Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 'Super Precision' Dial 1963

$4,950.00 NZD

The Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 is one of the most enduring and quietly confident references in the Rolex catalogue — produced across several decades and yet never feeling tired. This 1963 example, finished with a clean silver dial in the desirable 'Super Precision' configuration, represents the reference at its most considered.

Beyond its horological merit, this particular example carries something special as we purchased it from its original family — only ever having one owner its entire life. An engraving on the caseback reads as a long-service acknowledgment to B.J. Bell from Fletcher's Building, a nice touch and representative of New Zealand.

Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 'Super Precision' Dial 1963

The Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 is one of the most enduring and quietly confident references in the Rolex catalogue — produced across several decades and yet never feeling tired. This 1963 example, finished with a clean silver dial in the desirable 'Super Precision' configuration, represents the reference at its most considered.

Beyond its horological merit, this particular example carries something special as we purchased it from its original family — only ever having one owner its entire life. An engraving on the caseback reads as a long-service acknowledgment to B.J. Bell from Fletcher's Building, a nice touch and representative of New Zealand.

Details
- Maker
  
  Rolex
- Model
  
  Air-King
- Reference
  
  5500
- Year
  
  1963
- Serial
  
  372XXX
- Box & Papers
  
  No
- Movement
  
  Caliber. 1530, automatic w/ 42-hour power reserve
- Dial & Hands
  
  Silver 'Super-Precision' dial w/ diamond-style hour markers & tritium lume; alpha hands w/ tritium lume
- Bezel
  
  Fixed, stainless steel
- Crystal
  
  Plexiglass
- Bracelet/Strap
  
  Artisan Straps brown leather strap w/ stainless steel buckle
- Performance
  
  Watch is fully functioning and running at -2 seconds per day, serviced 2026
Dimensions
- Diameter: 34mm
- Lug-to-lug: 40mm
- Thickness: 11.2mm
- Lug width: 19mm
Materials

Stainless steel

The 'Super Precision' designation places this example within a specific and collectible subset of the Ref. 5500 family — a detail that distinguishes it from the broader Air-King range and reflects Rolex's confidence in the Caliber. 1530's regulated accuracy
The engraving on the caseback — a long-service acknowledgment to B.J. Bell from Fletcher's Building — offers a rare and tangible human provenance. Such inscriptions divide collectors, but for those drawn to watches with lived history, this detail elevates the piece beyond specification alone
Recently serviced in 2026 and running at +6 seconds per day, this is a watch ready to be worn. The Caliber. 1530 is a robust and well-regarded movement, and a fresh service means the next owner inherits both the history and the reliability

Some scratches throughout the case
Minor patina on the dial

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Our Principles

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