Sell Rolex Air King Watch

Things to Keep in Mind Before You Sell Your Rolex Air-King

The Rolex you own is no doubt a timeless timepiece with the never-ending demand in the second-hand market. If you have made up your mind to sell your Rolex, whatever the reason may be, you need the right guidance to make sure the price is genuine.

The first thing to do is to gather all the related documents and accessories of the Rolex. These things increase the value of your Rolex to a great extent. Now use the serial number and the reference number to come up with a price to sell your watch. The condition of your watch can change the whole negotiation, so make sure it is well polished and free of any scratch marks.

All you have to do now is decide a platform to sell your Rolex. The online platform will help you get a lucrative price, but selling might take longer than you might expect. Auction is another good way to sell and you could end up with more money than any other option. The only drawback here is you never know what the end price can be. You can also sell it offline for quick and easy cash but the price is generally not what you seek.

The Legacy of the Rolex Air-King

Rolled out to honour the air servicemen of World War II, the Rolex Air-King is more like a survivor with a 70-year history of simple aesthetics and robustness. Introduced in 1945, the Air-King was a part of the Air series with 3 other watches, Air-Tiger, Air-Lion, and Air-Giant.

The Rolex Air series was designed for the fighter pilots to ensure they don’t have to struggle to read the time under any circumstances. The distinctive designs created a much-needed appreciation for the entry-level watch with high practicality and precision. But, only the Air-King remained in the catalogue of the Rolex after the discontinuation of the other three models in 1960.

The jewel counts were different in the initial references of the Air-King due to the varying import laws. The 5500 Reference used two different models, 1520 and 1530. The difference was minute, either the jewel count or the text on the dial can tell the difference between the two models. For the next 37 years, Rolex stuck to the 1530 movement. Later on, in 1989, the Reference 14000 and 1410 were equipped with the 3000 movement. The much-needed change was brought in with the engine-turned bezel. The reference was again changed to 14010 to highlight the modification. It was then given the 3130 calibre in 2000 with a letter M to signify the upgrade. The Air-King era saw the inescapable end in 2014 to give way to the Rolex Perpetual, another line of watches with the same simple and three-handed design. However, the Air-King reign started again in 2016 after its relaunch with a 40 mm case.

What the Timepiece Lovers Think about the Rolex Air-King

Worth every single penny you spend on it – this is the general consensus around the Rolex watch. The timepiece collectors hold a very high value for the vintage Air-King. The watch shares some really major features with other high-end Rolex watches with a bigger price tag, such as anti-magnetism, bigger touch and the design attributes. However, the opinion is polarizing for this timepiece but we have seen it change after a week or two of use. Another major factor for its appreciation is the automatic 3131 movement with a power reserve of 48 hours. The young audience is more into this watch because of the absence of Oyster steel classicism and the Submariner’s ubiquity.

The References that Shaped the Reign of Rolex Air-King

Currently, Reference 116900 is the most sought-after model of the Air-King ever since its reintroduction. The modern features and design have made it the fan-favourite, with a spec sheet that hardly resembles the other Air-King models. The larger 40 mm case, black dial and the oyster bracelet make it a different Air-King altogether. Another name that earns a special mention is the Air-King Reference 14000, being recognized as one of the most practical and comfortable watches to wear. The 3130 movement took the functionality of the Air-King to the next level. The 1957 Air King 5500 was again a masterpiece from Rolex, it featured an innovative design with the 1520 and 1530 movement, giving it an edge over the competition during its era.

The Second-Hand Market for the Rolex Air-King

The Air-King is a vintage watch with an amazing history and huge interest by the watch collectors. The Air-King 116900 is the most popular model as of now, targeting the young Rolex owners and the pilots. Designed for the aviation industry, this model has a distinctive black dial with a prominent navigational minute scale. For the vintage watch collectors, there are plenty of rare models in the Air-King series.

Consider yourself very lucky if you own either the Reference 5502 or the Reference 5506. The vintage market is however dominated by the Air-King 5560 Reference. This reference often tops the list with the heaviest price tag among the Rolex Air-King vintage watches.