An Interesting Air King 5500 with a 1570 Movement

[neverbatteries]

So, like many this is my first post here on RWG and I'd really love some thoughts on the Rolex I just bought. It's an 5500 Air King, that based on the serial dates puts it's production between late 1978 and early 1988. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a 1570 movement, rather than the 1520 I've always associated with a 5500. The movement no. also dates it to the same time frame. The interesting part that I then noticed is that this 1570 is a non-hacking movement. From everything I've read on other posts on here, I thought that the non-hacking 15XX movement was done away with in the late 60's, but this watch is late 70's. I took it to my watch guy who's a licensed to service Rolex and in his opinion, he feel's it all factory, not a mod to non-hacking (the channel finish is exactly the same as the surrounding).  My question is, has anyone else come across a 5500 Air King with a non-hacking 1570 movement? What's interesting is that it looks exactly as my late 60's Explorer 1016 1570 movement. I would love to hear from anyone who's seen anything like this. Cheers.

[neverbatteries]

Sorry, I didn't see for some reason my earlier post getting up here. My bad.

[freddy333]

I have only ever seen a 1530 or 1520 in a 5500 & would be suspect of a 1570. But, as always with vintage Rolex, anything is possible.

Pics?
& welcome.

[speedbird100]

The 1570 was never, ever used in a 5500. Only the 1520 and 1530 to a much lesser extent.

It could be a 1520 with 1570 replacement parts since they are interchangeable but I'd be suspicious of a franken build at any rate

[1680]

With these older movements you will often find different models with movements that didn't belong to that watch originally.

 

Hacking movements are or were more sought-after like in the 1016, you will find enough models pre '71/'72 that should have a 1560 but that have a 1570 instead, movements get

often swaped.

Second thing is repair, 15** parts are interchangeable so parts often got mixed up or people put "wrong" movements into watches, Roley guys weren't this picky back in the days

 

And please post pics of your Explorer !

[neverbatteries]

Thanks for all the responses. I'll pop the back this weekend and take some good shots. I was also told a big determiner is the type of hairspring being either flat (1520) or Breguet style (1570). Has anyone one else heard that a determiner between the two? 

[speedbird100]

The 5500 never had anything other than a 1520 or 1530 cal movement. No 1570 was ever fitted at the factory as far as I've ever seen. Someone has serviced the 1520/30 (depending on year) and replaced the bridge with a 1570 marked piece. It happens

[txrob779]

Rolex is like a box a chocolates...ya never know what yur going to get. IMO there is Rolex's "letter of the law" and there is "the real world" and the [censored] NEVER matches, never.