Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2019 Reference No: 116900 Case No: 48N4C601 Model Name: Air-King Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3131, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Inversiones Chacao dated 11th October 2019, instruction manual, product literature, green card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Released in 2016, the Rolex Air-King ref. 116900 sparked interest among collectors as it was the release of a former great. Previously featured in 34mm diameter cases, the introduction of the new Air-King opted for a larger and contemporary 40mm diameter case to cater towards new trends and demands. Dressed with a semi-glossy black dial, it features a highly legible layout with aviator-style numerals similar to two cockpit instruments developed by Rolex in 2006 for Bloohhound SSC Project. Featuring a vibrant green center seconds hand, it matches perfectly with the unusual signature in green, a trait rarely seen in Rolex sports models. Offered in excellent overall condition and complete with its full set of accessories, the present example from circa 2019 is a great choice for daily wear.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.