Rolex Air King Vintage Reference 5500

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Rolex air king vintage reference 5500. A review of the rolex air king 5500 and the rolex explorer 1016. Rolex air king steel silver dial mens 34mm watch box papers 114200 dominos ed. The reference 5500 is a continuation of the air king name that rolex first introduced with the reference 4925 in the 1940s alongside names like air giant air lion and air tiger that flamed out. So today we take a closer look at the explorer ref.
We have a review today that dates back to the 1970s. Rolex vintage air king with pink gold arabic numerals ref. For our in depth article on the vintage air king read for your reference. Rolex air king watches are highly desirable luxury timepieces.
The air king epitomizes rolex s privileged ties with the world of aviation during its golden age in the 1930s. Rolex had originally introduced the air king as a variation of the oyster perpetual intended to honor raf pilots who served during world war ii. 1963 rolex air king advertisement pictured above. The 6552 introduced in 1953 can be considered a transitional model to the 5500 as they appear very similar.
Just to get this out of the way upfront both of these watches are vintage masterpieces. 5500 with an explorer dial for about a decade. Rolex vintage air king with pink gold arabic numerals ref. But as an entry level rolex the air king continues.
Calling all watch lovers and collectors of all things antique. It was a period when spectacular progress in aircraft performance constantly expanded humanity s capacity to conquer the skies and led to the introduction of long distance flights. Much like the rolex explorer we wrote about recently the rolex air king is often forgotten among more popular rolex collections such as the submariner daytona or even the datejust released the same year as the air king. Rolex continuously issued new reference numbers as they refined the air king line.
Authenticity guaranteed for high dollar purchases. 5500 is technically an air king rolex also simultaneously offered the ref. Rolex air king reference 5500. As a testament to its rock solid reliability and timeless good looks the reference 5500 air king remained in production for 37 years and stayed largely unchanged the entire time.