Choose only 1 : Air King 126900 or Explorer 40 ?

[Gooswyn]

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]

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

[racerx]

Neither

[hartsy]

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

[Barada7]

40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

[Tortoise99]

Air King here

[Cru Jones]

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

[Bazil]

Explorer ..

[agriculture&watches]

AirKing for me

[TickTockChuck]

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.

[White Collar Boy]

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

[ltmgeller]

I'd go Airking over the explorer.

[harvey]

Not even close…Explorer is the only answer.

[Gooswyn]

Originally Posted by Tortoise99

Air King here

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

AK + 36mm Explorer ;-)

Originally Posted by agriculture&watches

AirKing for me

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.)

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 ?

[Majin Buu]

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!

[Gooswyn]

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]

Originally Posted by Barada7

40. Wears more comfortably than the AK.

Originally Posted by harvey

Not even close…Explorer is the only answer.

Originally Posted by Bazil

Explorer ..

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 ?

[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

[996marty]

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

[amphr1]

EX40 because the AK has no identity. It's air but it's car inspired. No idea what it's about anymore.

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk

[SMPc]

Airking for me. My AD offered them both to me and I could compare them side by side. To me the Airking was visually a lot more interesting. I also have a Tudor Ranger that is quite similar to the Explorer, so my choice was easy.

[harvey]

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.

[KatGirl]

Explorer, but 36. It’s better proportioned, and everyone that has it, loves it. It’s just special. If you can’t wear the 36, then the 40. The Explorer just has an innate coolness about it, that the Air King does not.

Kat


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[Cru Jones]

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.

[Talon84]

I like both for different reasons

Air King - I love LSR and was part of the bloodhound members club…even have my name on the fin

Explorer - Well exploring is my hobby. I’m either throwing myself up a mountain or off it.

Also I prefer the case shape of the Explorer. It’s a bit like the Yachtmaster Vs Sub. Both the Explorer and Yachtmaster have the curved oyster case side, sub and air king are blocky in comparison. Once it was pointed out to me I couldn’t un see it.


On balance the Explorer means more to me from a personal achievement POV (I can’t just buy watches…they have to actually mean something or mark an achievement)

[Talon84]

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

[Snowballs]

Another vote for Air King

[the_wolperting]

Air King. To me, the Exp 1 has always been the most boring watch in the sport model lineup.

[Joearch]

Neither

[Porschen]

If you want something more unique, go with the AK. I have and prefer the 116900 as it is even more quirky with the asymmetrical dial, weird lume, and lack of crown guards.