Should I buy a Rolex Air King?

[Honeywell]

Not had anything fancier than a Steinhart Ocean One cosplay Submariner I am attracted to the looks of an Air King.

Can anyone persuade me out of such a choice and/or suggest a better alternative? I like the look and I'm a pilot. It would be a daily.

[Gassmi]

If you like it and you’re a pilot, buy it. But the Air King is busy, chunky, and less practical for flying than a proper flieger or a GMT. For daily wear, a Sinn 856 or a Damasko DA36 gives you the tool watch vibe, better legibility, and a fraction of the service cost. Or get a used IWC Mark XVIII and actually use the crown without wincing. The Air King is cool but it’s a Rolex tax on a dial that looks like a prototyping error.

[Bob_Defly]

Is that a particularly small one?

[RustyNissanPrairie]

If 5 is your lucky number then buy it.

[Badda]

Would you buy it if it was made by tissot? If yes then get it, don’t buy it because it’s a Rolex though

[Lefty]

It’s not for me but if you like it, go for it.

I like the older air kings with batons instead of numerals. You’re almost into Sub or Deepsea money there…or an explorer.

Personally I’d go for an IWC XVIII or big pilot. Or a speedmaster. Or a Luminor.

Such a personal choice though, only you know what you like, nice problem to have though

[Lefty]

As an afterthought, most pilots I know (helicopter pilots granted so an odd bunch) wear g-shocks or garmins as their everyday working watches

[Honeywell]

The left field aspect of the Air King appeals to me. I'm buying purely on looks and brand. I really like Steinharts but have this annoying Rolex itch.

[Mont Blanc]

Honeywell said:

The left field aspect of the Air King appeals to me. I'm buying purely on looks and brand. I really like Steinharts but have this annoying Rolex itch.

If you like the look of it, then buy it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The only opinion that matters is yours.

It doesn't matter what any of us think!

[Honeywell]

Is it safe buying off chrono24?

I am assuming that a recent yet second hand Rolex won't lose me much more than 20% of the buying cost if I want to get rid?

[Lefty]

I’m always wary, honestly I’d go to somewhere like Hackett watches

He has a black air king

https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2023-air-king...

[Mont Blanc]

Honeywell said:

Is it safe buying off chrono24?

I am assuming that a recent yet second hand Rolex won't lose me much more than 20% of the buying cost if I want to get rid?

There is a chap on these forums called Dom who is well regarded. He has one for sale right now. You could probably have it tomorrow if you wanted.

https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2023-air-king...

Edit: Ha! Beaten to it!

[WhiskyDisco]

Gassmi said:

If you like it and you re a pilot, buy it. But the Air King is busy, chunky, and less practical for flying than a proper flieger or a GMT. For daily wear, a Sinn 856 or a Damasko DA36 gives you the tool watch vibe, better legibility, and a fraction of the service cost. Or get a used IWC Mark XVIII and actually use the crown without wincing. The Air King is cool but it s a Rolex tax on a dial that looks like a prototyping error.

Nice post. Great info.

[dom9]

C24 is generally very safe with the escrow function but if it is a dealer, check their website, as C24 has fees, so it is usually available for less direct.

I went to a store direct, the other day, paid £6300 for a £7k listing, bricks and mortar, in London. Not a world beating deal but probably better than I'd have got through C24!

[AnotherHamster]

It shows how subjective watches are. Personally I like the Air King for some of the reasons others don’t. It’s one of the few Rolex designs I would buy: A local shop has a second hand one in the window and I have stopped to take a look a couple of times.

You are always going to pay a significant premium for the Rolex brand and for that reason, for the same money you could buy several great watches of similar quality (or indeed other things) so I talk myself out of it.

But this is your money so buy what you want

[CrippsCorner]

An Air-King brand new from Rolex is £6,800 and as an entry level watch, I believe you're able to purchase quite easily? Without a history I mean... I'm sure there was someone on here who put their name down and had to wait only two months? Maybe worth popping in for a chat.

https://www.rolex.com/en-gb/watches/air-king/m1269...

[BlackTails]

Honeywell said:

Not had anything fancier than a Steinhart Ocean One cosplay Submariner I am attracted to the looks of an Air King.

Can anyone persuade me out of such a choice and/or suggest a better alternative? I like the look and I'm a pilot. It would be a daily.

I prefer the aesthetics of an Explorer II, which can be had for similar money. Although I would not go caving in a million years.

For a pilot's watch Breitling do their Navitimer B01 models with a functioning slide rule around the outside. No doubt other manufacturers do too.

Edited by BlackTails on Thursday 14th May 12:15

[NDA]

Great watch for a daily - I like the look.

I would probably buy brand new in your shoes - I don't think you'd have to wait too long.

[Abc321]

I would also go brand new - sounds like you arent in a rush and agree I dont think wait would be bad at all. Just drop them an email and someone will be in touch about going in / pop into a store

Agree watches are a lot about taste but if I was in your position I would opt for a different brand from Hackett or Subdial with the GMT function - Tudor or IWC

[blue_haddock]

Lefty said:

. You re almost into Sub or Deepsea money there or an explorer.

I personally like the airking because its NOT a sub!