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Categories Casual Oyster, Vintage Watches Tags Automatic, Rolex, 5500, 1966, Leather strap, 34 mm, UT logo, Air King, United Transporting logo

Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 with UT logo

In an era when achievements were celebrated with timeless gifts, the United Transporting logo on this Rolex Air-King tells a unique story. Back then, Rolex watches were awarded for milestones such as “10 years of safe driving,” making this 1966 piece not just a timepiece, but a testament to dedication and excellence. This practice, though rare today, adds an invaluable layer of history and meaning to the watch.

The Rolex Air-King was introduced in 1945, and designed specifically for pilots. While the GMT-Master is renowned as the quintessential pilot’s watch, the Air-King served a different purpose. It was often given to pilots as a token of appreciation upon retirement or after completing significant challenges. Over the years, the Air-King has evolved, but its simplicity and elegance have always remained its most charming features.

The 1966 Air-King we are offering showcases the cleanest composition imaginable. Its silver-coloured dial perfectly complements the stainless steel case and bracelet, creating a timeless and uniform appearance. The smooth domed bezel, more modest compared to a fluted one, adds to the watch’s understated elegance.

At AWCO, we have a deep appreciation for watches with stories. This Air-King, with its United Transporting logo, is not just a watch; it’s a piece of history. It reflects a time when significant achievements were celebrated with a Rolex, a practice that has since faded. Times have indeed changed, but the allure and value of a well-crafted Rolex endure.

We invite you to visit our store to see this remarkable 1966 Rolex Air-King in person and explore other fine watches, each with its unique story. Embrace the timeless elegance and rich heritage that come with every Rolex, and own a piece of history.

Year

1966
Categories Casual Oyster, Vintage Watches Tags Automatic, Rolex, 5500, 1966, Leather strap, 34 mm, UT logo, Air King, United Transporting logo

€ 5.500

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  • Details
  • Backstory
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Brand Rolex
Diameter 34 mm
Model Air-King
Bracelet/strap: Leather
Reference 5500
Buckle/clasp Aftermarket steel
Year of production (circa) 1966
Lug Width 19 mm
Material Steel
Set Content Watch only
Crystal Acrylic
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Dial color Silver
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.

Dear Watch enthusiast,

Watches can only be order online within the EU.

Please contact us if you live outside the EU.

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Reestraat 3
1016 DM Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 389 27 89
Whatsapp +31 639 272 263
info@awco.nl
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1914 – 1918
1920 – 1931
1935 – 1940
1940 – 1945
ca. 1950
ca. 1955
1960 – 1969
ca. 1970
1914 – 1918

The first wristwatch

About era 1914-1918

Before 1900 men wore a pocket watch, for the ladies there were smaller variations that could be worn around the wrist. These so-called ‘wristlets’ were still thick and clumsy and therefore were worn primarily as jewelry. Yet, it was these ladies watches that have formed the fundaments for the modern wristwatch.

From our collection

The great war meant that pocket watches were taken out of the pocket and put onto the wrist of soldiers. A gentleman’s tool for timekeeping had become part of a soldiers equipment and this meant the beginning of what we know today as wrist watches. However, we still have an original and beautiful Omega pocket watch from before the war.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
1920 – 1931

Roaring Twenties

About era 1921-1931

Apart from cultural and political change, wristwatches were developing as well. One development which might’ve had the most impact on the worldwide watch industry is one of the self-winding movement for wristwatches. In 1923, a watch repairer from Bolton by the name of John Harwood developed a wristwatch winding up its own spring through the kinetic energy produced by the movement of the wrist.

From our collection

Reutter Clock from 1931: The fundaments of perpetual movements. The new automatic wristwatches got their power from the kinetic force by the movement of the wrist, this clock, however, got its power by changes in the atmosphere. Jean-Leon Reutter created a movement with so little resistance, powered by the change in temperature so it could run infinitely without even being moved or touched.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
1935 – 1940

Aviation and sports

About era 1935-1940

Sports and the Olympics were things that gave a whole country some joy and pride in these difficult times. The 1930s were also perhaps the most important years in the development of aviation. Aviation and sports have always been two activities which are inseparable with time and the measurement of time. This led to the development of sports watches by many brands in the 1930s.

From our collection

Rolex ref. 2917: In a time when chronograph wristwatches were upcoming Rolex decided to partake in this development, only slightly different than the rest… A chronograph watch with an Art-Deco design; a stainless steel case with stepped lugs and oval pushers. Rumour has it that less than 30 pieces were produced.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story

READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
1940 – 1945

World War II

About era 1940-1945

The great depression had only just ended when the world took a leap back in time with the start of the Second World War in 1939. Where sport and development dominated the watch industry in the 1930s, the focus shifted completely to producing military watches between 1940 and 1945.

From our collection

Cyma ‘Dirty Dozen’: During world war II there was no desire for sports watches since most men were in conscription and national economies transformed to war economies. National armies did have a desire for wristwatches though; they had to be easily legible, stainless steel, waterproof and precise. 12 brands jointly.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
ca. 1950

The tool watch

About era ca. 1950

The 1950s were times of exploring the world. This mindset of people pushing all boundaries was an inspiration for the watch manufacturers. Utility and looks became more and more important in the 50s since the competition among watch manufacturers became more fierce. These years meant the beginning of ‘Tool-watches’.

From our collection

An old Omega pocket watch in 18k yellow gold from 1914.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
ca. 1955

The formal dress code

About era ca. 1955

Hope and hard work for a better world were paying off. 1955 and the era after meant the return of iconic designer brands and tailoring houses in fashion. Economies were doing well again and men were dressing up for their jobs. The formal dress code meant tailored suits, shoes such as oxfords or loafers and an outfit finished with a stylish dress watch.

From our collection

This beautiful ‘Albino’ watch from Omega on original metal strap dates from the late fifties. This was also the period that the chip was invented but in this case, we keep it mechanical.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
1960 – 1969

The Space Age

About era 1960-1969

In the 1950s the development of atomic weapons was the primary goal for both countries and when they knew they had both developed bombs they would never want to use, the focus of the cold war shifted towards space. The outer space was still unknown territory and at that time, successfully performing manned space missions was the biggest challenge imaginable, and so the ‘Space Race’ started.

From our collection

In this world with a huge variety of Omega Speedmasters, this is definitely one of the most valued ones out there. This watch has gotten a nickname because this watch was the very first watch in space. NASA planned a manned space-mission in 1965, one of the astronauts on that space shuttle was a man named Ed White.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
ca. 1970

The Seventies Quartz

About era ca. 1970

The seventies had something new in store for the world, quartz watches…The development of quartz watches began already in the 1960s in Switzerland but really took off a decade later. In the early seventies, some Swiss watch brands had their first models with quartz movements on the market and their accuracy was unrivaled since these type of watches are not mechanical. The competition among watch manufacturers became more fierce

From our collection

The Heuer Autavia with reference 1163 was produced from 1969 to 1972. The competition among watch brands in the 1970s became more fierce, many brands developed broader collections with new models, funky colors and sporty looks. The price for sports watches became more important as well when quartz watches became available.

Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
Would you like to know more about this era and their watches? Read the full blog story
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ERA
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