It shouldn’t be a surprise that even mentioning the name, Rolex speaks of prestige and heritage. More importantly, the culture behind watchmaking revolved around the brand and a few other households. Yet, Rolex is still one of the most prominent names in the watch industry today. Indeed, one might even refer to them as monarchs of Horology transcending time and tradition.
Despite only being introduced a little over a generation ago, the Rolex Air-King remains supreme. Additionally, the Air Series from Rolex includes a variety of other watches that feature premium quality. Today, you will learn about the history of Rolex and how the Air-King line came to be.
An Introduction to the Air-King Rolex
The Air King Rolex history resides in the company’s focus to produce watches for the British Pilots of World War II. Unsurprisingly, the mass production of the Air-King series became the top choice of aviation for many years. Since 1945, the Air series has circled the globe countless times, making it a staple of watchmaking.
In this article, you will receive an in-depth breakdown of the three best-selling models. Namely, Reference 5500, 14000, and the latest model, 116900. Moreover, these three have unique characteristics from both the product line and their designs. Before a breakdown occurs, the bottom line is that these models are some of the best luxury watches you can buy today.
Horologists and enthusiasts alike will appreciate the beauty and timeless design of the Air-King. In fact, people viewing any model for the first time would stare in awe at its elegance. The undeniably sleek curvatures, minimalist style, and time-tested complications all make for an incredible wristwatch. Finally, the distinction of each model is a sight to behold even among veteran watch designs.
The Rolex Air-King 5500
The Rolex Air King 5500 is one of the watches that share the original vision of Rolex for its products. More importantly, it has the iconic all-steel construction that is heavy but extremely durable. It has a minimalist aesthetic that remains timeless no matter what setting. However, it would be difficult to recommend as newer models with better features exist on the market today.
The 5500 is one for the history books and exists primarily for die-hard fans of the brand. And so, buyers of this specific model will find that customer support will be more extensive. Rolex boasts incredible after-sales service for model 5500 owners due to their limited number. After making its debut in 1957, just over a decade after the Air series became official, the 5500 still racks sales.
The model 5500 had classic yet still reliable 1520 and 1530 movements under its dial. In addition, the 34mm diameter case makes for a well-rounded shape that fits most wrist sizes. Indeed, the 5500 was undoubtedly ahead of its time and had most of what modern watch owners look for today. The original collection had a 37-year production run before finally ending in 1989.
Rolex Air-King 14000
The predecessor to the 5500 is the model 14000 that packs a few more features than Rolex planned initially. The model has an added sapphire crystal caliber 3000 with no existing complications. However, the 14000 still retains the original 34mm diameter design giving it the same familiar feel.
Another one of the improvements the model 14000 received is the 3130 movement paired with an increased 48-hour power reserve. Surprisingly, the 14000 didn’t receive Rolex’s trademark COSC certification until 2007. Yet, it has still sold out more units than other households with similarly priced luxury watches.
The model 14000 also had numerous color options for both the dial and strap. Simultaneously, the refreshed version gave new life to a somewhat dwindling customer base for the Air-King. Fortunately, most of the durability stayed the same even after half a century of production.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King 116900
In 2016, Rolex released the latest and highest-selling model of the Air-King, the model 116900. However, the collection stayed on the shelves for two years before coming back to the market. Customers were surprised at the complete redesign of the Air-King but still bought the watch. In addition, the more significant 40mm case ushered in a new era of wristwatches that focused on size instead of minimalism.
The 116900 boasts an all-new 3131 movement that is labeled Superlative Chronometer Certification. Therefore, enticing both classic and modern watch enthusiasts to the Air-King series. Indeed, Rolex hit the ballpark with the release of the Air-King, and it is pretty exhilarating to think about plans.
Takeaway
In conclusion, the Rolex Air-King is one of the most desirable watches on the market today. Moreover, you won’t go wrong with choosing any of these models wherever stock is available. The uncanny combination of price to performance in these watches is second to none. Finally, it won’t be long before a newer model gets released with even better features.
Greetings, dear readers! I am Rohini. As a proud contributor to the Worthview blog, I am excited to bring you insights into the realms of fashion, beauty, and health. Let’s embark on this adventure together, where my words become a bridge between my world and yours. I look forward to our shared journey of discovery and connection.
