Airking retired?

[Nic]

Could not find the airking on the official rolex website . Does this mean rolex no longer manufactures new airkings

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by Nic

Could not find the airking on the official rolex website . Does this mean rolex no longer manufactures new airkings

I bought one a couple of weeks back and was told it has been replaced by a oyster perpetual 34mm.....basically the same watch but the airking text has been ommitted

Apparently the airking was always seen as an entry level rolex (still a rolex)so perhaps its to loose that stigma.....

Shame as the airking has been the longest continual production run rolex to date

I predict it may come back as something quite special for the 100yrs aniversary this next basel.

There are still loads of nee airkings around but i guess they will start to dissapear.....

[5thAveRolexMan]

Perhaps a NEW Air-King will appear at next Baselworld 2015!!!!

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by 5thAveRolexMan

Perhaps a NEW Air-King will appear at next Baselworld 2015!!!!

Just as i predict...i think 40mm and maybe yg

[Time Exposure]

If one entertains the notion proposed on a different thread that Rolex is moving to a true luxury watch status, then the Air King may be gone the way of the Speedking...

[vitalsignsrn]

I think it will come back as 38 - 38.5mm ish range. There isn't anything in that size that is similar. And if they put a gorgeous blue dial on it I wouldn't mind.

[ssultan]

Originally Posted by 5thAveRolexMan

Perhaps a NEW Air-King will appear at next Baselworld 2015!!!!

This. If I was a guessing man, I'd suspect there may be a new air king unveiled at Basel 2015.

[Tools]

The Web-site isn't the Rolex Catalog

It was only a half dozen years ago that the Air-King 114200 came out with their updated dial choices and the latest 2013/2014 catalog on Oysterworld.de shows 6 dial combinations available.

Or does somebody have a more recent catalog or Rolex announcement that shows the 114200 dropped from their listing.

- Edited: See the post and link below !!!

[joe100]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=375803

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Tools

The Web-site isn't the Rolex Catalog

It was only a half dozen years ago that the Air-King 114200 came out with their updated dial choices and the latest 2013/2014 catalog on Oysterworld.de shows 6 dial combinations available.

Or does somebody have a more recent catalog or Rolex announcement that shows the 114200 dropped from their listing.

I've personally held the catalog myself, ref 114200 and 114234 are now Oyster Perpetual. I compared the previous master to the update one from last month. It is indeed true, the AK name is gone. The AD said they've even sold a 114200 reference without the AK name, they had it in their hands and this confirms other reports

[Tools]

Originally Posted by joe100

I've personally held the catalog myself, ref 114200 and 114234 are now Oyster Perpetual. I compared the previous master to the update one from last month. It is indeed true, the AK name is gone. The AD said they've even sold a 114200 reference without the AK name, they had it in their hands and this confirms other reports

It's a shame if they simply dropped that bit of paint that was a no-cost option with great history..

However, this does open the rumor gates for a new Air-King at Basel..

It doesn't explain keeping the reference number though..

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

I think it will come back as 38 - 38.5mm ish range. There isn't anything in that size that is similar. And if they put a gorgeous blue dial on it I wouldn't mind.

Explorer 1 is that size and has 3 6 9 dial....i think it will be a little different

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's a shame if they simply dropped that bit of paint that was a no-cost option with great history..

However, this does open the rumor gates for a new Air-King at Basel..

It doesn't explain keeping the reference number though..

Well, that's my best hope for a whole new model. Rolex batches cases obviously and they probably had a glut of 34mm serial/model numbered cases in the pipeline so that much makes sense. Use what they have until the AK dials run out, which I'm told has happened for the US market at least. You can't order an AK 114200/34 here anymore, I tried and RUSA said no . They've all been shipped to dealers.

So, that said, I'm betting IF we see a new, larger AK at Basel in 2015 for the 100th anniversary, it'll be larger than 34mm. How different it'll be is anyone's guess.

[jot]

Well, now I REALLY regret selling my 114200.

[breitlings]

I bet it comes back at 42mm

[joe100]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I bet it comes back at 42mm

Naw, not that big,

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by joe100

Naw, not that big,

Here's my thinking. When the ak debuted it was a large watch. Also rolex doesn't have a 42mm 3 hand watch that I know of.

[NukeMan]

Originally Posted by joe100

Naw, not that big,

X2, my guess is that its just gone now.

[vitalsignsrn]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

Explorer 1 is that size and has 3 6 9 dial....i think it will be a little different

Thats true..at 39mm, is close. But only comes in Black. I know I know..history & all.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

I bought one a couple of weeks back and was told it has been replaced by a oyster perpetual 34mm.....basically the same watch but the airking text has been ommitted

Apparently the airking was always seen as an entry level rolex (still a rolex)so perhaps its to loose that stigma.....

Shame as the airking has been the longest continual production run rolex to date

I predict it may come back as something quite special for the 100yrs aniversary this next basel.

There are still loads of nee airkings around but i guess they will start to dissapear.....

I'm a big AK fan but the Datejust goes back just as far to 1945, and the Oyster Perpetual goes back to 1931.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by joe100

Naw, not that big,

I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the 39mm case with the 3132 movement.. It seems it would be a good business decision to get that paraflex equipped movement into more and more models besides just the Explorer39.

[sco]

Not surprised to see it go. 34mm cannot be a popular men's choice these days.

[Nic]

34 mm may not be popular but it is a very comfortable practical light weight and discreet size for a daily wearer

[skippy1]

My bet is that it comes back in 2015 in the explorer 39mm case. It will basically be a 39mm explorer with polished center links, the DJ style clasp and a variety pf different color/style dials. This would hit the sweet spot between the 36mm DJ which many think is too small and the 41mm DJII which many think is too big.

[joe100]

Another guess is that it'll be 38mm to equal the Aqua Terra. Of course we can speculate all day long

[itsajobar]

Ak comes back as a 36mm model to fill the void after the exp1 went to 39mm...that is what I think will happen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[judson]

I hope for the 39mm version. I would purchase that rather than the Omega AT that I plan on getting.

[GerardoG]

I asked this question at the Rolex people at Wynn, their answer (don't shot the messenger, I am just passing information!) is that Rolex discontinued dials, not the watch. It is not shown in the website, all that happened is that some dials are no longer an option.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I bet it comes back at 42mm

Please, God, no!

[HogwldFLTR]

Why not go for 53mm.