Rolex’s new Oyster Perpetual Air-King preserves the aeronautical heritage of the original Rolex Oyster. The new Air-King, in a 40 mm case in 904L steel, features a distinctive black dial combining large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours, and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings. The dial carries the name Air-King in the same lettering that was designed especially for the model in the 1950s.
The Air-King carries the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, which ensures singular performance on the wrist. The new Air-King exemplifies Rolex’s privileged ties with the world of aviation during its golden age in the 1930s. It was a period when spectacular progress in aircraft performance constantly expanded humanity’s capacity to conquer the skies, and led to the introduction of long-distance flights.
The Air-King’s Oyster case, guaranteed water proof to a depth of 100 meters underscoring its robustness. Its characteristically shaped middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant 904L steel. The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement.
Fitted with the twin-lock, double waterproof system, the winding crown screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the Air-King’s high- precision movement and is also fitted with a shield to protect against magnetic fields, a feature of pilots’ watches of the past.
The Air-King is equipped with caliber 3131, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its architecture, manufacturing quality and innovative features make it singularly precise and reliable. The oscillator, the true heart of the watch, has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive alloy.
Insensitive to magnetic fields, the Parachrom hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations and remains up to ten times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex over coil, ensuring its regularity in any position. The escapement features a paramagnetic escape wheel made from a nickel-phosphorus alloy produced via UV-LiGA (micro manufacturing by electroforming). Caliber 3131 is equipped with a self-winding module featuring a perpetual rotor and boasts a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
The Air-King is fitted on a solid-link Oyster bracelet in 904L steel with a folding Oyster clasp. This bracelet features the ingenious Rolex- patented Easylink rapid extension system that allows the wearer to easily increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, for additional comfort in any circumstance.
Rolex is the leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, headquartered in Geneva and enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wrist-watch, launched in 1926, and the perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931.
Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programs.
