A Buyers Guide to the Rolex Air King Watch

Rolex Air King Watch When you first make the decision to explore the world of luxury highend watches, you can be forgiven for feeling as though you've entered a wonderland of confusing technology. It takes time to build up the confidence of experienced watch buyers, since at every turn there's a new horological term to learn and understand. With such a dazzling array of prestigious brands vying for your attention, even once you've decided on a particular watch brand there's still a staggering amount of choice regarding style, size, function and price point. Rolex is the preferred brand for many watch connoisseurs, and amongst many Rolex buyers the Air King is the timeless, understated and enduring favourite. If you're looking for a luxury watch you can wear everyday without worrying about damage, overuse or appearing too overdressed for casual wear, you'd do worse than investigating this classic timepiece.

Rolex Air King External Features

Its 34mm diameter makes it an ideal size for everyday wear, being large enough to make a rugged statement without appearing too heavy or bulky. The 904L steel case is finely engineered to give the sleek, polished appearance that Rolex build into all their timepieces, but because it's steel it has durability against knocks and damage that a softer precious metal doesn't have. The domed bezel adds a nice profile, while the crystal is a synthetic scratch resistant sapphire that's sure to be a match for the most robust daily wear. The Air King's long history reaches back some 70 years, earning it a well loved position in the history of Rolex. It was at the close of WWII that Rolex introduced a special series of watches with an aviation theme to honour RAF pilots. Termed the 'Air' series, others in the line at the time included the Air Giant, Air Lion and Air Tiger. The Air King is the sole survivor. Various models in incarnations of the Air King saw it evolve for specific markets, including an Air King Date which shared a similar case to the Explorer range, at 35mm slightly larger than the standard Air King size of 34mm. The Rolex Air King features an oyster case that gives Rolex models their waterproof durability. The Twinlock system creates two sealed zones within the watch and was invented by Rolex in 1953. It has a screw down winding crown and case back, securely locking the inner movement away from all moisture, shock and pressure to a depth of 330 feet. The easily readable dial is testament to the 'at a glance' ease of use demanded by pilots, and makes the watch appear deceptively simple, with an understated elegance that belies the engineering skill that goes into its production. Whether you have one of these and are thinking now might be a good time to sell my Rolex watch, or you're just thinking of getting into the Rolex watch buyers market, the Air King is a solid foundation that earns its keep. Worries about authenticity can be alleviated by buying or selling only through reputable and knowledgeable dealers and making sure each watch you consider has original papers or certificates, which every high end watch comes with at the time of its first sale.