Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Super Precision

[stoporilshoot]

First time on here so hello all.
I don't know the first thing about watches and very little about Rolex except what I've gleaned in a couple of hours on the web researching a watch I was left over 30 years ago.
Its an Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Super Precision.
I have the serial number and model number 5500 571039
I did at one time have the original box and purchase receipt, I'm pretty sure the receipt was dated 1958 or 1959.
As a young man I used to wear the watch and the original leather strap disintegrated, I got it replaced with a non rolex strap. Also when the original glass got quite heavily scratched I got that replaced.....I'm not sure if that is an original Rolex glass?
I would be really grateful if someone could give me some background to the watch........

Cheers

[Andy B]

Well, as you say, you have an Air King ref 5500. Yours is a "Super" precision as opposed to just a plain old "Precision" which is what most Air Kings are. This means that you will have a slightly different and more sought after movement (a Cal.1530). Most other Air Kings have a Cal.1520. I too have a Air King Super Precision but yours has a more decorative dial with mixed arabic and arrow head hour markers, and by the looks of it, it's all original too. Very nice!!!

So, you have one of the most collectable Air King "Super Precisions" which are one of the more collectable models of the already collectable vintage Air King range!

Here's mine,

[brkanand]

Great info here on Air Kings!v Thanks for sharing your views and pictures!

[stoporilshoot]

Thanks very much for that, very much appreciated.
I took the watch out today, first time it's seen light for about 15 years. Like I said I haven't a clue about watches, I wound the watch about 3/4 the way and just put it om my wrist....It's still ticking away fine. What would be the best thing to do? wear it enough to keep it going or take it off and let it wind down?
I'm going to have to look at insuring the watch I know years ago it was on the insurance at my parents for about 1200 pounds, the watch had to be valued by a jewler or someone at the time....I take it that the watch is worth more than the original valuation?

[adam78]

Mine is a 1958 ref. 5500. The dial is not marked either "Precision" or "Super Precision", but does have the cal. 1530. The 1520 I don't think was introduced until the following year.

[Gugnunc]

It does seem that the difference between Precision and Super Precision 5500s is now generally being recognised as the former having the 1520 movement and the latter the 1530 (see Andy B above). Exactly the same applies to the 5500 Explorers which were produced alongside the Air Kings (I believe that the only difference between the AKs and the Explorers of the time was the dials).