Replica Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King – revised version – W&W 2022 [availability, price]

A new case and movement, a redesigned dial and a modernized buckle – this is briefly the next generation of the Air-King, a Replica Rolex pilot-type watch.

I remember in 2016, when the Baselworld fair was still taking place, Łukasz and I stood in front of the Rolex stand and rubbed our eyes with amazement at the Air-King ref. 116900. The watch was unlike anything we had seen before and was the subject of much discussion afterwards. You can read about what he looked like HERE.

Now the Geneva brand has decided to refresh the Air-King and tweak a few elements that in my opinion made it beyond the interest of many Rolex fans. First, in ref. 126,900 thinned the envelope (thickness) while leaving a diameter of 40mm. Then the ears were redesigned and – what is immediately noticeable – the element protecting the screwed crown was added. Water-resistant to 100 m, the watch has also been included in the so-called Professionals.

Modifications also did not miss the shield. Fixed what I did not like in the previous version, i.e. the number 5. Now it is preceded by 0 (it is 05 instead of 5), thanks to which the distribution of elements on the dial is symmetrical. In addition, made of white gold, an applied marker on the hour. 12 and the numbers 3, 6 and 9 are filled with the Chromalight luminous substance in the new version (as in the Explorer model). This in turn translated into improved readability – especially when it gets a bit darker.

I’m glad Replica Rolex decided to keep the yellow-green logo and the green second hand. These are the elements that give the Air-King a “twist” and slightly rejuvenate it. Caliber 3230 will be responsible for the drive of all indications (it will replace 3131). The new mechanics include optimized Chronergy energy management, Parachrom spring and Paraflex anti-shock system. Werk is clocked at 4 Hz, provides deviations of -2 / + 2 seconds a day and guarantees 70 hours of power reserve.

But it is not everything. The changes also affected the bracelet. Although the one from the new Air-King looks almost identical to the previous model, it is 1 mm wider at the ears, and the Oysterlock security and an adjustment system in the range of about 5 mm, i.e. Easylink, have been added to the clasp (as I love these Rolex terms for every thing…).

I am aware that the Air-King is not a model for everyone,

but in the new version it will certainly gain more attention. And it will probably (for now) be the only one of all Professionals that can be ordered at Replica Rolex stores. The price on the tag is EUR 7,050 (~ PLN 35,000).