The Rolex Air King (Past and present)

[joe100]

No worries!


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[realist alive]

is it odd or rare that my air king from my first post doesn't say precision on the face. I haven't been able to find another one like it.

[joe100]

Some AKs came without the text. Not common but not exactly rare

[Blue September]

Hi all!
I'm waiting for my (second hand) Oyster Perpetual 70's Air King 5500 to arrive. Can anyone tell me the distance between the lugs? I plan to buy an alternative strap for it.
Thanks!
John

[joe100]

It's 19mm on the 5500

[Blue September]

Thanks, Joe! :)

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[travis0306]

Just a question
"the 60's 5500 explorer is 32mm and the 60's 5500 airking is 34mm?"

please correct me if I am wrong.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by travis0306

Just a question
"the 60's 5500 explorer is 32mm and the 60's 5500 airking is 34mm?"

please correct me if I am wrong.

From everything I've read, 5500 Air Kings and 5500 Explorers are literally identical except for the dial. "5500"' refers to the case, which is a 34mm case. 5500's are great!

[joe100]

Most people won't touch a 5500 explorer with a barge pole because its the easiest vintage Rolex to fake with genuine parts. Get a correct serial range AK, drop in a new dial and hands and you have a 5500 explorer. I'd buy one as long as it came with papers however.


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[Kiwinz]

A few pics from my 5500 just back from service and only had a new crown and tube fitted, rest is in brilliant condition.

[Gerardus]

Nice, thanks for sharing

[joe100]

Mighty fine!


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[Blue September]

That's gorgeous! What's the strap?

[Kiwinz]

Originally Posted by Blue September

That's gorgeous! What's the strap?

Not quite sure, Croc style with inside calf leather lineing.

Certainly not a very expensive one,...the Buckle be worth 10x more

[joe100]

Either way, it looks great with the Rolex buckle.


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[bonguya]

P9220006.jpg

[luca.321]

This is mine.

Just received as present. I really don`t understand about rolex (just started).
It doesn`t have a box, certificate and nothing written on the back.

What the best way to understand the reference & value?

Thanks guys.

[IMG][/IMG]

[joe100]

Hi Luca

What you have there is a Rolex AirKing 5500. From the dial I can tell it appears to be a 1970s model, maybe slightly earlier. The 5500 was one of Rolex longest running references. The reference and serial numbers are located between the lugs.

Very nice watch regardless!

[Gugnunc]

Just to point out that the 1530 movement shown by Kiwinz has a stick regulator. For a long time it had been "received wisdom" that all 1530 movements had a microstellar adjuster and that this was one of the features which distinguished them from the 1520. (I believe that "Precisions" have 1520 movements and "Super Precisions" have 1530s). However there are so many instances of 1530s with stick adjusters (my own watch is one such) that I firmly believe that the 1530 was manufactured with both types of adjusters and not exclusively microstellars. Is it possible that early 1530s were microstellar and later ones stick or vice-versa? My own watch is 1963 manufactured and 1530 "stick" and I note that the one belonging to Kiwinz was made in late 1958.

[joe100]

With rolex there is no rhyme or reason.

[Walter Wharton]

Dear Members,

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the references numbered as follows : 11000 11000M

Many thanks an interested Rolex owner

Kind regards

Walter Wharton

[joe100]

Otho k you mean 14000 and 14000m. The difference is the movement. The 14000 has a cal 3000 and the 14000m has a 3130. That's it.

The 3130 is used in the current AK line as well

[Byron]

Recently, my uncle brought this out from his memory box and I was wondering if anybody had any more information about it. He has had it in his possession since the late 60's early 70's. Before that, it belonged to my great grandparents.

5500 is engraved between the lugs and a serial number that begins with a 369XXX is engraved between the other side of the lugs. I'm not sure if this is a Explorer or Air King.. Tested out the lume and it still worked a bit. I couldn't quite capture it. All I had with me was my iPhone 4s.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!
Byron

[alex456gt]

My 1975 Air King (my father upgraded after 33yrs and gave it to me) and my 2007 Sub with that irresistible green bezel.




It had recently returned from a full servicing at the RSC in NY, I couldn't have been more pleased with the way it turned out.


This one is due for a service in the very near future, mostly to buff out a few small scratches.


regards,


Alex

[joe100]

Looks like someone had the 5500 dial refinished. Also could be a 6352 dial installed. But, it's absolutely a 5500 AirKing. No 5500 was a certified chronometer

[varld]

i may look into an air king

[joe100]

You should. They're great !!

[GoyGuy]

Here's my Air King Ref.5500, purchased new in 1976. Originally it came with the thinner 'folded link' bracelet, which I later replaced in 1980 with the solid-link bracelet shown here, otherwise it's all original. Presently loses 3 secs p/day, which I think is pretty good for a mechanical. Tritium has died, many years ago.

Interesting thread!

[joe100]

The somewhat uncommon blue dial, very nice! Nice to see your dial hasn't chipped. A lot of blue dial AKs and DJs from that era with a blue dial had a flaw in the paint and chipped where the tritium was applied. Very nice example you have there!

[GoyGuy]

Originally Posted by joe100

The somewhat uncommon blue dial, very nice! Nice to see your dial hasn't chipped. A lot of blue dial AKs and DJs from that era with a blue dial had a flaw in the paint and chipped where the tritium was applied. Very nice example you have there!

Thanks joe100, here are my two blue boys