Rolex Air-King Watches

Why Choose Us

Bob's Watches is the founder of the original pre-owned Rolex exchange. With decades of experience in the industry, Bob's Watches is one of the most trusted resellers on the market and offers a wide inventory of new and pre-owned Rolex watches, each of which comes with a one-year warranty and a certificate of authenticity. Bob’s Watches also provides top-tier customer service, including a no questions asked return policy, free overnight shipping, and a safe checkout process. Whether you are a novice buyer or an experienced collector, Bob's Watches is an excellent choice for buying a high-quality certified used Rolex watch.

Looking to Sell Your Rolex?

Unlock the value of your treasured timepiece by selling your Rolex with Bob's Watches. Our expert team handles each watch with utmost care and professionalism. With our seamless and trusted process, we ensure your experience is top-notch. Parting with your luxury watch becomes as effortless and rewarding as the moments it has tracked for you. Get started today by visiting our Sell Rolex watch page.

Testimonials

Jacob N.

"I had a great experience with Bob's. Needed some questions answered and their customer service was amazing, thank you Chase. Wasn’t sure about the features these models had and the differences between them. Decided to get an Air-King 126900 and I couldn’t be happier, fits perfectly and looks even better. Thanks Bobs."

Review originally published on Trustpilot

Robert Hines

"Absolutely love my new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King with the blue dial. Bob's Watches is an amazing dealer. Great prices. The online buying experience was one of the best I have ever had. They made it very easy and they were wonderful to work with. I highly recommend them. Will definitely buy from them again."

Review originally published on Trustpilot

Expert Opinion

"The Rolex Air-King is a legendary luxury timepiece that radiates high style and sophistication. Its minimalist design features a straight-forward dial with simple hour markers and hands, and a versatile waterproof Oyster case. With its precision automatic movement and timeless design, the Air-King is a watch that you will be proud to wear everywhere you roam."

-Paul Altieri, Founder and CEO of Bob's Watches

Price Trends

The Rolex Air-King is a prized collector’s item, and its value has steadily risen over the years. More recently, there has been a substantial spike in popularity for vintage Air-King models, resulting in a surge in prices. Additionally, particularly rare versions of the Air-King tend to trade hands for even higher prices in the used Rolex market.

Used Rolex Air-King Prices

disc. = discontinued

Popular Rolex Air-King Watch Comparisons

Air King 5500 vs 14000

The Rolex Air King 5500 and 14000 are both Air King watch models made by Rolex. The primary difference between them is the period in which they were manufactured and movement used. The Rolex Air King 5500 enjoyed a long production run from the 1950s to the late 1980s and features a non-chronometer movement. Conversely, the Rolex Air King 14000 was produced from the late 1980s until the mid-2000s and boasts a chronometer-rated movement.

Air King 116900 vs 126900

The Rolex Air King 116900 and 126900 are both contemporary editions of the Air King watch with the Bloodhound-inspired dial decorated with Arabic numeral hour markers and sporty Mercedes hands. What sets them apart are various changes to the dial, case, and movement. Ref. 116900 shares the same case and movement (caliber 3131) as the Milgauss, which means that it is also anti-magnetic up to 1,000 gauss. Ref. 126900 has a brand-new case developed just for the Air-King, complete with crown guards and the next-generation caliber 3230 movement with a longer power reserve. You will also spot several small differences between the hour markers on each dial.

Popular Nicknames

The Rolex Air-King has a rich past and is an adored timepiece among avid collectors. Since coming to market, it has picked up several charming nicknames that reflect its legendary status in horology. Early production models were branded as the Air-Tiger, Air Giant, Air Lion, and Air-King to appeal to the collection’s target consumer audience among combat pilots. Today, the Air-King is the only air series watch that remains in production.

Rolex Air-King Reference Models

The Rolex Air-King has undergone several modifications and upgrades over the years, resulting in various reference models. The first Rolex to feature the distinction "Air King" on the dial was the Rolex Air-King 4925, which was released in the 1940s and had a small case size and a simple time-only design. In contrast, the Rolex Air-King 5500, which premiered in the 1950s, had a slightly larger case size and a relatively more contemporary look. Some of the model numbers in this collection include:

• 5500
• 14000
• 14010
• 114200
• 114210
• 114234
• 116900

Key Features

Rolex Air-King Movements

Rolex Air-King watches have relied on various movements throughout the collection’s production run, with significant changes popping up in the 1940s and 2000s. In the late 1940s, the Air-King transitioned from the hand-wound movements used in the first two Air-King models to automatic movements. In 2022, the Air-King received another significant upgrade with the introduction of the Calibre 3230 movement, featuring a longer 70-hour power reserve.

Rolex Air-King Sizes

The Rolex Air-King has been sold in various case sizes throughout its production, ranging from what we would now consider small to large. The inaugural models had a case size of around 32mm/33mm, while later models upgraded in size to 34mm and 36mm. Recently, the Air-King was upgraded to 40mm, giving it a contemporary and sporty aesthetic.

Rolex Air-King Materials

The Rolex Air-King has been crafted in a range of premium materials since coming to market decades ago, including stainless steel and two-tone. Stainless steel has been a prevalent choice for many Air-King models, because it is durable and has a classic aesthetic. Two-tone has also been used for more extravagant editions of the watch, adding an extra level of opulence to this iconic collection.

Learn more about the collection by visiting our Rolex Air-King Ultimate Buying Guide.

Over the years, Rolex has introduced various iterations of this iconic timepiece, from different bezel color combinations to material enhancements. Dive deeper into specific Rolex Air-King features with the helpful links we've provided below.