Is The New Rolex Air-King Cooler Than We Think?

A Discussion around the newly released Rolex Air-King and the Evolution of its Design. The model was introduced first as a Pilots instrument in the late 1940's and over time changed to become the entry-level oyster perpetual. A new dial introduction changed how this watch was seen and with the latest addition, new case, crown guards and lumed arabic numerals, it has never been more divisive.

#rolex #rolexairking #airking

Intro 0:00
On The Wrist 1:50
The GMT & Sky-Dweller 2:07
Rolex Air-King History (1945 - 2000) 3:07
Bridging the Gap 5:37
Bloodhound SSC & Air-King (2016) 6:22
The New Rolex Air-King 8:02
Professional Case? Confused? Redesign? 8:52
A Step too Far? 10:16
New Air-King Uniqueness 10:50
Conclusion 11:17

All Images are Sourced from either Press Release Photos or Public Listings.
Below are a list of the common sources that are used in no particular order:

Bob’s Watches | Revolution Watch | HQ Milton | Hodinkee | Monochrome Watches | Jomashop | Analog Shift | Bulang and Sons | Robb Report | Watchfinder | WatchBox | Phillips Watches | Christies | Timekeepers Club | Fratello Watches | Bexsonn | Worn and Wound | A Collected Man | Oracle Time | Time + Tide Watches

[ID-Guy]

What are your thoughts on the Air-King Collection and the New 126900?
I’m kinda on the fence. Love that its Design is different than any other professional model out there but also feel that its been put together by adding more clay to the sculpture instead of reducing to find that beautiful form. It’s different and out there (which is a good thing) 🥃

[loopbloke]

Airking is the only model which you can wear a sports Rolex with a crown guard but still keep the subtlety of a daily wear such as an explorer or an Oyster Perpetual. I love the 2023 model and already ordered one.

[scottwexlin]

I have owned the “previous” version for two years now. I never get tired of its quirkiness, It works well in many situations, and sits nicely on my wrist.

I like this new version as well. I never bought the idea that it was unloved, considering I had to buy mine grey, because I was not able to get one from an AD.

[ronenash]

I absolutely love the new 2022 Air King. One of my favorite Rolexes. I got on the list as soon as they announced it and got it a couple of month ago. I would not change a thing about it.

[BAF]

I bought the previous iteration because I liked it. The AD asked me why I wanted it. At the time they were an easy pick up. I replied truthfully that I especially liked the green on the dial. It arrived in a month. Three months later I had a phone call asking if I wanted another watch in green that was harder to come by. Yes, Dear reader I bought that one too.

[Yorkshiremadmick]

Got to say, in my honest opinion
You are wrong here. The numerals appeal for more to me than your batons at the quarters.
It’s a very underrated watch, but that’s coming from a Sea Dweller &
Mileguass owner
I love it.

[frankmason]

I went from absolutely hating the air king to absolutely loving it when the new one came out. Amazing how such small changes totally make it a whole new timepiece.

[bryce]

Never liked Rolex, until the 126900 came in. Something about that simplicity, subtlety and sportiness that's attractive... picking up mine today. can't wait!

[andyg]

I really like the new Air-King. I would like to see an entire Air-King line that included the old vintage style Air-King dials in the new case.

[andyf]

It’s a simple watch that doesn’t brag or boast that it’s a Rolex. It’s the Rolex for the person that doesn’t want to show off they’re wearing a Rolex and it’s rugged enough you don’t have to think twice about wearing it. Couldn’t be happier with mine.

[Minniemoo]

As a professional airline pilot I find myself drawn to this watch. I can connect and create a story with this piece more so than I can with my dive watches as I don’t dive. I like the toolish look but ultimately, I think it’s because it says “Air-king” on it! That’s cool to me.

[ryanelectra]

I sold my previous version and got this one. Always liked it’s unique style, and the new one fixed the weaknesses of the old one.

[k_]

I absolutely love it! i love the playful green accent and really has a much sportier feeling. feels like a watch i would wear while playing tennis or something. referencing the famous green and yellow rolex logo that we see so much around many sporting events in tennis and formular one for example.

[GenjiG]

I have the new Air-King and absolutely love it. Every time I look at my wrist I get a smile on my face. It is just such a fun watch to see. I also have a Sub and GMT and they are great but not as fun. Also the Air-King is just much more wearable too. My go to watch at the moment!

[joshuanakagawa]

The 116900 was the first Rolex I ever wanted. After getting mine in 2018, is when I learned of the negative opinion that “everyone” seemed to have about it. So many suggestions thrown around on forums, as to how it could be improved. Well, it seems Rolex actually listened, and the 126900 is that execution. My opinion, the previous model was indeed quirky, not trying to be anything more than what it was; the new one doesn’t know what it wants to be. Regardless, the fact that it is a topic of discussion, means it is getting the respect it deserves.

[aaronbazler]

I wasnt completely convinced from photos of the Air King 2022 and had registered an interest in the Oyster Perpetual silver dial at my local AD. Popped in at lunch today to have a chat and he let me try an Air King on. Wow ! pictures don't really do it justice- a stunning watch and I have now changed my registration ! Can't wait for my Air King to come- who knows when mind you !

[vintagedigital]

The introduction of 2 tone explorer, Air king, Milgauss and left handed GMT adds some polarizing and fun factor to the conservative nature of Rolex.

[wjohns]

I was on the waitlist for this watch for just over 18 months. I picked it up 2 days ago and I love it. Here is what I find interesting. When I wear my Milhauss it’s completely under the radar. It gets an occasional bit of recognition but not much. My Tag Monaco on the other hand gets comments all the time. I blame that one scene from Breaking Bad on that. People notice my Tudor Heritage Chrono, but hardly anyone comments on it. Now… 2 days in with the Air-King and I’ve had multiple people tell me that they love the look of it. I was always drawn to the design, I love the quirky nature of it, and the fact that it does feel different from your traditional Rolex designs. It’s the same feeling I had about those brightly colored Oysters, especially the yellow, green, and orange hues. The Air-King might feel a bit busy or odd to some, but I personally feel it’s like art or music. You like what you like. I wouldn’t change anything about the design of this watch, and if Rolex had done a better job of marketing and advertising it, I think everyone would have a different opinion. I’m going to ruffle some feathers here, but I personally think the Daytona is ugly and overhyped. Is it popular because Paul Newman wore them? People buy the Daytona not for the design, but because Rolex made it an icon through strategic targeted advertising. They turned it into a status symbol. Like most dive watches never go that deep in the ocean, the Daytona doesn’t see that much time at the race track.

[oysterman]

I think it will be a future style icon. It may not seem so now but in 10, 20, 50 years from now people will be looking back to the Air King as an avante garde classic piece of modernism in art. It may have the same cause and effect appeal as the Daytona has today. The unpopularity of it today could make it a future collectible. As somebody once quoted, Rolex know what we like before we know it. Consequently I believe, just like other previously unloved Rolex models, namely the Hulk and the Kermit, tastes of collectors in the future will change and they will embrace these quirky unique designs.
As for the names of the original series of Air-Lion, Air-Tiger and Air-King, these names reflect the watch's correlation to the military units or WW2 fighter planes. After all there was a famous American squadron called the Flying Tigers and a fighter plane called a Kingcobra. So an aviators watch incorporating these namesakes makes sense. Also it was mentioned in this review that the Air King doesn't have a clear identity in the Rolex catalogue compared to it's siblings. Well this argument relies heavily on the marketing. If Rolex better presented this watch tied to it's military heritage and the romance of WW2 aviation on similar strategy as the IWC MK series, then I think the public perception of this weird watch would be completely different. Take for example the Explorer. The current design of that watch bears no resemblance to the original Oyster Perpetual used on the Everest expedition, yet somehow it is anchored to one of the most significant achievements in mankind's history. It's all because of marketing. Ironically, that's what makes the Air-King so cool and unique. It's because it flies under the radar of social media hype and the obscure history behind the watch is only reserved for those who appreciate it and take the time to dig a little deeper.

[MeestroDavid]

I kinda love this one because the dial looks like a speedometer from a 90s sports car in a subtle way that auto-themed watches never get right. But the lollipop hour hand and the giant 3 6 9 are still a bit gaudy. Overall, I prefer your redesign to what's out there.