Is New Air King a Professional?

[M111]

I was just wondering if anyone knows if the new Air King is going to be considered in the 'Professional' series. I asked the AD yesterday and they did not know.

[GradyPhilpott]

I consider it to be part of the professional line.

[Rolex fan 61]

Professional what?????

[M111]

In the Rolex catalog and dealers, there are different lines. The 'Professional' line is one that includes many of the tool watches that collectors find so desirable.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

Professional what?????

yes...please clarify the designation. 'professional' as opposed to what?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

Professional what?????

[INDENT]
What exactly is a "Rolex Oyster Professional" watch? Most Rolex watches produced today use the brand's Oyster case which embodies years of development that started with the original Rolex Oyster watch from 1926. At the time Rolex pioneered the first ever watch case with screw down crown, bezel, and caseback that offered water resistance and dust protection, though it was not until 1953 that the Professional Collection was born.

The idea of the Rolex Oyster Professional today is the perpetuation of timepiece models that were originally intended for professional use. That included watches for people engaged in diving, flying, automotive and sport racing, science and industrial work, as well as general planetary exploration. Rolex Oyster Professional watches by nature are more durable and utilitarian in design, and they also have in many instances additional production or testing steps added to their manufacture before they leave Rolex and go out to the consumer. So in short, a Rolex Oyster Professional watch today is one that is based on a historic model meant for actual professional use and is produced with some extra safety and reliability features compared to Rolex's more casual or dress models.

Source: ablogtowatch

[M111]

Thanks for posting that. I didn't know the best way to explain it, but the Blog to Watch article does it perfectly!

[mui.richard]

I read about it a long time ago so I can't cite where I read it from, but according to Rolex only their "professional watches" use Mercedes hands.

By that definition yes, the new Air King is one of their professional series watches.

But I had some doubt even when I read about this...as the Milgauss seem to be an exception to this rule.

a watch is meant to be worn

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by M111

Thanks for posting that. I didn't know the best way to explain it, but the Blog to Watch article does it perfectly!

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

[INDENT] The idea of the Rolex Oyster Professional today is the perpetuation of timepiece models that were originally intended for professional use. That included watches for people engaged in diving, flying, automotive and sport racing, science and industrial work, as well as general planetary exploration.

Originally Posted by mui.richard

...according to Rolex only their "professional watches" use Mercedes hands.

By that definition yes, the new Air King is one of their professional series watches.

But I had some doubt even when I read about this...as the Milgauss seem to be an exception to this rule.

speaking of exceptions...the original EXP2 did not come with MB hour hands but the current ones do. so it went from amateur to 'professional' status with a simple cosmetic alteration?

[joe100]

Ermagerd guys, you knew what he meant from the start.

[mui.richard]

I just tried the "Guided Search" function on the Rolex official site and guess what, the Air King is NOT listed under the criteria of "professional models".

Only Subs, GMT Masters, Yacht Masters, Explorer II's, Deepsea, Daytona and Sea-Dweller. Curiously, not even the Explorer is listed there.



a watch is meant to be worn

[Lordofrolex]

Id say no matter what line it going to be consider. Pass!

[eonflux]

"Professional" is so overused
For watches, other products, on LinkedIn...

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

I just tried the "Guided Search" function on the Rolex official site and guess what, the Air King is NOT listed under the criteria of "professional models".

Only Subs, GMT Masters, Yacht Masters, Explorer II's, Deepsea, Daytona and Sea-Dweller. Curiously, not even the Explorer is listed there.

Huh...well, that's odd. Wonder what's the criteria, then?

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

I just tried the "Guided Search" function on the Rolex official site and guess what, the Air King is NOT listed under the criteria of "professional models".

Only Subs, GMT Masters, Yacht Masters, Explorer II's, Deepsea, Daytona and Sea-Dweller. Curiously, not even the Explorer is listed there.



a watch is meant to be worn

under articles the new explorer does show up as professional.

[mui.richard]

Within the sub-menu the filter selections have the bezels classified as smooth/fluted/professional/gem-setted...so I guess a functional bezel is how Rolex defines whether a watch model belongs to the "professional" line now?

a watch is meant to be worn

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Within the sub-menu the filter selections have the bezels classified as smooth/fluted/professional/gem-setted...so I guess a functional bezel is how Rolex defines whether a watch model belongs to the "professional" line now?

a watch is meant to be worn

explorer 2 has a functional bezel.

[Capt. Alex]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

What exactly is a "Rolex Oyster Professional" watch? Most Rolex watches produced today use the brand's Oyster case which embodies years of development that started with the original Rolex Oyster watch from 1926. At the time Rolex pioneered the first ever watch case with screw down crown, bezel, and caseback that offered water resistance and dust protection, though it was not until 1953 that the Professional Collection was born.

The idea of the Rolex Oyster Professional today is the perpetuation of timepiece models that were originally intended for professional use. That included watches for people engaged in diving, flying, automotive and sport racing, science and industrial work, as well as general planetary exploration. Rolex Oyster Professional watches by nature are more durable and utilitarian in design, and they also have in many instances additional production or testing steps added to their manufacture before they leave Rolex and go out to the consumer. So in short, a Rolex Oyster Professional watch today is one that is based on a historic model meant for actual professional use and is produced with some extra safety and reliability features compared to Rolex's more casual or dress models.

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-oy...tches-history/

No big deal..