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Rolex Air-King Ref.5500

This Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 is one of those vintage Rolex watches that proves how charming simcan be. Dating to 1973 and measuring 34 mm, it has the clean, compact proportions that made the Air-King such a long-standing favourite within the Oyster Perpetual family.

Here at AWCO we think the blue dial is what gives this piece its quiet magic. The colour changes beautifully with the light while still keeping the watch very understated. Applied baton hour markers, slim hands and the simple “Precision” text at six keep the layout wonderfully clean. No date, no fuss, just a very honest Rolex dial with a lot of charm

The stainless steel Oyster case is paired with an acrylic crystal, giving the watch that soft vintage profile from the side. The smooth bezel and straight-forward case shape make it feel easy and wearable, while the steel bracelet with original steel buckle completes the classic everyday Rolex look.

The Air-King has always occupied a slightly different place in the Rolex world. Its roots are tied to the brand’s aviation-inspired watches of the 1940s, but the model itself became loved for something more subtle: a simple, reliable and beautifully balanced Oyster Perpetual. The Ref. 5500 is the key vintage Air-King reference, introduced in 1957 and produced for decades, which says a lot about how right the design was from the start.

Inside is an automatic Rolex movement, in keeping with the practical character of the watch. A blue-dial Air-King 5500 like this feels especially nice: discreet in size, rich in colour and very easy to wear.

A clean vintage Rolex with a beautiful blue dial and all the quiet confidence you could want from an Air-King. Understated, charming and full of everyday appeal. Come see it for yourself at Reestraat 3, Amsterdam.

Year

1973
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€ 5.450

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Brand Rolex
Diameter 34 mm
Model Airking
Bracelet/strap: Steel
Reference 5500
Buckle/clasp Original steel buckle
Year of production (circa) 1973
Lug Width 18 mm
Material Steel
Set Content Watch only
Crystal Acrylic
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Dial color Blue
Movement Automatic

Rolex is well known for its watches aimed at specific professionals. As such, it is no wonder that the house has a long history in specialist pilot’s watches. From the 1930’s onwards, several variations of the Oyster Perpetual bubble-back were made with names like Air-Lion, Air-Giant and Air-Tiger. These were commonly bought by RAF pilots during WWII, as an upgrade to their issued watches.

In 1945, a single pilot’s line was launched to replace all of these predecessors: The Rolex Air-King.

Interestingly, the Air-King does not feature too many true aviation features. The archetypal pilot’s watch is big, with a matte black dial and white numerals and preferably a soft iron cage to protect from magnetism. The older Air-Kings have none of that. It is, however, a beautiful and versatile line of watches that is worth considering.

The most popular vintage Air-King is undoubtedly the Ref. 5500. A dual-reference that was also assigned to an Explorer model. To complicate things further, the Ref. 5500 was identical to the Ref. 1002 Oyster Perpetual, except for the dial. The Ref. 5500 was introduced in 1957 and lasted a whopping 37 years, making it the longest-running Rolex reference ever.

Rolex discontinued the Air-King in 2014, only to bring it back in 2016 with the Ref. 116900. A bit of an odd duck in the collection, with its busy dial with yellow and green details. It is, however, a fan favorite in the modern lineup, together with the equally quirky Milgauss.

At AWCo we put the safety of our shipments upfront at all times. Therefore, we ship all our packages insured.

We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.

Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.