INCOMING Rolex Air King 126900 Stealthy Super Star

[HogwldFLTR]

I'm with you on this; I love mine as well!! Congratulations!!!

[travisb]

Congratulations Charles! I agree, they did a great job with the updates to the AK. Wear it well my friend!

[Lightsped]

I have recently had an Air King interest. Is the dial a matt black? Or more like a Sub gloss black dial? Same thickness as a Sub? Nice photos and congrats!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

And then the 126900 update was released and boom…suddenly the Air King was everything I was looking for. It retained all the quirkiness of the 116900 and rectified everything that gave me pause. When Federer wore the watch at the Laver Cup during his farewell speech…I had been officially pushed over the edge.

Nice writeup, and great pics, you’ve captured the watch beautifully.

I wasn’t aware of Federer wearing the watch, that’s cool to see.
https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a...irement-rolex/

And in addition to everything you and others have described here, for me it was the addition of the crown guards and fliplock clasp that did it.

[4 Aussies]

Congrats!!

[shredace]

The AK is really starting to gain my interest. Congratulations!

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

I really enjoyed the preface Charles, really articulate way to describe the evolutionary process involved in obtaining your AK.

I really love this watch and hope to be part of the 126900 club soon.

Congrats and wear it in health and safety for years to come!

Thanks so much! It was definitely a fun journey to get to this point:)
Good luck in your hunt to add the AK in the near future...I look forward to seeing your pics!

Originally Posted by Tortoise99

Great watch, I own one too. Think they are the most underrated Rolex on the market.

Agree 100%

Originally Posted by Hankman

Congratulations, you nailed the preface. I also own this watch and LOVE it. Your statement "as you get closer, all the small details begin to surface, telling you that this is really something special. So true. The black is really black, the Green pops, the Yellow pops against the black, the various fonts are quirky and cool but not too busy. And your photos are awesome!!

Thank you for the kind words...I agree with you...it is all the subtle details and pops of color and contrast that really make this one special.

[HotAirKing]

It's terrific, my first Rolex and hopefully not my last. I wear mine every day and love it. I wish I could get pics of mine to look as nice some of the ones on this thread!

[43Airking]

Originally Posted by Hankman

Congratulations, you nailed the preface. I also own this watch and LOVE it. Your statement "as you get closer, all the small details begin to surface, telling you that this is really something special. So true. The black is really black, the Green pops, the Yellow pops against the black, the various fonts are quirky and cool but not too busy. And your photos are awesome!!

Agree 100% - also like the understated presence. I wear mine at the office and with customers - save the others for personal

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations!

[noshame]

Lovely photos of a watch I'm really starting to warm up to. Congrats!

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by travisb

Congratulations Charles! I agree, they did a great job with the updates to the AK. Wear it well my friend!

Thanks, my brother! Great to hear from you!

Originally Posted by Lightsped

I have recently had an Air King interest. Is the dial a matt black? Or more like a Sub gloss black dial? Same thickness as a Sub? Nice photos and congrats!

The dial on the 126900 Air King is a deep gloss black and the crystal has AR coating on the underside, just like the 124270 Explorer. The case is approximately the same thickness as a GMT or Sub but the watch is slimmer because it lacks the larger bezel.

Originally Posted by CaptT

Nice writeup, and great pics, you’ve captured the watch beautifully.

I wasn’t aware of Federer wearing the watch, that’s cool to see.
https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a...irement-rolex/

And in addition to everything you and others have described here, for me it was the addition of the crown guards and fliplock clasp that did it.

Thanks! I agree, the Fliplock clasp is a huge value add for me. Combined with the crown guards, it places the watch squarely in the "sports model" camp.

Originally Posted by noshame

Lovely photos of a watch I'm really starting to warm up to. Congrats!

Thank you, sir!

[Watchsprings]

Congratulations, I agree the incremental changes on this model have really enhanced it.
Big “high five” to you!

[Cru Jones]

Many congrats, Charles! Rolex really nailed the updates to the A-K. It’s a truly compelling watch in its updated form.

Of course, your watch photography can make any watch look good…

[Kongelunden]

Congratulations! Great pictures of a very nice collection!

[DJH1977]

Hands down, the best photographs of the Air King I have ever seen. Well done, sir!

[Jackie Daytona]

Cool watch! Congrats!

[PT_91]

Beautiful watch. I love the green font on the black dial!

[mzyxtsp7]

Agree 100 %. I got the same watch from my AD a month ago and now wear it in preference to my Sub. My eyes are not as good as they once were so I have difficulty reading the date consequently the date only configuration is clear and legible. The watch also feels substantial and the crown guards are a must for me given the environment in which I work. The price of this tool watch relative to the alternatives is compelling not withstanding the increases since introduction.
In future this watch will be recognised as a classic although people see it as a poor man's Sub or GMT. It also has the distinct advantage of not being on the wrist of every other person you pass on the street.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Many congrats, Charles! Rolex really nailed the updates to the A-K. It’s a truly compelling watch in its updated form.

Of course, your watch photography can make any watch look good…

Thanks, Cru! Great to hear from you, my friend!

Originally Posted by Kongelunden

Congratulations! Great pictures of a very nice collection!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by DJH1977

Hands down, the best photographs of the Air King I have ever seen. Well done, sir!

Thank you for the kind words, sir!

[Willows]

What fantastic pics, congratulations!

I've always been a fan of the Air-king. The 126900 is my daily wear!

[thenewrick]

I like it. Easy to read the time. Cool colors. Nice vintage text.

Would love to see Rolex remove some text from the dial. Superlative chronometer officially certified and oyster perpetual needs to be dropped from most references. Would instantly upgrade the visual appeal and de clutter their busy dials.

[Wilco68]

That’s a great looking watch - congrats.

From your pictures, yes it does kinda outdo the Explorer and aesthetically stacks up equally (but in a different way) to the GMT IMO.

I think some of the models in the Rolex range that are considered ‘quirky’, should be in context tagged more favourably. Perhaps ‘less vanilla’?

Really nice addition to your collection though.

[JRell]

Wow best pics I have seen of the air king! Congrats and great combo with the blnr and jubilee.

[B2 Stealth]

What a fun, articulate read! Love the history of the Air-King and never considered purchasing one before I read your article and gazed upon your amazing pics! Wear in great health! Thanks for the fun read!

[SaddleSC]

[SaddleSC]

I thought I would update the thread with a few more photos that I took this morning. The new Air King has become my daily wearer for the last few weeks and I love it even more than when it first arrived...legible, comfortable, and unique with pops of color...what more could a person ask for?

[rolexjackson]

It is a very cool piece congratulations !!

[boltz]

Beautiful, congrats.