Got an updated Air King. Here the the last 2 models side by side.

[IFlyPlanes]

Was offered the new AK and after doing some research on all of the changes, I decided to take the upgrade.

Crown guards, more balanced dial, lume on the quarter markers instead of white gold, different lug size, clasp lock and new movement with 70 hour reserve.

Which do you like better?

EDIT: Realized I can't post links yet :(

[worldofoyster]

in this case, newer is better

[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

in this case, newer is better

Yeah I'm getting mixed feedback from people in my other watch groups but I think the things that pushed me over the edge was the power reserve and lower profile case. It feels more like part of my wrist and not like it's just sitting on top of it.

[DJFanUK]

Owned the old one for several years but traded it for the new one as soon as it came out..... I did like the 116900 but the changes made were perfect in my mind.

Tried to use pics with a similar light.....not the best

[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

in this case, newer is better

+1

[Toptimes]

It's great that you were offered the new AK and did some research on the changes. It sounds like there are quite a few updates, like the crown guards, balanced dial, lume on the quarter markers, different lug size, clasp lock, and a new movement with a 70-hour reserve.

[darrenho]

The hour markers on the new Air King look much better to me.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by darrenho

The hour markers on the new Air King look much better to me.

Looks like they made the same changes, as they did on the new Explorer. I like the new one better.

Kat


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[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by darrenho

The hour markers on the new Air King look much better to me.

I actually like the white gold markers but I think the new ones just suit the dial better. Plus there was almost no lume on the last model.

[JSolution]

I like the old :)

[watch3r]

I really like the new one! Had a chance to try it on and I'm torn between it and the 40mm Exp1.

I like the crown guards on the AK and its general quirkiness, but the simplicity of the 40mm Exp1 is attractive....

[Know1isgod]

Requested November 2nd. Was told by 2 AD's not to expect until early 2024. Was about to go grey 116900 as they can be found for around retail of new one. HOWEVER, got called yesterday.

Maybe a customer changed their mind or the AD was just being AD ish......

[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by Know1isgod

Requested November 2nd. Was told by 2 AD's not to expect until early 2024. Was about to go grey 116900 as they can be found for around retail of new one. HOWEVER, got called yesterday.

Maybe a customer changed their mind or the AD was just being AD ish......

Congrats! Last week I went into an AD I haven't done business with but told him I'm looking to downsize my collection and get a PM watch. In passing I mentioned possibly updating my AK.

The next day he offers me the new AK or a two tone Sky Dweller. I took the AK.

The day after he offered me a Deel Sea Dweller...I guess things are getting better.

I'll like sell my old AK but I'm terrified of selling something so valuable online and dealers are taking too big of a cut.

[brandrea]

I prefer the newer AK

[IFlyPlanes]

I can post pictures now!

[GradyPhilpott]

They both look great, but I'm glad I got the 116900.

I'm wearing my 14060M this week, but the AK was stuck on my wrist for more than three weeks.

[sien]

I like the new Air King.

[Kap007]

Been wearing the 116900 for over two years now. The only thing I like better on the new one is the safety latch on the clasp. Rolex should have put that on all of their sport watches.

[Scapegoat]

Definitely the new one.

Love the crown guards on a no bezel look.

[garyk]

Can’t resist posting my vintage Air King…




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[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by garyk

Can’t resist posting my vintage Air King…

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I love the vintage Air Kings. Such a huge difference from the new ones. Less sporty, more class.

[Old Expat Beast]

Prefer the newer one. The previous one had too much of a recycled look with the Explorer WG numerals and the Milgauss case. Still not sure about the Bloodhound car connection making any sense for an Air-King, though. Rolex should have brought back the old Speedking name for that.

[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Prefer the newer one. The previous one had too much of a recycled look with the Explorer WG numerals and the Milgauss case. Still not sure about the Bloodhound car connection making any sense for an Air-King, though. Rolex should have brought back the old Speedking name for that.

Yeah I actually got it because I’m a pilot and was looking for aviation inspired watches. It wasn’t until after that I learned about its current design history. I still love it though.

[wilsonpepper]

Originally Posted by IFlyPlanes

Yeah I actually got it because I’m a pilot and was looking for aviation inspired watches. It wasn’t until after that I learned about its current design history. I still love it though.

I have owned the new AirKing for about a year now, and as a 787 Captain, I can honestly say that although the "new" AirKing may be aviation "inspired" it's mostly worthless for professional aviators.

The most obvious problem is that there is not enough lume on the dial for dark cockpit use. Etc., etc., etc.

Similarly (but different), the GMT line (of which I have owned mostly all different models produced since the 16700), the lack of a lumed bezel makes the "24 hour hand" useless at night.

Too bad Rolex has not figured out what aviators need, in terms of a "tool watch".

They certainly had it right in 1958 / 1959 !

[rohada]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Still not sure about the Bloodhound car connection making any sense for an Air-King, though. Rolex should have brought back the old Speedking name for that.

That would've been wonderful. I think you've hit on why I've never gotten attached to either version of the larger AK. It's an attractive enough watch, but the inspiration and heritage don't really align.

[Gerardus]

I like the 116900. But the clasp of the new model looks way better,

[IFlyPlanes]

Originally Posted by Gerardus

I like the 116900. But the clasp of the new model looks way better,

One of the big selling points for me is how it hugs the wrist better. It’s a much lower profile.

[painexpert]

I like the lume and the 05

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by IFlyPlanes

One of the big selling points for me is how it hugs the wrist better. It’s a much lower profile.

Let me express myself better. My choice would be the 119600. The only thing I like better about the new model is the clasp.

[travisb]

The lumed 3, 6, 9 and added crown guards look much better to me.