Rolex Promoting The New Air-King

[avusblue]

Full-spread advertisement inside the front cover of the new Economist that arrived in my mailbox today:



Rolex is a steady advertiser in this (no doubt expensive) ad slot, so I thought it noteworthy that this niche model has received the promotional prominence Rolex normally provides to their higher-end models.

[slide13]

Cool, there is a lot I like about this watch. If they'd have ditched the 3-6-9 markers for rectangular ones I think they'd have had an awesome watch that was a hit! As it is, I find it a little busy and quirky. Maybe the average customer won't mind though. Love the case size, crown, etc. the green and yellow is kinda fun too. Just those three pesky digits that don't quite fit in... Still a nice watch though, I tried one on and loved how it looked on my wrist overall.

[GradyPhilpott]

I've tried on the new Air-King and I really can't criticize it on any level.

It's a handsome piece, but I'm not sure that it's going to resonate with the public as an homage to aviation in the same way that the Explorer resonated with the public as an homage to exploration.

One thing is for sure, Rolex knows a lot more about marketing than I ever will.

[qlet]

I'm pretty happy with mine that I got last week. I haven't even worn my Sub Date since I got this one. I agree that its a bit busy though, would have preferred markers instead of 3,6,9.

[japenney]

Its really not a bad looking watch but I did enjoy when they changed the white gold 3 6 9 on the 214270 to filled lume. So I guess I'm not a huge fan of them on the Milgauss either

[Boaters]

Kind of reminds me of the Explorer

[Nyquist]

I actually prefer the original (older) model. I just wish the old model had been at least a 36 inch instead of 34. The new model dial is a bit too busy for my taste.

[pa30crewchief]

I wonder why the association with the Bulldog SSC isn't being used as the cornerstone for introducing and marketing this watch. As a pilot my opinion about the dial of the new Air King is mixed. I'll keep the GMTII.


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[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by pa30crewchief

I wonder why the association with the Bulldog SSC isn't being used as the cornerstone for introducing and marketing this watch. As a pilot my opinion about the dial of the new Air King is mixed. I'll keep the GMTII.


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Specifically, as a pilot, what don't you like about the dial?

And what makes the Air-King a flying watch, anyway?

[Rebel]

That is one smoking hot watch (to me).

[ernie2]

People have different tastes. I think this dial is butt ugly. Proportions of the numerals, the visual flow dynamics, the color pallet. I have a MFA degree so I know what I am talking about.

[pa30crewchief]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Specifically, as a pilot, what don't you like about the dial?



And what makes the Air-King a flying watch, anyway?

I preface this by saying that timed turns are themselves a bit of an anachronism in an automated cockpit. Except in an emergency, when its essential to basic navigation.

Just me, but to my late middle age eyes the way I use the second hand when flying timed turns (a standard rate turn is 360 degrees in 2 minutes) on instrument flight I reference the second hand to an hour marker and the heading on the HSI or DI (or heaven forbid on the whiskey compass) and match their respective march around their dials i.e. 15 degrees of turn in 5 seconds, 30 degrees in 10 seconds.

So I can see why the Air King 5-minute/second markers are useful.

An alternative would be a chronograph but again to my middle age eyes that is even more fiddly. By the time I am reverting to timed turns other failures have soured my day!



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[andreturning]

i love it..but I'm a bit bias

[Birky101]

I tried one on but much prefer my 14000

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[qlet]

Originally Posted by Birky101

I tried one on but much prefer my 14000

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That is a sharp watch. I like that a lot.


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[Gaijin]

Interesting how they seem to linger here in the for sale section but sell st a premium in Japan.

[No SUBctitute]

Thanks, Chief, for the explanation about how the new Air-King relates to aviation.

BUT, then why is the older Air-King, which doesn't have the same 5 minute markers, an aviation watch?

[RGAmos]

Originally Posted by ernie2

People have different tastes. I think this dial is butt ugly. Proportions of the numerals, the visual flow dynamics, the color pallet. I have a MFA degree so I know what I am talking about.

I bought a new Air King several weeks ago and am very fond of it. It is very interesting but admittedly not beautiful.

I have a bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering as well as a masters in Mechanical Engineering and I also know about what I am speaking.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by ernie2

People have different tastes. I think this dial is butt ugly. Proportions of the numerals, the visual flow dynamics, the color pallet. I have a MFA degree so I know what I am talking about.

Maybe the butt ugliness of the dial validates that the Air-King is a true tool watch which places more value on counting seconds while flying than on having good visual flow dynamics.

[multimedia]

Originally Posted by RGAmos

I have a bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering as well as a masters in Mechanical Engineering and I also know about what I am speaking.

This made me laugh. So good/funny

Cheers,
Joe

[Boopie]

Even if it's not my favorite I applaud Rolex for making its watches different. Air King is supposed to be an aviator's watch so it shouldn't look like a dive watch. That being said I like the color scheme and the five minute increments, but the 3-6-9 looks out of place.

[pa30crewchief]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Thanks, Chief, for the explanation about how the new Air-King relates to aviation.

BUT, then why is the older Air-King, which doesn't have the same 5 minute markers, an aviation watch?

Hour markers are 5 minute markers. Trick question?


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[Zilla99]

Originally Posted by qlet

I'm pretty happy with mine that I got last week. I haven't even worn my Sub Date since I got this one. I agree that its a bit busy though, would have preferred markers instead of 3,6,9.

Very sharp! Tried one on last month and found it quite nice. Looks great on you.

[onkyork]

this piece is really beautiful and it is must have

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by pa30crewchief

Hour markers are 5 minute markers. Trick question?


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The new Air-King has five minute markers denoted with numbers. The old Air-King has five minute markers denoted by sticks. I thought maybe the new one with numbers is easier to use. ?

[Old Expat Beast]

The Air-King was never intended to be a pilot's watch. It was a tribute watch and one of a series of "Air" watches, as explained by TRF's resident Air-King expert Joe100.

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2013/07...-air-king.html

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Air-King was never intended to be a pilot's watch. It was a tribute watch and one of a series of "Air" watches, as explained by TRF's resident Air-King expert Joe100.

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2013/07...-air-king.html

Ah, thanks for the explanation. I was just trying to figure out its usefulness by a Pilot based on the Pilot's comments above. Thanks for letting me know that is not the intended use of the watch!

[Danny83]

Its a nice one

[pa30crewchief]

Its a supersonic car watch :-). I hope it does well and brings folks into the brand. Its priced competitively against brands O and B.


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[RHIII]

Had a chance to finally see this reference in the metal this weekend -- it is SHARP!!!


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