Why This Watch Matters

The Air-King has been a mainstay in the Rolex catalog, with only slight interruptions, from its introduction in 1957 until today. This is your chance to own one of the less common examples, featuring Alpha-style hands.

The Full Story

Rolex came out with the Air-King ref. 5500 in the late 1950s, and it was in production until 1989. This exact reference stands as one of the longest-running models in Rolex history. For nearly 30 years, you could purchase an Air-King ref. 5500 from a Rolex dealer. Today the Air-King is a known for its simple, no-frills design. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Air-King has an automatic movement and an Oyster-style 34mm case.

According to a couple of sources, the name for this model, Air-King, was conceived by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf after World War II to honor the British Royal Air Force pilots that had worn Rolex watches during the war. One nice design aspect of the Air-King we have today is the minimal text on the dial, as well as that great-looking Air-King script logo. This dial is also somewhat unusual, as it doesn't have any minute marks on its periphery, granting a very open and spacious feel. You can find many Air-King refs. 5500s with inside casebacks stamped "1002," because Rolex made another similar watch at the same time as this, the 34mm Oyster Perpetual ref. 1002. Rolex is known for sharing components between lines in its vintage models, and this caseback is another example of that.

Rolex built many different variations of this reference, and this example features seldom-seen Alpha-style hands, giving it an attractive aesthetic. This watch also features a silver dial, a smooth bezel, and a jubilee bracelet, providing it with the recognizable Rolex look. This watch is also in nice, honest condition with an unpolished case, something that is harder and harder to find these days.

The Fine Print

Maker: Rolex
Model: Air-King
Reference: 5500 (inside caseback stamped 1002)
Year: 1965
Case No: 1135335
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 34mm diameter; 11mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Automatic 1520 caliber
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex "USA" Jubilee bracelet
Lug Width: 19mm
Box/Papers: No

What we Love and What You Should Know

This Air-King is in nice, honest condition. The case is strong with scratches and some nicks throughout. The case appears to be unpolished. The tips of the six o'clock lugs have nicks and scratches. The inside caseback is stamped, "IV 64," which makes sense for a case number that corresponds to 1965. The back of the lugs have some scratches. The dial is in good condition and has developed some patina. The dial has some wear around the edges. The hour markers and hands have developed patina. The lume on the hands and dial has developed patina and is now darker in color, but it does match one another. The bracelet is in great condition with minimal stretch and also appears to be unpolished. The crystal has light scratches.

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