Rolex aviator watches

The history of the Rolex Air-King

The Rolex Air-King was introduced back in the 70s, called the Oyster Perpetual Air-King. With a 34mm case, a stainless-steel bracelet and bezel and a silver dial this was the first ever aviator watch from Rolex. Rolex introduced a lot of colors on the Air-King dial, such as green, pink (salmon), silver or black. The current Rolex Air-King, which is around since the 21st century, features a bigger case measuring 40mm instead of 34mm and is only available with the smooth polished bezel, a dark black dial and large numerals including the minutes scale. The modern Air-King bears reference number 116900 and can be found on the three-piece Oysterbracelet made of steel. 

Prices of the Rolex Air-King aviator watch

Depending on the year of production, the dial color and the reference number, you can already get your hands on a Rolex Air-King starting at roughly €3.600, This is the 5500 reference number, with a black or silver dial. The Air-King bearing reference number 14000 comes with the pink or salmon dial and large numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. These models sell for roughly €5.000 as a pre-owned Rolex watch. The most recent Air-King bears reference number 116900 and will set you back €7.000 for a pre-owned piece, up to €11.000 for a new piece in stickers featuring the black dial and prominent minutes scale on the dial, measuring 40mm. 

The Rolex GMT-Master

With the release of the GMT-Master back in the day, this was the first watch from Rolex to feature a unidirectional bezel with a 24-hour scale, called the GMT-function. This was meant for pilots to view another time zone on the same watch, without having to calculate. These watches are available as vintage, pre-owned or brand-new, called the new GMT-Master II. You can find these watches with a black bezel, black and red bezel, black and blue bezel or blue and red bezel. 

Even the newest addition to the GMT-Master II catalog: the Sprite or Lefty which features a black and green bezel and the crown on the left side of the case is extremely popular. These watches sell for roughly €10.000 on the grey market for a vintage 1675 GMT-Master up to €25.000 for the brand-new, never worn GMT-Master II Sprite. 

The Rolex Sky-Dweller

With a case size which measures 43mm, the Sky-Dweller is a large watch which makes it easier to view the time, day, date and month on the Sky-Dweller. The case comes in stainless-steel, white gold, rose gold or yellow gold and features the fluted bezel in solid 18-karat gold. You can opt for numerous colors on the dial, such as white, black, gold or green since the new release of the 2023 Sky-Dweller line-up. 

Since the Sky-Dweller is one of the most complicated watches made by Rolex, these pieces aren’t cheap: starting at roughly €19.000 for a pre-owned white dial and stainless-steel model, this is the cheapest one you can find. If you’re willing to spend some more money, you can opt for the solid gold such as rose (‘Everose’) gold which sells for roughly €40.000 or more, depending on the state and year of production. 

What Rolex Offers

In conclusion, Rolex aviator watches offer a diverse range of models and sizes, catering to the needs of pilots and other enthusiasts alike. The iconic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King stands out with its legible dial, designed specifically for aviation purposes. Throughout its history, the Air-King has evolved, featuring larger cases and a refined aesthetic. The Rolex GMT-Master, with its GMT-function and various bezel options, remains a favorite among collectors, while the Rolex Sky-Dweller impresses with its larger case size and intricate complications. These timepieces, though not inexpensive, showcase Rolex's commitment to precision, functionality, and timeless elegance. Whether you're a pilot or a watch connoisseur, Rolex aviator watches offer a combination of style and performance that is truly exceptional.