Rolex Air-King Ref. 116900: An Unexpected Acquisition Story

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) · 2020-03-13T04:13:06Z

Explore the Rolex Air-King ref. 116900 through jrwong23's acquisition and community insights. Discover its unique appeal, discontinuation rumors, and collector perspectives.

Robin (jrwong23) shares his unexpected acquisition of the Rolex Air-King ref. 116900, a model that initially didn't capture his attention but ultimately won him over through community influence. His post highlights the infectious nature of collector enthusiasm within the WatchProSite community, demonstrating how shared passion can reshape personal preferences and lead to exciting new additions. This article delves into the unique appeal of the modern Air-King, exploring why it resonates with collectors.

I never thought I would go for this one....

But the poison here never fails to get to me.

You guys have posted so many nice pics of this quirky Rolex that I got the bug!

Especially from the Vlad ... :p

Got a call from my AD today and went to collect it. Joining the AirKing club here

Have a great weekend !

Cheers

Robin

Key Points from the Discussion

The Rolex Air-King ref. 116900 gained significant traction among collectors, with a 'roll call' thread tracking ownership, indicating a strong community following for this specific reference.
Rumors of the Air-King's discontinuation, potentially linked to the Bloodhound LSR project's status, influenced some collectors to acquire the watch, driven by a 'now or never' mentality.
Beyond its distinctive dial, the Air-King ref. 116900 is appreciated for its unique case shape, contributing to its overall appeal and collector desirability.
While discontinuation rumors circulate frequently within the watch community, the original poster notes that such speculation often proves unfounded, emphasizing the enjoyment of the watch regardless of market predictions.
The Air-King's quirky and super cool aesthetic makes it a watch that is hard to get bored with, suggesting strong long-term ownership satisfaction for collectors.
A collector shared an image of a vintage Rolex Air-King from approximately 1986, featuring a rare Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) decal on the dial, highlighting the model's historical variations and collectible nature.

The Discussion

Dr No

Mar 13, 2020

Congrats, Robin! You won't believe this, but my first watch was . . .

. . . an AirKing, ca '86. I'll post an image later when I return home to my computer. Art

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Mar 13, 2020

Thanks Art ! Wow that’s some time back :)

Looking forward to seeing your AirKing Art Cheers Robin

Dr No

Mar 14, 2020

My AirKing looked exactly like this one . . .

. . . with a Ba hrain P etroleum Co mpany decal on the dial. Wish I had it back now . . .

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Mar 14, 2020

Wow nice one !

Very charming watch

ZSHSZ

Mar 13, 2020

Congratulations! Looks right at home on your wrist. [nt]

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Mar 13, 2020

Thank you mate ! :) [nt]

Rolex Air-King Ref. 116900: An Unexpected Acquisition Story

Key Points from the Discussion

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