Originally launched in 1945, the Air-King was created to honour the British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots who flew during World War II. It was designed as a reliable and precise timekeeping instrument for aviators. This example we are presenting for sale is in great condition from 2018, accompanied by its original box and papers.
Condition Report:
The recently discontinued Ref. 116900 features an Oyster 904L stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter, 13.9mm in thickness and 49mm lug-to-lug. The case is in great condition, with only hairline scratches evident on the smooth bezel and case sides. The water resistance for the 116900 is 100m.
The dial of this Air King is a deep glossy black with large white gold "3, 6 & 9" Arabic numerals and pilot style applied numerals. The hands and hour markers are filled with Chromalight, with "Swiss Made" present under 6 o'clock. The smooth stainless steel bezel is free of any chips or dents. The sapphire crystal is clean.
The caseback, movement, and crown are all signed by Rolex; the crown in particular exudes its logo well. The crown features Rolex's "triplock" system, allowing the watch to be fully sealed for water resistance. Powering the watch is the in-house Caliber. 3131, with a 48-hour power reserve. The Oyster steel bracelet is in great condition and is accompanied with its full links. The watch is fully functional and winds smoothly.