Air-king

1957 is the year of the reference 5500, which will be marketed until 1990. This reference was launched with different names: “AIR-KING”, “METROPOLITAN”, “EXPLORER”, “EVEREST”. Models with personalized dial werae very widespread. At about the end of the 1960’s, Rolex introduces a new Oyster Perpetual Date model: the refs. 5700 in stainless steel with polished bezel and 5701 in steel/ gold with reeded bezel, both never appeared in the official Rolex catalogues in Italy. The dial can bear either the writing AIR-KING-DATE or EXPLORER DATE and below the specification PRECISION or SUPER PRECISION. In 1992 Rolex introduces two new AIR-KING models with 34 mm diameter in stainless steel: the references 14000 (polished bezel) and 14010 with engine-turned bezel with hour divisions. Illustrated in the catalogues up until 2000 and, as from 2001, replaced by the new references 14000M and 14010M.
In 2007 Rolex presents the new Oyster Perpetual AIR-KING (Ø 34 mm), certified chronometer: the ref. 114200 in stainless steel with domed bezel, the ref. 114210 in stainless steel with engine-turned bezel with hour divisions and the ref. 114234 in stainless steel with white gold reeded bezel.

References: 5506 - 5520 - 14000 - 14010 - 114200 - 114210 - 114234 - 5700 - 5500 - 5504

Complete information about Rolex Air-king in the books:

100 Years of Rolex
Rolex Gallery
Collecting Modern and Vintage Rolex Wristwatches