Vintage oyster air-king 4499

[steve975]

Any thoughts on this item? I'm particularly curious if anyone can identify the year, as it isn't listed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OYST...item2324056404

Thanks.

[joe100]

The 4499 was in production from 1946 to 1953ish. Your serial dates it to around 1946. The 4499 was a seconds at 6 like this one or a more common center seconds. After comparing yours to other dials I've seen I think the "5" looks a little suspicious. This example could be a redial. The 5 is clearly visible, on other examples I've seen the 5 is partially cut off by the recess for the seconds sub dial.

The 4499 could be branded as an AirKing or Oyster btw and you will see both with the AK being much less common.

[steve975]

That's helpful, thanks.

Anyone else have an opinion on this? It's a beautiful watch, but I'm not educated on what a fair price should be.

[Paul]

...... although the sale price will probably creep up more. As disclosed by the seller, it's a refurbished item with a refinished dial. This will greatly affect opportunities for resale.

Vintage case and movement seem to be genuine though but I'm no expert on that era. I'd posit though that the dial and 'vintage' hands were produced sometime in the last three weeks

Better than many I've seen and would look really sexy on an old Oyster bracelet but it will always simply be an old Rolex with an odd, refinished dial.

That seller seems to have a steady stream of refurbished / redialed vintage watches, including many Rados. Presents them nicely too

[joe100]

Haha I need to read the description more carefully, I missed the refinished dial disclosure