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The story
The Air-King name appeared in 1945 as a tribute to the aviators who had worn Rolex Oysters. For decades it was the simplest Oyster Perpetual, the 34 mm 5500 running for some thirty years.
In 2016 the Air-King returned as a 40 mm aviation-style watch with a black dial and large minute numerals (116900). The 126900 of 2022 added crown guards and calibre 3230.
| Years | References | Calibre | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1945–1950s | 4925 and early 'Air' series | — | Air-Lion, Air-Giant, Air-Tiger siblings |
| c.1958–1991 | 5500, 5502, 5504 | 1520, 1530 | 34 mm entry Oyster |
| 1991–2014 | 14000, 14000M, 114200 | 3000, 3130 | 34 mm |
| 2016–2022 | 116900 | 3131 | 40 mm, black dial, antimagnetic |
| 2022–today | 126900 | 3230 | Crown guards, 70 h |
Reading a Air-King reference
126900 is the current Air-King in Oystersteel. Earlier: 116900 (2016–2022), 114200 and 14000 (34 mm) and the vintage 5500.
Current models and prices
Every Air-King reference Rolex currently lists for India, with the retail price shown on rolex.com/en-in on 8 October 2026, including taxes. Where a reference comes with several dials or bracelets, the range is shown.
| Reference | Model | Case | Calibre | India price, 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126900 | Air-King | Oystersteel | 3230 | ₹7,93,500 |
The calibre
Calibre 3230: automatic, about 70 hours of power reserve, Chronergy escapement. The 116900 used calibre 3131, with antimagnetic protection.
Materials
Oystersteel, 40 mm, with a black dial combining large 3, 6 and 9 with a minute scale.
- Crown guards on a 126900 (none on the 116900)
- Green and yellow Rolex logo detail consistent with the reference
- Calibre 3230 in a 126900
- Matching papers
- Crown guards on a 116900, or none on a 126900
- Inconsistent dial printing
- Papers that do not match the case
Frequently asked questions
40 mm since 2016.
Crown guards, a revised dial and calibre 3230.
It is named after and styled for aviators; it shows time only.