Where is the love???

[Lol-x]

The new Air-King seems to be the unloved child of Rolex enthusiasts although it is now on par with the professional models such as the GMT, Explorer and Submariner.

The 2022 Air-King has:
Luminous hands and 12, 3, 6 & 9 markers (upgraded from just thin lume on hands only)
40mm case size (upgraded from 36mm)
COSC in house movement (upgraded from non-cosc)
Solid Oyster Bracelet & Clasp (upgraded thicker link & solid end links)
Crown Guards (upgraded from none)
A balanced aeronautical style dial (upgraded to 05 from 5)


Photo from Internet

I just think this model now deserves a lot more respect and love. It's come a long way from where it was in previous editions.

[ChugachEagle]

Really happy you love it. May you wear it in good health.

[Lol-x]

Thank you, yeah its cool!!!

[fskywalker]

Think has to do with the busy dial, not my cup of tea but some like it !


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[Carguy87]

New pickup Steve or just pointing out the highlights? If it’s a new incoming for you congrats and if not then I’ll look forward to when it is…seems like this reference speaks to you

[Lol-x]

The Air-King is now true to its name and a worthy F-15 pilot's watch:

[Big Kahuna 0311]

I really like it

[Bxtek]

Is it really that unloved? I thought the consensus was the opposite. Most people I've talked to love the new version. Some didn't like the old version at all have changed sides with the new one. When I go into any local AD asking for this one, they tell me that the demand is pretty high for it and quite a few people are also asking.

I personally loved the old one when it first came out. This new version has me loving it even more! I'm hoping I'll be able to get lucky and land one at MSRP.

[GradyPhilpott]

I like the Air King and I don't understand the reaction of so many people to a watch with "too many fives" on the dial.

That mystifies me.

[Doood]

It’s a cool watch for sure. Just wish it wore a little larger and had a date.

[Reikolexguy]

Got to try on the exhibition piece. It’s a great watch that wears a lot better now. Definitely a big upgrade over the previous model.


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[SLWoodster]

I think it's a nice watch. It kinda replaces the outgoing explorer 39 and also itself. I read that it wears thinner now, which was great.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The new Air-King seems to be the unloved child of Rolex enthusiasts although it is now on par with the professional models such as the GMT, Explorer and Submariner.

The 2022 Air-King has:
Luminous hands and 12, 3, 6 & 9 markers (upgraded from just thin lume on hands only)
40mm case size (upgraded from 36mm)
COSC in house movement (upgraded from non-cosc)
Solid Oyster Bracelet & Clasp (upgraded thicker link & solid end links)
Crown Guards (upgraded from none)
A balanced aeronautical style dial (upgraded to 05 from 5)

Attachment 1322850
Photo from Internet

I just think this model now deserves a lot more respect and love. It's come a long way from where it was in previous editions.

Have to agree Steve the Air-king is one of the longest production runs of any Rolex watch, been in production since the early 1940s.IMHO the Air-king is a great watch but many today think it was just a entry level Rolex god knows why.

[Hankman]

I love the new Air King, the previous version too is very cool in a quirky way I feel. One correction however, the previous (most recent) is also 40mm not 36mm. Correct right?

[Cru Jones]

I think Rolex did a great job with the recent update of this model.

Am I sensing an inbox increase project? ;-)

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The Air-King is now true to its name and a worthy F-15 pilot's watch:

Sounds like you have enough love for all of us. If you love it that much and own it, you are luckier than many.

[travisb]

The crown guards and lumed 3, 6, 9 are great additions to the AK. Nice pic Steve!

[rmlovett1]

I like the new version, just haven’t felt the need to add….yet.

[rambo99]

the new case looks exactly like the explorer 2 now, kind of boring to me.

[Giangos]

I think it’s pretty cool, and if I walked past an AD window and it was looking at me, I would definitely take it home.

Congratulations Steve.


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[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO the Air-king is a great watch but many today think it was just a entry level Rolex god knows why.

Not sure that Rolex have an entry level watch, I guess that in the not too distant past the AK was considered a bit of a quirky watch and along with the OP and Explorer 1 were amongst the least expensive watches in the catalog therefore falling into the 'entry level' turn of phrase. But at over £5k for any of the larger sizes no Rolex is anything other than a carefully considered purchase IMHO.

If I had to put the 'Entry Level' moniker on any Rolex it would have to be the OP which at £5100 for the largest size is a really good price when you consider that the 36mm SS Explorer starts at £6000 and the new AK is more expensive still. Why the Explorer is so expensive is beyond me.

[Daveh777]

Congratulations. Nice piece.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The new Air-King seems to be the unloved child of Rolex enthusiasts although it is now on par with the professional models such as the GMT, Explorer and Submariner.

The 2022 Air-King has:
Luminous hands and 12, 3, 6 & 9 markers (upgraded from just thin lume on hands only)
40mm case size (upgraded from 36mm)
COSC in house movement (upgraded from non-cosc)
Solid Oyster Bracelet & Clasp (upgraded thicker link & solid end links)
Crown Guards (upgraded from none)
A balanced aeronautical style dial (upgraded to 05 from 5)

Attachment 1322850
Photo from Internet

I just think this model now deserves a lot more respect and love. It's come a long way from where it was in previous editions.

First things first, I agree with you, this one is an improvement over the previous generation in pretty much every way .

Buuuuuuut... your list isn't entirely accurate. The previous generation was a Milgauss clone at 40mm, with a thick case (faraday cage), without a Professional clasp, no 3-6-9 lume, and the somewhat unbalanced single-digit "5" marker.

Two generations ago, when the 114200 was still badged as AK, it was a 34 (though measured more like 35, I think). However that version had all-solid links and a COSC movement.

Last generation w/o solid links or COSC was the 14000.

As a fan of smaller watches, and Rolex heritage, I wish that the AK had done the same shrinking act as the Explorer this go-round. However, again, I consider it an improvement over the previous one because of its more balanced dial (all double-digits except 3-6-9; lume on all hour markers) and proportions (thinner case, narrower bezel, crown guards, thinner lugs).

I still am not a fan of mixing the 3-6-9 with the 05-55 markers. In true pilot fashion (especially the RAF pilots for whom Wilsdorf had such affinity), I'd have preferred an all-Arabic 1-11, personally.

[zengineer]

These threads are so "needy". Be glad so many don't like Mr. Potatohead. The alternative is having to pay double MSRP.

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[mailman]

Originally Posted by zengineer

These threads are so "needy". Be glad so many don't like Mr. Potatohead. The alternative is having to pay double MSRP.

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What’s needy about it?

[mailman]

Congratulations Steve. It’s a cool watch and I like what Rolex did with it

[Jack T]

It’s an OK watch, I can’t fall in love with every model. Maybe if I tried one on I’d see it differently, but the dial looks a bit cluttered. At the very least I’d make those five minute numerals in a smaller font.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by mailman

What’s needy about it?

We can start with the thread title.

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[mailman]

Originally Posted by zengineer

We can start with the thread title.

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I don’t see anything wrong with it.

You don’t have to click on it.

[Calatrava r]

I think the GMT probably took over the role as Rolex's pilot watch when it was made or marketed for PanAm pilots. I like the upgrades to the new model. Wear it in health Steve.