The Next Rolex I’m Gonna Buy
I’m just going to put this out there. The next Rolex I’m going to buy is the new Air-King.
Yep. That one.
The one that a lot of folks on social media are trash-talking for looking like a made-over Explorer with too much Rolex Green and too much dial printing. The one that “will be pulled from production within a couple of years,” in one commentator’s opinion. “It isn’t Rolex enough,” said another.
I don’t even know what that means.
And I don’t care. The Air-King is my next Rollie.
See, I love that Rolex brought back an iconic model name. I love that they now have a bona fide pilot watch back in their lineup (the Sky-Dweller is really a travel watch).
And I love that they updated it to 40mm. Now I own, love, and wear a 34mm Oyster Perpetual from the 1960s, but it does sometimes look a little lost on my big hammy wrist. 40mm is much better.
I love the way the green second hand and printed ‘Rolex’ plays off the black dial. Pops, I believe, is the term. And the gold crown logo is printed, not applied. That pops too. And it’s a perfect compliment to the green brand name right below it.
On the dial, the 3, 6, and 9 are applied, but between each are printed five minute markings. A modern interpretation of the way pilot watches looked back when form followed function in the cockpit. And yet a nod to history – the dial is signed ‘Air-King’ in the same font designed for the 1950s model.
The case shape is classic Rolex, the rehaut is 21st Century, and it all comes mounted on an Oyster bracelet, complete with Rolex’s latest Oysterclasp which features the Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link.
The motor inside is Rolex’s calibre 3131, regulated to their newly redefined Superlative Chronometer standard, -2/+2 seconds per day after casing.
Rolex Calibre 3131
Now, I understand differences in taste as much as the next guy. But come on. How is this watch “not Rolex enough?”
The post The Next Rolex I’m Gonna Buy appeared first on Bezel & Barrel written by Ed Estlow.
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