Rolex Air-King

Entry Level Rolex. The Rolex Air King, with a suggested retail price starting at US$4,200, is Rolex's lowest priced watch in Rolex's line-up. It is essentially a Rolex Datejust without the date display and in a 2mm smaller case (Case Diameter in 34mm, more on that latter).

The entire Air-King line was revamped in 2007 and is available with a choice of three different bezels, steel domed and white gold fluted bezel similar to that found in the Datejust, and a steel engine turned bezel, which I find particularly attractive. This engine turned bezel is available only in the Air King and Date watches (the Date is an Air-King with a date display) It comes with a choice of three colors of Dials (black, white and blue) with either roman numerals, arabic numerals or a combination of arabic numerals and stick markers. Being an entry level watch, it is offered only with a all stainless steel Oyster bracelet, and cannot be ordered with a Jubillee or Presidents bracelet, or a gold Oyster bracelet.

Air-King with the steel engine turned bezel

Despite being an entry level watch, the Air-King is a true Rolex. Beating inside the 34mm case is a COSC certified Rolex 3130 movement, which produces 28,800 vibrations per hour. This means that even the humble Air-King has the words "Superlative Chronometer" on its dial. Nothing entry level about the movement.

34mm. Given that the watch is very similar in appearance to the 36mm Datejust, I wonder why Rolex did not just build the Air-King in the same case. I don't have particularly large wrists, and the 36mm Datejust is just about perfect for me. A 34mm would probably suit me fine too. The trend to larger for watches has been going on for some time. An larger (38mm or 40mm) Air King would, in my opinion, be more popular if the redesign in 2007 included a larger case.

About Rolex. Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and accessories founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand by far, producing over 2000 watches per day. Rolex is the best known and most sought after watch brand in the world.