Waited almost two years, I’m a collector. The only Rolex I’d pay all the money for. Got the call and went with my son to get it. It really is supreme. Photos and videos don’t do it justice. Hopefully it will be within my family line for generations.
I love mine. Not a love at first sight but you appreciate it after a few time. I used to have a 36 mm Explorer and I do prefer the new Air King which has a better presence on the wrist
If I may offer some counterpoint: The lack of additional lumes makes it easier to read at night, as the dial isn’t as busy as with the Sub, DJ41 or Explorer II. just sayin’.
Awesome review! Thanks! 😊. I was extremely lucky as I visited my AD and got added to the wait list for this piece. I was told it would take between 12 and 18 months, most likely. However, a very well known grey market dealer then had a completely unworn full set come in with 4 years of Rolex warranty remaining. Best bit? He sold it to me foe retail without a mark up in price. 0 wait time and retail price for a steel Rolex sports watch is a rare thing so I'm feeling very lucky!
This is a Perfect watch except for these in my humble opinion: 1. I don't like the air king font, wish it was in white bold caps 2. I wish ALL the numerals where applied in white gold with lume
Nice video thanks! The new model is the better version for me. The thinner, less bulbous milgauss type case, the crown guards, the more refined Mercedes hands, the narrower bezel, the 05. Plus the more refined tool watch clasp. The lumed 3, 6, 9 just looks better. The old white gold versions seemed clunky and difficult to see in certain lighting. I read, repeatedly, that the watch design is based on the Bloodhound dash/ speedo. But for me, the Bloodhound dash was originally inspired by the classic flieger watch style. The bloodhound cockpit is nigh-on identical to an aeroplane cockpit and was “piloted” by RAF wing commander Andy Green. It’s the perfect embodiment of a modern Rolex Air King. And it looks the business.
Congratulations on your new Airking. I think it looks fantastic and I love that it is an oddball. Could you please tell me whether you got your Airking from an AD and how long did you have to wait? I am currently on a waitlist for this watch myself.
13 months was the wait time for me , it’s a great daily watch , I visited the ad a few times to check in & keep an interest as i told them I wanted it for my 50’th , I got offered a datejust before the airking but declined & held out for the air-king
I Love this Watch! Waited for three Years and finally got the Call from the AD this week. So now i‘m very happy to own this Air King - to me it’s just perfect. Thanks for your Review, really enjoyed it. Greetings from germany
Of the reviews I've seen, this is the best by far, as you covered all the details quite nicely. I just picked up the 119600 and you did a good job of comparing the two, without all the snide comments that the other reviews include.
12:43 you say you get 50.9mm lug to lug with the explorer and then you say that's 3mm smaller than the airking. However, the airking is 47mm lug to lug. So wouldn't the explorer be 3mm LARGER not smaller?
Great looking watch. I am on the wait list for one. I don't think it's a GADA watch though. Don't think it would pair well with formal wear like the Explorer would.
So I had the Explorer 1 for many years. It looks to me that this is a exact match. (Case, bracelet, and dial other than the double indices…). My explorer was 39 mm so they just upsize it little bit. Am I off on that?
Hi John. I think its very similar to the Explorer. Especially the new 40 mm. They choice is between a tad more colour and a bit bigger with the Air-King or more classic with the Explorer. The movement is the same.
@@islandfun1993 the explorer one is what this watch strongly resembles. Originally it came in a 37 mm case size, then a 39 mm like mine, and most recently in a very small 36 mm case… It wasn’t until this past year that they decided to also do it in a 40 mm.
Thinking about one of these. It’s just the Air King font that puts me off. Green the glass and Air king in Rolex font. Thank me later you rip off merchants 🤣
The 126900 is not true to the origin, supposed to pay tribute to the Blood-hound project. Another thing: The original 116900 with just no 5 in order to read properly for aviators is now shifted to 05 in order to ballance two lettering. This new version is made for people who does not understand heritage nor the meaning of it. Not last but not least, the beutiful rounded oyster case holding the magnetic sheild and with real paramagnetic blue paracrome hairspring is gone in the new and sheapend 126900 with silicone hair spring. This last version is a good watch but a cheap way for Rolex to sell more watches with larger profit margins.
I respectfully disagree. I now have both. The new version is a huge improvement on the old one. The old AirKing was never a collectible but I have no doubt, if they discontinue the range, the new one will become a collectible. On the whole, every improvement targets new generations of watch buyers and I am glad all watch companies do it.
Managed to buy a Air king last week really like the watch.👌
just got mine as well last week, waited 2 weeks to get the notification that my watch was in
Waited almost two years, I’m a collector. The only Rolex I’d pay all the money for. Got the call and went with my son to get it. It really is supreme. Photos and videos don’t do it justice. Hopefully it will be within my family line for generations.
Congratulations!
Thanks man 👍🏻
Beautiful watch, I have the Milgauss Z blue. Great review.
I love mine. Not a love at first sight but you appreciate it after a few time. I used to have a 36 mm Explorer and I do prefer the new Air King which has a better presence on the wrist
The 0 they added to the 5 really helps the look of the dial a lot.
I agree. It makes it look more complete.
I actually like the 5 on the 116900 better, but the added zero on the 126900 also looks great.
I agree that all of the markings should have been fully lumed.
If I may offer some counterpoint: The lack of additional lumes makes it easier to read at night, as the dial isn’t as busy as with the Sub, DJ41 or Explorer II. just sayin’.
My bride purchased that exact model for me in January of this year. It is my favorite; simple but unique.
Awesome review! Thanks! 😊. I was extremely lucky as I visited my AD and got added to the wait list for this piece. I was told it would take between 12 and 18 months, most likely. However, a very well known grey market dealer then had a completely unworn full set come in with 4 years of Rolex warranty remaining. Best bit? He sold it to me foe retail without a mark up in price. 0 wait time and retail price for a steel Rolex sports watch is a rare thing so I'm feeling very lucky!
Love this watch, love the crown guards
Rolex Air-King 126900, is 40mm - not sure why you keep repeating that is 41mm.
btw Air-King is top-notch! One of the best Rolex watches
Because I actually measured the watch. Never trust the sizes Rolex state. For example the OP41 should be called the OP39.
This is a Perfect watch except for these in my humble opinion:
1. I don't like the air king font, wish it was in white bold caps
2. I wish ALL the numerals where applied in white gold with lume
Nice video thanks! The new model is the better version for me. The thinner, less bulbous milgauss type case, the crown guards, the more refined Mercedes hands, the narrower bezel, the 05. Plus the more refined tool watch clasp.
The lumed 3, 6, 9 just looks better. The old white gold versions seemed clunky and difficult to see in certain lighting.
I read, repeatedly, that the watch design is based on the Bloodhound dash/ speedo. But for me, the Bloodhound dash was originally inspired by the classic flieger watch style. The bloodhound cockpit is nigh-on identical to an aeroplane cockpit and was “piloted” by RAF wing commander Andy Green.
It’s the perfect embodiment of a modern Rolex Air King. And it looks the business.
Its a 40mm case with 21mm lug width....just an FYI
Great watch
I measure closer to 41 mm.
Good review , air-king is a great all round watch & this new model looks real good on the wrist
Congratulations on your new Airking. I think it looks fantastic and I love that it is an oddball. Could you please tell me whether you got your Airking from an AD and how long did you have to wait? I am currently on a waitlist for this watch myself.
Thank you. I bought it preowned. The Air-King might be one Rolex you dont have to wait too long for.
13 months was the wait time for me , it’s a great daily watch , I visited the ad a few times to check in & keep an interest as i told them I wanted it for my 50’th , I got offered a datejust before the airking but declined & held out for the air-king
i waited around 7 months - picked it up in November 2022.
If you haven’t got one by now go into the AD people who was on the list are turning watches down now you might drop on.
I Love this Watch! Waited for three Years and finally got the Call from the AD this week. So now i‘m very happy to own this Air King - to me it’s just perfect. Thanks for your Review, really enjoyed it. Greetings from germany
Wow! That's a long wait! I got hella lucky with mine as I didn't have to wait and got the watch for retail price!
Of the reviews I've seen, this is the best by far, as you covered all the details quite nicely. I just picked up the 119600 and you did a good job of comparing the two, without all the snide comments that the other reviews include.
My Rolex, it’s fantastic! 💫🔝🔝✌️
12:43 you say you get 50.9mm lug to lug with the explorer and then you say that's 3mm smaller than the airking. However, the airking is 47mm lug to lug. So wouldn't the explorer be 3mm LARGER not smaller?
Hi. Its the Air-King measuring 50.9 mm not the Explorer. I think the EX40 is approx. 48 mm lug to lug.
Congratulations! Enjoy this nice timepiece
Hey man best video n the Air KingI've seen, also are you German, trying toguess your accent Lol
Hi. North of Germany - kingdom of Denmark 👍
Can anyone help me please is the Rolex Air King a sports watch only & can you have a leather or a strap instead of steel strap
You can easily install another strap on the watch. RubberB does have some great rubberstraps.
@@TimeAndCrown thank you for your input appreciate it
Great review!
I also think all the numerals should have lume
Great watch enjoy 👌
very much like the AirKing . . version 2 is a improvement
Make a more detailed review of that Explorer 1 40mm.. looks clean and perfect. I think they made everything lumed on that one.
If you're an Aussie it's got the National green and gold colors of the Wattle tree.
One of the only semi affordable Rolex dials that isn't boring! (I need a date, but don't wear my datejust much.)
It seems like the guys at Rolex for once had a little fun.
The Rolex website says the Air-King is 40mm.
Great looking watch. I am on the wait list for one. I don't think it's a GADA watch though. Don't think it would pair well with formal wear like the Explorer would.
I wish the 3 6 9 was 15 30 45 to make ur symmetrical
So I had the Explorer 1 for many years. It looks to me that this is a exact match. (Case, bracelet, and dial other than the double indices…). My explorer was 39 mm so they just upsize it little bit. Am I off on that?
Hi John. I think its very similar to the Explorer. Especially the new 40 mm. They choice is between a tad more colour and a bit bigger with the Air-King or more classic with the Explorer. The movement is the same.
sorry, the the Air king is bigger? noticeably larger than the explorer 40?
@@islandfun1993 the explorer one is what this watch strongly resembles. Originally it came in a 37 mm case size, then a 39 mm like mine, and most recently in a very small 36 mm case… It wasn’t until this past year that they decided to also do it in a 40 mm.
Should’ve changed 3,6 and 9 to 15,30 and 45. Pisses me really
I thought this is a 40 with 21 lug width?
Are you getting accurate time because most of the automatic watches facing these problems like time runs faster 2 to 3 minutes or slower.
Dial needs more 5’s
Great review. The Air King is a sleeper.
08:52: Seconds hand takes a two second jump. weird.
That's just a video artifact bobby, you can see the full screen jump also.
Video edit
Not that bright are you?
I would have liked it if they kept the '5' instead of making it '05'.
Thinking about one of these.
It’s just the Air King font that puts me off. Green the glass and Air king in Rolex font. Thank me later you rip off merchants 🤣
Dansk ur video venligst!
can someone tell me what kind of an accent this is? sounds either russian or german to my ear..?
Danish
The 126900 is not true to the origin, supposed to pay tribute to the Blood-hound project. Another thing: The original 116900 with just no 5 in order to read properly for aviators is now shifted to 05 in order to ballance two lettering. This new version is made for people who does not understand heritage nor the meaning of it. Not last but not least, the beutiful rounded oyster case holding the magnetic sheild and with real paramagnetic blue paracrome hairspring is gone in the new and sheapend 126900 with silicone hair spring. This last version is a good watch but a cheap way for Rolex to sell more watches with larger profit margins.
I respectfully disagree. I now have both. The new version is a huge improvement on the old one. The old AirKing was never a collectible but I have no doubt, if they discontinue the range, the new one will become a collectible.
On the whole, every improvement targets new generations of watch buyers and I am glad all watch companies do it.
That's an orthodox take no one asked about.
Rolex made a new, upgraded version for a reason. This is a Rolex for actual Rolex fans.
Not bad but not great either.
For that money it's just sort of MEH! 😴
This and the “celebration” dial OP are Rolex’s two worst designs ever.
Bello, ma preferisco la versione precedente!
You don’t had tiny lumed batons at the 1/2 4/5 etc. it would be perfection