Reference:4925 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Remove standalone gallery heading; retain footer gallery

2026-09-29T05:14:10Z

Remove standalone gallery heading; retain footer gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:14, 29 September 2026
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	See also the [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	~~== Gallery ==~~
	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	File:Ref 4925 hero.webp\|alt=Rolex 4925 Air-King\|Rolex 4925 Air-King		File:Ref 4925 hero.webp\|alt=Rolex 4925 Air-King\|Rolex 4925 Air-King

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: grounded Air-King origin, production limits, and source coverage

2026-09-28T20:47:22Z

Deep audit: grounded Air-King origin, production limits, and source coverage

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 28 September 2026
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	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 4925 Air-King, c.1945–1950s — Hand-wound Oyster reference \| Rolexopedia		\|title=Rolex 4925 Air-King, c.1945–1950s — Hand-wound Oyster reference \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=Reference guide to the hand-wound Rolex Air-King 4925, commonly dated from around 1945, with a 34mm Oyster case, Hunter-family movement, ~~subsidiary or centre~~ seconds ~~variants~~ and documented early Air-King dial forms.		\|description=Reference guide to the hand-wound Rolex Air-King 4925, commonly dated from around 1945, with a 34mm Oyster case, Hunter-family movement, central seconds and documented early Air-King dial forms.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 4925, Air-King, Battle of Britain, Hunter caliber, Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant		\|keywords=Rolex, 4925, Air-King, Battle of Britain, Hunter caliber, Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant
	\|image=Ref 4925 hero.webp		\|image=Ref 4925 hero.webp
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	</div>		</div>

	The 4925 is ~~commonly treated~~ as the first Air-King reference: a hand-wound 34mm Oyster ~~that appears in sources~~ from around 1945. It appears alongside the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger and Air-Giant names. The automatic 6552 follows in the early 1950s, with the 5500 continuing the Air-King line from 1957. The exact boundary between 4925 catalogue production and later case-stock assembly remains disputed.		The 4925 is widely identified as the first Air-King reference: a hand-wound 34mm Oyster documented from around 1945. It appears alongside the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger and Air-Giant names. The automatic 6552 follows in the early 1950s, with the 5500 continuing the Air-King line from 1957. The exact boundary between 4925 catalogue production and later case-stock assembly remains disputed.

	~~The~~ Battle of Britain explanation ~~is repeated in modern Air-King histories~~, but ~~this article has not found a~~ period Rolex advertisement, Wilsdorf statement or other primary source ~~that~~ confirms it. It ~~belongs in the article as~~ attributed collector and editorial history~~, not as settled fact~~.		Modern Air-King histories repeat a Battle of Britain explanation, but no period Rolex advertisement, Wilsdorf statement or other primary source cited here confirms it. It remains attributed collector and editorial history.

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>
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	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	Modern histories commonly date the launch to 1945. That date does not by itself prove the Battle of Britain explanation, which remains an attributed story without a primary source ~~in this review~~.		Modern histories commonly date the launch to 1945. That date does not by itself prove the Battle of Britain explanation, which remains an attributed story without a cited primary source.

	The end year is contested. 1953 is the consensus retirement date — Siems, Monochrome, Rescapement, Robb Report. Antiquorum lot 382 (25 September 2002) reads instead "the Air-King was first introduced in 1953 in honor of the Royal Air Force pilots who flew in the battle of Britain," treating the automatic 6552 as the "real" launch — a major-house catalogue text that contradicts the 1945-launch consensus. ''Time-Wire'' narrows the 4925 specifically to "approximately 1945–1946" and reads the 4499 as its 1946 replacement. Sotheby's lot 190 (4 September 2020) catalogues a 4925 by case number 354,085 to c.1956, and a dealer-documented eBay artifact carries a 1958 dial — both push the upper bound past the 1953 consensus.		The end year is contested. 1953 is the consensus retirement date — Siems, Monochrome, Rescapement, Robb Report. Antiquorum lot 382 (25 September 2002) reads instead "the Air-King was first introduced in 1953 in honor of the Royal Air Force pilots who flew in the battle of Britain," treating the automatic 6552 as the "real" launch — a major-house catalogue text that contradicts the 1945-launch consensus. ''Time-Wire'' narrows the 4925 specifically to "approximately 1945–1946" and reads the 4499 as its 1946 replacement. Sotheby's lot 190 (4 September 2020) catalogues a 4925 by case number 354,085 to c.1956, and a dealer-documented eBay artifact carries a 1958 dial — both push the upper bound past the 1953 consensus.
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	The cautious reading is that 4925 enters the catalogue around 1945 and is replaced in the catalogue by the automatic 6552 around 1953. The Sotheby's c.1956 example may represent late case-stock assembly, but the source does not establish how common that practice was.		The cautious reading is that 4925 enters the catalogue around 1945 and is replaced in the catalogue by the automatic 6552 around 1953. The Sotheby's c.1956 example may represent late case-stock assembly, but the source does not establish how common that practice was.

	Rolex production ~~totals are not~~ published ~~here~~. The ~~cited~~ record contains a ~~Sotheby's~~ 4925 lot and two Baer & Bosch examples~~, with~~ other Air-King auction entries often ~~referring~~ to later references. That ~~is a~~ record ~~of the sources reviewed,~~ not ~~a count of surviving~~ watches.		No Rolex production total is published for the 4925. The indexed record contains a Sotheby’s 4925 lot and two Baer & Bosch examples; other Air-King auction entries often refer to later references. That record does not establish how many 4925 watches survive or how many were made.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
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	The Hunter movement links the hand-wound Oyster references to the automatic 1030 generation that follows. Its smaller manual-wind package does not need the deep rotor clearance of a Perpetual Bubbleback, which helps explain the flatter case profile.		The Hunter movement links the hand-wound Oyster references to the automatic 1030 generation that follows. Its smaller manual-wind package does not need the deep rotor clearance of a Perpetual Bubbleback, which helps explain the flatter case profile.

	Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' treats early Hunter calibers as a transitional Aegler movement family. The 4925 examples ~~cited here~~ use that family; the 6552 is associated with the later automatic 1030 generation.		Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' treats early Hunter calibers as a transitional Aegler movement family. The 4925 examples in these records use that family; the 6552 is associated with the later automatic 1030 generation.

	[[File:Ref 4925 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag\|alt=Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag]]		[[File:Ref 4925 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag\|alt=Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag]]
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	=== Early-1945 dials with no SWISS MADE text ===		=== Early-1945 dials with no SWISS MADE text ===

	Time-Wire records early examples without “SWISS MADE”. The reason for the omission ~~is not established by the cited evidence~~.		Time-Wire records early examples without “SWISS MADE”. The cited evidence does not establish the reason for the omission.

	<span id="silvered-applied-arabic-late"></span>		<span id="silvered-applied-arabic-late"></span>
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	=== The Battle of Britain commemoration ===		=== The Battle of Britain commemoration ===

	Modern histories often say that Hans Wilsdorf named the Air-King for RAF pilots and the Battle of Britain. ~~This review found no~~ Wilsdorf statement, period Rolex advertisement or other primary source ~~confirming~~ that explanation. It remains an attributed origin story.		Modern histories often say that Hans Wilsdorf named the Air-King for RAF pilots and the Battle of Britain. No Wilsdorf statement, period Rolex advertisement or other primary source cited on this page confirms that explanation. It remains an attributed origin story.

	<span id="air-lion-tiger-giant"></span>		<span id="air-lion-tiger-giant"></span>
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	=== Early-1945 dials without SWISS MADE ===		=== Early-1945 dials without SWISS MADE ===

	A small early-production sub-variant is reported without “SWISS MADE” at the bottom edge. Time-Wire records the variant, but the reason for the omission ~~and~~ its exact date range ~~are not established here~~.		A small early-production sub-variant is reported without “SWISS MADE” at the bottom edge. Time-Wire records the variant, but the available sources do not establish the reason for the omission or its exact date range.

	<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>		<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>
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	The movement and case should be assessed together. A 4925 example with caliber 1030, 1530 or 1520 would need a service or re-case explanation because the cited 4925 examples use the 10½-ligne Hunter family; the movement must be inspected before making that call. The “stamped ROW” marking documented on Sotheby's lot 190 is evidence for that lot, not a universal requirement.		The movement and case should be assessed together. A 4925 example with caliber 1030, 1530 or 1520 would need a service or re-case explanation because the cited 4925 examples use the 10½-ligne Hunter family; the movement must be inspected before making that call. The “stamped ROW” marking documented on Sotheby's lot 190 is evidence for that lot, not a universal requirement.

	~~The bracelet usually doesn't help~~. ~~Most surviving 4925s wear post-1960s bracelets —~~ Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 is on a 1967-clasp ~~7205 —~~ and ~~a period-correct rivet Oyster~~ from the 4925~~'s own~~ production window ~~is rare in surviving inventory~~. Authenticate the head and movement first, then ~~read~~ the bracelet as supplementary evidence ~~rather than as an originality anchor~~.		Bracelets provide limited dating evidence. Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 is on a 7205 with a 1967 clasp date, and the cited record contains few bracelets from the 4925 production window. Authenticate the watch head and movement first, then treat the bracelet as supplementary evidence.

	== Related references ==		== Related references ==
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	* [https://goldammer.me/blogs/articles/rolex-airking-origin-history-and-design-evolution Marcus Siems, "Rolex Air-King Origin History and Design Evolution", Goldammer]		* [https://goldammer.me/blogs/articles/rolex-airking-origin-history-and-design-evolution Marcus Siems, "Rolex Air-King Origin History and Design Evolution", Goldammer]
	* [https://beckertime.com/blog/rolex-decades-the-40s-air-king-versus-the-50s-air-king/ "Rolex Decades The 40s Air-King Versus The 50s Air-King", Beckertime]		* [https://beckertime.com/blog/rolex-decades-the-40s-air-king-versus-the-50s-air-king/ "Rolex Decades The 40s Air-King Versus The 50s Air-King", Beckertime]
			* [https://time-wire.com/watch_model/air-king/ "Air-King: History, Specs & References", Time-Wire]
			* [https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2013/07/the-complete-history-of-the-air-king.html "The Complete History Of The Air King", Rolex Magazine]
	* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-3/rolex-reference-4925-oyster-air-king-a-stainless "Rolex Reference 4925 Oyster Air-King Stainless Steel Center Seconds Wristwatch c.1956", Sotheby's, 2020]		* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/watches-3/rolex-reference-4925-oyster-air-king-a-stainless "Rolex Reference 4925 Oyster Air-King Stainless Steel Center Seconds Wristwatch c.1956", Sotheby's, 2020]
	* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-30-382 "Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Super Precision 1950s Lot 382", Antiquorum, 2002]		* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-30-382 "Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Super Precision 1950s Lot 382", Antiquorum, 2002]

Admin: Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

2026-09-21T04:22:04Z

Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels

Show changes

Admin: SEO fix: add missing alt attributes to images

2026-09-19T03:35:16Z

SEO fix: add missing alt attributes to images

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:35, 19 September 2026
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	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

	[[File:Ref 4925 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag]]		[[File:Ref 4925 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag\|alt=Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag]]
	The 4925 runs the Aegler Cal. 10½ ligne Hunter family — the same caliber lineage that powers the contemporary Bubbleback line and the 4365 / 4444 / 4499 sister Air-references. The "Hunter" designation refers to the 700-series base architecture: caliber 700 / 710 / 720 / similar, with running updates across the production window. Manual wind, central seconds, 15 jewels in the early production, 17 jewels as a running update later (Sotheby's lot 190 catalogues "17 jewels, stamped ROW"). 18,000 vph, non-chronometer, no shock protection in the earliest examples.		The 4925 runs the Aegler Cal. 10½ ligne Hunter family — the same caliber lineage that powers the contemporary Bubbleback line and the 4365 / 4444 / 4499 sister Air-references. The "Hunter" designation refers to the 700-series base architecture: caliber 700 / 710 / 720 / similar, with running updates across the production window. Manual wind, central seconds, 15 jewels in the early production, 17 jewels as a running update later (Sotheby's lot 190 catalogues "17 jewels, stamped ROW"). 18,000 vph, non-chronometer, no shock protection in the earliest examples.

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	=== Silvered ground with applied Arabic numerals (late production) ===		=== Silvered ground with applied Arabic numerals (late production) ===

	[[File:Ref 4925 silvered-late.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|The silvered-ground late-production 4925, case 354,085, c.1956]]		[[File:Ref 4925 silvered-late.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|The silvered-ground late-production 4925, case 354,085, c.1956\|alt=The silvered-ground late-production 4925, case 354,085, c.1956]]
	Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial and alpha hands, the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The lot's catalogue text records only "Dial: silvered" and does not describe the marker style; the lot's own photography shows the same applied Arabic-numeral layout as the canonical eggshell dial, not baton indices. The example reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over, carrying the applied-Arabic dial forward onto a silvered rather than eggshell base.		Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial and alpha hands, the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The lot's catalogue text records only "Dial: silvered" and does not describe the marker style; the lot's own photography shows the same applied Arabic-numeral layout as the canonical eggshell dial, not baton indices. The example reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over, carrying the applied-Arabic dial forward onto a silvered rather than eggshell base.

Klaudiusz: Layout: convert stacked images to a packed gallery -- each had its own paragraph but combined image height still exceeded combined text height, leaving dead whitespace beside the stack (runbook Sec 3)

2026-09-14T00:59:22Z

Layout: convert stacked images to a packed gallery -- each had its own paragraph but combined image height still exceeded combined text height, leaving dead whitespace beside the stack (runbook Sec 3)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:59, 14 September 2026
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	== Case and construction ==		== Case and construction ==

	[[File:Ref 4925 case-profile.webp~~\|thumb\|right\|250px~~\|Case profile: screw-down manual-wind crown, no Twinlock]]		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 4925 case-profile.webp\|Case profile: screw-down manual-wind crown, no Twinlock
			File:Ref 4925 caseback-exterior.webp\|Smooth caseback exterior, no date stamp
			</gallery>

	34mm stainless steel three-piece Oyster — case middle, threaded caseback, threaded crown. The case profile reads closer to the post-war flat Oyster than to the pre-war Bubbleback proper; the Cal. 10½ Hunter doesn't need the rotor-clearance dome. Lugs are 19mm with drilled spring-bar holes. The bezel is fixed and steel and smooth. The crown is a manual-wind brevet, screw-down, no Twinlock; the 4925 predates Twinlock, which arrives in the 1950s on the Oyster sport line.		34mm stainless steel three-piece Oyster — case middle, threaded caseback, threaded crown. The case profile reads closer to the post-war flat Oyster than to the pre-war Bubbleback proper; the Cal. 10½ Hunter doesn't need the rotor-clearance dome. Lugs are 19mm with drilled spring-bar holes. The bezel is fixed and steel and smooth. The crown is a manual-wind brevet, screw-down, no Twinlock; the 4925 predates Twinlock, which arrives in the 1950s on the Oyster sport line.

	The case is steel-only across documented examples. The 4444 (Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King) carries a documented two-tone construction with a solid-gold bezel and crown, but the 4925 is consistently catalogued in plain steel. Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) gives 33mm rather than 34mm — within measurement-method tolerance for a watch usually quoted at 34mm. Across all surfaced major-house lots the case dimensions read consistent.		The case is steel-only across documented examples. The 4444 (Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King) carries a documented two-tone construction with a solid-gold bezel and crown, but the 4925 is consistently catalogued in plain steel. Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) gives 33mm rather than 34mm — within measurement-method tolerance for a watch usually quoted at 34mm. Across all surfaced major-house lots the case dimensions read consistent.

	~~[[File:Ref 4925 caseback-exterior.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|Smooth caseback exterior, no date stamp]]~~
	The caseback exterior is smooth without a date stamp. The interior carries reference and case-number markings. Roman-quarter date codes (II.46, III.48, IV.51, etc.) inside the caseback are the cleanest per-watch dating tell. Drilled spring-bar holes are period-correct on the 4925 lugs and persist into the 5500 era; the convention on the 4925 is consistent with the broader pre-1990 vintage Rolex line.		The caseback exterior is smooth without a date stamp. The interior carries reference and case-number markings. Roman-quarter date codes (II.46, III.48, IV.51, etc.) inside the caseback are the cleanest per-watch dating tell. Drilled spring-bar holes are period-correct on the 4925 lugs and persist into the 5500 era; the convention on the 4925 is consistent with the broader pre-1990 vintage Rolex line.

Klaudiusz: Galleries: convert 1 in-section image cluster(s) to comparison galleries (same files, same captions)

2026-09-13T18:05:48Z

Galleries: convert 1 in-section image cluster(s) to comparison galleries (same files, same captions)

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 13 September 2026
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	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>


	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==
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	== Bracelets, end-links, and clasps ==		== Bracelets, end-links, and clasps ==

	[[File:Ref 4925 bracelet.webp~~\|thumb\|right\|250px~~\|7205 rivet Oyster bracelet, a service-era refit -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907]]		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	[[File:Ref 4925 clasp.webp~~\|thumb\|right\|250px~~\|Folded Oyster clasp, Rolex coronet stamp -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907]]		File:Ref 4925 bracelet.webp\|7205 rivet Oyster bracelet, a service-era refit -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907
			File:Ref 4925 clasp.webp\|Folded Oyster clasp, Rolex coronet stamp -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907
			</gallery>
	The 4925 era pre-dates the formal numbered Oyster bracelet references that anchor the later Air-King line. Period-correct fitment is a 19mm rivet Oyster with the early 6635-class end-links. The 7205 rivet Oyster (with end-link 57) that becomes standard on the 5500 also turns up on late-production 4925s and on service-era refits — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 documents a 4925 case fitted with a 7205 dating from 1967 (clasp date code), making it a service-era refit rather than original delivery. Bracelet originality on a 4925 needs case-and-clasp-date verification rather than relying on the bracelet reference number alone, and most surviving 4925s wear bracelets that post-date the 4925's own production by a decade or more.		The 4925 era pre-dates the formal numbered Oyster bracelet references that anchor the later Air-King line. Period-correct fitment is a 19mm rivet Oyster with the early 6635-class end-links. The 7205 rivet Oyster (with end-link 57) that becomes standard on the 5500 also turns up on late-production 4925s and on service-era refits — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 documents a 4925 case fitted with a 7205 dating from 1967 (clasp date code), making it a service-era refit rather than original delivery. Bracelet originality on a 4925 needs case-and-clasp-date verification rather than relying on the bracelet reference number alone, and most surviving 4925s wear bracelets that post-date the 4925's own production by a decade or more.

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	The bracelet usually doesn't help. Most surviving 4925s wear post-1960s bracelets — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 is on a 1967-clasp 7205 — and a period-correct rivet Oyster from the 4925's own production window is rare in surviving inventory. Authenticate the head and movement first, then read the bracelet as supplementary evidence rather than as an originality anchor.		The bracelet usually doesn't help. Most surviving 4925s wear post-1960s bracelets — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 is on a 1967-clasp 7205 — and a period-correct rivet Oyster from the 4925's own production window is rare in surviving inventory. Authenticate the head and movement first, then read the bracelet as supplementary evidence rather than as an originality anchor.


	== Related references ==		== Related references ==
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	* [https://www.watch-wiki.net/doku.php?id=rolex_air-king "Rolex Air-King", Watch-Wiki]		* [https://www.watch-wiki.net/doku.php?id=rolex_air-king "Rolex Air-King", Watch-Wiki]
	* [https://time-wire.com/watch_reference/4925-2/ "Reference 4925 Details and History", Time-Wire]		* [https://time-wire.com/watch_reference/4925-2/ "Reference 4925 Details and History", Time-Wire]


	[[Category:Air-King]]		[[Category:Air-King]]

Klaudiusz: Images: place five accepted photos, all traced to Sotheby's lot 190 or Baer & Bosch AN3907 -- both already cited in prose. Movement/caseback photo confirms the '17 jewels stamped ROW' claim directly and the silvered-late dial fills a previously-unillustrated dial-map subsection.

2026-09-13T16:43:25Z

Images: place five accepted photos, all traced to Sotheby's lot 190 or Baer & Bosch AN3907 -- both already cited in prose. Movement/caseback photo confirms the '17 jewels stamped ROW' claim directly and the silvered-late dial fills a previously-unillustrated dial-map subsection.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 13 September 2026
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	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

			[[File:Ref 4925 movement.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Cal. Hunter movement, 17 jewels stamped ROW; inner caseback marked "4925" with an RWC LTD service tag]]
	The 4925 runs the Aegler Cal. 10½ ligne Hunter family — the same caliber lineage that powers the contemporary Bubbleback line and the 4365 / 4444 / 4499 sister Air-references. The "Hunter" designation refers to the 700-series base architecture: caliber 700 / 710 / 720 / similar, with running updates across the production window. Manual wind, central seconds, 15 jewels in the early production, 17 jewels as a running update later (Sotheby's lot 190 catalogues "17 jewels, stamped ROW"). 18,000 vph, non-chronometer, no shock protection in the earliest examples.		The 4925 runs the Aegler Cal. 10½ ligne Hunter family — the same caliber lineage that powers the contemporary Bubbleback line and the 4365 / 4444 / 4499 sister Air-references. The "Hunter" designation refers to the 700-series base architecture: caliber 700 / 710 / 720 / similar, with running updates across the production window. Manual wind, central seconds, 15 jewels in the early production, 17 jewels as a running update later (Sotheby's lot 190 catalogues "17 jewels, stamped ROW"). 18,000 vph, non-chronometer, no shock protection in the earliest examples.

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	=== Silvered ground with applied Arabic numerals (late production) ===		=== Silvered ground with applied Arabic numerals (late production) ===

			[[File:Ref 4925 silvered-late.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|The silvered-ground late-production 4925, case 354,085, c.1956]]
	Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial and alpha hands, the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The lot's catalogue text records only "Dial: silvered" and does not describe the marker style; the lot's own photography shows the same applied Arabic-numeral layout as the canonical eggshell dial, not baton indices. The example reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over, carrying the applied-Arabic dial forward onto a silvered rather than eggshell base.		Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial and alpha hands, the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The lot's catalogue text records only "Dial: silvered" and does not describe the marker style; the lot's own photography shows the same applied Arabic-numeral layout as the canonical eggshell dial, not baton indices. The example reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over, carrying the applied-Arabic dial forward onto a silvered rather than eggshell base.

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	== Case and construction ==		== Case and construction ==

			[[File:Ref 4925 case-profile.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|Case profile: screw-down manual-wind crown, no Twinlock]]
	34mm stainless steel three-piece Oyster — case middle, threaded caseback, threaded crown. The case profile reads closer to the post-war flat Oyster than to the pre-war Bubbleback proper; the Cal. 10½ Hunter doesn't need the rotor-clearance dome. Lugs are 19mm with drilled spring-bar holes. The bezel is fixed and steel and smooth. The crown is a manual-wind brevet, screw-down, no Twinlock; the 4925 predates Twinlock, which arrives in the 1950s on the Oyster sport line.		34mm stainless steel three-piece Oyster — case middle, threaded caseback, threaded crown. The case profile reads closer to the post-war flat Oyster than to the pre-war Bubbleback proper; the Cal. 10½ Hunter doesn't need the rotor-clearance dome. Lugs are 19mm with drilled spring-bar holes. The bezel is fixed and steel and smooth. The crown is a manual-wind brevet, screw-down, no Twinlock; the 4925 predates Twinlock, which arrives in the 1950s on the Oyster sport line.

	The case is steel-only across documented examples. The 4444 (Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King) carries a documented two-tone construction with a solid-gold bezel and crown, but the 4925 is consistently catalogued in plain steel. Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) gives 33mm rather than 34mm — within measurement-method tolerance for a watch usually quoted at 34mm. Across all surfaced major-house lots the case dimensions read consistent.		The case is steel-only across documented examples. The 4444 (Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King) carries a documented two-tone construction with a solid-gold bezel and crown, but the 4925 is consistently catalogued in plain steel. Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) gives 33mm rather than 34mm — within measurement-method tolerance for a watch usually quoted at 34mm. Across all surfaced major-house lots the case dimensions read consistent.

			[[File:Ref 4925 caseback-exterior.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|Smooth caseback exterior, no date stamp]]
	The caseback exterior is smooth without a date stamp. The interior carries reference and case-number markings. Roman-quarter date codes (II.46, III.48, IV.51, etc.) inside the caseback are the cleanest per-watch dating tell. Drilled spring-bar holes are period-correct on the 4925 lugs and persist into the 5500 era; the convention on the 4925 is consistent with the broader pre-1990 vintage Rolex line.		The caseback exterior is smooth without a date stamp. The interior carries reference and case-number markings. Roman-quarter date codes (II.46, III.48, IV.51, etc.) inside the caseback are the cleanest per-watch dating tell. Drilled spring-bar holes are period-correct on the 4925 lugs and persist into the 5500 era; the convention on the 4925 is consistent with the broader pre-1990 vintage Rolex line.

Line 144:		Line 148:
	== Bracelets, end-links, and clasps ==		== Bracelets, end-links, and clasps ==

			[[File:Ref 4925 bracelet.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|7205 rivet Oyster bracelet, a service-era refit -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907]]
			[[File:Ref 4925 clasp.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|Folded Oyster clasp, Rolex coronet stamp -- Baer & Bosch lot AN3907]]
	The 4925 era pre-dates the formal numbered Oyster bracelet references that anchor the later Air-King line. Period-correct fitment is a 19mm rivet Oyster with the early 6635-class end-links. The 7205 rivet Oyster (with end-link 57) that becomes standard on the 5500 also turns up on late-production 4925s and on service-era refits — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 documents a 4925 case fitted with a 7205 dating from 1967 (clasp date code), making it a service-era refit rather than original delivery. Bracelet originality on a 4925 needs case-and-clasp-date verification rather than relying on the bracelet reference number alone, and most surviving 4925s wear bracelets that post-date the 4925's own production by a decade or more.		The 4925 era pre-dates the formal numbered Oyster bracelet references that anchor the later Air-King line. Period-correct fitment is a 19mm rivet Oyster with the early 6635-class end-links. The 7205 rivet Oyster (with end-link 57) that becomes standard on the 5500 also turns up on late-production 4925s and on service-era refits — Baer & Bosch lot AN3907 documents a 4925 case fitted with a 7205 dating from 1967 (clasp date code), making it a service-era refit rather than original delivery. Bracelet originality on a 4925 needs case-and-clasp-date verification rather than relying on the bracelet reference number alone, and most surviving 4925s wear bracelets that post-date the 4925's own production by a decade or more.

Klaudiusz: Fix dial-map/auction-table error: Sotheby lot 190 (case 354,085, c.1956) shows applied Arabic numerals per its own lot photography, not baton indices as previously stated; catalogue text only says "Dial: silvered" and never mentions marker style. Corrected core-facts dial-text row, dial-map subsection, and auction-record table.

2026-09-13T14:37:32Z

Fix dial-map/auction-table error: Sotheby lot 190 (case 354,085, c.1956) shows applied Arabic numerals per its own lot photography, not baton indices as previously stated; catalogue text only says "Dial: silvered" and never mentions marker style. Corrected core-facts dial-text row, dial-map subsection, and auction-record table.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 13 September 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\| dial text		\| dial text
	\| "OYSTER AIR-KING," typically with "PRECISION" line above six (some 4925s without "PRECISION" text); applied gold Arabic numerals on eggshell ground in ~~early~~ production, ~~applied~~ baton ~~indices on later examples~~		\| "OYSTER AIR-KING," typically with "PRECISION" line above six (some 4925s without "PRECISION" text); applied gold Arabic numerals throughout the documented production run, on eggshell ground early and on a silvered ground in late-production bridging stock (Sotheby's lot 190, c.1956) — no baton-index 4925 is documented in the auction record
	\|-		\|-
	\| bracelet		\| bracelet
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	Time-Wire flags a sub-variant of the early production: dials without "SWISS MADE" at the bottom, succeeded by the standard SWISS-MADE-text dials later in the same year. The omission likely reflects pre-mandatory-marking-era production rather than a marketing choice; the SWISS MADE requirement on Swiss watch dials post-dates the early-1945 launch.		Time-Wire flags a sub-variant of the early production: dials without "SWISS MADE" at the bottom, succeeded by the standard SWISS-MADE-text dials later in the same year. The omission likely reflects pre-mandatory-marking-era production rather than a marketing choice; the SWISS MADE requirement on Swiss watch dials post-dates the early-1945 launch.

	<span id="silvered-applied-~~baton~~-late"></span>		<span id="silvered-applied-arabic-late"></span>
	=== Silvered with applied ~~baton indices~~ (late production) ===		=== Silvered ground with applied Arabic numerals (late production) ===

	Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial~~, applied baton indices rather than Arabic numerals,~~ and alpha hands — the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The ~~configuration matches~~ the ~~post-war minimalist~~ applied-~~baton dials that were becoming~~ the ~~Rolex catalogue standard by the mid-1950s~~, ~~and~~ reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over.		Sotheby's lot 190 (2020) catalogues a 4925 with a silvered dial and alpha hands, the case dated by serial number 354,085 to c.1956. The lot's catalogue text records only "Dial: silvered" and does not describe the marker style; the lot's own photography shows the same applied Arabic-numeral layout as the canonical eggshell dial, not baton indices. The example reads as a late-production 4925 made out of bridging stock as the 6552 was taking over, carrying the applied-Arabic dial forward onto a silvered rather than eggshell base.

	The Roman, sector, salmon, honeycomb, clous-de-Paris, tropical, RAF crest, and retailer-signed (Asprey, Tiffany, Beyer, Cartier, Gübelin) 4925 configurations are not documented in major-house lots. A 1958-dated eBay listing surfaces a "Military Dial" 4925 but the configuration is unverified.		The Roman, sector, salmon, honeycomb, clous-de-Paris, tropical, RAF crest, and retailer-signed (Asprey, Tiffany, Beyer, Cartier, Gübelin) 4925 configurations are not documented in major-house lots. A 1958-dated eBay listing surfaces a "Military Dial" 4925 but the configuration is unverified.
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	! Sale !! Lot !! Year !! Reference details !! Result		! Sale !! Lot !! Year !! Reference details !! Result
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sotheby's New York Watches \|\| 190 \|\| 2020 \|\| 4925 c.1956, case 354,085, silvered dial with applied ~~baton indices~~, alpha hands, mechanical 17-jewel ROW \|\| Est. USD 5,000–7,000, did not sell		\| Sotheby's New York Watches \|\| 190 \|\| 2020 \|\| 4925 c.1956, case 354,085, silvered dial with applied Arabic numerals, alpha hands, mechanical 17-jewel ROW \|\| Est. USD 5,000–7,000, did not sell
	\|-		\|-
	\| Antiquorum Geneva \|\| 382 \|\| 2002 \|\| Generic Air-King Super Precision 1950s (5500-era cal 1530, mis-attributed to the early Air-King launch) \|\| Catalogue text contests the 1945 launch consensus		\| Antiquorum Geneva \|\| 382 \|\| 2002 \|\| Generic Air-King Super Precision 1950s (5500-era cal 1530, mis-attributed to the early Air-King launch) \|\| Catalogue text contests the 1945 launch consensus

Klaudiusz: Text audit: avoid orphan-surname false positives on Time-Wire (reading/documents verbs)

2026-09-12T22:47:25Z

Text audit: avoid orphan-surname false positives on Time-Wire (reading/documents verbs)

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:47, 12 September 2026
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	The 4925 sits at the front of every Air-King story. The Air-King line has no pre-1945 history; the 4925 is where the dial-text designation begins. It runs alongside the 4365 (1945, sub-seconds variant on the same case architecture, the canonical Air-Lion / Air-Tiger / Air-Giant case), the 4444 (mid-size with solid-gold bezel and crown, ran Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King dial-signed examples), the 4647 (Hunter Precision case that surfaces with Air-Lion signing), and the 4499 (1946 onward, an upgraded 17-jewel running mate that some sources read as the 4925's successor and others as a parallel sibling). Reading 4499 as a strict successor is the specialist reference site Time-Wire's line; Siems and ''Rolex Magazine'' read the four-reference launch as parallel.		The 4925 sits at the front of every Air-King story. The Air-King line has no pre-1945 history; the 4925 is where the dial-text designation begins. It runs alongside the 4365 (1945, sub-seconds variant on the same case architecture, the canonical Air-Lion / Air-Tiger / Air-Giant case), the 4444 (mid-size with solid-gold bezel and crown, ran Air-Lion / Air-Giant / Air-King dial-signed examples), the 4647 (Hunter Precision case that surfaces with Air-Lion signing), and the 4499 (1946 onward, an upgraded 17-jewel running mate that some sources read as the 4925's successor and others as a parallel sibling). Reading 4499 as a strict successor is the specialist reference site Time-Wire's line; Siems and ''Rolex Magazine'' read the four-reference launch as parallel.

	The case architecture handed off to the 6552 in 1953 — same 34mm Oyster envelope, but with the new automatic Cal. 1030 underneath and an applied coronet at twelve replacing the early printed-coronet dial layout. The 5500 (1957–89) succeeds the 6552 and runs the Cal. 1530 / 1520 generation across the Air-King line for 32 more years. Time-Wire~~'s reading that~~ 5500 is the direct successor to 4925 ~~skips~~ the 6552 entirely ~~and is incorrect~~; the canonical sequence is 4925 → 6552 → 5500.		The case architecture handed off to the 6552 in 1953 — same 34mm Oyster envelope, but with the new automatic Cal. 1030 underneath and an applied coronet at twelve replacing the early printed-coronet dial layout. The 5500 (1957–89) succeeds the 6552 and runs the Cal. 1530 / 1520 generation across the Air-King line for 32 more years. Time-Wire reads 5500 as the direct successor to 4925, skipping the 6552 entirely; the canonical sequence is 4925 → 6552 → 5500.

	The Air-King survives where Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant do not. The other three names disappear from Rolex's catalogue by the early 1950s. Air-Tiger reappears on the Tudor side as ref 7957 (Foundwell c.1959, Analog:Shift c.1964), continuing the cross-brand Battle of Britain commemoration into the Tudor catalogue after Rolex retires it. Air-Lion and Air-Giant don't make the Tudor jump.		The Air-King survives where Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant do not. The other three names disappear from Rolex's catalogue by the early 1950s. Air-Tiger reappears on the Tudor side as ref 7957 (Foundwell c.1959, Analog:Shift c.1964), continuing the cross-brand Battle of Britain commemoration into the Tudor catalogue after Rolex retires it. Air-Lion and Air-Giant don't make the Tudor jump.
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	=== Early-1945 dials without SWISS MADE ===		=== Early-1945 dials without SWISS MADE ===

	A small early-production sub-variant carries dials without the "SWISS MADE" text at the bottom edge. The omission pre-dates Rolex's adoption of the convention rather than reflecting a marketing or market-specific choice; the early-1945 4925s sit on the boundary of when SWISS MADE became standard on Rolex dials. ''Time-Wire'' ~~documents~~ the variant; no major-house lot anchor surfaces.		A small early-production sub-variant carries dials without the "SWISS MADE" text at the bottom edge. The omission pre-dates Rolex's adoption of the convention rather than reflecting a marketing or market-specific choice; the early-1945 4925s sit on the boundary of when SWISS MADE became standard on Rolex dials. ''Time-Wire'' records the variant; no major-house lot anchor surfaces.

	<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>		<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>

Klaudiusz: Text audit: avoid orphan-surname false positive on Time-Wire

2026-09-12T22:46:32Z

Text audit: avoid orphan-surname false positive on Time-Wire

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:46, 12 September 2026
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	=== "PRECISION" text vs no precision text ===		=== "PRECISION" text vs no precision text ===

	Time-Wire ~~documents~~ two dial sub-variants — one with "PRECISION" printed below the AIR-KING line, one without. The PRECISION text is consistent with the period Rolex grading-language convention (Precision, Extra Precision, Super Precision; the Hunter caliber was never chronometer-rated, so PRECISION is the highest grade text the 4925 carries). The non-PRECISION variant either pre-dates the convention or represents an early-production minority.		Time-Wire records two dial sub-variants — one with "PRECISION" printed below the AIR-KING line, one without. The PRECISION text is consistent with the period Rolex grading-language convention (Precision, Extra Precision, Super Precision; the Hunter caliber was never chronometer-rated, so PRECISION is the highest grade text the 4925 carries). The non-PRECISION variant either pre-dates the convention or represents an early-production minority.

	<span id="early-1945-no-swiss-made"></span>		<span id="early-1945-no-swiss-made"></span>