Celebrating the Pioneers Of Aviation

The Oyster Perpetual Air-King symbolises the privileged relationship between Rolex and flying during the golden age of aviation in the 1930s. It pays tribute to the pilots of the era and the Oyster’s role in their epic story in a period when spectacular progress in aircraft performance constantly expanded humanity’s capacity to conquer the skies and led to the introduction of long-distance flights. Several pilots set records while wearing an Oyster.

The name ‘Air-King’ has featured on the dial since its launch in 1958, in lettering that makes the model immediately recognisable. Since 2016, the Air-King has had a distinctive black dial with a combination of large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minutes scale for optimal navigational time readings. The green seconds hand echoes the brand’s emblematic colour.

Oyster Perpetual Air-King, 40mm, Oystersteel

For 2022, Rolex presents the new-generation Air-King, featuring a completely redesigned case with a crown guard and straight sides like the majority of Professional category models. Equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp for the first time, the Oyster bracelet’s proportions have also been revised with a broadened centre link. The watch’s display has also been refreshed and is perfectly balanced thanks to the addition of a ‘0’ before the ‘5’ on the minutes scale. Each five-minute interval is now marked by two digits.

The Air-King also benefits from an optimised Chromalight display, guaranteeing maximum legibility in dark conditions. The hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock feature a new luminescent material that provides a longer-lasting intense glow. Previously made from 18 ct white gold, the 3, 6 and 9 numerals are now also visible in the dark thanks to this innovative material, which is exclusive to Rolex.

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

Perpetual calibre 3230

The new Air-King is equipped with calibre 3230, a reliable self-winding mechanical movement that offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields. Calibre 3230 features a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor with an extended power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

The Air-King is fitted with an Oyster bracelet, a three-piece link bracelet known for its robustness and features the Rolex- designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp and the Easylink comfort extension link. A concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.

Like all Rolex watches, the Air-King is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, which is symbolised by the green seal and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.