From SwissWatchExpo…
Spotlight on: the Rolex Air King reference 116900.
The modern Rolex Air King!
The Rolex Air-King started ticking in the 1940s, and for most of its very long history,
was the simplest Rolex there was.
It was the Rolex for purists and for those new to the brand, until it was discontinued
in 2014.
In 2016, the Air-King returned – in a much more extroverted style.
The newer Air-King reference 116900 is definitely not your father’s Rolex Air-King!
We took another look at this 5-year-old watch, and in this video, we tell you the reasons
why we love it!
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The bigger case size of the Air-King 116900 was one of the far more accepted changes to
it.
Older versions of the Air-King measured 34 millimeters, which is small by today’s standards.
By using the same 40 millimeter case as the Rolex Milgauss, the new Air-King
has the same size and proportions as most of Rolex’s sport watches.
Its thickness also gives it more presence on the wrist – a solid reminder that this
watch is now part of Rolex’s Professional line.
The Air-King 116900’s quirky looks also come from a very cool inspiration.
In 2006, Rolex worked on a project with the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car – a vehicle which
aims to beat the land speed record of 763 miles per hour.
The company created a bespoke pair of dash clocks for the vehicle, which strikes a resounding
resemblance to the dial of the Air-King ref 116900.
The project eventually came to an end, now replaced by the Bloodhound Land Speed Record
-- independent of Rolex, but still with an aim to break the world land speed record.
Regardless, this makes for an interesting tidbit for Rolex fans, who might be both car
and watch fanatics!
The more extroverted style of the Air-King 116900 is reflected in its dial, which
is uncharacteristically Rolex.
Let’s start with the logo – for the first time in the company’s history, the crown
and signature were printed in two different colors: the crown in yellow, the Rolex signature
in green.
It also comes with three different types of indexes: applied markers on the 3, 6 and 9
position, like the Rolex Explorer’s.
5-minute printed white markers on the rest of the dial, and an applied luminous triangle
at 12 o’clock.
A green seconds hand complements the Rolex signature, and an expressive Air-King font
appears below the hands.
Despite the overall bold new details, the black dial blends the different design elements
well.
The stainless steel case also makes it very wearable for most occasions.
In addition to its case, the Air-King 116900 also borrows its movement from the Rolex Milgauss:
the caliber 3131.
Aside from containing components that are unaffected by magnetism -- such as the blue
Parachrom hairspring, the movement is also housed inside a Faraday cage, to protect the
movement from magnetic interference.
Now solidly built with a 40 millimeter case and anti-magnetic capabilities, the Air-King
is not an entry-level watch anymore, but a tool watch.
Even with the same exact movement as the Rolex Milgauss, and being a touch bigger than the
Rolex Explorer, the Air-King 116900 is priced well below these sport models – giving
you a lot of bang for your buck.
The unique and rather interesting design of the Rolex Air-King 116900, coupled with
its technical chops, makes it a perfect choice for the Rolex fan who wants to stand out.
Get yours today at SwissWatchExpo.com!
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