The Rolex Air King (Past and present)

[Birky101]

Sent from my Harrier Tab from EE using Tapatalk

[Watch Rob]

My OP 34 is listed on the receipt as an Air King, so I guess it is one.

[joe100]

Yep, 114200. Only the name on the dial changes. Same watch

[Pawpurr]

Thought I would add mine to the thread,circa 1957/8,keeping excellent time.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Pawpurr

Thought I would add mine to the thread,circa 1957/8,keeping excellent time.

Nice!! I'm wearing my 1958 today also Pawpurr!

Cheers,
Rick

[Pawpurr]

Can you post a pic Rick(accidental rhyme)

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Pawpurr

Can you post a pic Rick(accidental rhyme)

Sure its up above on November 27 2015 and here again!

Cheers

[Pawpurr]

That's in good nick,nice simple watch and so sophisticated.
Thanks for sharing Rick.
ps what is the motorbike,looks quite vintage as well ?

[scotrick]

Hi Don,

Birmingham-made Scott Flying Squirrel circa 1948.
Posted a snap at forum below so not to take up space here for non-bike enthusiasts.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=1#post6867011

[mattinva]

Wasn't the Super Precision the 1530 Movement with more jewels?
US got cheated on the # of jewels with the 1520 as I read, 17 -VS- 25 or 26

I am working on a deal for a 1977 AK now, but its a time consuming process to get the correct one at the correct pricing.



-Matt

[joe100]

The 1530 was the base caliber with the 1520 coming in the 3 main variations with 2 sub-variations and if there are any watchmakers here to confirm that, please chime in. The 1520 and 1530 seem to have been market specific for a time, but once those restrictions, especially in the US, the 1520 seems to have been the only movement in the 5500.

But as a general rule on the 5500:

"Super Precision"=1530
"Precision"=1520
No text=1520

To my knowledge there were never any blank Explorer 5500 dials, they either had the "P" text or the "SP" text across gilt and white print dials.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by joe100

The 1530 was the base caliber with the 1520 coming in the 3 main variations with 2 sub-variations and if there are any watchmakers here to confirm that, please chime in. The 1520 and 1530 seem to have been market specific for a time, but once those restrictions, especially in the US, the 1520 seems to have been the only movement in the 5500.

But as a general rule on the 5500:

"Super Precision"=1530
"Precision"=1520
No text=1520

To my knowledge there were never any blank Explorer 5500 dials, they either had the "P" text or the "SP" text across gilt and white print dials.

Thanks Joe that looks right!

[volks]

Wearing my New Air King on my day off :)

[joe100]

Looks good boys!

[ched]

wow michael your rolex is a real beauty.i love it

[ched]

nice watch alan.i love it

[returntorolex]

114200

[PatrickJ]

Originally Posted by jhupp

The newest ones are 36, they bumped the case up.

Mine is the old 34mm size, I think it looks great!! I'm not into the whole big watch thing and I would probably be shunned at work if my watch didn't fit under my cuff. FYI my wrist is a 6 1/4".

It looks great on your wrist. I have a 7inc wrist and would wear a 34mm. Don't consider the fashion size thing, your wearing a Rolex. Women wear from 27mm to 44mm and beyond. Some women wear Subs, Daytona and there re pics on the forum of women wearing the Deep Sea 44mm.

[DeanMMA]

Hey guys,

Came here looking for some advice.

Found an Air-King in Glasgow for sale at £1500.
No papers and boxed, unoriginal leather strap but with Rolex buckle.
The shop is going to contact me with the age of it tomorrow.

I have a photo but trying to figure out how to post it.

Does this sound like a decent deal? This would be my first Rolex and i'm worried about getting stung

thanks guys

Dean

[sitka39]

Well, lack of box and papers (and strap in this case) would take away around 25% of the value in my opinion...

[scotrick]

Hello Dean,

It would be nice to know a little more about the watch to form an opinion. Age, condition, service history, etc.

Cheers,
Rick

Originally Posted by DeanMMA

Hey guys,

Came here looking for some advice.

Found an Air-King in Glasgow for sale at £1500.
No papers and boxed, unoriginal leather strap but with Rolex buckle.
The shop is going to contact me with the age of it tomorrow.

I have a photo but trying to figure out how to post it.

Does this sound like a decent deal? This would be my first Rolex and i'm worried about getting stung

thanks guys

Dean

[Old Expat Beast]

Just got a new black leather strap with gold buckle from Belgium to replace the cheap faux brown croc my 5501 has been on for too long. Gives it a nice 1960s look.

[scotrick]

That's very nice Adam and a combination I don't see a lot, the No Script dial and the dagger hands on a 5501!

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just got a new black leather strap with gold buckle from Belgium to replace the cheap faux brown croc my 5501 has been on for too long. Gives it a nice 1960s look.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by scotrick

That's very nice Adam and a combination I don't see a lot, the No Script dial and the dagger hands on a 5501!

Thanks Rick it's from 1964; 17 jewel 1520 movt.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thanks Rick it's from 1964; 17 jewel 1520 movt.

I got mine on a strap but found a USA made Jubilee for it.


cheers,
Rick

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by scotrick

I got mine on a strap but found a USA made Jubilee for it.


cheers,
Rick

That looks great. i had mine on a 6635 expandable SS Oyster for a while but it didn't really suit the TT case so I sold it.

[scotrick]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That looks great. i had mine on a 6635 expandable SS Oyster for a while but it didn't really suit the TT case so I sold it.

That's my favorite band for the 34 mm steel watches Adam, very comfortable and light.

[stumpyj]

My dad has just given me his late 60's Air-King which he wore pretty much everyday since he bought it in the late 60's.

As you can see its had a hard life, but works a treat and still looks great.

Just a quick question, when my dad was working on his old car (I know!!) his hand slipped and he smashed the glass and marked the face slightly. Can I get a replacement for the dial and for the glass (the replacement doesnt look great).

Also would it be worth replacing the hands at the same time?

Thoughts would be appreciated

Cheers

Simon

[scotrick]

Simon,

Good used hands/dial for this model are listed for sale frequently, should not be hard to find. Can't tell from the photo, what is wrong with current hands/dial?

Regards
Rick

Originally Posted by stumpyj

My dad has just given me his late 60's Air-King which he wore pretty much everyday since he bought it in the late 60's.

As you can see its had a hard life, but works a treat and still looks great.

Just a quick question, when my dad was working on his old car (I know!!) his hand slipped and he smashed the glass and marked the face slightly. Can I get a replacement for the dial and for the glass (the replacement doesnt look great).

Also would it be worth replacing the hands at the same time?

Thoughts would be appreciated

Cheers

Simon
Attachment 789302

[cocopeep]

This is my 2003 airking M. I originally bought the 14000 in 1991, sold it and regretted it, so I bought it again. Now I know to never sell my first Rolex. It was always a simple balanced dial and not a busy look like some of the newer ones.