JoJo35 Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Ok, I finally folded and bought an Airking. Certainly one of the greatly admired rolexes, I had kept my eye on these for years, yet never found one that had the special something that really caught my eye, until now! An early (87XXXX) '62 two-color gilt gloss dial, this 5500 runs with a 1530 under the hood. Honestly, I never thought I'd find an Airking that did it for me, but once I saw this one I couldn't help myself and had to have it. I took a few quick snapshots, hope everyone enjoys: Oops, forgot to mention it has a gorgeous color-change black dial: ...and a dome plexi that is to die for: Not a bad dial for a nearly fifty year old watch! Here's a close-up of the gold and silver gilt font: Here's a couple more pics. I'll get it serviced next week and she'll be all set as a daily wearer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Very nice. The Rolex logo looks like someone smooshed it compared to the version they have nowadays. You're lucky, these just don't look right on my big wrist, I miss out on some of the really nice watches... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 I love it! Those hour markers are downright sexy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Nice find, Jojo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 I picked up this gold shell AK about a year ago for cheap. Circa 1959, had it serviced. I was mainly after the 1530 movement, but I couldn't come to grips w/ cannablizing it. Sometimes I think about updating it with a '72 silver AK dial with gold stick markers and gold stick hands but can't do that it either- so it remains original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ylfig Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 hey guys. How much did those air kings set you back if I may ask? Been looking for a while but never found the one/deal I wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted September 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 hey guys. How much did those air kings set you back if I may ask? Been looking for a while but never found the one/deal I wanted. This one set me back just about a grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Mine was $900-1000, can't remember! Service was $150-200. Brown faux croc strap and fake Rolex GP buckle- $40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted September 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 I picked up this gold shell AK about a year ago for cheap. Circa 1959, had it serviced. I was mainly after the 1530 movement, but I couldn't come to grips w/ cannablizing it. Sometimes I think about updating it with a '72 silver AK dial with gold stick markers and gold stick hands but can't do that it either- so it remains original. alligoat, your Airking is beautiful! IMO, these are definitely worthwhile additions to any serious collector, plus they make great daily watches! Is yours a gloss white dial with blued second hand? Very nice indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks, JoJo. Actually it's a silver dial with a slight color change around the center and a black seconds hand. The silver has faded to a lighter color- sort of beige. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Beautiful, the both of them! There will come a time when spending a thousand bucks on Air-Kings this nice will seem like a ridiculous bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 "How much did those air kings set you back if I may ask?" I bought a nice 5501 tutone AK timehead for $450 a while back but the dial had been refinished and had a dent in it. I bought a Yuki 5500 'Explorer' dial with goldtone letters and plan to put it on the watch after c/o, case tube, crown, and crystal. After all that, I will have around $700 in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Lovely. Good find. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 That's a beauty JoJo. Here is my 6552 Super Precision that was my daily beater for a long while. Seems so small now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Love the fonts on that dial, dluddy! Is that a white or a silver dial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omegaunit Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 I picked this up 12 years ago for $1300! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted September 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Very clean Airking-Date omegaunit, it looks to be 100% original, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Love the fonts on that dial, dluddy! Is that a white or a silver dial? It is a finely aged White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
If you see Kay Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 I could never get over the AK's. I've always fancied the 6426 and the 6694 Precisions. I've got some sort of stigma over the AK as being the entry level Rollie. I nearly picked one up on TZ but couldn't quite come to grips with my preconceived notions of AK's. Still on the hunt foor a 6694 or a 6426 Precision. I picked up a 6466 with a 1225 movement for my daughter already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 I've always fancied the 6426 and the 6694 Precisions... I've got some sort of stigma over the AK as being the entry level Rollie. Both very nice pieces for sure, and the 6466 is a great choice for your daughter. I always felt the same way about the AK, until I saw the gilt chocolate dialed piece I just picked up. If I hold it in the sunlight, it definitely "talks" to me. Have you checked out any 6424's? Nice thin cased 36mm manual winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omegaunit Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Very clean Airking-Date omegaunit, it looks to be 100% original, congrats Thanks! Never wear it anymore, I was thinking of selling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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