Rolex: The Battle Of The Air-Kings – New vs Old

The Air-King used to be a very odd watch in Rolex's catalogue. So odd, that many predicted the watch would soon be discontinued. This did not happen. Instead, Rolex refreshed the Air-King earlier in 2022. Did they succeed? Let's have a look and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[ron]

I own both and the new one is a massive improvement. The biggest change is the thickness making the watch more wearable. It's also lighter again making it more wearable. You forgot to mention another important change...the bracelet went from 20 to 21 mm. This small change is very noticeable. It makes the watch appear broader and more masculine. My AK gets more wrist time than my Sub...that's how good it is.

[drockkelly]

Love the new air king. Wear it more then my datejust, sub, or explorer 2. Its just so comfortable, and the dial is like a breath of fresh air. Hard one to take off.

[Anonymouslyme]

I prefer the old one with the beautiful, curvaceous and somewhat chunky case, has lots of wrist presence.

[georgemole]

I have the old one and have only seen pictures of the new one. But from what I've seen, I'm glad to have the old one.

Putting a zero before a single-digit number for "balance" makes no sense to me. On the old model, the five had one digit because five is expressed with one digit. The fifty-five had two digits because you need two digits to express fifty-five. Form should follow function.

Putting a zero before the five so it can balance the fifty-five is like putting three X's before "oyster" in order to balance it with "perpetual."

The new model is sportier looking, but I think it's a notch below in terms of elegance. The white-gold numerals and rounded case of the old model make it a tiny bit dressier than the new one, although the new numerals are more legible.

Bottom line, they're both beautiful watches, and I'd be glad to have either one or both. But given the choice, I'm glad I have the old one.

[watchartsci]

Big fan of the AirKing with the Blood Hound dial. The earlier (2016) version has the same movement as the Milgauss, and the new one has the same movement as the Oyster Perpetual. I do like the bracelet and crown guard of the new version along with the cleaned up dial, but I like the Milgauss movement in an AirKing—there's a certain irony to it.

[TheSuccessEngineer]

The discontinued model is the one to have. Despite the upgrades then discontinued model will retain the historical value even if it was the ugly duckling of the family.

[joAO--TugA]

New Air King all the way for me, definitely a future classic sleeper,
I personally could never understand why the older version had an oyster perpetual bracelet and clasp. 🤷‍♂️

[sgcitizen]

I added the new Air-King to my collection becos of the improvements. Rolex did it right this time, and the AK is on my wrist more than my GMT, Miglauss.

[kobateman]

The new one is better with everything that's true!!!! But the old one with the individual 5 is according to the original!! And this mixture of everything like case digits makes them much more interesting than the new one! And yet I am not convinced of the new movement !!! Unfortunately, there are too many negative experiences...so the old one is the much more interesting watch for me personally

[Eliminator-rlsn]

I think, the new Air King is the perfect Rolex for you if you want to wear one without it shouting at everyone: Look at me, I´m a Rolex. This ist what attracts me very much to to this time piece. So I do agree. The new one is the one to wear.

[shrinikketh]

Yet another excellent review. The enthusiasm for watches that Fratello has is refreshing, it's clear true enthusiasts are watching

[krysh]

I actually think that the new air king 126655 is going to be discontinued in the next year or two. Rolex is no longer associated with the bloodhound project but they couldn't just discontinue the 116655 without "fixing" it, that wouldn't be very Rolex... Now that the air king and all of its issues are fixed Rolex can safely discontinue the 126655 and move on. Rolex has the tendency of nailing certain references to absolute perfection and that's when they discontinue it. Seadweller 116600 for example or the white oyster 114300 - these were the perfect watches and were made only for 3 years. 126600 will fallow the same path - it is perfect now.

[sgtable]

I enjoy the older one due to the fact it’s an odd watch. If I would want the newer model then just get the date just.

[craigsylvester]

Personally I like the originality of the old one and the bloodhound connection, but I would like to see one with a dial without the 3, 6 and 9 and instead continue the minute markings ie 15, 30 and 45
I think that would look amazing.

[dude...are-you-sure]

Rolex always makes many subtle changes that isnt instantly noticeable. but when added together all the subtle improvements make a big overall difference.

[rjblue]

Just bought the new one. a truely quirky statement piece!

[regularcyclist]

Not a fan on a leading zero on a number and the dial on the new Air King is no different. It would bug me and I am glad to have the previous one.

[MarcCoimbra]

Managed to get one this week. It hasn't left my wrist since i bought it. Such a comfortable watch😍

[redtop]

I have both Airkings, and I must say the 126900 is the one I prefer, I had a submariner which I sold as I found it boring and there to many fakes around

[ianandrew]

Put my name down at the AD not thinking I'd get the call, what do you know I received the called mid 2022 and even got it pre price increases I personally Loved the New Air King and will never sell ❤❤