Rolex Steel Air King Charcoal Dial Circa 1969

Name: Rolex Steel Air King Charcoal Dial Circa 1969
Brand: Rolex
Price: 4800 USD

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 41mm X Diameter 35mm CIRCA: 1969 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1520 DIAL / HANDS: Charcoal with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator 19mm / Full Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a classic and iconic model for Rolex. The Air King is a great looking and simple perpetual winding watch. Fitted with a leather strap it works well as a casual or sport style watch. But we can supply it with an extra strap in Black Alligator for a more dressy look. This watch is running, in excellent condition and it still has a factory rating on it. If you know someone turning 49 or 50 soon this might be the perfect gift for them. In addition, it fits a man or woman, so it can be shared.

Creator:

Rolex

Place of Origin:

Switzerland

Period:

Late 20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1969 / 1970

Condition:

It is important to recognize that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.

Seller Location:

Long Beach, CA

Reference Number:

Seller: 478/50001stDibs: LU42234091011

Shop All Rolex

Rolex

While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.

Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.

But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.

But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.

Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.

The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.

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