Hi all,

I've come across a Rolex Air King Super Precision with the dagger dial from the 1960s and wanted to see if the great members of this forum could provide some assistance. Unfortunately, the seller does not have any movement shots, and I'm trying to determine whether the rest is all original. Can anyone tell from these pictures if the rest is an honest example? Do those appear to be the original, hour, minute and second hands? The crystal is scratched, and I'm guessing it would need to be replaced. Otherwise, it looks good to me. But I will cede to the knowledgeable people here. Thank you for any information you can provide. It is very much appreciated.

 

In last year I am focus on learning about redails......I think this one (dial) did not left factory like this.

 

This Rolex Air King from what i see is the 5504 with movement 1530. This is what dial says about it. "super precision" is ok for that period, when Explorer 1 and Air King had the same case(there where in 35mm) the only difference is at the dial. In that period the authentic dial are only the one wit "precision"(with 1520) and "super precision"(with 1530). It would be very important to see also the movement. From this pics the case, cristal and crown seems corect.

 

And for sure is a redial.

 

Thank you for your quick response. If it's a redial, I don't think I'd be willing to pay the roughly $2,500 USD for it. These examples just don't seem to come up for sale very often. And when they do, I've seen them go for more money than that. I suppose I'll have to keep looking at this point. Some day...

 

The Explorer is more rare than the Air King. I think you could find very easy a better example of it. In my opinion, the dial is more than 50% for a vintage watch.

 

I absolutely agree with you about the importance of an original dial on a vintage watch. For whatever reason, I am quite taken by the Air King with the dagger dials and arabic numerals. The fact they seem hard to come by these days probably makes it more fun to chase one.

 

You could find also with honeycomb dial

 

Im no expert but you do get an Air King with that type of dial. When compared with the watch in the link below, the watch you are considering doesnt seem to have any lume plots.

https://www.blackbough.co.uk/produc...-steel-vintage-wristwatch-dated-1964-wwraks9/

 

If you post on the Vintage Rolex forum you will get an answer very quickly about the dial. If all original a very attractive watch in my opinion.

I was looking for one a while ago but ended up buying this.....

 

I'd be curious to hear anyone else's thoughts as to whether the watch is a redial. It's difficult to tell because the pictures aren't high resolution, but what indications are there that it has been re-done? Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

 

Hi everyone,

I wanted to follow up and thank you all for your input on the dagger dial Air King. I spoke to enough people about it to feel comfortable purchasing the watch off eBay despite no movement shots, and I'm happy to say that my watchmaker verified it to be genuine. He examined the movement and inside caseback, and it turns out this particular watch actually dates to November 1958 -- which matches the year for the serial number as well. That would make it among the first Air Kings. It's got the 5500 reference number with the 1530 "Super Precision" movement. The watch has been well worn, has small spots on the dial (not a re-dial) that can only be seen up close and needed a new caseback gasket, but it is going strong. So, thank you again.

 

Looking good!

 

Nice catch! Glad you went for it.

 

I'll add a couple of mine, both are I believe original: