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hkforyou · 28 May 2015, 03:30 PM

Any one know how to tell this air king explorer I 5500 dial is real or aftermarket ?

Old Expat Beast · 28 May 2015, 03:41 PM

There's no way to confirm a 5500 without original papers, afaik.

77T · 28 May 2015, 03:55 PM

Even with papers, one could never know if it was the original, genuine, un-refinished dial from pictures alone.
I'd take it (or send it) to RSC for verification if you are concerned.

To my eyes, the patina on the lume differs between the hands and the dial - leading me to ponder if the dial was replaced but old hands were kept. Also need to see if movement is correct COSC for match-up with "Precision" dial. That's where RSC is best - sorting out any wonky assemblage.

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hkforyou · 28 May 2015, 06:28 PM

So better not touch the air king 369

joe100 · 28 May 2015, 11:34 PM

I've said a few times on here but even if my own mother had one for sale, with box, papers, and receipts, I'd still be skeptical

adam78 · 28 May 2015, 11:47 PM

This particular one looks refinished or aftermarket to me, in any case. The fonts are quite "off". Also, most genuine ref. 5500 Explorer dials I've seen are true gilt dials.

jt- · 29 May 2015, 02:37 PM

I'm confused as to why an Air King is so hard to authenticate whereas if someone posted a Submariner we'd have plenty of opinions.

powerfunk · 29 May 2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt-

I'm confused as to why an Air King is so hard to authenticate whereas if someone posted a Submariner we'd have plenty of opinions.

The 5500 Explorer has the same case as a 5500 Air-King. The Explorer version is much more valuable and thus there are a bazillion refinished Air Kings claiming to be Explorers.

I agree with Joe's view on these; cool reference but I wouldn't buy one because there are just too many redials out there. This one doesn't look good to me btw.

oldLeatherNeck · 29 May 2015, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam78

This particular one looks refinished or aftermarket to me, in any case. The fonts are quite "off". Also, most genuine ref. 5500 Explorer dials I've seen are true gilt dials.

BUT I wouldn't touched the 5500 with matte Explorer dial unless it is offered at a regular AirKing price.

I conquer with Adam that the 5500 Gilt are often original. If I am in the market for a 5500 AirKing/Explorer, I'd only buy one with a gilt dial. They are beautiful. The dial alone goes for around $2000+ on Flea Bay

Haywood_Milton · 30 May 2015, 02:18 AM

White text 5500 Explorer dials definitely exist.

I would not give a conclusive verdict from pictures like this, but I believe this dial could be correct.

If the OP would care to give the first five digits of the case number ( low 2 million, possibly ? ) then I would be interested to see if it fits with some of the batches I have on record.

Haywood Milton

ordanltd1 · 31 May 2015, 02:58 AM

Sold my Daytona added 10000$. And got this one

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Haywood_Milton · 31 May 2015, 03:29 AM

Is this a competition? Spot the relevance to the Explorer 5500 thread and win a cuddly toy?

powerfunk · 31 May 2015, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Is this a competition? Spot the relevance to the Explorer 5500 thread and win a cuddly toy?

Just an honest mistake; I'm sure he meant to post it in the "your Rolex and a selection of granola bars" thread.

Birky101 · 31 May 2015, 04:06 PM

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This is mine

adam78 · 1 June 2015, 12:51 AM

Birky, what is the case serial number on yours? Should be ca. early '60s (7XX,XXX-9XX,XXX) or so for this type of super precision gilt swiss dial, also should have a cal. 1530.

28 May 2015, 03:30 PM	#1
hkforyou "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 58	air king explorer I 5500 Any one know how to tell this air king explorer I 5500 dial is real or aftermarket ?

28 May 2015, 03:55 PM	#3
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,017	air king explorer I 5500 Even with papers, one could never know if it was the original, genuine, un-refinished dial from pictures alone. I'd take it (or send it) to RSC for verification if you are concerned. To my eyes, the patina on the lume differs between the hands and the dial - leading me to ponder if the dial was replaced but old hands were kept. Also need to see if movement is correct COSC for match-up with "Precision" dial. That's where RSC is best - sorting out any wonky assemblage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

28 May 2015, 11:34 PM	#5
joe100 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,840	I've said a few times on here but even if my own mother had one for sale, with box, papers, and receipts, I'd still be skeptical __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

28 May 2015, 11:47 PM	#6
adam78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,830	This particular one looks refinished or aftermarket to me, in any case. The fonts are quite "off". Also, most genuine ref. 5500 Explorer dials I've seen are true gilt dials. __________________ Cheers, Adam

30 May 2015, 02:18 AM	#10
Haywood_Milton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Yes, it is ! Location: Cheshire & Mersey Watch: Military issue Sub Posts: 1,330	White text 5500 Explorer dials definitely exist. I would not give a conclusive verdict from pictures like this, but I believe this dial could be correct. If the OP would care to give the first five digits of the case number ( low 2 million, possibly ? ) then I would be interested to see if it fits with some of the batches I have on record. Haywood Milton __________________ Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 Milgauss 1019x3 Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.

28 May 2015, 03:41 PM	#2
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,826	There's no way to confirm a 5500 without original papers, afaik.

28 May 2015, 06:28 PM	#4
hkforyou "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 58	So better not touch the air king 369

29 May 2015, 02:37 PM	#7
jt- "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: John Location: Toronto Posts: 171	I'm confused as to why an Air King is so hard to authenticate whereas if someone posted a Submariner we'd have plenty of opinions.

31 May 2015, 02:58 AM	#11
ordanltd1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: israel Posts: 7	Sold my Daytona added 10000$. And got this one Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

31 May 2015, 03:29 AM	#12
Haywood_Milton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Yes, it is ! Location: Cheshire & Mersey Watch: Military issue Sub Posts: 1,330	Is this a competition? Spot the relevance to the Explorer 5500 thread and win a cuddly toy? __________________ Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 Milgauss 1019x3 Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.

31 May 2015, 04:06 PM	#14
Birky101 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 179	This is mine

1 June 2015, 12:51 AM	#15
adam78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,830	Birky, what is the case serial number on yours? Should be ca. early '60s (7XX,XXX-9XX,XXX) or so for this type of super precision gilt swiss dial, also should have a cal. 1530. __________________ Cheers, Adam

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