Stonebridge Watches are proud to offer this very classy vintage Rolex Air-King 5500.
Circa 1986 and fully serviced 21st May 2024.
Also includes a high quality luxury aftermarket Rolex presentation box.
SIZE 34mm
SPECIFICATIONS
| History |
Pre-Owned |
| Condition |
Very Good / Excellent |
| Brand |
Rolex |
| Model |
Air-King 5500 |
| Year |
1986 |
| Box |
Rolex (Aftermarket Luxury Box) |
| Papers |
No |
| Case Size |
34mm (Excluding Crown) |
| Movement |
CAL.1520 / 19800bph |
| Strap |
Includes Rolex Bracelet |
EXTRA DETAILSWatch has been disassembled and fully serviced 21st May 2024. Accuracy runs within 10 seconds a day at 19800bph. Case and bracelet are in excellent condition especially taking into account it's age. In addition you will receive an extra aftermarket leather strap with Rolex signed buckle and a luxury high end Rolex replacement box.
Comes with our 6 month Stonebridge watches guarantee
If you require further information regarding the watch or are concerned about shipping and import fees outside of the UK, please contact us via e-mail or what's app.
STONEBRIDGE WATCHES SAYS...
Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 – 1986 – Silver Sunburst Dial – Automatic – Ref. 1002 Caseback
A beautifully preserved late-production Rolex Air-King reference 5500, dating to 1986, from the final period of this iconic and long-running model. The Air-King is one of the purest expressions of the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual design, valued for its understated styling, exceptional reliability, and timeless proportions.
This example features a striking silver sunburst dial with applied baton hour markers, polished hands, and the correct Air-King script with Precision designation, a configuration seen on later production pieces. The dial remains in excellent condition with strong colour, crisp printing, and only light, even ageing, giving the watch a particularly clean and sharp appearance on the wrist.
The watch is housed in the traditional 34mm stainless steel Oyster case with smooth bezel and screw-down crown, offering the balanced and highly wearable proportions that have made the Air-King 5500 a favourite among collectors for decades. The case is in very good condition with strong lugs and good overall definition, showing only light signs of careful use.
This watch retains a Rolex caseback stamped reference 1002, a detail frequently encountered on later Air-King models. During the 1970s–1980s period Rolex often used shared Oyster case components across the Air-King 5500 and Oyster Perpetual 1002, and examples with this caseback configuration are well documented. The correct model reference remains 5500 between the lugs, with the 1002 marking relating to the caseback type used by Rolex at the time.
Inside, the watch is powered by the reliable Rolex calibre 1520 automatic movement, a robust and proven workhorse known for durability and ease of servicing.
Presented on a stainless steel Oyster bracelet, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine late-era vintage Air-King, combining classic Rolex design with the solid build quality of the 1980s.
This is one of the very best examples we have seen of a vintage Air-King, it has a very gentle aged patina dial. We believe this would make a beautiful gift for yourself or a loved one. Plus you will also receive 2 extra free gifts, a real leather black strap with Rolex signed buckle to change up the look and a luxury aftermarket Rolex presentation box to store and (show off !) this beautiful watch.
The Rolex Air-King with it's minimalist design suits all environments and styles, therefore has become a cult favourite among watch collector's and purists.
The Air-King made it's first appearance in 1945 after Hans Wilsdorf (Rolex Co-Founder) decided to release a series of aviation themed watches to honor the RAF pilots who flew in the Battle Of Britian. Several variations followed until 1957 when Rolex settled on the reference number 5500 (as available here). It remained in production for 37 years and stayed largely unchanged the entire time, testament to it's reliability and timeless class.
At 34mm in diameter it is well suited to a man's or woman's wrist. Its screw-down case, in-house movement and Oyster bracelet provide owners with all the defining characteristics of a Rolex watch (without an eye watering pricetag). With it's uncomplicated design, it's good looks will never fall out of fashion and whilst not as famous or attention grabbing as the Daytona or Submariner it has become a go to favourite for this very reason. As you can tell from our review here we are unashamably a huge fan and believe you will also fall for it's vintage charm.
