Rolex Air-King Ref. 116900 B+P

Rolex has a rich history of pilot’s watches, having been heavily involved in aviation since the 1930s. Early pilots relied on highly accurate watches for navigation and happily turned to Rolex. The brand churned out watches like the Air-lion, Air-tiger, and Air-giant for this specific purpose. Even Royal Air Force pilots would upgrade out of their own pockets, to use Rolex over their military issued watches.

After WWII, Rolex launched the Air-King as a tribute to the allied pilots. In 1957, the ref. 5500 was launched, to remain in production for 37 years. It was later updated to the ref. 1400. From 2007 until 2014 the Air-King ref. 114200 was produced, the first Air-King with chronometer certification. And then…silence for two years.

And then, in 2016, Rolex caught everyone by surprise, launching this 116900. Bigger, at 40 millimeters, and much bolder than anything Rolex typically offers a black dial with green and yellow details. White numerals and applied white gold numerals. Mercedes hands and a triangle at 12. This is a statement piece.

The one on offer here is in unworn condition, with some of the stickers still in place. It dates to the first year of production, 2016, and comes complete with box and papers. You will not find a better example than this!