simple air-king question

[ayres]

hi all, i've been exploring the air-king market recently, and i would like to know more about the recent production history. i understand that the '10' tacked onto the end of the reference number indicates an engine-turned bezel, but what is the difference between the 14000 and 14000m? does the 14000 have the 3130 movement? years both of these two references were produced? i'm assuming the 'm' indicates merely a modification to the movement - similar to the 14060 vs 14060m. right?

i had been doing simple searches for these answers, but i cannot seem to find anything.

cheers,

[ayecarumba]

Hi Ayres,

Welcome to TRF.

Love the AK myself and my most recent acquisition.

I believe the "M" denotes a production date, not a particular movement for this watch. Read on and you'll see that the M is an approx. 2007 date of manufacture.

It's a great site and you can spelunk around and I'm sure you'll figure out the movement question. Let us know what you find out!

Here's the link and a cut'n'paste that may partially answer your question from the Minus4Plus6 page:

http://www.minus4plus6.com/numbers.htm

While you're at it, enjoy some AK History!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=116746

Cheers!

--Paul

Model Numbers
On the older paper warranties (prior to 2006 and the plastic card warranty) there is a model number and a dial code. The warranties after 2006 just list the watch model code.

The model code that is both on the warranty as well as in catalogs breaks down as follows:

First three digits designates model on traditional Rolex models:

140 = Oyster Perpetual Air King and Submariner
142 = Oyster Perpetual Chronometer 34mm and Explorer
152 = Oyster Perpetual Date - Mens 34 mm
162 = Oyster Perpetual DateJust – Mens 36mm
165 = Explorer II
166 = Submariner – SeaDweller – Yachtmaster 40mm
167 = GMT Master II
170 = Oyster Quartz DateJust
189 = Oyster Perpetual Special Edition
190 = Oyster Quartz Day-Date
1165 Cosmograph Daytona
1182 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
1183 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Serti (With Diamonds)
After 2004-2006, the newer Rolex models have an extra 1 preceeding the model number. For example, a traditional, two-toned bezel GMT has a model number of 16710, but the newer super-cased, ceramic bezeled GMT is listed as a 116710 (extra preceeding 1).

The next digit is the bezel code. For example, a 16710 has a smooth/domed bezel. Professional watches are excluded from this list.

0 = Smooth/Domed
1 = Engine Turned
2 = Engraved
3 = Fluted
4 = Bark
5 = Pyramie (Not Used)
6 = Turn-O-Graph
7 = Various
8 = Special (Not Currently Used)
9 = Open (Not Currently Used)

The next (sixth) digit is the metal code. In the case of a 16710, the 0 signifies stainless steel.

0 = Stainless Steel
1 = Yellow gold Placor (Tudor)
22 = Stainless steel and Platinum (Yachtmaster)
3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor)
4 = Stainless Steel and 18k White gold (White Rolesor)
5 = Gold Shell (No Longer Used)
6 = Platinum
7 = 14k Yellow gold (No Longer Used)
8 = 18k Yellow gold
9 = 18k White gold
BIC = Bi-Color 18k Yellow and White gold combo
TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold

Starting in 1987, Rolex added a letter prefix to be able to discern the case production year.

Rxxxxxxx 1987 - 1989
Lxxxxxxx 1988 - 1990
Exxxxxxx 1990 – 1992
X-N 1991 - 1993
C 1992 – 1993
S 1993 - 1994
W 1994 - 1996
T 1996 - 1997
U 1997 - 1998
U 1998
A 1998 – 1999
P 1999 - 2000
K Series (intro mid-2001) 2001- 2002
Y Series (intro mid-2002) 2002 - 2003
F Series 2003
D April 2005
Z May 2006
M October 2007
V August 2008

[ayres]

ummm, thanks, but that is not what i meant... are you familiar with my question? please re-read it carefully. the 'm' at the end of the 14000 reference is not denoting the serial. rather it is denoting something else... like a modification.

the thing is, i see 14000 and 14000m air-kings, and they look identical (precision dial). there are some 14000 refs with trit dials, so it is not like the 14060's transition to 14060m. i think the 'm' was tacked onto the end of the 14000 sometime maybe around the p/k/y-serials... but again, that is only speculation based on ebay listings. (i do my homework before asking a questions that is seemingly simple)

again, if anyone can be of assistance to explain the difference, it would be much appreciated.

yeah, air-king's glorious history... that is all one finds online... nothing technical about the reference changes. i've also first viewed minus4plus6 over two years ago. it is a nice site, but it still doesn't answer my question (lol).

[padi56]

The M indicates the slightly modded movement Cal 3000 into a cal 3130 just like the non date sub.They used first around 1990 in the Airking and 14060 the Cal 3000 and around 2001 in Airking and 14060M the Cal 3130 now both these movements were used in the Explorer that was COSC tested ,but in Airking and non date sub was not.But now all Rolex are COSC tested the Cal 3130 is now basically a Cal 3135 without the date complication.

[Tools]

Agree with Padi..

We mostly talk about the 14060/14060M on the forums............

But they did the same thing with the Air King 14000/14000M (and variants); and the Oyster Perpetual 14203/14203M.. etc..

It just denotes the change/(M)odification from 3000 to the 3130 Movement.

[ayres]

thanks...

to make matters more complicated, ebay sellers often do not include the 'm' when listing the reference - if they even bother to list the reference. so in using ebay as a quasi-research site, it is unclear how the air-king has changed over the years.

moreover, almost no websites bother to discuss the air-king other than its history with pilots.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ayres

thanks...

to make matters more complicated, ebay sellers often do not include the 'm' when listing the reference - if they even bother to list the reference. so in using ebay as a quasi-research site, it is unclear how the air-king has changed over the years.

moreover, almost no websites bother to discuss the air-king other than its history with pilots.

The Air-King name is where the history is.. It was registered in 1943, a couple of years before the Datejust, and a full decade before the Sub or GMT. The name was used on several different size and type of watches that also had other names too - along with Speed King and others..

The other names were eventually dropped and Air King is the survivor. Air Kings almost always went along with the Sub, Explorer, and Oyster Perpetual for it's movement and simply offered a different case option.......