Rolex Air King Watches

Rolex Air King: Overview & Key Specifications

Rolex has built the Air King watch model for the skies. While the Submariner is for the ocean, the Air King is for the cockpit.

Model Description and Naming

The story of the Rolex Air King starts way back in 1945. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, wanted to make a tribute to the pilots of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) who fought in World War II. These pilots actually preferred Rolex watches over the standard military-issued ones because the Oyster cases were tougher. 

So, the Air King was originally part of a bigger “Air” family. For example, there was the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant. However, those names disappeared, and only the “King” survived. Why King? Well, the reason is that people considered a 34mm case huge in the 1940s. Today, 34mm is small, but the name remained. 

On the other hand, the modern Air King looks nothing like the classic versions of the watch. Rolex completely changed the design in 2016 as the company moved from a simple dress watch style to a bold and sporty look inspired by the dashboard instruments of the Bloodhound SSC, which is a supersonic car. That’s why you see the green Rolex name and the yellow crown logo, and it is the only Rolex watch that mixes these colors on the dial. 

Technical Specifications

There are a few specifications that remain the same no matter which era of the Rolex Air King you examine. It is a time-only watch, which means there is no date window to complicate or mess up the symmetry of the dial. You just get hours, minutes, and seconds. 

• Case: The Rolex Air King watch uses the famous Oyster case, which is a solid block of steel that protects the movement from water and dust. 
• Water Resistance: It is a waterproof watch up to 330 feet or 100 meters. You can swim with it without any problem. 
• Material: Rolex has made this watch from Oystersteel, which is 904L stainless steel, a material that fights off corrosion and rust much better than regular steel. 
• Anti-Magnetic: The modern Air King watches, especially the 40mm versions, have a soft-iron inner shield, which protects the movement from magnetic fields. So, this is very important for pilots and people working with computers. The Air King shares this feature with the Rolex Milgauss.

Main Variants

You will mostly see three main families of the Air King watch on the market. Rolex launched the classic/vintage models from the late 50s all the way to 1989. These are smaller 34mm watches. An example of this is reference 5500, and these watches look classy and understated. The modern 34mm watches, such as the reference 114200, were still 34mm but felt chunkier and more solid. Remember, this was the first time the Air King model became a certified chronometer (COSC) across the board. 

Next comes the Bloodhound-era Air King watches. Examples include reference 116900 and 126900. These are the watches that most people want today. Rolex introduced these versions in 2016. For instance, the company increased the size to 4mm for the reference 116900. It also has a black dial with big 3-6-9 numbers. 

Rolex released the current reference “126900” in 2022. The case shape is the big change here, as it is now more square and has crown guards, which are metal shoulders that protect the winding crown. Moreover, the “5” minute marker has become “05” to balance the “55” on the other side of the dial. Almost every Air King watch comes on the Oyster bracelet. It is the three-link sporty band. Some older models have a Jubilee bracelet, but that is rare. Modern Air King watches have the “Easylink” extension, which allows you to make a 5mm larger on a hot day without tools. 

Rolex Air King: Retail vs Secondary Market

Buying Rolex watches today is a bit different than a few years ago. The market in Dubai and other parts of the world has calmed down. However, Air King is still a very popular model. The demand is high because it is one of the most accessible steel sports watches.

Secondary-Market Price Overview

You may not buy an Air King immediately if you walk into a Rolex store in Dubai, New York, Hong Kong, or anywhere else. The secondary market, also called the grey market, is where you can buy this watch. However, the price is higher than the official retail price. The price in the secondary market depends on various factors: 

• Condition: An unworn watch, such as the 2025 watch you see above, costs the most. Remember, scratches and dents lower the price. 
• The Full Set: Collectors want everything. So, the green box, the warranty card, the white hang tag, and the manual are important. The item is worth about 10% to 20% less if you only want the watch. 
• Model Year: A 2025 model will cost a bit more than a 2021 or 2022 model because it has more warranty. 

In the current UAE market, you are looking at a premium of roughly 23% to 30% over retail to get an Air King watch immediately without waiting. The current Air King model launched after 2022 has a price between AED 39,000 and AED 41,000. The previous Air King launched between 2016 and 2022 has a price between AED 32,000 and AED 40,000. 

Official Retail Price List

Here is how the official prices of the Air King watches compare to the prices you actually pay in shops in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. 

Rolex Air King as an Investment

Rolex Air King is a good investment, but you have to stay realistic because it is not a winning lottery ticket like a Rolex Daytona Le Mans. However, it is still a very safe investment. Historically, the Air King retains value very well because it is an entry-level steel sports Rolex. Keep in mind that this is important because it is the price point where most new collectors start. So, there is always demand for the first nice Rolex, and the Air King fits the spot perfectly. 

The Air King watch has become more respected by high-paying collectors since the 2022 update (reference 126900). The reason is the better movement of Calibre 3230 and the crown guards. Likewise, the watch feels like a “Mini-Explorer” or a “Pilot’s Milgauss.” You are instantly in profit if you buy at a retail price. If you buy it at a secondary price, it will retain a steady value over the long term as Rolex increases retail prices every year. 

Authenticity, Certification & Warranty

When you buy a watch, whether it is a Rolex Submariner, Pepsi, Day Date, or Air King, you need to know it is real and that it works accurately. Rolex takes the authenticity and certification very seriously. So, you will see the words “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” on the dial. The movement goes to COSC, which is a Swiss testing institute, where experts test the accuracy within -4/+6 seconds a day. Likewise, Rolex puts the movement inside the case and tests it again in its own labs. The standard here is stricter: -2/+2 seconds per day. Your Air King has passed this test if it comes with the Green Seal, and this tag also guarantees a 5-year international warranty. So, if the watch stops working or loses time within 5 years of the purchase date on the card, Rolex will fix it for free.

But how do you know the watch is real? Well, first check the rehaut engraving by looking at the metal ring around the dial. It should have “ROLEXROLEXROLEX” engraved sharply. The company has engraved the serial number at 6 o’clock. Remember, it must match the card. Modern references 126900 have a tiny and almost invisible Rolex crown laser-etched into the glass at the 6 o’clock position. You will need a loupe and the right lighting to see it. Moreover, the winding crown should feel smooth. If it is gritty, the watch might not be real. The clasp should click shut with a solid sound. Again, doubt the authenticity of the watch if the sound is a tinny rattle.