1960s steel vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Air-King’ watch

Date:           1961

Case:            Stainless steel, 34mm

Movement: Calibre 1530

Dial:            Champagne with raised chrome 3,6,9

Lugs:             19mm

This is a highly collectable Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Air-King’ watch, in superb condition!

A 1961, round stainless steel vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Air-King’ watch. The case measures 34mm in diameter with 19mm lugs, a screw back and Oyster screw down crown with ‘coronet’ detail. The case is signed Montres Rolex S.A., Geneva Switzerland, Stainless Steel, reference 5500, dated to the first quarter of 1961 and numbered. The automatic, calibre 1530 movement is signed Montres Rolex SA., numbered, with 26 jewels. The champagne dial, with original patina, has steel raised Arabic numerals to the quarters and ‘dagger’ indicators, centre seconds and fine lumed, steel hands. The dial is signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Air-King above the centre, with Super Precision below.

Rolex Air-King, ref 5500

Manufactured for over 30 years, the reference 5500 is one of the longest-running models in the history of Rolex. Introduced in 1957 and remaining in production until it was replaced by the reference 14000 in 1989, it’s truly an iconic Rolex model. Rolex had originally introduced the Air-King as a variation of the Oyster Perpetual, intended to honor RAF pilots who served during World War II.