With its 40 mm case in Oystersteel, solid-link Oyster bracelet, and distinctive black dial, the Air-King perpetuates the aeronautical heritage of the original Rolex Oyster.
Distinctive
black dial
The name “Air-King” has featured on the dial since its launch in 1958, in lettering that makes the model immediately recognizable.
Since 2016, the Air-King has had a distinctive black dial with a combination of large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minutes scale for optimal navigational time readings.
Since 2022, the watch’s display is perfectly balanced and offers enhanced legibility, thanks to the addition of a “0” before the “5” on the minutes scale.
Bracelets and clasps
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The Air-King is fitted with an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.
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The Oyster bracelet on this watch features the Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening.
- Chromalight display
The Air-King offers great legibility in all circumstances, even in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock are filled or coated with a luminescent material that provides a longer-lasting intense glow. Since 2022, the 3, 6 and 9 numerals, which were previously made entirely from 18 kt white gold, are also visible in the dark thanks to this innovative material, which is exclusive to Rolex.
Oyster case
A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case of the Air-King is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy.
The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case.
The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.
Calibre 3230
A superlative movement
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The Air-King is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2020 and is fitted on this model from 2022. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.