air King 34 reintroduce back with classic bazel feature? Air King 36? What's your opinion about the future "Air King" series.

I love the Air King line and its history but I think current offering is a bit disconnect form the past. Not sure if everyone feel this way.

[PhilippeD]

Sure, it seems to be a bit outdated. It will probably get some minor updates. Different color dial, different color second hand.

They still go for +20-30% MSRP at the greys, so I don't see it being discontinued.

[Ceb]

34mm would be far too small these days. I'd love to see a new redesigned AK with an updated movement and a 39mm case. (Similar to the recently discontinued Explorer)

I have the 116900 which I really like, however this could really do with an update along with the Milgauss.

[dannyp]

If it gets redesigned and smaller, I predict it shares a case/bracelet with the 36mm Explorer. After all, when the last AK was introduced, I don't believe it started as part of the Professional line, and therefore lacked a flip-lock clasp. Next one will likely get.

I would have hoped for a return to 34, too, but with Rolex's current 34mm case being on the smaller side, I don't see that happening.

The Explorer currently doesn't share a case/bracelet with any other watch, and we all know how Rolex likes its parts to do double/triple duty, so a 36mm AK, with white/silver/blue dial options would make sense.

[Thuilln]

I wear the new generation OP that replaced the Air King, and despite being 34mm I have no problem whatsoever wearing it. Sure, it’s smaller than a Sub or GMT. But it’s still a Rolex, well built, tough, reliable. I like it a lot. And the pure white dial is perfect.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Thuilln

I wear the new generation OP that replaced the Air King, and despite being 34mm I have no problem whatsoever wearing it. Sure, it’s smaller than a Sub or GMT. But it’s still a Rolex, well built, tough, reliable. I like it a lot. And the pure white dial is perfect.

The difference, I think, is that the last OP (that evolved from the AK) was more like 35mm. New one is 33 and change, I think.

New 36mm Explorer case, paired with its narrower bracelet, makes the most sense this time around.

[captainron62]

I don't ever see the small watch trend coming back. Even women these days buy 36mm and don't even want to wear the smaller sizes.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by captainron62

I don't ever see the small watch trend coming back. Even women these days buy 36mm and don't even want to wear the smaller sizes.

But that could be just the thing that brings back smaller men’s watches. Besides wrist size, where there often isn’t a huge difference, only fashion has dictated that men’s watches be bigger. So, if big watches become woman’s territory, small may become men’s.

[Rado63]

Since you are asking for opinions, I will give mine. The Air King was a series of pilot watches introduced in 1945, basically after WWII and the watches were 34mm. The watch seemed to struggle with it's identity as a pilot watch, and often time looked like an oyster perpetual with a fluted bezel, or a like another Explorer. The 34mm would define the Airking style until the 116900 in 2014 which took the watch back to it's obvious pilot watch look and increased the size to 40mm. A pilot watch is probably interpreted as a watch with a bold personality which I would say indicates a larger watch. If Rolex is going to continue to develop the Airking, then I doubt it will get smaller than 36 and may grow to 42mm and will be offered in PM. That's my .02.

[WatchNutcase]

It's going to depend on everyone's individual wrist size, someone like me with a 6.5 inch really likes the older 34mm version (which is why I own one). Someone with larger wrists probably likes the current 40mm version or wishes they stay in the 39mm to 40mm size range for any new updates.

Watch size trend is not as important as sizing for the specific wrist, visual proportion is quite important.

[Oyster Sauce]

I have a 34 mm AK and love it. It is the smallest-cased watch that I wear, but when I wear it, I feel that it looks the classiest. Pre-owned AK's are a tremendous way to get into Rolex, and an AK could be your one and only.

That being said, regardless of watch size trends, I don't think it makes sense for the AK to go back to what it was. I don't particularly like the current iteration of the larger AK, but whatever the AK is, it should probably distinguish itself from the rest of the Rolex portfolio. The 34 mm AK, as much as I love it, was redundant with the 34 mm OP.

[franktehtank]

I think 34mm for men (at least in North America) is dead and gone in trends. If you want a small watch, the 36mm provides that.

Possibly in Asian countries where people in general are smaller, but even then I think 36-40mm is plenty. Maybe 34mm if someone wants to buy their kids a watch?

I'm not trying to knock 34mm watches, but they really are tiny by today's standards. When I hold them, they feel like a watch my mom would wear.

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

I think 34mm for men (at least in North America) is dead and gone in trends. If you want a small watch, the 36mm provides that.

Possibly in Asian countries where people in general are smaller, but even then I think 36-40mm is plenty. Maybe 34mm if someone wants to buy their kids a watch?

I'm not trying to knock 34mm watches, but they really are tiny by today's standards. When I hold them, they feel like a watch my mom would wear.

You may not have held enough because a 34mm air-king actually feels larger than a 37mm yacht master, it's not only the case size that determines the watches over all feel on wrist and visually.

The 34mm air-king actually fits the same if not larger than many other brands with watches at the 36-38mm mark, mainly due to the long lugs and wide open dial with thin bezel, also no date complication cluttering the dial.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

You may not have held enough because a 34mm air-king actually feels larger than a 37mm yacht master, it's not only the case size that determines the watches over all feel on wrist and visually.

The 34mm air-king actually fits the same if not larger than many other brands with watches at the 36-38mm mark, mainly due to the long lugs and wide open dial with thin bezel, also no date complication cluttering the dial.

I have owned a few 34mm Rolex and Tudor (same case) watches, and yes, have held many of them from all eras. It is my opinion that they are too small, even for most slender wristed men. Given how long they took to sell, I would say that most people also share my opinion. But it's just an opinion.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Rado63

Since you are asking for opinions, I will give mine. The Air King was a series of pilot watches introduced in 1945, basically after WWII and the watches were 34mm. The watch seemed to struggle with it's identity as a pilot watch, and often time looked like an oyster perpetual with a fluted bezel, or a like another Explorer. The 34mm would define the Airking style until the 116900 in 2014 which took the watch back to it's obvious pilot watch look and increased the size to 40mm. A pilot watch is probably interpreted as a watch with a bold personality which I would say indicates a larger watch. If Rolex is going to continue to develop the Airking, then I doubt it will get smaller than 36 and may grow to 42mm and will be offered in PM. That's my .02.

I thought it was intended more as a tribute to the Allied (particularly RAF) pilots who fought in WWII, rather than as an actual pilot watch. Real pilot watches from that era would never have come on a bracelet. There were a series of "Air" watches (Air King, Air Giant, Air Lion, Air Tiger, IIRC).

The 116900 is the first, to my knowledge, that really went for the "pilot look" rather than wearing the name for the sake of history.

Originally Posted by Oyster Sauce

The 34 mm AK, as much as I love it, was redundant with the 34 mm OP.

Except for one thing: The AK and all-steel OP34 never overlapped. Prior to the 11 series, the only 34mm OP watches were gold or TT. Also, up until a certain point, the AK was not a "perpetual" at all, but rather a manual wind piece.

Now that (manual wind) would be an interesting "return to the original" that would have a very interesting place in the Oyster lineup.

All that being said, the fact that the OP34 has shrunk from its previous generation (and may even be a bit smaller than the five-digit AK) suggests it is unlikely to be rebranded as the AK. The silver dial aside, most of the offerings wear pretty small.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by dannyp

But that could be just the thing that brings back smaller men’s watches. Besides wrist size, where there often isn’t a huge difference, only fashion has dictated that men’s watches be bigger. So, if big watches become woman’s territory, small may become men’s.

I don't see it. 36 is the new 34!

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by dannyp

The difference, I think, is that the last OP (that evolved from the AK) was more like 35mm. New one is 33 and change, I think.

New 36mm Explorer case, paired with its narrower bracelet, makes the most sense this time around.

It definitely wears and looks bigger than 34mm. Due to the maxi case style, probably. It’s a favourite of mine.

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by dannyp

But that could be just the thing that brings back smaller men’s watches. Besides wrist size, where there often isn’t a huge difference, only fashion has dictated that men’s watches be bigger. So, if big watches become woman’s territory, small may become men’s.

WHAT - men typically don't want anything SMALLER than a woman's. I don't see it myself.

[Dr.Smellody]

They will return. 41mm on a six inch wrist is too much.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

WHAT - men typically don't want anything SMALLER than a woman's. I don't see it myself.

Wallets. Breasts. Heels. Wedding rings. Fingernails. Shall I continue?

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Wallets. Breasts. Heels. Wedding rings. Fingernails. Shall I continue?

[rubey419]

I have slim wrists so my 14000 is great for my M-F use. Sensible and conservative for everyday, work or with a suit for formal events. I have my larger diver watches for when I go more casual. I personally can’t go above 40mm, too big for my tastes.

[peterp]

Look how good is selling dj41 vs 36. If new dj would be in the middle i.e. 38mm there would be 2y+ waiting lists. Time of 34mm watches for men is over.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Rado63

Since you are asking for opinions, I will give mine. The Air King was a series of pilot watches introduced in 1945, basically after WWII and the watches were 34mm. The watch seemed to struggle with it's identity as a pilot watch, and often time looked like an oyster perpetual with a fluted bezel, or a like another Explorer. The 34mm would define the Airking style until the 116900 in 2014 which took the watch back to it's obvious pilot watch look and increased the size to 40mm. A pilot watch is probably interpreted as a watch with a bold personality which I would say indicates a larger watch. If Rolex is going to continue to develop the Airking, then I doubt it will get smaller than 36 and may grow to 42mm and will be offered in PM. That's my .02.

As long as we're offering $.02 opinions, here's mine.

The Air-King dial with its dial marked in minutes rather than hours functioned as an easy way for pilots to time intervals between visual waypoints along a route of flight before ground based radio navigational aids (A-N beacons, LORAN, VORs, etc.) and space based aids like GPS were widely available.

The next Rolex pilot watch was the Turn-O-Graph, which had the minute markers on a rotating bezel rather than the dial, so when the pilot was over a waypoint he rotated the bezel so the triangle was at the minute hand. When over the next waypoint, he simply looked at where the minute hand was pointing and read the elapsed time directly on the bezel. It also comes in handy for keeping track of the remaining time on a parking meter.

Sadly, the Turn-O-Graph, nicknamed "Thunderbird" after the USAF demonstration team, was discontinued in 2010. I think the rotating bezel and the date window make it much more versatile than the Air-King. Rolex discontinued the wrong watch IMHO.

I love my DJ36 Turn-O-Graph.

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

As long as we're offering $.02 opinions, here's mine.

The Air-King dial with its dial marked in minutes rather than hours functioned as an easy way for pilots to time intervals between visual waypoints along a route of flight before ground based radio navigational aids (A-N beacons, LORAN, VORs, etc.) and space based aids like GPS were widely available.

The next Rolex pilot watch was the Turn-O-Graph, which had the minute markers on a rotating bezel rather than the dial, so when the pilot was over a waypoint he rotated the bezel so the triangle was at the minute hand. When over the next waypoint, he simply looked at where the minute hand was pointing and read the elapsed time directly on the bezel. It also comes in handy for keeping track of the remaining time on a parking meter.

Sadly, the Turn-O-Graph, nicknamed "Thunderbird" after the USAF demonstration team, was discontinued in 2010. I think the rotating bezel and the date window make it much more versatile than the Air-King. Rolex discontinued the wrong watch IMHO.

I love my DJ36 Turn-O-Graph.

I agree. The TOG is very versatile and classy.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

As long as we're offering $.02 opinions, here's mine.

The Air-King dial with its dial marked in minutes rather than hours functioned as an easy way for pilots to time intervals between visual waypoints along a route of flight before ground based radio navigational aids (A-N beacons, LORAN, VORs, etc.) and space based aids like GPS were widely available.

The next Rolex pilot watch was the Turn-O-Graph, which had the minute markers on a rotating bezel rather than the dial, so when the pilot was over a waypoint he rotated the bezel so the triangle was at the minute hand. When over the next waypoint, he simply looked at where the minute hand was pointing and read the elapsed time directly on the bezel. It also comes in handy for keeping track of the remaining time on a parking meter.

Sadly, the Turn-O-Graph, nicknamed "Thunderbird" after the USAF demonstration team, was discontinued in 2010. I think the rotating bezel and the date window make it much more versatile than the Air-King. Rolex discontinued the wrong watch IMHO.

I love my DJ36 Turn-O-Graph.

I never actually knew that the ToG was originally a pilot watch, but now the nickname makes complete sense .

Regarding the AK, however, I thought only the current version had the minute markers, and that the originals were all sticks, Romans or Explorer-style.

[Watch Rob]

I wear my 34m AK every day. Now that there’s a 34m OP (not the same) I doubt they’d shrink the current AK. Watch size is personal. Wear what you like and ignore the rest.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Watch Rob

I wear my 34m AK every day. Now that there’s a 34m OP (not the same) I doubt they’d shrink the current AK. Watch size is personal. Wear what you like and ignore the rest.

Wouldn't surprise me if they shrank it, but to 36, not back to 34. I might have thought it would replace (in name-only) the 34mm OP, except that watch is actually a bit under 34, and I don't see the AK going that small.

Inhabiting the 36mm Exp. case is the most likely shrinking scenario, IMO.

[JimSnyder]

I wonder if anyone would have told John Wayne, or Gary Cooper, or Frank Sinatra that their watch was to small?

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I never actually knew that the ToG was originally a pilot watch, but now the nickname makes complete sense .

Regarding the AK, however, I thought only the current version had the minute markers, and that the originals were all sticks, Romans or Explorer-style.

It looks like you are correct; all the more reason to choose a Turn-O-Graph over the Air-King for a pilot watch.