Rolex

The Rolex Air King 116 900 is not a strange watch, it is a strange Rolex. When it was unveiled, at the 2016 Basel Fair, it generated some strong comments: " The dial is too messy " was one of the comments we could most often read. It is not every day you ...  

Hi Nicolas It's a shame as you say there isn't much lume. By the way, don't loose this one, the screw next to the bracelet looks like it's not screwed in properly. Enjoy it Tim

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Well done! I felt as you did when I saw this watch at Basel 2016; "wow, Rolex shows daring with this one!" Being willing to offend some, Rolex proved that it's able to show a smile. The color, the character, the soulful historic nods, the provocative scat... 

But can always learn on our Forum!

Look so good on your wrist.

It is a very interesting review. I like your point of view and the details. It shifted my interest I honestly think once reading your review people would go for Air King vs Milgauss.

Uniquely different position

Definitely learned some new things, too

But that wristshot is quite compelling, I must say. And it sits really well on your wrist. I don’t think it will kill the Milgauss. That lightning bolt is a small detail that differentiates in a big way. Now, if they can shave a mm or two from the case th... 

From you historical line up we can see that this version is the true Air King, a pilots watch. Is it a killer for the Milgauss? Price wise surely but apart from that the Air King is quite similar to the Milgauss, but purists might be put off by the polish... 

... as an update of this Air King in a future Basel World, considering that the Explorer has got the same luminous 3,6 and 9 already. One more thing: Rolex has cleverly priced the Oyster Perpetual, on the picture below, lower than the Air King. The model ...  

but I’m slowly changing my mind. The look on your wrist is very good; the size being perfect for you. I still don’t like the big, shiny 3, 6 and 9 numerals and I would have liked more lume on the dial. The green and yellow accents are attractive and I’m g... 

makes our forum the place of excellence, that gives so much enjoyment. Thank you.

The colors and different textures, along with the wrist feel, make this one a real winner in my book. A very ‘exclusive’ Rolex in spite of the price point.

And I have to say it looks really good on your wrist. I think you have a good point about the lume though. Or they could have used the lume filled numbers like they do on the Explorer 1. I have to doubt if it will knock the Milgauss out though. Particular... 

supereb review ala walt odets👌🏻 Thank you.

A nice review of a modern Air King signalling its design from the past. You're right more lume at the 5 minute indicators would have been a good idea, but its a very well proportioned watch with a unique Rolex dial. Best,

which is, as far as I know, also a novelty: the Rolex Coronet on the clasp of the Air King. It is imprinted (see picture), or is that also done on other models...? ...  

... the 3-6-9 numerals. That would enhance its pilot´s watch spirit indeed. I personally don´t think it will kill the Milgauss. By the way: does this new AK share the same 40 mm case of the Milgauss? I view these watches as different things and both attra... 

Thanks, Brian

Thank you for posting this - I learnt a lot from your review and the history behind the watch! Definitely an interesting one from Rolex, and I'm still not sure if I will like it more than the Milgauss, but I'm still waiting to be able to see this in the m... 

Enjoy your watch!

Thank you for the insightful review! The Air King is indeed a very interesting and unjustly underappreciated Rolex. Moreover I agree with your forecast: it's a serious candidate to future-classic status!