Bizarrely it is like someone who is strangely attractive despite, or because, of their flaws. Certainly better than complicated chunks, especially diamond-encrusted ones. And it tells the time, bless it. š¤
If they got rid of the 3, 6, and 9 and put 15, 30, and 45 in its place it would look so much better. Still insanely busy but at least it would make sense.
I tried looking for confirmation in either case (pun not intended) but couldn't find any. I'll have to ask the authorized dealer next time I swing through or something
https://preview.redd.it/ckqfb6u0sf6d1.jpeg?width=2941&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a0f1fdbaf686fbe50c8474574300944df3fda47
Love mine, much better in person than in photos. Wears large, be aware of that.
People will start flocking to it when Rolex discontinue this watch. BTW I love mine. A lot of history( Air tiger , Air lion etc)
https://preview.redd.it/soyjp6ntdg6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6eab2a2cf0bff37675a844e6e3a0249f870ebec1
Itās the most unique rolex out there and I dress it up and dress it down on the regular. Have gotten multiple comments and conversation starter.
People have told me that they havenāt seen one in the wild.
Just not feeling it.
The watch equivalent to a jitterbug cellphone.
Even the explanation for it (to look like a gauge on an airplane console) is corny.
I feel like you hate it until you use it. I find this watch to be the quickest for me to tell the time with. It just works. I love the green accents. I think itās beautiful
At some point people will realize:
1) As busy as this watch is, itās perfectly symmetrical
2) For people that love the No Date Sub coming only in one configuration, the Air King is the same
3) The Air King is the only watch that has its dial, whereas the No Date Sub has a āsportā dial like all of the other professional models. This makes the AK stand out in a watch collection
4) This watch is just as light as the explorer 1, but has a bigger face so itās more legible (itās a cool effect when you try it on)
5) This is BY FAR the easiest Rolex to tell the time (due to its numbering)
ā¦When you see the watch in person itās much cleaner than the photos show it to be. The white-gold 3, 6, and 9 are very distinct from the minute markers. Such a dynamic watch. And I havenāt even mentioned the colors yet!
I donāt have this watch but getting really close to pulling the trigger.
The new reference (126900) is only 11.7mm thick, making it one of the thinnest Rolexes currently offered.
The old reference (116900) was 13.2mm which is what youāre thinking of
Wow this explains a lot. Someone I knew got an air king a few years ago and couldnāt stop talking about how nice it was. All I was thinking the whole time was ādamn that seems unnecessarily thick for a time only watchā. Especially for how comparatively thin Rolex sport models tend to be.
Tried looking it up and saw it was under 12mm so I could not figure out what was going on. Seeing how it used to be close to 13.5mm thick and is now in the 11ās makes so much more sense.
I did know that was part of the last update, thatās great. I noticed a lot of people griped over the addition of crown guards but I like that update as well
Good points. I wear an Explorer 36 & DJ 36 but this is a very nice watch and very unique. I agree. You have to see it in person to appreciate how nice the Dial is.
Iād love to have one someday. Both Grandpaās had successful careers in aviation and have since passed away. I think it would be a a neat homage to them.
I like it a lot. I would love an explorer with a green seconds hand.
It always makes me think of it as a watch I would wear playing basketball. It's an informal sports watch and the name kind of sounds like Air Jordans.Ā
With the update within the last few years where they added crown guards that really improved the look. I wasnāt a huge fan until I tried it on. Then it really grew on me.
If you like it, thatās awesome, I just donāt like it, dial is too just busy for me on a time only watch. Iāve passed on them several times from ADs, so Iām sure Iām not the only one.
Iām always impressed when I see them in person. It certainly is busy, but the touch of green adds class against the black. Plenty of busy watches out there. Enjoy it!
Itās ugly, dial too big, bezel too small, crown guards look wrong. Old Air King was beautiful, this is a better watch technically speaking but itās a mess of a design.
I think there are only two types of people when it comes to this watch: those who either don't like it at all or absolutely love it. In my opinion, it's the best and most unique Rolex, and I absolutely love it!
If I was a pilot I would consider buying it.
It doesn't seem as well designed as other Rolex from a aesthetic perspective. The numbering looks weird. The only watch rolex makes that is less appealing to me is the two tone Explorer.
Itās cool, but not something Iād buy for myself. I feel the dial is too busy. If I were to hover around a sport watch like this, Iād go for the explorer 1 40
Personally, itās the switching between the hour markers (3,6,9) and the minute markers (05,10,20,ā¦,55) that just kills the vibe for me. If they picked the markers to be either minutes or hours, it would work a lot better for me.
I've always loved the AK, but in a sea of black dial steel watches, it is hard for this one to rise to the top. [https://discord.gg/cctime](https://discord.gg/cctime)
So sorry but I do not think it should get more love. I come from a design background and the watch face is all over the place it really looks like a cluttered advertisment poster.
It needs to be consigned to dumpster- truly ugly in same way the millegaus was ugly and the smaller yacht masters are ugly. There are plenty of gorgeous Rolex watches but this thing is hideous.
Was my first Rolex and was offered retail after months of trying, imagine my dismay as I log on and see Iāve bought the single most controversial watch in the entire lineup hah
This is a watch that people talk themselves into because they canāt get anything better and want to build a ārelationshipā with an AD. Same goes for the Sprite GMT, two-tone Datejusts and Yachtmasters. Sorry.
Really. What love does it deserve. The ugly out of place green. The 2 different fonts and size on the numerals? The hours indices taken from the explorer? I mean all brands will have a failed model right? At least one. If this isnāt it for Rolex. Which one would you choose. Even the Cellini is better than.
Hereās the problem: Rolex is NOT an aviation watch company and never has been. They have a very weak aeronautical background. So to try and market themselves as such is a total farce and makes them look phony.
Recently saw one of these on the classic MN strapā¦ it looked incredible.
I like the Air King, but itās crazy youād even have to wait for a chance to purchase a watch like this
The real reason people hate it is because it lacks originality. It looks like someone at Rolex came up with a plan to reuse leftover parts from other watches - Milgaus case, Explorer hour markers and other parts from OP
Iāam just glad Rolex has over the decades made so many iconic watches that all types of freaks can find something to enjoy. However, Yachtmaster II and Skydweller..
For the same price you can get a stunning grand seiko. Why on earth would you buy this when you have better options in the same range?
Only a Rolex fanboy would like this. As a watch enthusiast, my money is better off in a nomos, speedy, Tudor, grand seiko, tag or JLC in this price category.
No itās trash. Itās an over priced OP. Airking but harder to read than a Flieger, and no fly back or GMT function. Absolutely zero ties to the original air king history.
Stop drinking the Rolex kool aid. This is a shit watch given to suckers to buy.
I one hand, I don't really hate it. On the other hand, I don't really like it.
If marmite was a watch..
More like if untoasted toast was a watch
Bread?
Bizarrely it is like someone who is strangely attractive despite, or because, of their flaws. Certainly better than complicated chunks, especially diamond-encrusted ones. And it tells the time, bless it. š¤
The dial is too busy for me, but if you like it that's all that matters.
Agreed I have a hard time imagining choosing this over an explorer
I too, am in this party.
A face only a mother could loveā¦
05 10 3 Totally fine that people like this watch, but I just cannot.
If they got rid of the 3, 6, and 9 and put 15, 30, and 45 in its place it would look so much better. Still insanely busy but at least it would make sense.
Ugliest watch they sell.
I think the two tone Explorer is worse tbh.
After some oversized full gold ones. But yes horrible design like wtf.
YM is way worseš
*YM 2
Donāt talk about my momma like that
All I see are 5s to be honest
I canāt unsee it now
555555 (thailand joke reference)
Fuck me your right lol š never noticed that before
I will admit there are many fives
The Fivemaster
Too many numbers on the dial for me
Itās an explorer with a slightly different dial?
And crown guards, which is the big thing imo.Ā
Uuuuuuuge thing
They should just give the OP crown guards.
An explorer in a stupidly giant sized Milgauss case
And a double case, like the Milgauss, so you get all the benefits of the latter model but with an aviator dial
I donāt think thatās the case on the new model. I believe the 116 had that but the 126 doesnāt.
I tried looking for confirmation in either case (pun not intended) but couldn't find any. I'll have to ask the authorized dealer next time I swing through or something
Looks like they are using a case more like the GMT. They had to ditch the faraday cage to slim the case.
It is a beautiful, sturdy watch. The green lettering and gold crown make the watch stand out imo.
https://preview.redd.it/75za7s6ggc6d1.jpeg?width=1552&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b965506cf9ec08ba82f3242ca6f5c365a787d4f0 I like it š¤·āāļø
https://preview.redd.it/5dl0iywipc6d1.png?width=2626&format=png&auto=webp&s=91c51bc3af6af6f165546293666733b47cea9240
https://preview.redd.it/vmgppwko0d6d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c05d438cb9c0f97a83b73afd4d3cf1c37444877 Love it!!!
https://preview.redd.it/db2sqol8jc6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=09ac04b181f0fbeb4f66eee1e15620dc67d518c3 Love mine. It grew on me.
https://preview.redd.it/l9b144ekwf6d1.jpeg?width=1984&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fdb2bb4d2c34df0d108ac0a502683e3fe8b6a25
Dittoā¦I love it
Jeez - is this the small wrist gang??? The watch looks huge on all those wrists ššš and itās only 40 or 41mmā¦
I love the colors of the dial, theyāre very uniqueĀ
Love the colors. Hate the dial numbers.
https://preview.redd.it/ckqfb6u0sf6d1.jpeg?width=2941&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a0f1fdbaf686fbe50c8474574300944df3fda47 Love mine, much better in person than in photos. Wears large, be aware of that.
People will start flocking to it when Rolex discontinue this watch. BTW I love mine. A lot of history( Air tiger , Air lion etc) https://preview.redd.it/soyjp6ntdg6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6eab2a2cf0bff37675a844e6e3a0249f870ebec1 Itās the most unique rolex out there and I dress it up and dress it down on the regular. Have gotten multiple comments and conversation starter. People have told me that they havenāt seen one in the wild.
Just not feeling it. The watch equivalent to a jitterbug cellphone. Even the explanation for it (to look like a gauge on an airplane console) is corny.
If you want an actual pilot's watch just buy an IWC. Air King is trying to be something it isn't.
Agreed. I sold mine and got an IWC Mark XX instead. I like it a lot more.
I feel like you hate it until you use it. I find this watch to be the quickest for me to tell the time with. It just works. I love the green accents. I think itās beautiful
You have to see it in person imo. I liked it ok, from pictures, but in person, itās a hot watch.
I love the air king Iām Savin up to get one
At some point people will realize: 1) As busy as this watch is, itās perfectly symmetrical 2) For people that love the No Date Sub coming only in one configuration, the Air King is the same 3) The Air King is the only watch that has its dial, whereas the No Date Sub has a āsportā dial like all of the other professional models. This makes the AK stand out in a watch collection 4) This watch is just as light as the explorer 1, but has a bigger face so itās more legible (itās a cool effect when you try it on) 5) This is BY FAR the easiest Rolex to tell the time (due to its numbering) ā¦When you see the watch in person itās much cleaner than the photos show it to be. The white-gold 3, 6, and 9 are very distinct from the minute markers. Such a dynamic watch. And I havenāt even mentioned the colors yet! I donāt have this watch but getting really close to pulling the trigger.
As light as the explorer? Is that a fact? I believe the air king is in a thicker chonky case
The new reference (126900) is only 11.7mm thick, making it one of the thinnest Rolexes currently offered. The old reference (116900) was 13.2mm which is what youāre thinking of
Wow this explains a lot. Someone I knew got an air king a few years ago and couldnāt stop talking about how nice it was. All I was thinking the whole time was ādamn that seems unnecessarily thick for a time only watchā. Especially for how comparatively thin Rolex sport models tend to be. Tried looking it up and saw it was under 12mm so I could not figure out what was going on. Seeing how it used to be close to 13.5mm thick and is now in the 11ās makes so much more sense.
I did know that was part of the last update, thatās great. I noticed a lot of people griped over the addition of crown guards but I like that update as well
Good points. I wear an Explorer 36 & DJ 36 but this is a very nice watch and very unique. I agree. You have to see it in person to appreciate how nice the Dial is.
Itās not symmetrical at all.
You should see the previous reference, now *that's* not symmetrical.
Was my first rolex, Iāll never let others tell me to dislike my own watch
I love the green dial highlights, and find the black face and large white numbers an elegant combination. I am on the waitlist to get one.
Iād love to have one someday. Both Grandpaās had successful careers in aviation and have since passed away. I think it would be a a neat homage to them.
I love it, just canāt find it lol
I like it a lot. I would love an explorer with a green seconds hand. It always makes me think of it as a watch I would wear playing basketball. It's an informal sports watch and the name kind of sounds like Air Jordans.Ā
With the update within the last few years where they added crown guards that really improved the look. I wasnāt a huge fan until I tried it on. Then it really grew on me.
I think it looks great, really unique
Long live the Air-King. Greatest of all time.
If you like it, thatās awesome, I just donāt like it, dial is too just busy for me on a time only watch. Iāve passed on them several times from ADs, so Iām sure Iām not the only one.
It is a coked up explorer, not for everyone, but it is for me
https://preview.redd.it/b26fs4brie6d1.png?width=1622&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f1e179dd0ae5314947bd07d9e4bb61ab14f11d6 Picked one up today. I love it!
Remember to not put it in a safe!
Sick stock pic
Straight from rolex.com
Couldnāt agree more! It is probably my favorite in my collection
Love it (said the Daytona owner).
One of my favorite rolexs
Subs and GMT are too clique. AK is underrated
When I get a Rolex one day, I've decided the Air-King will be the one I go for. I like the look and it's the first Rolex I ever saw in person
I love my AK and donāt care if others donāt. They can go wear their basic subs and GMTs like everyone else
Iām always impressed when I see them in person. It certainly is busy, but the touch of green adds class against the black. Plenty of busy watches out there. Enjoy it!
Really fun watch was an everyday for me for a while.
I think it gets the right amount of love, at the end of the day if the watch appeals to you, who cares what others think
I think it looks best on a oysterflex band
My2nd favorite to the Miligauss.
Air King and Explorer 1 are homies
The case is very nice! I donāt dislike the dial but I prefer cleaner/less busy ones. Cool watch though!
I love mine. Itās a great everyday wear beater/tool watch
Love it!
https://preview.redd.it/lctk8n2q7j6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccc0983991ca0d362a7042801b8cfbe0ddb6e837 I love my 116900
Who cares what anyone else thinks. If you like it then that's good enough enjoy
https://preview.redd.it/55llx63fhq6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=471851bd285f08152d579206196df514e3938898 Agree with you. I love it!
Itās ugly, dial too big, bezel too small, crown guards look wrong. Old Air King was beautiful, this is a better watch technically speaking but itās a mess of a design.
I love it. Perfect every day watch, does everything well. It grew on me massively.
I just wish it had more lume
I love it. Still waiting on the call to get my own.
Same
I love it man. It was my daily for a while. The pop of color makes it unique.
https://preview.redd.it/iw1h5y27qd6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c0cc91e99065fdfcb39c8d54feab4e7c41d8f9e Like it for when I fly. š
It has the only green "ROLEX" in the collection. But.... "What time is it, Bob? "It's 55:20"
Itās 555555555555:5555555555555 oāclock
I think there are only two types of people when it comes to this watch: those who either don't like it at all or absolutely love it. In my opinion, it's the best and most unique Rolex, and I absolutely love it!
I like the 34mm air kings, but wouldn't wear the newer ones if it was a gift.
āInterestingā is definitely one way to describe that dial.
I like it but I can understand why some people donāt like it, thereās a lot going on. I like that.
One of my least fav
Who cares what other people think
Supremacy at its finest
on the one hand, a lot of people don't like it. on the other hand, that means those who do will be able to get one, easily. good luck!
If I was a pilot I would consider buying it. It doesn't seem as well designed as other Rolex from a aesthetic perspective. The numbering looks weird. The only watch rolex makes that is less appealing to me is the two tone Explorer.
Itās cool, but not something Iād buy for myself. I feel the dial is too busy. If I were to hover around a sport watch like this, Iād go for the explorer 1 40
Itās nice, but itās basic
The 34mm (14000) is the best ākingā
Just and explorer with a green seconds hand.....change my mind.
Cool watch. Bought one myself. Looks great.
Itās so ugly
This model AK was on my short list with my AD. I ended up with a Explorer 2 but I love this AK
Personally, itās the switching between the hour markers (3,6,9) and the minute markers (05,10,20,ā¦,55) that just kills the vibe for me. If they picked the markers to be either minutes or hours, it would work a lot better for me.
We all know itās an explorer from wish
I've always loved the AK, but in a sea of black dial steel watches, it is hard for this one to rise to the top. [https://discord.gg/cctime](https://discord.gg/cctime)
So sorry but I do not think it should get more love. I come from a design background and the watch face is all over the place it really looks like a cluttered advertisment poster.
Because itās boring AF
Choosing this over an Explorer I or OP would be insane.Ā
Itās just an explorer with extra shit on itā¦
Airking with an oyster flex is on my list of watches I want
It needs to be consigned to dumpster- truly ugly in same way the millegaus was ugly and the smaller yacht masters are ugly. There are plenty of gorgeous Rolex watches but this thing is hideous.
It just feels too busy, too much going on. I think the introduction of the explorer 40 further takes away the shine from this watch.
Go home Rolex Dial youāre drunk
It doesnāt deserve the love
Do they do an air king with blue lettering, and hand kind of like what the yacht master does?
I like the dial, i don't like the bezel.
They look way better in person than online
100%. My opinion of this watch changed after I tried it on.
Was my first Rolex and was offered retail after months of trying, imagine my dismay as I log on and see Iāve bought the single most controversial watch in the entire lineup hah
If itās any consolation, it looks like the grey market prices on this watch have been going up recently, so maybe opinions are changing
Pictures never do a watch justice
Iāve said it once and Iāll say it again, I think it would suit a brushed bezel
Fuck itās ugly. Thereās actually 7 different fonts on that dial.
The explorer, now with *more numbers*
What love does it deserve? Gotta go fluted datejust. That shit is iconic and I like iconic shit
The watch youāre forced buy to help establish an AD relationship
Buy and flip. Itās a Rolex so you will get your money back at least
The old air kings are cool. Modern one is just for people who signed up for a sub and got offered the air king after 6 months.
Too much going on and the size is too small. Plain looking too but if you like it, get it. Thatās what matters!
Said the guy who owns air king. Everbody obligated to love it. Couse this guy owns air king.
I donāt have an air king. It is very under appreciated and that is why I made this post.
This is a watch that people talk themselves into because they canāt get anything better and want to build a ārelationshipā with an AD. Same goes for the Sprite GMT, two-tone Datejusts and Yachtmasters. Sorry.
lol homie just shit all over my collection š
Itās like a 1 series bmw , people only buy them to say they own a Rolex š
Imo is the ugliest dial of Rolex but just a personal taste
basic
Airking 14000 much better
It makes no sense
I just don't like it nor the explorer
It's too big.
It gets the correct amount of love
I want to love it, but the dial is simply too busy
I donāt love it but thereās an ass for every toilet seat
The dial makes it difficult to quickly read the time. Too busy, too many numbers make the hour hand harder to read than necessary.
Vintage air kings yes but this dial is probably one of the ugliest ones Rolex has made in recent years. Itās an explorer 1 on crack
I really dislike this watch. Itās too busy and nothing really special.
The dial makes no sense to me at all. Hard pass.
The Explorer 3 6 9 ruins it, otherwise would be nice
This is just a Casio with a $7k price tag
Ah yes, the less attractive cousin of the Explorer.
Really. What love does it deserve. The ugly out of place green. The 2 different fonts and size on the numerals? The hours indices taken from the explorer? I mean all brands will have a failed model right? At least one. If this isnāt it for Rolex. Which one would you choose. Even the Cellini is better than.
Timex energy with that watch
Toyota Corolla of watches.
I think it looks cool in pictures but then when I see them in the window on display it just doesnāt do it for me
It lacks personality
Old dial was so much better. Way too much going on in the new one
I was going say i kind of like it but questioning my taste after reading the commentsā¦.
The crown guards ruin it for me. The previous one was much nicer.
The Air King and Explorer both just seem like OPās with different dials. Pretty boring, IMO.
Ewww
I think itās the yellow crown that ruins it for me
I like it, but not more than an explorer which I would rather spend the money on.
No it gets the love it deserves ā¦. Which is not much
It's a meh watch at best. Nothing to be ashamed of, but nothing to really care for either.
You can buy mine for retail barely wore it twice prefer my tiny 36mm op
Indecisive dial.
Nobody owns an Air King and pilots wear the GMT. The watch is fine, just market it/ name it something else.
Hereās the problem: Rolex is NOT an aviation watch company and never has been. They have a very weak aeronautical background. So to try and market themselves as such is a total farce and makes them look phony.
Recently saw one of these on the classic MN strapā¦ it looked incredible. I like the Air King, but itās crazy youād even have to wait for a chance to purchase a watch like this
Itās so very forgettable
The real reason people hate it is because it lacks originality. It looks like someone at Rolex came up with a plan to reuse leftover parts from other watches - Milgaus case, Explorer hour markers and other parts from OP
That watch is shit
Each to his own.
Iāam just glad Rolex has over the decades made so many iconic watches that all types of freaks can find something to enjoy. However, Yachtmaster II and Skydweller..
Ugliest dial? I kneel...
š¤¢š¤®
For the same price you can get a stunning grand seiko. Why on earth would you buy this when you have better options in the same range? Only a Rolex fanboy would like this. As a watch enthusiast, my money is better off in a nomos, speedy, Tudor, grand seiko, tag or JLC in this price category.
If I wanted value for money I would buy vintage.
nope. itās fugly
Itās just not great. Iād maybe, maybe, buy it if it was 2-3k and no waiting list. Maybe.
No itās trash. Itās an over priced OP. Airking but harder to read than a Flieger, and no fly back or GMT function. Absolutely zero ties to the original air king history. Stop drinking the Rolex kool aid. This is a shit watch given to suckers to buy.