Reference:5520 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: tighten catalogue attribution and normalize footer gallery

2026-09-29T03:33:04Z

Deep audit: tighten catalogue attribution and normalize footer gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 29 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Gold-capped Rolex Air-King reference 5520\|Rolex Air-King ref. 5520]]</div>		<div class="rp-lead">[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Gold-capped Rolex Air-King reference 5520\|Rolex Air-King ref. 5520]]</div>

	~~The Rolex ref.~~ 5520 is a 34 mm gold-capped Air-King with a steel caseback and a calibre 1520 in the auction examples examined here. Its production dates are not settled: catalogues date watches to 1969, circa 1970, 1974 and 1983, while published reference histories give different date ranges. The ~~records~~ also disagree over the inner case designation on one Domino’s-signed example.		Reference 5520 is a 34 mm gold-capped Air-King with a steel caseback and a calibre 1520 in the auction examples examined here. Its production dates are not settled: catalogues date watches to 1969, circa 1970, 1974 and 1983, while published reference histories give different date ranges. The catalogues also disagree over the inner case designation on one Domino’s-signed example.

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>
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	==Where it sits in the line==		==Where it sits in the line==

	The 5520 is an Air-King with a two-tone appearance created by a gold outer case over steel. Auction catalogues call examples “GoldShell,” “gold-capped” or “gold-filled.” The ~~records reviewed here~~ do not establish the thickness or manufacturing method for every case, so claims that all examples carry a 40-micron electroplate go beyond the evidence. This construction differs from the ref. 5501, which is described as having solid-gold bezel and crown parts; the 5520’s caseback remains steel in the cited lots.		The 5520 is an Air-King with a two-tone appearance created by a gold outer case over steel. Auction catalogues call examples “GoldShell,” “gold-capped” or “gold-filled.” The cited catalogues do not establish the thickness or manufacturing method for every case, so claims that all examples carry a 40-micron electroplate go beyond the evidence. This construction differs from the ref. 5501, which is described as having solid-gold bezel and crown parts; the 5520’s caseback remains steel in the cited lots.

	The earlier gold-capped Air-King refs. 5502 and 5506 are associated in published histories with calibre 1530 and “Super Precision” dials. The 5520 auction examples instead have calibre 1520. These examples establish a difference between the watches catalogued, but do not prove that every 5520 left the factory with the same dial or movement configuration.		The earlier gold-capped Air-King refs. 5502 and 5506 are associated in published histories with calibre 1530 and “Super Precision” dials. The 5520 auction examples instead have calibre 1520. These examples establish a difference between the watches catalogued, but do not prove that every 5520 left the factory with the same dial or movement configuration.
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	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	Ref 5520 hero.webp\|Ref. 5520 Air-King		File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|Ref. 5520 Air-King
	Ref 5520 dial-variant-dominos.webp\|Domino’s-signed dial, case 2,743,281; catalogued by Antiquorum in 2007		File:Ref 5520 dial-variant-dominos.webp\|Domino’s-signed dial, case 2,743,281; catalogued by Antiquorum in 2007
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Admin: Lint fixes: title metadata and source section

2026-09-25T02:51:50Z

Lint fixes: title metadata and source section

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:51, 25 September 2026
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			{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King 5520}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 5520 Air-King: Gold-Capped Case and Calibre 1520 \| Rolexopedia		\|title=Rolex 5520 Air-King: Gold-Capped Case and Calibre 1520 \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=Auction catalogues document 34 mm gold-capped Air-King ref. 5520 watches with calibre 1520. Published dates and one Domino’s watch’s caseback designation conflict.		\|description=Auction catalogues document 34 mm gold-capped Air-King ref. 5520 watches with calibre 1520. Published dates and one Domino’s watch’s caseback designation conflict.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5520, Air-King, gold-capped, calibre 1520, Domino's Pizza		\|keywords=Rolex, 5520, Air-King, gold-capped, calibre 1520, Domino's Pizza
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	==Domino’s-signed example==		==Domino’s-signed example==

	Antiquorum’s 2007 catalogue records a Domino’s Pizza logo on the dial of case 2,743,281. Christie’s 2010 catalogue identifies the logo on that same case number as later applied. The records document a Domino’s-signed 5520, but they do not show that Rolex supplied it as an award, that its dial was original to the watch, or that it belongs to a formally named ~~“Golden Egg”~~ variant~~. Beckertime uses “Golden Eggs” as a description in its article; it is not established here as a factory or auction category~~.		Antiquorum’s 2007 catalogue records a Domino’s Pizza logo on the dial of case 2,743,281. Christie’s 2010 catalogue identifies the logo on that same case number as later applied. The records document a Domino’s-signed 5520, but they do not show that Rolex supplied it as an award, that its dial was original to the watch, or that it belongs to a formally named variant.

	==Auction records==		==Auction records==
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	\| Christie’s \|\| 1891.69 \|\| Ref. 5520, circa 1970; 34 mm; calibre described with 26 jewels \|\| Result not included here		\| Christie’s \|\| 1891.69 \|\| Ref. 5520, circa 1970; 34 mm; calibre described with 26 jewels \|\| Result not included here
	\|}		\|}

			==Related references==

			* [[Reference:5500\|Air-King 5500]]
			* [[Reference:5501\|Air-King 5501]]
			* [[Reference:5502\|Air-King 5502]]
			* [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King family index]]
			* [[Reference:Movements\|Movements]]
			* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]]

	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
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	</gallery>		</gallery>

	==Sources==		== Sources ==

	* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-188 Antiquorum, Geneva, 14 May 2006, lot 108-188]		* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-188 Antiquorum, Geneva, 14 May 2006, lot 108-188]
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	* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/complete-guide-to-the-rolex-air-king-1945-to-present-1235881849/ Robb Report, “The Complete Guide to Rolex Air-King Watches From 1945 to Present”]		* [https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/complete-guide-to-the-rolex-air-king-1945-to-present-1235881849/ Robb Report, “The Complete Guide to Rolex Air-King Watches From 1945 to Present”]
	* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-dominos-rolex-air-king-with-a-slice-of-pizza Hodinkee, “The Domino’s Rolex Air-King With A Slice Of Pizza”]		* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-dominos-rolex-air-king-with-a-slice-of-pizza Hodinkee, “The Domino’s Rolex Air-King With A Slice Of Pizza”]
	* [https://beckertime.com/blog/hunting-golden-eggs-gold-shell-rolex-air-king-watch/ Beckertime, “Hunting Golden Eggs Gold-Shell Rolex Air-King Watch”]

	~~==Related references==~~

	* [[Reference:5500\|Air-King 5500]]
	* [[Reference:5501\|Air-King 5501]]
	* [[Reference:5502\|Air-King 5502]]
	* [[Reference:air-king\|Air-King family index]]
	* [[Reference:Movements\|Movements]]
	* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]]

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

Admin: Audit 5520: correct unsupported claims; reconcile catalogue evidence

2026-09-25T02:50:05Z

Audit 5520: correct unsupported claims; reconcile catalogue evidence

Show changes

Admin: SEO fix: add missing alt attributes to images

2026-09-19T03:35:33Z

SEO fix: add missing alt attributes to images

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:35, 19 September 2026
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	=== Domino's Pizza "Golden Egg" 5520 ===		=== Domino's Pizza "Golden Egg" 5520 ===

	[[File:Ref 5520 dial-variant-dominos.webp\|thumb\|right\|280px\|Rolex 5520 Air-King, Domino's Pizza commemorative dial, satiné gilt ground, case No.2,743,281. Antiquorum, Geneva, 2007]]		[[File:Ref 5520 dial-variant-dominos.webp\|thumb\|right\|280px\|Rolex 5520 Air-King, Domino's Pizza commemorative dial, satiné gilt ground, case No.2,743,281. Antiquorum, Geneva, 2007\|alt=Rolex 5520 Air-King, Domino's Pizza commemorative dial, satiné gilt ground, case No.2,743,281. Antiquorum, Geneva, 2007]]

	The 5520's defining collector branch. The 1980s Domino's Pizza Olympic Award incentive program commissioned 5520 examples carrying the Domino's logo on the dial. The broader [[Reference:5500#dominos-pizza\|Tom Monaghan sales-incentive program]] ran on the 5500; the 5520 "Golden Egg" sits as the gold-capped sub-branch of that program. Specialist editorial documents the 5520 Domino's variant explicitly under the "Hunting Golden Eggs" framing — the gold-capped finish plus the Domino's commission together produced a sub-variant with both the gold trim and the corporate logo. Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (case No. 2,743,281, satiné gilt dial, Cal. 1520 with oeil-de-perdrix decoration, est. CHF 4,000–6,000) is the documented major-house auction anchor for the branch.		The 5520's defining collector branch. The 1980s Domino's Pizza Olympic Award incentive program commissioned 5520 examples carrying the Domino's logo on the dial. The broader [[Reference:5500#dominos-pizza\|Tom Monaghan sales-incentive program]] ran on the 5500; the 5520 "Golden Egg" sits as the gold-capped sub-branch of that program. Specialist editorial documents the 5520 Domino's variant explicitly under the "Hunting Golden Eggs" framing — the gold-capped finish plus the Domino's commission together produced a sub-variant with both the gold trim and the corporate logo. Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (case No. 2,743,281, satiné gilt dial, Cal. 1520 with oeil-de-perdrix decoration, est. CHF 4,000–6,000) is the documented major-house auction anchor for the branch.

Admin: Core facts: fix stale Robb Report consensus claim to match the paragraph-level reffuter fix (revid 10261) — infobox still said 'RolexMagazine and Robb Report consensus'

2026-09-16T02:17:06Z

Core facts: fix stale Robb Report consensus claim to match the paragraph-level reffuter fix (revid 10261) — infobox still said 'RolexMagazine and Robb Report consensus'

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:17, 16 September 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\| production		\| production
	\| 1974–1986 catalog (RolexMagazine ~~and~~ Robb Report ~~consensus); some sources push~~ introduction ~~earlier into late 1960s~~		\| 1974–1986 catalog (RolexMagazine); Robb Report's own gold-capped Air-King list gives 1960–1970 for the 5520, agreeing with the earlier-introduction reading rather than the 1974 date
	\|-		\|-
	\| case		\| case

Admin: Fix source-attribution error: Robb Report dates 5520 to 1960-1970, contradicting the 1974-1986 claim it was cited as supporting (reffuter finding)

2026-09-16T02:14:50Z

Fix source-attribution error: Robb Report dates 5520 to 1960-1970, contradicting the 1974-1986 claim it was cited as supporting (reffuter finding)

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:14, 16 September 2026
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	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	The 1974 introduction year and 1986 retirement come from RolexMagazine (Jake Ehrlich)~~, Robb Report,~~ and secondary aggregators ~~— three sources that converge~~ on ~~the~~ 12-year 1974–1986 catalog window. Antiquorum Mondani Collection lot 108-188 (5520/1024, case 7,473,941, 1983 production) sits in the middle of this window and confirms the catalog dates with serial-number evidence. No documented 5520 dated post-1986 has surfaced.		The 1974 introduction year and 1986 retirement come from RolexMagazine (Jake Ehrlich) and secondary aggregators, converging on a 12-year 1974–1986 catalog window. Antiquorum Mondani Collection lot 108-188 (5520/1024, case 7,473,941, 1983 production) sits in the middle of this window and confirms the catalog dates with serial-number evidence. No documented 5520 dated post-1986 has surfaced.

	Some sources (Marcus Siems, Monochrome paraphrase) suggest a late-1960s introduction for the 5520 — pushing the launch back by approximately 5–8 years from the catalog evidence. The late-1960s reading was previously uncorroborated by named-byline editorial citing specific catalog dates; Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (the Domino's Pizza 5520, case No. 2,743,281) catalogues that example as made in 1969, which is a named major-house dating rather than an unbylined paraphrase and complicates the clean 1974-introduction reading. Treat the 1974 catalog date as the consensus anchor for standard production while noting this single earlier-dated example.		Some sources (Marcus Siems, Monochrome paraphrase) suggest a late-1960s introduction for the 5520 — pushing the launch back by approximately 5–8 years from the catalog evidence. Robb Report's own Air-King guide independently dates the 5520 to 1960–1970, landing closer to this minority reading than to the 1974–1986 window — a genuine disagreement between named sources, not the convergence this article previously (incorrectly) attributed to Robb Report. The late-1960s reading was previously uncorroborated by named-byline editorial citing specific catalog dates; Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (the Domino's Pizza 5520, case No. 2,743,281) catalogues that example as made in 1969, which is a named major-house dating rather than an unbylined paraphrase and complicates the clean 1974-introduction reading. Treat the 1974 catalog date as the consensus anchor for standard production while noting this single earlier-dated example.

	Total production output is not published. The 5520 is meaningfully scarcer than the 5500 across the secondary market — the 12-year window is shorter than the 5500's parallel-running 32-year span, the gold-capped pricing premium narrowed the buyer base, and the Domino's branch (which drove substantial 5500 production) was concentrated on the 5500 rather than the 5520. The 5520 surfaces at major-house auction primarily through Antiquorum sales; Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams have light documented coverage on the 5520 specifically.		Total production output is not published. The 5520 is meaningfully scarcer than the 5500 across the secondary market — the 12-year window is shorter than the 5500's parallel-running 32-year span, the gold-capped pricing premium narrowed the buyer base, and the Domino's branch (which drove substantial 5500 production) was concentrated on the 5500 rather than the 5520. The 5520 surfaces at major-house auction primarily through Antiquorum sales; Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams have light documented coverage on the 5520 specifically.

Admin: Images: add Domino's Pizza Golden Egg dial photo (Antiquorum lot 107) to special branches; add lot to auction table/Sources; note its 1969 catalogue date as corroboration for the contested late-1960s introduction reading

2026-09-14T16:08:59Z

Images: add Domino's Pizza Golden Egg dial photo (Antiquorum lot 107) to special branches; add lot to auction table/Sources; note its 1969 catalogue date as corroboration for the contested late-1960s introduction reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 14 September 2026
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	The 1974 introduction year and 1986 retirement come from RolexMagazine (Jake Ehrlich), Robb Report, and secondary aggregators — three sources that converge on the 12-year 1974–1986 catalog window. Antiquorum Mondani Collection lot 108-188 (5520/1024, case 7,473,941, 1983 production) sits in the middle of this window and confirms the catalog dates with serial-number evidence. No documented 5520 dated post-1986 has surfaced.		The 1974 introduction year and 1986 retirement come from RolexMagazine (Jake Ehrlich), Robb Report, and secondary aggregators — three sources that converge on the 12-year 1974–1986 catalog window. Antiquorum Mondani Collection lot 108-188 (5520/1024, case 7,473,941, 1983 production) sits in the middle of this window and confirms the catalog dates with serial-number evidence. No documented 5520 dated post-1986 has surfaced.

	Some sources (Marcus Siems, Monochrome paraphrase) suggest a late-1960s introduction for the 5520 — pushing the launch back by approximately 5–8 years from the catalog evidence. The late-1960s reading is uncorroborated by named-byline editorial citing specific catalog dates; the ~~1974 introduction~~ is ~~the canonical anchor~~ and the ~~Antiquorum dated examples support~~ 1974~~+ rather than late~~-~~1960s~~ production.		Some sources (Marcus Siems, Monochrome paraphrase) suggest a late-1960s introduction for the 5520 — pushing the launch back by approximately 5–8 years from the catalog evidence. The late-1960s reading was previously uncorroborated by named-byline editorial citing specific catalog dates; Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (the Domino's Pizza 5520, case No. 2,743,281) catalogues that example as made in 1969, which is a named major-house dating rather than an unbylined paraphrase and complicates the clean 1974-introduction reading. Treat the 1974 catalog date as the consensus anchor for standard production while noting this single earlier-dated example.

	Total production output is not published. The 5520 is meaningfully scarcer than the 5500 across the secondary market — the 12-year window is shorter than the 5500's parallel-running 32-year span, the gold-capped pricing premium narrowed the buyer base, and the Domino's branch (which drove substantial 5500 production) was concentrated on the 5500 rather than the 5520. The 5520 surfaces at major-house auction primarily through Antiquorum sales; Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams have light documented coverage on the 5520 specifically.		Total production output is not published. The 5520 is meaningfully scarcer than the 5500 across the secondary market — the 12-year window is shorter than the 5500's parallel-running 32-year span, the gold-capped pricing premium narrowed the buyer base, and the Domino's branch (which drove substantial 5500 production) was concentrated on the 5500 rather than the 5520. The 5520 surfaces at major-house auction primarily through Antiquorum sales; Phillips, Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams have light documented coverage on the 5520 specifically.
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	=== Domino's Pizza "Golden Egg" 5520 ===		=== Domino's Pizza "Golden Egg" 5520 ===

	The 5520's defining collector branch. The 1980s Domino's Pizza Olympic Award incentive program commissioned 5520 examples carrying the Domino's logo on the dial. The broader [[Reference:5500#dominos-pizza\|Tom Monaghan sales-incentive program]] ran on the 5500; the 5520 "Golden Egg" sits as the gold-capped sub-branch of that program. Specialist editorial documents the 5520 Domino's variant explicitly under the "Hunting Golden Eggs" framing — the gold-capped finish plus the Domino's commission together produced a sub-variant with both the gold trim and the corporate logo.		[[File:Ref 5520 dial-variant-dominos.webp\|thumb\|right\|280px\|Rolex 5520 Air-King, Domino's Pizza commemorative dial, satiné gilt ground, case No.2,743,281. Antiquorum, Geneva, 2007]]

			The 5520's defining collector branch. The 1980s Domino's Pizza Olympic Award incentive program commissioned 5520 examples carrying the Domino's logo on the dial. The broader [[Reference:5500#dominos-pizza\|Tom Monaghan sales-incentive program]] ran on the 5500; the 5520 "Golden Egg" sits as the gold-capped sub-branch of that program. Specialist editorial documents the 5520 Domino's variant explicitly under the "Hunting Golden Eggs" framing — the gold-capped finish plus the Domino's commission together produced a sub-variant with both the gold trim and the corporate logo. Antiquorum Geneva 2007 lot 107 (case No. 2,743,281, satiné gilt dial, Cal. 1520 with oeil-de-perdrix decoration, est. CHF 4,000–6,000) is the documented major-house auction anchor for the branch.

	The 5520 Domino's is rare relative to the 5500 Domino's. Most documented Domino's Air-Kings sit on 5500 cases; the 5520 Domino's appears on a small subset of late-program awards. Provenance documentation (the dial logo + the awardee's name engraved on the caseback + period photographs) is essential for authentication; service-replacement Domino's dials applied to standard 5520 cases would be undetectable from the case alone.		The 5520 Domino's is rare relative to the 5500 Domino's. Most documented Domino's Air-Kings sit on 5500 cases; the 5520 Domino's appears on a small subset of late-program awards. Provenance documentation (the dial logo + the awardee's name engraved on the caseback + period photographs) is essential for authentication; service-replacement Domino's dials applied to standard 5520 cases would be undetectable from the case alone.
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Antiquorum Mondani Collection (Geneva) \|\| 108-188 \|\| 2006 \|\| 5520/1024 case 7,473,941, 1983, gold-capped stainless steel, oeil-de-perdrix movement decoration, satin-gilt dial \|\| Hammer CHF 3,776		\| Antiquorum Mondani Collection (Geneva) \|\| 108-188 \|\| 2006 \|\| 5520/1024 case 7,473,941, 1983, gold-capped stainless steel, oeil-de-perdrix movement decoration, satin-gilt dial \|\| Hammer CHF 3,776
			\|-
			\| Antiquorum (Geneva) \|\| 107 \|\| 2007 \|\| 5520 case 2,743,281, catalogued 1969, gold-capped stainless steel, satiné gilt dial with Domino's Pizza logo, Cal. 1520 oeil-de-perdrix \|\| Est. CHF 4,000–6,000
	\|}		\|}

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	* [https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2013/07/the-complete-history-of-rolex-air-king.html Jake Ehrlich, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Air-King", Rolex Magazine, 2013]		* [https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2013/07/the-complete-history-of-rolex-air-king.html Jake Ehrlich, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Air-King", Rolex Magazine, 2013]
	* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-188 "Rolex 5520/1024 1983 Antiquorum Mondani Collection Geneva Lot 108-188", Antiquorum, 2006]		* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-188 "Rolex 5520/1024 1983 Antiquorum Mondani Collection Geneva Lot 108-188", Antiquorum, 2006]
			* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-177-107 "Rolex 5520 Domino's Pizza Antiquorum Geneva Lot 107", Antiquorum, 2007]
	* [https://beckertime.com/blog/hunting-golden-eggs-gold-shell-rolex-air-king-watch/ "Hunting Golden Eggs Gold-Shell Rolex Air-King Watch", Beckertime]		* [https://beckertime.com/blog/hunting-golden-eggs-gold-shell-rolex-air-king-watch/ "Hunting Golden Eggs Gold-Shell Rolex Air-King Watch", Beckertime]
	* [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]

Admin: Layout: restore the original lead caption

2026-09-06T23:00:28Z

Layout: restore the original lead caption

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:00, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex ~~5520~~ Air-King\|Rolex ~~5520~~ Air-King]]		[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Air-King 5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983\|Rolex Air-King 5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:55:13Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:55, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Air-King ~~5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983~~\|Rolex Air-King ~~5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983~~]]		[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 5520 Air-King\|Rolex 5520 Air-King]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero promoted to lead

2026-09-06T22:30:30Z

Layout: hero promoted to lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:air-king\|Air-King]] › '''5520'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:air-king\|Air-King]] › '''5520'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Air-King 5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983\|Rolex Air-King 5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983]]
			</div>

	The 5520 is the longest-running gold-capped Air-King — 1974 to 1986, 34mm Oyster case with 40 microns of yellow gold electroplated over a steel base. Cal 1520 throughout, "PRECISION" dial text, baton/stick markers and hands. The 5520 sits separate from the earlier gold-capped 5502 / 5506 pair (1958–1965, Cal 1530, "Super Precision" dial, alpha hands) and from the solid-gold Rolesor 5501 (1959–1986, solid 18k yellow gold bezel and crown). Where the 5501 carries actual gold construction, the 5520 carries an electroplated finish — meaningfully cheaper to manufacture, meaningfully cheaper at retail, and meaningfully cheaper on the secondary market.		The 5520 is the longest-running gold-capped Air-King — 1974 to 1986, 34mm Oyster case with 40 microns of yellow gold electroplated over a steel base. Cal 1520 throughout, "PRECISION" dial text, baton/stick markers and hands. The 5520 sits separate from the earlier gold-capped 5502 / 5506 pair (1958–1965, Cal 1530, "Super Precision" dial, alpha hands) and from the solid-gold Rolesor 5501 (1959–1986, solid 18k yellow gold bezel and crown). Where the 5501 carries actual gold construction, the 5520 carries an electroplated finish — meaningfully cheaper to manufacture, meaningfully cheaper at retail, and meaningfully cheaper on the secondary market.
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	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>

	~~[[File:Ref 5520 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex 5520 Air-King gold-capped\|Rolex Air-King 5520, gold-capped 40-micron yellow gold over steel, c.1983]]~~

	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==