The Rolex Air King (Past and present)

[J1M96]

I just wanted to tap into the knowledge of some experienced AK wearers. I have brought this watch from a quality local jeweler but have little information on the watch. They have had it apart and quality checked it and i have faith in the authenticity of the watch but i'm concerned that the dial and hands may have been replaced in its lifetime? any help is appreciated greatly!

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by J1M96

New here and wanted to tap into the wealth of knowledge you guys have! all well attached is my "new" AK i have recently bought from a local jewellers. The case has all the correct numbers on it but i feel like the face and possibly the hands have been replaced in its lifetime.

Sorry Jim pictures not showing up for me.

Rick

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by J1M96

I just wanted to tap into the knowledge of some experienced AK wearers. I have brought this watch from a quality local jeweler but have little information on the watch. They have had it apart and quality checked it and i have faith in the authenticity of the watch but i'm concerned that the dial and hands may have been replaced in its lifetime? any help is appreciated greatly!

Ok now I see it. What year is that watch and what movement?

[perry911113]

Hi
I am new to this forum.
My father gave me a brand new 1988 Rolex 15010 with engine turn bezel when I graduated college.
I recently had it serviced at our local Rolex authorized dealer and service center.
I stopped in there yesterday and bought a beautiful 1970 5500 Air King. So now I can say I bought a Rolex as my 15010 was a gift.
I would post pictures but I have to have 10 posts in order for the forum to allow me to upload.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by perry911113

Hi
I am new to this forum.
My father gave me a brand new 1988 Rolex 15010 with engine turn bezel when I graduated college.
I recently had it serviced at our local Rolex authorized dealer and service center.
I stopped in there yesterday and bought a beautiful 1970 5500 Air King. So now I can say I bought a Rolex as my 15010 was a gift.
I would post pictures but I have to have 10 posts in order for the forum to allow me to upload.

Welcome Parry! Look forward to seeing your Air King

Regards,
Rick

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by J1M96

I just wanted to tap into the knowledge of some experienced AK wearers. I have brought this watch from a quality local jeweler but have little information on the watch. They have had it apart and quality checked it and i have faith in the authenticity of the watch but i'm concerned that the dial and hands may have been replaced in its lifetime? any help is appreciated greatly!

Jim that dial with the triangular indices is characteristic of the very early ref. 5500's in the 1957 - 1958 range. The movement should be the Caliber 1530. My IV '58 watch below.

[perry911113]

I am still in probation phase as a new forum member I will post a picture of my 1970 AirKing as soon as the moderator lets me.
I will also be posting pictures of a 1957 6494 that I just bought from a far.
Can't wait to receive it.

[perry911113]

Originally Posted by perry911113

I am still in probation phase as a new forum member I will post a picture of my 1970 AirKing as soon as the moderator lets me.
I will also be posting pictures of a 1957 6494 that I just bought from a far.
Can't wait to receive it.

Here it is

[scotrick]

That's beautiful Perry with a simple but elegant dial!

My 5501 from 1970 below; fluted gold bezel and two-tone oval link jubilee bracelet.



This one is a 1965 5500 with alpha hands and dagger indices that does not have the "Precision" script on the dial which was not an unusual combination for the early to mid-60's.
It has the 7835 folded link Oyster bracelet.



Cheers,
Rick

[ciandro]

Here is mine I just got a couple of days ago... Air-King 5500, it has the cal. 1530, stamped first quarter 1961:

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by ciandro

Here is mine I just got a couple of days ago... Air-King 5500, it has the cal. 1530, stamped first quarter 1961:

That's very nice Ciandro!

[ROLEXTR]

hi new to the forum,
i just inherited this AK from my father;
but don't know anything about it.
No serial or model number between the lugs and
air king is not written in its usual font.
I searched the net but couldn't find a similar one.

any help is appreciated.

[Peter Toronto]

Here’s one of my favourite AK’s…




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HogwldFLTR]

Adding the latest model to this thread!!!

[scooter9]

Hi, everyone, I am trying to document the dials of the reference model 114200 and 114210 AK. Specifically, while the online blogs and resources I have seen describe the 1142X0 AK as transitioning to the chronometer certified 3130 and thus displaying the markings "superlative chronometer officially certified" on the dial (replacing the 14000M's "Precision" marking), I am wondering exactly when this transition occurred and whether or not there were some early 2007 runs of the 1142X0 AK that in fact have the "Precision" dial versus the "superlative..." markings that generally distinguish the reference model.

Bonus points for pointers to literature, official or otherwise, on this topic.

To give you an example, BQ Watches of London has a salmon replacement dial listed on their website, identified as a 114200 dial, but with the "Precision" marking. And I would post a link but I haven't hit the 10 posts requirement yet to have links in text. Of course it could be misdescribed as a 114200 vs. 14000M or post-tritium 14000, but it's not the only example I have come across.

Thx for any thoughts and article references on this. I'm a big fan of the AK series and I currently own a blue explorer-style dial 14000M, wearing it on a Nato strap because it wears great with a thin Nato (and the oyster bracelet is safely tucked away for now).
- scooter