Reference:air-king - Revision history

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:22:26Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 5 September 2026
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	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==

	~~{\| style~~="~~width:100%; border~~-~~collapse:separate; border~~-~~spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;~~"		<div class="rp-grid">
	\|-		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Identifying a 5500 mainstay?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:5500\|5500]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">The thirty-two-year mainstay across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the reference that carried the major corporate-gift and Middle-East commissions.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Identifying a 5500 mainstay?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:5500\|5500]]~~''' — the~~ thirty-two-year mainstay across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the reference that carried the major corporate-gift and Middle-East commissions.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Working from an Explorer-dial Air-King?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:5504\|5504]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">Thirty-six-millimetre Explorer-case Super Precision. Cal 1530 and AIR-KING dial text on a 1016 case, the point where the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 overlap.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Working from an Explorer-dial Air-King?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:5504\|5504]]~~''' — thirty~~-six-millimetre Explorer-case Super Precision. Cal 1530 and AIR-KING dial text on a 1016 case, the point where the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 overlap.		<div class="rp-card"><div class="rp-card-body"><div class="rp-card-meta">Cross-checking a COSC-era Air-King?</div><div class="rp-card-title">[[Reference:114200\|114200]]</div><div class="rp-card-text">First COSC-certified Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch and the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic) that closes the 34mm chapter in 2014.</div></div></div>
	~~\| style~~="~~width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border~~-~~left:3px solid #555; vertical~~-~~align:top;~~" ~~\| ''~~Cross-checking a COSC-era Air-King?''<br/>~~'''~~[[Reference:114200\|114200]]~~''' — first~~ COSC-certified Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch and the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic) that closes the 34mm chapter in 2014.		</div>
	\|}

	== History ==		== History ==

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:38:40Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:38, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Air-King — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex Air-King — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.		\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.
	\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references		\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

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Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:12, 9 August 2026
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	}}		}}

	The Air-King is Rolex's longest-running named line. It begins in 1945 with a small batch of hand-wound Bubblebacks bearing four cockpit-derived names — Air-King, Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant — produced as a Battle of Britain commemoration aimed at British pilots. Three of the four names were retired by 1953. The Air-King survived. From the 4925 of the 1940s through the 5500 mainstay of 1957–1989 and into the sapphire-crystal 14000-onward generation, the Air-King carries a single design idea forward: a 34mm steel Oyster, smooth bezel, a non-chronometer movement, and an entry-level Rolex price~~. Plain text, plain meaning~~.		The Air-King is Rolex's longest-running named line. It begins in 1945 with a small batch of hand-wound Bubblebacks bearing four cockpit-derived names — Air-King, Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant — produced as a Battle of Britain commemoration aimed at British pilots. Three of the four names were retired by 1953. The Air-King survived. From the 4925 of the 1940s through the 5500 mainstay of 1957–1989 and into the sapphire-crystal 14000-onward generation, the Air-King carries a single design idea forward: a 34mm steel Oyster, smooth bezel, a non-chronometer movement, and an entry-level Rolex price.

	The line ~~sits as~~ Rolex's most accessible mid-century piece ~~— never a flagship, never a sport tool~~, ~~but consistently~~ in the catalogue ~~across~~ eight decades. Its role as a default Rolex made it the choice for corporate-gift programs (Domino's Pizza, Pool Intairdril, Circle Bar Drilling) and for Middle-East government-crest commissions (Saudi Armed Forces, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait). The 5500 in particular carries a wider documented dial map than any other single Air-King reference.		The line is Rolex's most accessible mid-century piece, in the catalogue for eight decades without ever being a flagship or a sport tool. Its role as a default Rolex made it the choice for corporate-gift programs (Domino's Pizza, Pool Intairdril, Circle Bar Drilling) and for Middle-East government-crest commissions (Saudi Armed Forces, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait). The 5500 in particular carries a wider documented dial map than any other single Air-King reference.

	== References in scope ==		== References in scope ==

	The ~~pre-2020~~ Air-King references ~~in scope on BezelBase~~, in production order:		The published Air-King references, in production order:

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Notes		! Reference !! Production !! Movement !! Notes
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:4925\|4925]] / [[Reference:4365\|4365]] / [[Reference:4499\|4499]] \|\| 1945–1953 \|\| cal 10½ Hunter hand-wound \|\| Originating Air-King generation — the four-name Battle of Britain commemoration. 4925 = centre-seconds Air-King-only. 4365 = sub-seconds with four-name shared-case dial map (Air-King / Air-Lion / Air-Tiger / Air-Giant). 4499 = 1946+ centre-seconds running mate to 4925, 15j→17j running update (Bonhams 2012 documents 1946 15j sub-seconds variant)~~. Battle of Britain commemoration narrative is universally repeated but primary-source unverified~~		\| [[Reference:4925\|4925]] / [[Reference:4365\|4365]] / [[Reference:4499\|4499]] \|\| 1945–1953 \|\| cal 10½ Hunter hand-wound \|\| Originating Air-King generation — the four-name Battle of Britain commemoration. 4925 = centre-seconds Air-King-only. 4365 = sub-seconds with four-name shared-case dial map (Air-King / Air-Lion / Air-Tiger / Air-Giant). 4499 = 1946+ centre-seconds running mate to 4925, 15j→17j running update (Bonhams 2012 documents 1946 15j sub-seconds variant)
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:6552\|6552]] \|\| 1953–1957 \|\| cal 1030 automatic \|\| First automatic Air-King; Cal 1030 butterfly rotor stamped ROLEX PERPETUAL PATENTED. Caseback duality (6552 between lugs / 6565 inside) period-correct. "Super Precision" dial despite chronometer-grade movement adjustment		\| [[Reference:6552\|6552]] \|\| 1953–1957 \|\| cal 1030 automatic \|\| First automatic Air-King; Cal 1030 butterfly rotor stamped ROLEX PERPETUAL PATENTED. Caseback duality (6552 between lugs / 6565 inside) period-correct. "Super Precision" dial despite chronometer-grade movement adjustment
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	\| [[Reference:5500\|5500]] \|\| 1957–1989 \|\| cal 1530 then 1520 \|\| The mainstay. 32-year run. Broadest documented dial map of any Air-King		\| [[Reference:5500\|5500]] \|\| 1957–1989 \|\| cal 1530 then 1520 \|\| The mainstay. 32-year run. Broadest documented dial map of any Air-King
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:5520\|5520]] \|\| 1974–1986 \|\| cal 1520 \|\| The longest-running gold-capped Air-King — 40-micron yellow gold electroplate over steel base. "Precision" dial ~~(NOT~~ Super Precision ~~— distinguishes from~~ earlier 5502/5506 pair). Baton/stick hands and markers (vs alpha on 5502/5506). Domino's "Golden Egg" marquee branch from 1980s Domino's Olympic Award. Caseback 5520/1024		\| [[Reference:5520\|5520]] \|\| 1974–1986 \|\| cal 1520 \|\| The longest-running gold-capped Air-King — 40-micron yellow gold electroplate over steel base. "Precision" dial rather than the Super Precision text of the earlier 5502/5506 pair. Baton/stick hands and markers (vs alpha on 5502/5506). Domino's "Golden Egg" marquee branch from 1980s Domino's Olympic Award. Caseback 5520/1024
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Reference:5700\|5700]] / [[Reference:5701\|5701]] \|\| 1959–1988 (late "N" codes to 1991) \|\| cal 1525 / 1535 \|\| Air-King-Date with date at three. Both Precision tier (non-COSC). Marquee curiosity: cursive "Explorer-Date" dial variant. 5701 sister = two-tone Rolesor steel-and-18k-gold with fluted/reeded bezel + gold crown (same Rolesor convention as 5501)		\| [[Reference:5700\|5700]] / [[Reference:5701\|5701]] \|\| 1959–1988 (late "N" codes to 1991) \|\| cal 1525 / 1535 \|\| Air-King-Date with date at three. Both Precision tier (non-COSC). Marquee curiosity: cursive "Explorer-Date" dial variant. 5701 sister = two-tone Rolesor steel-and-18k-gold with fluted/reeded bezel + gold crown (same Rolesor convention as 5501)
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	\|}		\|}

	The post-2014 references (116900, ~~126900) sit~~ outside the ~~BezelBase pre-2020 scope~~ and ~~are not covered~~.		The post-2014 references, the 40mm 116900 and its 126900 successor, fall outside the vintage and discontinued focus here.

	== Common entry points ==		== Common entry points ==
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	{\| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;"		{\| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;"
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Identifying a 5500 mainstay?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5500\|5500]]''' — the thirty-two-year mainstay across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the ~~canvas for~~ the major corporate-gift and Middle-East commissions.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Identifying a 5500 mainstay?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5500\|5500]]''' — the thirty-two-year mainstay across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the reference that carried the major corporate-gift and Middle-East commissions.
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Working from an Explorer-dial Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5504\|5504]]''' — thirty-six-millimetre Explorer-case Super Precision. Cal 1530, AIR-KING dial text on a 1016 case — the ~~connective tissue between~~ the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 ~~itself~~.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Working from an Explorer-dial Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5504\|5504]]''' — thirty-six-millimetre Explorer-case Super Precision. Cal 1530 and AIR-KING dial text on a 1016 case, the point where the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 overlap.
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Cross-checking a COSC-era Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:114200\|114200]]''' — first COSC-certified Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch and the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic) that closes the 34mm chapter in 2014.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Cross-checking a COSC-era Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:114200\|114200]]''' — first COSC-certified Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch and the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic) that closes the 34mm chapter in 2014.
	\|}		\|}
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	=== Battle of Britain origins (1945) ===		=== Battle of Britain origins (1945) ===

	Hans Wilsdorf was in London during the Battle of Britain in the autumn of 1940 and the years that followed. The Air-King and its three sister names — Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant — emerged in 1945 as a commemorative gesture toward RAF pilots, who were already wearing Rolex Oysters as personal purchases (the official-issue military watches went elsewhere). The four names ran on different reference numbers across the late-1940s 4925 / 4365 / 4499 / 4499/2 ~~/ 4925~~ hand-wound Bubbleback series.		Hans Wilsdorf was in London during the Battle of Britain in the autumn of 1940 and the years that followed. The Air-King and its three sister names — Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant — emerged in 1945 as a commemorative gesture toward RAF pilots, who were already wearing Rolex Oysters as personal purchases (the official-issue military watches went elsewhere). The four names ran on different reference numbers across the late-1940s 4925 / 4365 / 4499 / 4499/2 hand-wound Bubbleback series. The commemoration story runs through every published account of the line, though no primary Rolex document confirming it has surfaced.

	The names did not all survive. Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant were retired by the early 1950s. Air-King continued, settling onto the 6552 (the first automatic Air-King, 1953–1957) and then onto the 5500 mainstay (1957–1989).		The names did not all survive. Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant were retired by the early 1950s. Air-King continued, settling onto the 6552 (the first automatic Air-King, 1953–1957) and then onto the 5500 mainstay (1957–1989).
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	=== The 5500 mainstay (1957–1989) ===		=== The 5500 mainstay (1957–1989) ===

	~~The~~ 5500 ~~carries~~ the line ~~forward across 32 years —~~ the longest single Rolex reference run. Cal 1530 (1957–c.1963) gave way to Cal 1520 (c.1963–1989); both are non-chronometer 1500-family movements. The dial text alternates between AIR-KING / SUPER PRECISION (Cal 1530 era) and AIR-KING / PRECISION (Cal 1520 era), and a minority of 5500s left the factory without AIR-KING text ~~— the same~~ case middle ~~was shared~~ with the 1002 Oyster Perpetual, ~~and~~ casebacks across the 1970s+ run carry an inside "1002" stamp that is period-correct rather than service-replacement.		Across 32 years the 5500 carried the line, the longest single Rolex reference run. Cal 1530 (1957–c.1963) gave way to Cal 1520 (c.1963–1989); both are non-chronometer 1500-family movements. The dial text alternates between AIR-KING / SUPER PRECISION (Cal 1530 era) and AIR-KING / PRECISION (Cal 1520 era), and a minority of 5500s left the factory without AIR-KING text at all. The 5500 shared its case middle with the 1002 Oyster Perpetual, so casebacks across the 1970s-onward run carry an inside "1002" stamp that is period-correct rather than a service replacement.

	The 5500 became the canvas for Rolex's most-documented corporate-gift programs (Domino's Pizza, Pool Intairdril, Circle Bar Drilling, Winn-Dixie, Levi's) and for Middle-East government-crest commissions (Saudi Armed Forces, UAE, Bahrain Al Khalifa, Kuwait Al-Sabah). The Joyería Riviera retailer-signed gilt Explorer 3-6-9 5500 sits at the top of the auction record (Phillips Geneva FIVE 2017 lot 76 at CHF 32,500; Phillips Double Signed Geneva 2019 lot 49 at CHF 37,500).		The 5500 became the canvas for Rolex's most-documented corporate-gift programs (Domino's Pizza, Pool Intairdril, Circle Bar Drilling, Winn-Dixie, Levi's) and for Middle-East government-crest commissions (Saudi Armed Forces, UAE, Bahrain Al Khalifa, Kuwait Al-Sabah). The Joyería Riviera retailer-signed gilt Explorer 3-6-9 5500 sits at the top of the auction record (Phillips Geneva FIVE 2017 lot 76 at CHF 32,500; Phillips Double Signed Geneva 2019 lot 49 at CHF 37,500).
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	== Where it sits across Rolex ==		== Where it sits across Rolex ==

	The Air-King line uses the same case architecture and 1500-family movement as the 1002 Oyster Perpetual (no Air-King text on dial), the 1016 Explorer (36mm with Explorer dial), and the 1018 Oyster Perpetual 36mm. The Cal 1530 generation that powers the 5500 also powers the early 1016 Explorer; ~~the~~ 5500 with a 3-6-9 Explorer dial is ~~functionally~~ a ~~34mm~~ Explorer in everything but case ~~diameter~~ and dial ~~text~~.		The Air-King line uses the same case architecture and 1500-family movement as the 1002 Oyster Perpetual (no Air-King text on dial), the 1016 Explorer (36mm with Explorer dial), and the 1018 Oyster Perpetual 36mm. The Cal 1530 generation that powers the 5500 also powers the early 1016 Explorer; a 5500 with a 3-6-9 Explorer dial is a 1016 Explorer in everything but two millimetres of case and the word on the dial.

	~~The~~ Air-King-Date 5700 / 5701 ~~carry a date at three under~~ the same case architecture; their 1535 / 1525 calibers ~~add~~ a date module to the 1500 base and ~~shift~~ the dial layout slightly. The Air-King-Date is sometimes treated as a separate sub-line by collectors and sometimes folded back into the Air-King family.		A date at three arrived with the Air-King-Date 5700 / 5701 on the same case architecture, their 1535 / 1525 calibers adding a date module to the 1500 base and shifting the dial layout slightly. The Air-King-Date is sometimes treated as a separate sub-line by collectors and sometimes folded back into the Air-King family.

	== Related families ==		== Related families ==
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	* [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer]] — the close cousin. Same 1500-family movement powers the 5500 and the 1016; the 5504 wears a 1016 case under an Air-King dial.		* [[Reference:explorer\|Explorer]] — the close cousin. Same 1500-family movement powers the 5500 and the 1016; the 5504 wears a 1016 case under an Air-King dial.
	* [[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] — the founding line. The 1945 4925 / 4365 / 4499 origination references sit in the same early-Oyster-Perpetual lineage the Bubbleback established.		* [[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] — the founding line. The 1945 4925 / 4365 / 4499 origination references sit in the same early-Oyster-Perpetual lineage the Bubbleback established.
	* [[Reference:milgauss\|Milgauss]] — the parallel non-flagship. Both ~~lines run~~ as quiet, non-sport~~, technically distinctive~~ Rolexes through the 1960s and 1970s — Air-King at the entry tier, Milgauss at the specialist tier.		* [[Reference:milgauss\|Milgauss]] — the parallel non-flagship. Both ran as quiet, non-sport Rolexes through the 1960s and 1970s, the Air-King at the entry tier and the Milgauss at the specialist tier.


	== Shared references ==		== Shared references ==

Admin: SEO fix: escape raw | in {{#seo:}} title as | so the " | BezelBase" suffix is not truncated

2026-08-08T17:59:42Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 17:59, 8 August 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Air-King — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Air-King — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year \| BezelBase
	\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.		\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.
	\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references		\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references

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Internal linking: shared-reference component links

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	* [[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] — the founding line. The 1945 4925 / 4365 / 4499 origination references sit in the same early-Oyster-Perpetual lineage the Bubbleback established.		* [[Reference:bubbleback\|Bubbleback]] — the founding line. The 1945 4925 / 4365 / 4499 origination references sit in the same early-Oyster-Perpetual lineage the Bubbleback established.
	* [[Reference:milgauss\|Milgauss]] — the parallel non-flagship. Both lines run as quiet, non-sport, technically distinctive Rolexes through the 1960s and 1970s — Air-King at the entry tier, Milgauss at the specialist tier.		* [[Reference:milgauss\|Milgauss]] — the parallel non-flagship. Both lines run as quiet, non-sport, technically distinctive Rolexes through the 1960s and 1970s — Air-King at the entry tier, Milgauss at the specialist tier.


			== Shared references ==

			* [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|Serial numbers by year]] — date any Air-King from its serial
			* [[Reference:Movements\|Movement reference]] — the calibers used across the Air-King line
			* [[Reference:Bracelets\|Bracelet & clasp guide]] — bracelet types, end-links, and clasp date codes

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Air-King — ~~family hub, references, history~~ \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Air-King — Reference Guide to Every Model & Year \| BezelBase
	\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.		\|description=The Rolex Air-King has been in the catalogue since 1945 — the post-Battle-of-Britain piece that became Rolex's longest-running line. From the 4925 Bubbleback through the 5500 mainstay to the 14000 / 114200 sapphire era. Family hub for every published Air-King reference.
	\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references		\|keywords=Rolex, Air-King, family, history, references

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	\|image=Air-King family hero.webp		\|image=Air-King family hero.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Air-King family		\|image_alt=Rolex Air-King family
	\|type=~~article~~		\|type=Article
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
	\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large		\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large

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	[[Category:Air-King]]		[[Category:Air-King]]
	[[Category:Family Hub]]		[[Category:Family Hub]]
	~~[[Category:Working Draft]]~~

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			{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Air-King}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Air-King — family hub, references, history \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Air-King — family hub, references, history \| BezelBase

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Replace prescriptive Start-here with goal-led Common-entry-points block

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	The post-2014 references (116900, 126900) sit outside the BezelBase pre-2020 scope and are not covered.		The post-2014 references (116900, 126900) sit outside the BezelBase pre-2020 scope and are not covered.

	== ~~Start here~~ ==		== Common entry points ==

	~~If you only read three articles in the line, read these.~~

	{\| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;"		{\| style="width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:8px 0; margin:1em 0 1.5em 0;"
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| '''[[Reference:5500\|5500]]''' — the ~~mainstay. Thirty~~-two-year ~~production run — the longest single Rolex reference —~~ across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the canvas for ~~every~~ major corporate-gift ~~programme~~ and Middle-East ~~government-crest commission~~.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Identifying a 5500 mainstay?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5500\|5500]]''' — the thirty-two-year mainstay across calibers 1530 and 1520, with the broadest documented dial map of any Air-King and the canvas for the major corporate-gift and Middle-East commissions.
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| '''[[Reference:5504\|5504]]''' — ~~the~~ Explorer-case ~~Air-King~~. ~~Thirty-six millimetres of~~ Cal 1530 ~~Super Precision in a 1016 case~~, ~~with~~ AIR-KING dial text ~~instead of EXPLORER~~ — the connective tissue between the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 itself.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Working from an Explorer-dial Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:5504\|5504]]''' — thirty-six-millimetre Explorer-case Super Precision. Cal 1530, AIR-KING dial text on a 1016 case — the connective tissue between the 5500 mainstay and the 1016 itself.
	\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| '''[[Reference:114200\|114200]]''' — ~~the~~ first COSC Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch, the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic)~~, and the reference~~ that closes the 34mm ~~Air-King~~ chapter in 2014.		\| style="width:33%; padding:14px; background:#f8f8f6; border-left:3px solid #555; vertical-align:top;" \| ''Cross-checking a COSC-era Air-King?''<br/>'''[[Reference:114200\|114200]]''' — first COSC-certified Air-King. Engraved rehaut from launch and the concentric wave dial palette (silver, black, blue with orange Arabic, salmon, green, Roman, 3-6-9 Explorer, Arabic) that closes the 34mm chapter in 2014.
	\|}		\|}