Product Details
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One of Rolex’s oldest and longest running watch models, still in production today, the Air-King.
ROLEX
Oyster Perpetual
Air-King
“Introducing Air-King – The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual.”
A number of “Air” models by Rolex were produced during and immediately after World War II, all created to honor the British Royal Air Force and its pilots. The Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant, and the Air-King were part of the Air watch collection. The Rolex Air-King is the only remaining watch in production from the original “Air” models.
The first Air-King, reference 4925, was introduced in 1945 featuring a 34mm case (considered large at the time), it also was modified a series of times and many variations of dials were used during the running production as well. This model was followed by a few other references, including reference 4499. All these early Air-King models housed manual-wind Hunter movements, making them very similar to other stainless-steel watches in Rolex’s Oyster collection.
Despite the early years of new references and advances, the Air-King began to acquire its own aesthetic with the transitional reference 6652 in 1953, which featured the caliber 1030 ticking inside. This is the reference that introduced the creamy silver dial and stick hour markers that became iconic in the subsequent reference 5500.
Utilizing advances made on the Explorer, the 550X models feature a 34mm case and served as the foundation for what would become the longest-running generation of Air-King watches. The 550X-reference number was also used for certain 34mm Explorer and Oyster Perpetual models, it is most frequently associated with the Air-King and is often considered to be the quintessential Rolex Air-King reference.
Today, we have the honor to present this immaculate timepiece, it is a Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King automatic wristwatch, reference 5501 and dated from 1970.
The first waterproof watch case Rolex made was the “Oyster” – And “Perpetual” refers to the perpetually winding rotor inside every Rolex watch.
This is a self-winding watch powered by an original Montres Rolex S.A. automatic movement caliber Rolex 1520 (centered on the same architecture as the cal. 1530 and shared an identical base plate), 17 jewels, sweep second, unadjusted, Geneva - Swiss made.
“The Perpetual ‘rotor’ self-winding mechanism automatically keeps the watch fully wound. This ensures an even tension on the mainspring and gives the movement a constant accuracy unattainable in a handwound watch. The result is a timepiece supreme, meticulously accurate and hand-finished by Rolex craftsmen to an ideal of practical elegance that makes its ownership a matter of envy.”
In LOVELY condition, this watch still has the original creamy silver dial featuring gold stick hour markers, luminous dots, black minute/second track, gold/luminous matching hands. The dial is signed with the Rolex name and the always popular Rolex Crown logo, also Oyster Perpetual and Air-King.
Classic and elegant, this is a dress watch cased in a 34mm round stainless-steel case with fixed engine turn 14K yellow solid gold bezel. Original Rolex signed crown and the traditional oyster Rolex case back.
“The famous ‘Oyster’ Case of this latest example of the watch maker’s art permanently safeguards the intricate movement from the intrusion of dust, humidity, perspiration, or water.”
It comes with a new-old-stock brown Genuine Lizard made in Italy two-piece strap.
This watch is lovely condition. Runs very well and keeps great time!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any question, or respectful offers.
Movement:
Montres ROLEX S.A.
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Geneva Swiss
Unadjusted
Cal. 1520
Case Markings:
Montres Rolex S.A.
Geneva Switzerland Patented
Stainless Steel
1005
Registered Design
5501
Stainless Steel
2296945
Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 34
Case Diameter w/Crown 37
Case Lug to Lug 39.5
Case Thickness 12
Lug Width 19
Band Width 19
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-3505
ROLEX
Oyster Perpetual
Air-King
“Introducing Air-King – The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual.”
A number of “Air” models by Rolex were produced during and immediately after World War II, all created to honor the British Royal Air Force and its pilots. The Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant, and the Air-King were part of the Air watch collection. The Rolex Air-King is the only remaining watch in production from the original “Air” models.
The first Air-King, reference 4925, was introduced in 1945 featuring a 34mm case (considered large at the time), it also was modified a series of times and many variations of dials were used during the running production as well. This model was followed by a few other references, including reference 4499. All these early Air-King models housed manual-wind Hunter movements, making them very similar to other stainless-steel watches in Rolex’s Oyster collection.
Despite the early years of new references and advances, the Air-King began to acquire its own aesthetic with the transitional reference 6652 in 1953, which featured the caliber 1030 ticking inside. This is the reference that introduced the creamy silver dial and stick hour markers that became iconic in the subsequent reference 5500.
Utilizing advances made on the Explorer, the 550X models feature a 34mm case and served as the foundation for what would become the longest-running generation of Air-King watches. The 550X-reference number was also used for certain 34mm Explorer and Oyster Perpetual models, it is most frequently associated with the Air-King and is often considered to be the quintessential Rolex Air-King reference.
Today, we have the honor to present this immaculate timepiece, it is a Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King automatic wristwatch, reference 5501 and dated from 1970.
The first waterproof watch case Rolex made was the “Oyster” – And “Perpetual” refers to the perpetually winding rotor inside every Rolex watch.
This is a self-winding watch powered by an original Montres Rolex S.A. automatic movement caliber Rolex 1520 (centered on the same architecture as the cal. 1530 and shared an identical base plate), 17 jewels, sweep second, unadjusted, Geneva - Swiss made.
“The Perpetual ‘rotor’ self-winding mechanism automatically keeps the watch fully wound. This ensures an even tension on the mainspring and gives the movement a constant accuracy unattainable in a handwound watch. The result is a timepiece supreme, meticulously accurate and hand-finished by Rolex craftsmen to an ideal of practical elegance that makes its ownership a matter of envy.”
In LOVELY condition, this watch still has the original creamy silver dial featuring gold stick hour markers, luminous dots, black minute/second track, gold/luminous matching hands. The dial is signed with the Rolex name and the always popular Rolex Crown logo, also Oyster Perpetual and Air-King.
Classic and elegant, this is a dress watch cased in a 34mm round stainless-steel case with fixed engine turn 14K yellow solid gold bezel. Original Rolex signed crown and the traditional oyster Rolex case back.
“The famous ‘Oyster’ Case of this latest example of the watch maker’s art permanently safeguards the intricate movement from the intrusion of dust, humidity, perspiration, or water.”
It comes with a new-old-stock brown Genuine Lizard made in Italy two-piece strap.
This watch is lovely condition. Runs very well and keeps great time!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any question, or respectful offers.
Movement:
Montres ROLEX S.A.
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Geneva Swiss
Unadjusted
Cal. 1520
Case Markings:
Montres Rolex S.A.
Geneva Switzerland Patented
Stainless Steel
1005
Registered Design
5501
Stainless Steel
2296945
Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 34
Case Diameter w/Crown 37
Case Lug to Lug 39.5
Case Thickness 12
Lug Width 19
Band Width 19
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-3505
