100% Authentic watches
Safe delivery or pick-up
Warranty & easy returns
Rolex Air-King
- 100% Authentic watches
- Safe delivery or pick-up
- Warranty and easy returns
- 100% Authentic watches
- Safe delivery or pick-up
- Warranty and easy returns
- 100% Authentic watches
- Safe delivery or pick-up
- Warranty and easy returns
We’ll keep
an eye on it
We’ll notify you of new matches
The Rolex Air-King
One of the most affordable watches from the Swiss watchmaker Rolex: the Air-King. This pilot’s watch is made of stainless steel and the design is elegant, sporty, and functional. It looks like the perfect watch for almost every occasion to wear.
Rolex Air-King 126900: The Latest Iteration
In 2022, Rolex presented the latest in the Air-King lineup: the Reference 126900. This model pays homage to its aviation roots while embracing modern innovation. The 40mm Oystersteel case exudes robustness, ensuring it withstands the rigors of both air travel and daily wear. The distinctive black dial, punctuated by bold 3, 6, and 9 numerals, and a prominent minute scale ensures optimal legibility, crucial for any pilot. The inclusion of the original 1950s 'Air-King' font is a nod to its storied past. Inside beats the Calibre 3230, offering a remarkable 70-hour power reserve, perfect for those long-haul flights.
Entry-level Wristwatch for Pilots
Standing out from the crowd, that’s exactly what the Rolex Air-King represents. The stainless-steel watch, reference 116900, stands out because of the Arabic numerals from 5 to 55 with a green minute hand and brand inscription. It looks even sportier compared to other watches like the Oyster Perpetual.
The watch for pilots was introduced back in 2016 and was focused on the essentials: no other functions were added on this Rolex Air-King.
History of the Rolex Air-King
One thing that really pops out is the name Air-King: during the 1930s Rolex (founder Hans Wilsdorf) developed a timepiece in honor of the pilots from the RAF (British Royal Air Force). Wilsdorf developed different watches with the names Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant, and Air-King. After the war, Rolex continued making the Air-King for the public.
The design was always simple for the Rolex Air-King: stainless steel, 34mm diameter (except for the Air-King Date) and was available in different dial colors like pink, blue, silver, or black.
The 2016 release marked a significant evolution in the Air-King's design. With a 40mm diameter, it was the largest the model had seen, boasting a striking black dial and large, easy-to-read numerals that mimic the Rolex Explorer. This iteration was the first to feature glow-in-the-dark Chromalight hands, enhancing its functionality for night-time use. Additionally, similar to the Submariner and GMT-Master II, it included the Oysterclap with an Easylink extension, allowing for a quick 5mm adjustment, a feature particularly appreciated during hotter days.
Earlier Air-King Models
The current collection for the Rolex Air-King is limited to one single model, but earlier in the days, Rolex produced different sorts of Air-King models. These references are the 14000, 14000M, 14010, 14010M, and 5500. The 5500 was in production for more than three decades and is one of the coolest vintage Rolex watches around. You can even find a Rolex Air-King 5500 featuring Mickey Mouse or the Pan Am logo: these watches are really popular for collectors.
Air-King Date
There is another reference which is interesting: the Rolex Air-King with a date display ref 5700 and 5701. These models cost around €4.000 and measure 35mm: 1mm bigger than the regular Air-King models from that era.
Rolex Air-King Prices
When you are in the market for a Rolex Air-King, there is plenty of choice. You can either buy the iconic Air-King from 2016 on or pick your favorite vintage piece. The Air-King ref 116900 from 2016 is around €7.000 on the grey market. The list price for these watches is around €6.500. To be honest, prices are really starting to rise for these models, so sometimes you may find them around €10.000 already for a full mint set.
If you’re looking to spend not over €6.000, you should consider a vintage Rolex Air-King. These models (14000, 14000M) are 34mm, stainless steel, and are more affordable compared to the 2016 models. The cool thing about the vintage Air-King is that they look great on both men and women. Prices range from €4.000 to €6.000 on Wristler. One specific vintage Rolex Air-King is the 14010M: with the engine-turned bezel with fine fluting, this is one of the popular collector’s items.
One of the most affordable Rolex Air-Kings is the ref 5500. When it was introduced back in 1957, it was produced for more than 30 years. You can find these pieces for around €3.300 on Wristler. Looking for a special 5500? The Double Red models have two red inscriptions reading ‘Air-King’ and ‘Super Precision’.