Air King??

[Sbuckaroo]

Hi..

I am a novice in the wonderful world of Rolex, and am interested to buy one. My budget, however, is somewhat limited

I really like the darejust two tone 18K or 16K, but was wondering what do you think or the Airking? I haven't seen much discussion on it on thie forum!

On another note, I really like the oyster braclet, but somehow I see that most of you show jubilee bracelt wacthes.. are these the more "standard" type?

many thanks.

[Dr. Robert]

Air Kings are cool watches.
The people that own Air Kings are very passionate about them!
I like the good old dome bezel Air Kings on oyster bracelets.

[snowbird]

I like Air Kings and they will cost you a lot less than a TT Datejust. I would try one on though as the 34mm size is not for everyone.

[Sbuckaroo]

thank you both very much. I only saw it in pictures so I didn't catch the smaller size bezel. I hope someone would be selling either Air King or a two tone DJ soon on this forum!

[Lisa]

Air Kings are cool and a classic.

[Yazo]

LOVE the AK!! Here's my 14010M:

[lrpepin]

make one

[Gob Bluth]

I have a 1981 Air King (ref. 5500) w/ blue dial, oyster bracelet and plexi crystal. It's an incredible watch and you can find them on the cheap.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Yazo

LOVE the AK!! Here's my 14010M:

Ack! One false move and over the railing it goes....

[sakuraba]

My AK was my first, and I wear it daily!

Have to agree that 34mm is not for everyone. Try it on first before you decide on the size.

[nowzen]

I'm a Sub man myself, but if I felt the need for a dress watch, I find the AirKing very classic and appealing... especially that model (?) with the Roman Numerals.

Also, as someone with a smaller wrist, I dislike the trend to huge gaudy watches that make it looking like you're wearing the kitchen clock on your wrist.
Good choice.

[DRAWTOOL]

I even like the Dominos' Pizza Air King!

[mcjp6]

If funds are tight you could consider a vintage AK. I sold this 5501 for under $2k a while back to fund a sub. I have regretted selling it ever since....

[ParisDakarBmw]

Air Kings are cool watches. They are a little smaller than the Subs. I had a black dial like the one above. The engine turned bezel made that watch look awesome. The blue dial stainless was another one I had that was really cool.

[Sbuckaroo]

both AK's shown in picture are really nice. I like the vintage one particularly. I am now really keen on buying one! or maybe a DJ, two tone, white or champagne dial. I will be on the lookout for any sales on TRF.

[ayres]

while 'entry level' seems to apply to the air king due to its inexpensive nature, i think stats would over overwhelmingly support the dj or the sub as the first rolex most own. i guess it's how 'entry level' is defined.

regardless, the ak is a great choice and can be had for a great price. if you are willing to put down an extra $1k or (most likely) less, the explorer is also a very special watch that has garnered a very loyal following.

[Sbuckaroo]

The esplorer is very nice, but I am now set on a datejust, either ss white, or to tone with white dial, as i have big hands and the smalish airking would be too small. I will be on the lookout for anyone selling a DJ on TRF :-)

[Lamone]

Air King's are true classics .

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Sbuckaroo

Hi..

I am a novice in the wonderful world of Rolex, and am interested to buy one. My budget, however, is somewhat limited

I really like the darejust two tone 18K or 16K, but was wondering what do you think or the Airking? I haven't seen much discussion on it on thie forum!

On another note, I really like the oyster braclet, but somehow I see that most of you show jubilee bracelt wacthes.. are these the more "standard" type?

many thanks.

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 collectible 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 very underrated watch.With some modern Airkings have the retro look 1950s dials, myself prefer the Oyster bracelet over the Jubilee.

[1rolexowner]

Here is my 114200. Classic looks I think

[1rolexowner]

Here is my 114200. Classic style I think