Thoughts and opinions? Looks kind of busy in my opinion, but I do like the green. http://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-oyster-perpetual-air-king-watch/
I like it. Don't think I'll buy it just yet but it certainly works better than other things we've seen at this years show
I think if the minute numerals were reduced in size and brightness by 50% (or in green to match the seconds hand!) this thing would be gorgeous. As-is, it's too busy and shiny and I don't like it.
When did the Air-King become a chronometer? When I acquired mine (45 years ago), they were non-chronometers. How things change! Mine was won by me in a sales contest in 1971. It came to me with a hang tag- price was $215.00!
Looks like they went out of their way to make it more pilot-y. The 40mm size is a surprise, I always thought the AK was designed to be a smaller watch.
Totally missed the diameter, and agree. I firmly believe that the max size for non-diver 3-handers should be 39mm. However, the new Explorer and the Daytona have earned my first-ever visit to a Rolex boutique, so I suppose I'll see this one too.
Not a fan for multiple reasons. The Air King has always been an "under the radar" entry level Rolex that offered simple, timeless style in a robust and durable, albeit, smaller case. The key attribute that I always loved about the watch was that never screamed Rolex, from the lack of the extra chronometer writing, to the omission of the date function and corresponding cyclops. This watch to me screams "look at me, I have a Rolex!!!" for some reason. Had they kept Air King under Rolex, used the same gold and green, utilized baton markers, and made in the 37-39mm range, I think it would have been a home run. But what do I know, I like vintage watches. I am sure that market research showed that first time Rolex buyers wanted: 40mm+ case size, Rolex, Rolex, Rolex, Rolex branding, and a chronometer because that makes a watch more desirable and valuable. Also, lets make it more "piloty" while we are at it.
I want to like it, but find the dial layout confusing, the colour scheme unattractive and what's with that ugly yellow coronet? Whoever thought 5, 10, 3, 20, 25, 6.....was a good idea needs their head seeing to
Don't worry what anyone else thinks. Initial reactions online to a Basel release (any brand, any year) are almost always indifferent to negative. Very few watches are overwhelmingly loved by the majority right from the get go. If you like it our opinions don't matter.
Acknowledging the dial does look busy and a little Like a chrono I don't get the complaints about it being a more Pilot watch... It is after all an AIR king. I also appreciate that for good or for bad the AirKing gets a more specific design separating it from the datejust an explorer lines a bit more
I agree, the min markers are much too large. At their current size they compete too much with the hour markers.
Don't worry - I like it too and I'm an old fart. It would be perfect if they took "Air King" off the dial.
