An argument for the modern AirKing

[bitpshr]

After recently purchasing (and falling in love with) the 116900 AirKing, I thought I'd shed some light on why this polarizing model is very close to perfect for certain use-cases. Some context:

1. I work in tech, so my wrists rest on powerful, aluminum-bodied computers with fairly-high magnetism 12+ hours a day.
2. It's common in tech to break large chunks of development work down into small, time-boxed tasks. I rarely care about the hour-hand position; instead, I almost exclusively care about the minute-hand position for timing short programming tasks or the second-hand position for timing live demos or presentations. Simply put, on-the-fly minute and second readings are essential for my day-to-day workflow.
3. Jony fricken Ive, Apple's former Chief of Design, helped usher in the age of metal computers. Even though they're powerful and versatile and feel nice on the skin, MacBooks and polished center links will never be friends.

I thought for sure that a model that eased all of the above issues would never exist in the Rolex lineup: I needed an anti-magnetic Faraday cage, that also had a highly-readable, minute-scaled dial, that also had a fully-brushed bracelet. Bonus points if it aesthetically-matched my 116710LN. And then...I discovered the 116900 AirKing that supported every feature listed. I use this watch as a true tool every day: I time development tasks with it, no longer need on-screen timers during live demos, no longer stress about magnetism or desk-dive scratches, and it gets more interest at watch gatherings than my 116710LN since it's not a widely-owned model.

Sometimes it feels good to land on a specific model through genuine, organic need (even if it's a bit contrived!) For me, there's no better programmer's watch than the 116900 in the Rolex lineup.

[zjd168]

cool watch, I actually like the dial

[Timesensitive]

Absolutely love mine. All the reasons you listed - and it's quite comfy.
Cheers

[TommyBahama18]

This models definitely grown on me lately, such a unique dial. It’s interesting to think how previously less desirable pieces are now impossible to attain. Makes me wonder what the future holds for the Air King.

[The Libertine]

Nice summary and perspective!

[AJMarcus]

Nice review. I love mine. It compliments other Rolex sports models in the line up. Definitely the sleeper Rolex imo

[Tools]

I think that it's a great watch, and brilliantly executed.

When you're under the hood, executing a standard no-gyro, 3degree per second turn, those big numbers make sense.

[Nikrnic]

Always loved the AK. I wore one as a daily for a year then traded it to my AD for a Polar. I do have a Zblue but still miss the AK.

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[jsausley]

Sorry. It's ugly.

[Etschell]

Congrats to you. For me a quartz watch accomplishes it as well.

[M45]

How's the desk diver rash?

I'm a rad and mine is trashed from desks.

[JoseR]

My first and only Rolex. I love mine. Like the changes to the Rolex yellow crown, Rolex in green and the green seconds hand.. it's different, that's what I like.

[abozz]

Is a nice model!!.

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[Brew]

Major on the minutes! Cool watch!!

[brucethemanlee]

I would have bought one is the 3,6,9 were replaced by 15,30,45

Seems unbalanced and looks like leftover spare parts/numerals from explorer 1 after the explorer 1 moved to lumed 3,6,9

Otherwise it would have been cool watch


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[Wristwatchin]

It’s taken a bit for the 116900 to grow on me but for the first time last week I got to see one in person. It’s a Great looking watch. Congrats!!

[GMT Aviator]

Rumour is it’ll be discontinued as soon as the Bloodhound SSC completes its supersonic 1,000 mph run. Then everyone will want one.

[101031-28]

The AK has grown on me so much lately, I had to buy one Thank you for sharing your story and big congrats on a very unique and beautiful piece

[drtii]

1.) Same, though I'm not an engineer. I keep my EXP2 on a nato so no worries. I've already ruined older watches with the MBP so I feel your pain.

2.) I believe you're referring to sprints. Good job breaking down what they are.

3.) Jony is gony so maybe we'll revert to plastic MBP's? Who knows.

I like the AK. I would take this over the original explorer. The dial is so cool and everything about the watch looks proportionate.

For some reason I figured engineers preferred the Milgauss just because the tech is so crazy.

[zaydans]

Long live the king......




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[Big J]

I really liked it so much I got one. My first luxury watch. It looks and feels great on the wrist.

[Redbox]

You can even do this for a change

[Lex_Ordo]

I saw the New AIR KING, in Bermuda shortly after it's Bazel debut in June of '16. I loved it immediately. I really liked the dial styling and the Arabic numerals. I decided that it would be my next Rolex, having worn my Pepsi 16710 for years as my daily, or a Tudor Sub I had from the '80s.

I decided against it because I really wanted the BLNR GMT-II first. I like the 24 Hour Time and Date complication of the GMT, and loved the blue/ black ceramic bezel.

By the Fall of '16, I was able to acquire the BLNR, and then through a sale of my Tudor Sub, ready to buy the AK.
However...
I bought a DJII Arabic instead. I felt was a better choice than the New AK, because it had the Arabic numerals I liked about the Air King, but it also had the Date wheel and full luminova numerals that the AK lacked. I also wasn't happy with the Smooth Bezel, and ended up with a fluted one on the DJII.

All that said, I still like the simple styling of the New AK, and am leaning back to picking one up, now that I have the other watches.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jsausley

Sorry. It's ugly.

The OP’s post celebrates his genuine love for this reference and this is what you have to add to his constructive post ...

[DM101]

Great heavy watch - got mine last month.

[111forza]

Originally Posted by jsausley

Sorry. It's ugly.

To be fair that was my thoughts when I first saw it at Baselworld then got chance to try it on a few months after release and changed my mind completely so much so I purchased it there and then. Op enjoy your AK it’s a great watch I also love the fact that lots don’t like it

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by bitpshr

After recently purchasing (and falling in love with) the 116900 AirKing, I thought I'd shed some light on why this polarizing model is very close to perfect for certain use-cases. Some context:

1. I work in tech, so my wrists rest on powerful, aluminum-bodied computers with fairly-high magnetism 12+ hours a day.
2. It's common in tech to break large chunks of development work down into small, time-boxed tasks. I rarely care about the hour-hand position; instead, I almost exclusively care about the minute-hand position for timing short programming tasks or the second-hand position for timing live demos or presentations. Simply put, on-the-fly minute and second readings are essential for my day-to-day workflow.
3. Jony fricken Ive, Apple's former Chief of Design, helped usher in the age of metal computers. Even though they're powerful and versatile and feel nice on the skin, MacBooks and polished center links will never be friends.

I thought for sure that a model that eased all of the above issues would never exist in the Rolex lineup: I needed an anti-magnetic Faraday cage, that also had a highly-readable, minute-scaled dial, that also had a fully-brushed bracelet. Bonus points if it aesthetically-matched my 116710LN. And then...I discovered the 116900 AirKing that supported every feature listed. I use this watch as a true tool every day: I time development tasks with it, no longer need on-screen timers during live demos, no longer stress about magnetism or desk-dive scratches, and it gets more interest at watch gatherings than my 116710LN since it's not a widely-owned model.

Sometimes it feels good to land on a specific model through genuine, organic need (even if it's a bit contrived!) For me, there's no better programmer's watch than the 116900 in the Rolex lineup.

Not that I disagree, but I also work on Macs 12 hours/day and have been wearing watches with no magnetic protection, including a Rolex OP39 and a SubC. I have never had any of my watches magnetized. Aside from that, I agree with all other comments


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[tkc324]

Interesting perspective. Glad you found your tool watch

[JohnGingerwood]

I think the watch is cool, I just wish they would change the font of the AIR KING logo and also just make the rolex crown and logo black and white, not green and yellow. Its a cool concept.

[Sleepy996]

Love the touch of green !