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swissautopro · 11 February 2010, 09:26 AM

I have a shot at a pretty rare Rolex. A 5501 Air King, 9 million serial (mid 80's for the noobs). All original, and yes, SS/18K including the original bracelet. I haven't seen the watch yet, as it is a little drive for me and I'm just not certain I am interested. I have the appraisal from a very reputable jeweler I am familiar with (good to authenticate the watch - poor for actual value other than for insurance purposes), and I am not worried at all about the seller or my own abilities to recognize something that's "off". What do you guys think. I'm not going to reveal what I may be able to get it for.
What are your thoughts, my WIS, Rolex fanatic friends???

Randy16V · 11 February 2010, 11:44 AM

I'm not 100% familiar with the TT Air King- in fact, I know they made TT Precisions- and never knew they made a TT Air King?

Is it desirable? That's something only you can really answer. I have a TT DJ and love it- also a 9MM serial- circa 1986!

But I will go out on this limb here- it will never have the following/appreciate of an all-SS Sports model, or the equivalent in all SS.

My proof? I own both a 16014 SS/WG Bezel and a 16013- the full TT DJ.

They sell for about the same in collectors circles.

gt3pilot · 11 February 2010, 12:20 PM

The 5501's in SS/18kt. in my opinion are not that desirable. I've seen them trade for only a few hundred bucks over the 5500 all SS. version. So not much of a premium for the TT. Just my opinion others may vary...

WatchTimes · 11 February 2010, 12:41 PM

If you like it, it is worth getting.

If you are talking about getting it and a quick flip this is not
the market for it....

Its not a very desirable model by most but what matters is if
you desire it.

mmmmp · 11 February 2010, 03:10 PM

Hi,

Can't help you with the price, but my 1st Rolex was a lighty used SS/YG AK Date. In '84, I paid 1K CDN - no box/papers but serviced from a respectable AD. When I upgraded to a DJ I got $1100 CDN bucks trade-in. (In, I think 1995) So, I did okay. I miss that watch, it was too small - but really cool.

Good luck,
Mark

ParisDakarBmw · 11 February 2010, 03:15 PM

If it's one of your favorite watches, go for it. If it's for a quick turnover, I'd have to get it for a good price. You will know once you see it. Your not a rookie!

Good luck!

kotsos · 11 February 2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swissautopro

I have a shot at a pretty rare Rolex. A 5501 Air King, 9 million serial (mid 80's for the noobs). All original, and yes, SS/18K including the original bracelet. I haven't seen the watch yet, as it is a little drive for me and I'm just not certain I am interested. I have the appraisal from a very reputable jeweler I am familiar with (good to authenticate the watch - poor for actual value other than for insurance purposes), and I am not worried at all about the seller or my own abilities to recognize something that's "off". What do you guys think. I'm not going to reveal what I may be able to get it for.
What are your thoughts, my WIS, Rolex fanatic friends???

It really depends on the price that you are asked to pay. I have a 5701 Air King Date TT which is also rare and I paid around $1400 six months ago. Since you are not going to reveal how much you will pay hopefully my purchase can act as a reference.

swissautopro · 11 February 2010, 09:15 PM

Thanks guys!

padi56 · 11 February 2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swissautopro

I have a shot at a pretty rare Rolex. A 5501 Air King, 9 million serial (mid 80's for the noobs). All original, and yes, SS/18K including the original bracelet. I haven't seen the watch yet, as it is a little drive for me and I'm just not certain I am interested. I have the appraisal from a very reputable jeweler I am familiar with (good to authenticate the watch - poor for actual value other than for insurance purposes), and I am not worried at all about the seller or my own abilities to recognize something that's "off". What do you guys think. I'm not going to reveal what I may be able to get it for.
What are your thoughts, my WIS, Rolex fanatic friends???

Some say the first Airkings were particularly designed for pilots as such but IMHO they were not, but world war 11 did have a part to play with the Airking. And many models now becoming collectable especially the Airking dates especially the red date roulette.Now before WW11 Rolex was always popular with the armed forces in the UK,now old Hans being a good business man saw there was a market for a slightly bigger watch.Now watches at these times were quite small 30m and under were the average size.Now Rolex started producing 33m models under the names of Air Lion,Air Tiger,Air Giant and the Air king.They all used a 15 jewel manual wind movement,then came in S.steel even a TT plus all gold but mainly then 9ct.And were in production from the mid 1940s to early 1950s when they were all dropped,except for the Airking.Now over the next few years the Air king gained a auto movement and now the same size as OP,and some of the most sort after Airkings now are models like the 1960s 5504 with the honeycombed dial.Now the first Airking date arrived on the scene late 1960s Ref 5700 were only sold in the then Commonwealth countries like Canada and the UK.Now they made a 5700n Explorer Date but that was only sold in the USA.Later 1970s 5701 Airking dates had the cal.1525/35 movements,and they made a TT version of the 5701 quite rare, but again for the Canadian only market but the Airking date faded out of production in the 1980s. IMO a shame the Airking has quite a lot of history, and IMHO now a very underrated watch.

Drecian · 11 February 2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotsos

It really depends on the price that you are asked to pay. I have a 5701 Air King Date TT which is also rare and I paid around $1400 six months ago. Since you are not going to reveal how much you will pay hopefully my purchase can act as a reference.

Likewise; see this as a reference point since you're not revealing the price.

I picked up a 1966 5071 TT Air King Date about a month ago for around $1200 (no box/papers). It was a gift to the seller 30yrs ago and he wasn't into watches/jewellery. It's my first Rolex, so as long as values stay steady, I have no plans on selling it anytime soon.

I guess if you like it, you like it. There's no real need to rationalize your decision if it's from the heart.

P.S. post pics if/when you get it!

11 February 2010, 09:26 AM	#1
swissautopro "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: South Carolina Watch: 3.3M 1655 Mk I Posts: 2,384	Rare Bird ... But Desireable??? I have a shot at a pretty rare Rolex. A 5501 Air King, 9 million serial (mid 80's for the noobs). All original, and yes, SS/18K including the original bracelet. I haven't seen the watch yet, as it is a little drive for me and I'm just not certain I am interested. I have the appraisal from a very reputable jeweler I am familiar with (good to authenticate the watch - poor for actual value other than for insurance purposes), and I am not worried at all about the seller or my own abilities to recognize something that's "off". What do you guys think. I'm not going to reveal what I may be able to get it for. What are your thoughts, my WIS, Rolex fanatic friends??? __________________ "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a bandit, and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24 "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt." Unknown "Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food." Proverbs 12

11 February 2010, 12:20 PM	#3
gt3pilot "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Scott Location: Indiana Watch: this Posts: 537	The 5501's in SS/18kt. in my opinion are not that desirable. I've seen them trade for only a few hundred bucks over the 5500 all SS. version. So not much of a premium for the TT. Just my opinion others may vary... __________________

11 February 2010, 12:41 PM	#4
WatchTimes 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: JYogi/Jeremy Location: Metro Detroit USA Watch: It's a Rolex! Posts: 5,787	If you like it, it is worth getting. If you are talking about getting it and a quick flip this is not the market for it.... Its not a very desirable model by most but what matters is if you desire it. __________________ "You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun

11 February 2010, 03:10 PM	#5
mmmmp "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Mark P Location: Toronto Watch: SS Wimbledon DJ41 Posts: 2,046	Hi, Can't help you with the price, but my 1st Rolex was a lighty used SS/YG AK Date. In '84, I paid 1K CDN - no box/papers but serviced from a respectable AD. When I upgraded to a DJ I got $1100 CDN bucks trade-in. (In, I think 1995) So, I did okay. I miss that watch, it was too small - but really cool. Good luck, Mark Last edited by mmmmp; 11 February 2010 at 03:11 PM.. Reason: sp.

11 February 2010, 09:15 PM	#8
swissautopro "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: South Carolina Watch: 3.3M 1655 Mk I Posts: 2,384	Thanks guys! __________________ "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a bandit, and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24 "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt." Unknown "Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food." Proverbs 12

11 February 2010, 11:44 AM	#2
Randy16V Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Randy Location: New Jersey Watch: Rolex Posts: 117	I'm not 100% familiar with the TT Air King- in fact, I know they made TT Precisions- and never knew they made a TT Air King? Is it desirable? That's something only you can really answer. I have a TT DJ and love it- also a 9MM serial- circa 1986! But I will go out on this limb here- it will never have the following/appreciate of an all-SS Sports model, or the equivalent in all SS. My proof? I own both a 16014 SS/WG Bezel and a 16013- the full TT DJ. They sell for about the same in collectors circles.

11 February 2010, 03:15 PM	#6
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	If it's one of your favorite watches, go for it. If it's for a quick turnover, I'd have to get it for a good price. You will know once you see it. Your not a rookie! Good luck!

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