Widely regarded as one of the more underappreciated Rolex watches, the Rolex Air-King initially came to market in 1946 along with the Datejust mentioned above.
Originally released as a tribute to the Royal Air Force pilots of World War II, the Air-King is the only model that remains in production from the Rolex “Air” series, which also included the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant. In fact, the Air-King itself was discontinued for some years, before a revamped model was unveiled at Baselworld 2016.
In a nod to the now vintage Air-King models, the dial bears the name “Air-King” in the same fashion as it was seen in the 1950s, a move that is sure to delight Rolex aficionados.
The timeless appeal and attractive price point are what makes the Air-King a popular choice for many first-time Rolex customers, and it has certainly been welcomed back to the brand’s current lineup with open arms.