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Gooswyn · 21 April 2024, 12:57 AM

Hi fellow TRF member & Rolex lovers ,

If comparing Air King 126900 or Explorer 40 ,
(Those have many similarities between them )

Which one do you choose ?

And why ?

Halifax Daytona UK · 21 April 2024, 01:25 AM

Explorer 40 for me, I just don’t get the AK’s dial

TickTockChuck · 21 April 2024, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

Explorer 40 for me, I just don’t get the AK’s dial

Same for me. Tha Air King's dial has always been an oddity imho amongst the professional models. I did view an Explorer 40 recently at an AD and thought it looked pretty good and not too big, at least for my 7.25" wrist. I already have a 39mm Explorer and thought they look similar. Cheers.

racerx · 21 April 2024, 01:28 AM

Neither

hartsy · 21 April 2024, 01:29 AM

I would say 40 all the way but I am biased! I dont get the hate for the 40 explorer...

Barada7 · 21 April 2024, 01:31 AM

40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

Gooswyn · 21 April 2024, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barada7

40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

Thanks for your reply. If the Explorer 40 more comfortable than Air King, may I know how do you feel it ? Is it in terms of weight or the case shape ?

Gooswyn · 21 April 2024, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barada7

40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvey

Not even close…Explorer is the only answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazil

Explorer ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartsy

I would say 40 all the way but I am biased! I dont get the hate for the 40 explorer...

Thanks for the reply. May I know any specific reasons why do you guys prefer Explorer 40 over Air King 126900 ?

harvey · 21 April 2024, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooswyn

Thanks for the reply. May I know any specific reasons why do you guys prefer Explorer 40 over Air King 126900 ?

…the AK is based on the Bloodhound project to break the land speed record…which it failed to do.

Talon84 · 21 April 2024, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvey

…the AK is based on the Bloodhound project to break the land speed record…which it failed to do.

So far….

Bloodhound is still in existence and has the chance of breaking it with the right funding. Car has still gone over 600mph which is no easy task….just not had the right funding to get it to the cars full potential.

Will it ever do it? Probably not, but while it’s a lot of money to fund for most people, to the likes of a billionaire with an interest in motorsport it’s pocket change

Barada7 · 21 April 2024, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooswyn

Thanks for your reply. If the Explorer 40 more comfortable than Air King, may I know how do you feel it ? Is it in terms of weight or the case shape ?

Both. AK is heavier (more akin to the Milgauss).

Tortoise99 · 21 April 2024, 01:37 AM

Air King here

Cru Jones · 21 April 2024, 02:08 AM

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

JSol1 · 21 April 2024, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

koufax80 · 24 April 2024, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

This guy gets it.

Bazil · 21 April 2024, 02:09 AM

Explorer ..

agriculture&watches · 21 April 2024, 02:10 AM

AirKing for me

White Collar Boy · 21 April 2024, 02:21 AM

Air-King. It’s an interesting one, and seems under-appreciated. (I just prefer the Explorer a bit smaller.)

ltmgeller · 21 April 2024, 02:22 AM

I'd go Airking over the explorer.

harvey · 21 April 2024, 02:23 AM

Not even close…Explorer is the only answer.

Gooswyn · 21 April 2024, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tortoise99

Air King here

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by agriculture&watches

AirKing for me

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

Air-King. It’s an interesting one, and seems under-appreciated. (I just prefer the Explorer a bit smaller.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

I'd go Airking over the explorer.

Thanks for your reply guys. May I know any specific reasons why do you choose Air King (the 126900) over Explorer 40 ?

Cru Jones · 21 April 2024, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooswyn

Thanks for your reply guys. May I know any specific reasons why do you choose Air King (the 126900) over Explorer 40 ?

I find the Explorer 40 dial to be a bit big for a simple field watch (I think the 36 is better proportioned for that style of watch), while the AK’s numerals + green/yellow + crown guards are pretty nice.

Good luck with your choice.

White Collar Boy · 21 April 2024, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooswyn

Thanks for your reply guys. May I know any specific reasons why do you choose Air King (the 126900) over Explorer 40 ?

The Air-King’s dial is more interesting, both the reference you list and the previous one with ‘5’ instead of ‘05’. The busyness, the green and the yellow: small but piquant details, verging on bad taste but in an appealing way. Of course I know it’s not a “better” watch (as tempting as absolutism is), it’s just what I prefer.

Tortoise99 · 22 April 2024, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooswyn

Thanks for your reply guys. May I know any specific reasons why do you choose Air King (the 126900) over Explorer 40 ?

For me the AK as it’s a sportier quirky watch, whereas the Explorer is a bit more of a formal piece.

Majin Buu · 21 April 2024, 03:02 AM

I dont get the AK dial
The Explorer should have gotten the crown guards

Explorer for me, and if they (Rolex) ever add a date complication
It would be a slam dunk ! *

J.

* it’s a tool watch not a fashion statement!

GreatScott · 21 April 2024, 03:09 AM

Just because you don't understand the Airking dial shouldn't mean you don't choose it.

Airplanes pull away from the gate at specific times, thus it is important for the pilot to know the minute quickly and easily, hence the large minute numerals.

Even away from the airport, think about all the times you want to know the minutes at a glance, the AK does this better than any other model.

Yes, it's different, but beauty is found in unusual items.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Devildog · 21 April 2024, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatScott

Just because you don't understand the Airking dial shouldn't mean you don't choose it.

Airplanes pull away from the gate at specific times, thus it is important for the pilot to know the minute quickly and easily, hence the large minute numerals.

Even away from the airport, think about all the times you want to know the minutes at a glance, the AK does this better than any other model.

Yes, it's different, but beauty is found in unusual items.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Yeah, except that's not why the Air King's dial is designed the way it is

This is why its designed that way :

https://timeandtidewatches.com/rolex...0-review-2020/

Old Expat Beast · 21 April 2024, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devildog

Yeah, except that's not why the Air King's dial is designed the way it is

This is why its designed that way :

https://timeandtidewatches.com/rolex...0-review-2020/

I've said it before, but Rolex should have brought back the old Speedking name for that dial. Would've made a lot more sense. And people wouldn't have to worry about that pesky hyphen in Air-King.

Devildog · 21 April 2024, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I've said it before, but Rolex should have brought back the old Speedking name for that dial. Would've made a lot more sense. And people wouldn't have to worry about that pesky hyphen in Air-King.

Absolutely Adam

Would probably have changed many people's perception of the reference for the better too.

"Speedking" would have looked great on that dial

996marty · 21 April 2024, 03:11 AM

Explorer for me and only because the Air King dial looks a little over done

View Poll Results: Which one do you prefer ?
Air King 126900	102	37.92%
Explorer 40	167	62.08%
Voters: 269. You may not vote on this poll

21 April 2024, 12:57 AM	#1
Gooswyn "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: CGK Watch: GMT SUB EXP-II AK Posts: 71	Choose only 1 : Air King 126900 or Explorer 40 ? Hi fellow TRF member & Rolex lovers , If comparing Air King 126900 or Explorer 40 , (Those have many similarities between them ) Which one do you choose ? And why ? __________________ 126711CHNR 126613LB 226570 126900 126301

21 April 2024, 01:25 AM	#2
Halifax Daytona UK "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: North England Posts: 463	Explorer 40 for me, I just don’t get the AK’s dial __________________ Owner of a 116520 White APH dial a black dial 126500 Daytona and a 2021 Black no date Sub

21 April 2024, 02:09 AM	#16
Bazil 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Real Name: Bazil Brush Location: Star Gazing Watch: Any Daytona Posts: 3,460	Explorer .. __________________ *One day, it just stops ticking, so enjoy every second* If you have no enemies, you have no character. Taking a stand always creates opposition. Paul Newman *Being Serious = Onto the list you go*

21 April 2024, 02:22 AM	#19
ltmgeller 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: New York Watch: Rolex Posts: 22,574	I'd go Airking over the explorer. __________________ Oh, look at the time... Official Member: 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas International GTG 2019

21 April 2024, 01:28 AM	#4
racerx "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SC Posts: 234	Neither

21 April 2024, 01:29 AM	#5
hartsy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: CO Watch: Explorer 1 224270 Posts: 69	I would say 40 all the way but I am biased! I dont get the hate for the 40 explorer...

21 April 2024, 01:31 AM	#6
Barada7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Rhode Island Watch: Explorer Posts: 431	40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

21 April 2024, 01:37 AM	#12
Tortoise99 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Uk Posts: 69	Air King here

21 April 2024, 02:08 AM	#13
Cru Jones 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 35,297	AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

21 April 2024, 02:10 AM	#17
agriculture&watches Banned Join Date: Mar 2024 Real Name: Mike Location: USA Watch: Swiss Made Posts: 596	AirKing for me

21 April 2024, 02:21 AM	#18
White Collar Boy 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Real Name: Matt Location: . Watch: PAM111 Posts: 2,862	Air-King. It’s an interesting one, and seems under-appreciated. (I just prefer the Explorer a bit smaller.)

21 April 2024, 02:23 AM	#20
harvey "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rolexforums.com Posts: 5,435	Not even close…Explorer is the only answer. __________________ And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

21 April 2024, 03:02 AM	#25
Majin Buu "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Joe Location: Planet Earth Watch: Datejust now Posts: 928	I dont get the AK dial The Explorer should have gotten the crown guards Explorer for me, and if they (Rolex) ever add a date complication It would be a slam dunk ! * J. * it’s a tool watch not a fashion statement!

21 April 2024, 03:09 AM	#26
GreatScott "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: In a house Posts: 845	Just because you don't understand the Airking dial shouldn't mean you don't choose it. Airplanes pull away from the gate at specific times, thus it is important for the pilot to know the minute quickly and easily, hence the large minute numerals. Even away from the airport, think about all the times you want to know the minutes at a glance, the AK does this better than any other model. Yes, it's different, but beauty is found in unusual items. Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

21 April 2024, 03:11 AM	#30
996marty "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Uk Watch: RolexGMT/Tudor7928 Posts: 4,182	Explorer for me and only because the Air King dial looks a little over done

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