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The Air King - Heavy is the Head that wears the Crown. Some thoughts and pics two years on...

pomelowatches
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Hey guys,

Hope you're all good. Recently joined the forum, after being a long time lurker and looking to get advise on all things Speedmaster related. I recently started a site and post a few thoughts and pictures that I take about watches. Anyway, I recently uploaded some thoughts on the (now, not-so-new) Air King 116900 after living with it for a few years. In case anyone is interested, here's some shots and a link to the article I posted here.

Rolex-airking1.jpg

RolexAirKing.jpg

Enjoy!
Daniel
 
Canuck
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My Air-King Date. Read the 1971 MSRP, and weep. Not currently on my wrist.
 
2F6F61D7-343B-4F13-98D4-EC5321461048.jpeg
Togri v. 2.0
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Nice little site you got there 👍One could also argue that the name Air-King was a little off on the older models as the watch is not particularly pilot-like, which “Air-King” might imply and that it shouldn’t be called anything besides “Precision”, since the term “Air-King” doesn’t bring anything new (from my knowledge anyway). Not that I don’t like them, they are very nice and I have almost bought one on several occasions.

Now I haven’t read up on my Air-King history so I might be missing something but at least the new Air-King resembles the type B pilot watches.

The thing that jumps at me the most is that it is unlike other Rolex. Something about the minute markers on the dial that makes it a little too busy and un-Rolexy in a way. I haven’t seen one in the flesh though for a long time so I might have warmed up to them without knowing it 😁
 
Canuck
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One could also argue that the name Air-King was a little off on the older models as the watch is not particularly pilot-like, which “Air-King” might imply and that it shouldn’t be called anything besides “Precision”, since the term “Air-King” doesn’t bring anything new (from my knowledge anyway.

The name Air-King has worked for Rolex for at least 50 years. Maybe take it up with Rolex.
 
WatchCor
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Thanks , nice thoughtful and witty writeup. Enjoyed it. Welcome to the ΩF
 
JwRosenthal
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Hey @Canuck, what’s the difference between the Airking date and the Oyster Perpetual date of the same time period?
 
JwRosenthal
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And I agree, the current Airking looks more pilot-like then the former, but it’s a love child of the current Explorer (which is nothing like the former explorer), and a b-uhr.
I really wish Rolex would let a model name die and bring out a new name rather than muddy the waters with revisions and updates on former models.
 
Canuck
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Hey @Canuck, what’s the difference between the Airking date and the Oyster Perpetual date of the same time period?

A side by side comparison including a view of the two movements, a view of the inside case back, a comparison of the model numbers of the two, and the use of a digital metric caliper might disclose a difference. Perhaps someone else might be able to answer your question without the benefit of a direct comparison.
 
Nathan1967
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Good write up - thanks for Sharing.

I’m sure more people will consider the Air King off the back of your review - and rightly so.
 
pomelowatches
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WatchCor WatchCor
Thanks , nice thoughtful and witty writeup. Enjoyed it. Welcome to the ΩF

Thanks! And to everyone else for the warm welcome 😀
 
ext1
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Apparently 100$ in 1971 was around 620$ in 2018 so 215 back then is like seeing a price tag of 1300 and I don't think that's so bad IMO.
 
lpestre
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ext1 ext1
Apparently 100$ in 1971 was around 620$ in 2018 so 215 back then is like seeing a price tag of 1300 and I don't think that's so bad IMO.

I do that for a lot of different item for fun, for example when I watch historic movie to see how much they were making or paying etc. Watches are one of the most inflated price. This how I understood why many watches were bought by army troops overseas back then.
 
paulblincoln
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I think the most recent air king is a fascinating piece. It’s a Rolex that does not take itself to seriously. However I can’t help but feel an identity crisis. Since the dial is almost lifted off wholesale from a Bloodhound SSC land speed record CAR! It should have been called a Speedking instead. This model existed in the 40’s.... ish
 
4A539898-13B9-4BB6-9A86-845F88BD398E.jpeg
Canuck
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Perhaps you knew. Rolex had a Speed King model, at one time, decades ago. It was a manual winder. There is quite a few listed elsewhere, for sale.
 
JwRosenthal
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Canuck Canuck
Perhaps you knew. Rolex had a Speed King model, at one time, decades ago. It was a manual winder. There is quite a few listed elsewhere, for sale.
Always wanted one but they are small by modern standards at around 30mm. Perhaps on a bund or one piece strap they would feel a little beefier- that’s what I do with my older military watches to make them wear a little larger.
 
paulblincoln
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Canuck Canuck
Perhaps you knew. Rolex had a Speed King model, at one time, decades ago. It was a manual winder. There is quite a few listed elsewhere, for sale.
Yes yes! I have one, and since Rolex hasn’t used the model. I hope one day Rolex may release a Tudor priced Speedking series. Could make a good entry level range.
 
paulblincoln
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Always wanted one but they are small by modern standards at around 30mm. Perhaps on a bund or one piece strap they would feel a little beefier- that’s what I do with my older military watches to make them wear a little larger.
Yeah they are quite tiny unfortunately
 
JwRosenthal
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That’s what kills me about the explorer and Airking- they were the simplest of the line and were once considered the “bargain” in the lineup, attainable even by someone with modest means- not anymore.
 
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