Reference:5501: Difference between revisions
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Audit 5510 prose and catalogue claims; correct serials, bracelet provenance and auction labels |
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The 5501 is the documented steel-and-gold Air-King reference: a 34mm steel Oyster case with yellow-gold bezel and crown examples. It runs alongside the 5500 and uses the caliber 1530 or 1520 family. The cited 5502, 5506 and 5520 examples use gold-capped or plated construction, which is a different case treatment; inspect the individual watch and hallmarks before assigning a metal variant. | The 5501 is the documented steel-and-gold Air-King reference: a 34mm steel Oyster case with yellow-gold bezel and crown examples. It runs alongside the 5500 and uses the caliber 1530 or 1520 family. The cited 5502, 5506 and 5520 examples use gold-capped or plated construction, which is a different case treatment; inspect the individual watch and hallmarks before assigning a metal variant. | ||
The 5501 sits near the Datejust in appearance because of its fluted gold bezel and two-tone bracelet examples. Its Air-King attribution comes from the reference, dial text and non-chronometer movement record. Eric Wind | The 5501 sits near the Datejust in appearance because of its fluted gold bezel and two-tone bracelet examples. Its Air-King attribution comes from the reference, dial text and non-chronometer movement record. Eric Wind compares the 5501 with earlier steel-and-gold Rolex models; that comparison is not a Rolex catalogue designation. | ||
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| reference | | reference | ||
| 5501 ( | | 5501 (some documented casebacks are stamped 5501/1102) | ||
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| family | | family | ||
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| bracelet | | bracelet | ||
| 19mm two-tone Oyster | | 19mm two-tone Oyster documented on examples; two-tone 62523 Jubilee bracelets also appear on later examples | ||
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| caseback | | caseback | ||
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| predecessor | | predecessor | ||
| no direct Rolesor Air-King predecessor | | no direct Rolesor Air-King predecessor is established in the cited record | ||
|- | |- | ||
| successor | | successor | ||
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== Where it sits in the line == | == Where it sits in the line == | ||
The 5501 uses a steel-and-gold case treatment that resembles the Rolesor convention used elsewhere in the Rolex catalogue. The cited 5502, 5506 and 5520 examples use gold-capped or plated steel, while the 5501 examples | The 5501 uses a steel-and-gold case treatment that resembles the Rolesor convention used elsewhere in the Rolex catalogue. The cited 5502, 5506 and 5520 examples use gold-capped or plated steel, while the cited 5501 examples are described with a solid-gold bezel and crown. The material descriptions do not establish a price tier. | ||
The 5500 and 5501 share the broad 34mm Air-King platform and the 1530/1520 movement family in the cited references. The 5501 changes the bezel and crown treatment, but case, dial, bracelet and service history still need to be checked | The 5500 and 5501 share the broad 34mm Air-King platform and the 1530/1520 movement family in the cited references. The 5501 changes the bezel and crown treatment, but case, dial, bracelet and service history still need to be checked on each watch. | ||
The contemporary Datejust references use chronometer-rated movements, unlike the non-chronometer 5501 examples | The contemporary Datejust references use chronometer-rated movements, unlike the non-chronometer 5501 examples documented on this page. Similar appearance does not make a 5501 a Datejust or establish paperwork that the watch does not have. | ||
Some documented 5501 examples have an inside caseback stamp reading “5501/1102”. That marking can identify the case-middle relationship on the example, but it should be checked against the case, movement and service history rather than treated as universal. | Some documented 5501 examples have an inside caseback stamp reading “5501/1102”. That marking can identify the case-middle relationship on the example, but it should be checked against the case, movement and service history rather than treated as universal. | ||
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== Production outline == | == Production outline == | ||
The 1959 introduction year is consensus across Marcus Siems' Air-King family history (September 2025) and Robb Report (Daniel D'Ambrosio's complete Air-King guide). The 5501 launches alongside the broader Air-King catalogue refresh of the late 1950s — the 5500 launched in 1957, the 5504 36mm Explorer-case Air-King in 1957/58, the 5700 Air-King-Date in 1959. The 5501 | The 1959 introduction year is consensus across Marcus Siems' Air-King family history (September 2025) and Robb Report (Daniel D'Ambrosio's complete Air-King guide). The 5501 launches alongside the broader Air-King catalogue refresh of the late 1950s — the 5500 launched in 1957, the 5504 36mm Explorer-case Air-King in 1957/58, the 5700 Air-King-Date in 1959. The 5501 appears in the same late-1950s catalogue refresh. | ||
The end year is contested at the margin. Marcus Siems, Robb Report, and Eric Wind read 1986 as the active-production end. Sotheby's 2020 Hong Kong lot 2076 catalogues a Tiffany-signed 5501 (case 9,444,494, Cal 1520, two-tone Jubilee with Fliplock clasp) as "circa 1987," suggesting late-cased examples shipped into 1987 from leftover stock or delayed retail distribution. Treat 1959–1986 as the active production span, with late examples cased into 1987. | The end year is contested at the margin. Marcus Siems, Robb Report, and Eric Wind read 1986 as the active-production end. Sotheby's 2020 Hong Kong lot 2076 catalogues a Tiffany-signed 5501 (case 9,444,494, Cal 1520, two-tone Jubilee with Fliplock clasp) as "circa 1987," suggesting late-cased examples shipped into 1987 from leftover stock or delayed retail distribution. Treat 1959–1986 as the active production span, with late examples cased into 1987. | ||
An unbylined source gives a shorter 1959–1978 window, but the named histories do not corroborate it. It remains a conflicting secondary claim rather than a production fact. | |||
Total production output is not published. The | Total production output is not published. The indexed auction record contains fewer 5501 examples than the 5500 record; auction frequency does not measure production or survival. | ||
<span id="movement-notes"></span> | <span id="movement-notes"></span> | ||
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The documented case is a 34mm stainless-steel three-piece Oyster with a threaded caseback and crown. Published measurements vary; inspect the individual case. The bezel and crown are the gold-trim components that distinguish the cited 5501 examples from a steel 5500. | The documented case is a 34mm stainless-steel three-piece Oyster with a threaded caseback and crown. Published measurements vary; inspect the individual case. The bezel and crown are the gold-trim components that distinguish the cited 5501 examples from a steel 5500. | ||
The bezel is 18k yellow gold, fluted — Datejust-style profile with the characteristic narrow alternating ridges around the bezel circumference. | The bezel is 18k yellow gold, fluted — Datejust-style profile with the characteristic narrow alternating ridges around the bezel circumference. The cited 5501 examples use solid gold, while the 5502 / 5506 / 5520 examples cited on this page use 40-micron plated or capped construction. The bezel and crown treatment distinguishes the 5501 from the steel 5500. | ||
The Antiquorum Cotton Bowl lot describes a yellow-gold crown and bezel. That supports the documented example; crown material and service replacement should still be checked on each watch. | The Antiquorum Cotton Bowl lot describes a yellow-gold crown and bezel. That supports the documented example; crown material and service replacement should still be checked on each watch. | ||
The crystal is acrylic plexiglass, domed. | The crystal is acrylic plexiglass, domed. The 5501 uses an acrylic crystal; sapphire appears with the later 14000-era Air-King transition in 1989. | ||
The case follows the broader 5500-era Air-King platform. Published pages often quote 100m water resistance, but a vintage watch’s current resistance depends on seals and service. The caseback is screw-down with a smooth exterior; some examples carry the 5501/1102 interior stamp. | The case follows the broader 5500-era Air-King platform. Published pages often quote 100m water resistance, but a vintage watch’s current resistance depends on seals and service. The caseback is screw-down with a smooth exterior; some examples carry the 5501/1102 interior stamp. | ||
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== Dial map == | == Dial map == | ||
The cited 5501 dial record includes applied baton or dart markers on silvered, champagne and black grounds. | The cited 5501 dial record includes applied baton or dart markers on silvered, champagne and black grounds. The available 5501 record documents applied baton or dart markers on silvered, champagne and black grounds. It does not establish a 3-6-9 Explorer dial for this reference. | ||
<span id="silvered-superprecision"></span> | <span id="silvered-superprecision"></span> | ||
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=== Tiffany & Co.-signed 5501 === | === Tiffany & Co.-signed 5501 === | ||
Sotheby's Hong Kong 2020 lot 2076 documents a Tiffany-signed 5501 c.1987, case 9,444,494, caliber 1520, silvered dial and two-tone Jubilee. Other dealer records exist | Sotheby's Hong Kong 2020 lot 2076 documents a Tiffany-signed 5501 c.1987, case 9,444,494, caliber 1520, silvered dial and two-tone Jubilee. Other dealer records exist; the Sotheby’s lot is the clearest major-house example in the cited record. A Tiffany signature and any premium require provenance and dial inspection on the individual watch. | ||
<span id="dominos-pizza-not-on-5501"></span> | <span id="dominos-pizza-not-on-5501"></span> | ||
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== Authentication == | == Authentication == | ||
Examples date from 1959 onward. Dial originality should be assessed from printing, applied markers, surface, lume, movement and service history; patina alone does not prove originality, and a clean dial alone does not prove restoration. | |||
The case-trim check starts with the bezel and crown. Cited 5501 examples are described with solid yellow gold, while related 5502/5506/5520 examples use capped or plated construction. A hallmark can support a metal attribution, but its absence or a steel service part does not by itself prove a counterfeit or rule out a later replacement. | The case-trim check starts with the bezel and crown. Cited 5501 examples are described with solid yellow gold, while related 5502/5506/5520 examples use capped or plated construction. A hallmark can support a metal attribution, but its absence or a steel service part does not by itself prove a counterfeit or rule out a later replacement. | ||
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The cited period examples use two-tone Oyster or two-tone Jubilee bracelets. An all-steel bracelet may be a later replacement, but original delivery requires watch-specific documentation. | The cited period examples use two-tone Oyster or two-tone Jubilee bracelets. An all-steel bracelet may be a later replacement, but original delivery requires watch-specific documentation. | ||
The Cotton Bowl Classic 5501 needs particularly careful authentication. The "1967 Cotton Bowl Classic" dial imprint is a small printed-text addition to a standard satin silver Air-King dial; service-replacement Cotton Bowl | The Cotton Bowl Classic 5501 needs particularly careful authentication. The "1967 Cotton Bowl Classic" dial imprint is a small printed-text addition to a standard satin silver Air-King dial; a service-replacement Cotton Bowl dial could be difficult to distinguish from the case alone. Period photographs, the awardee's name engraved on the caseback, and original presentation documentation are essential at this branch tier. | ||
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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 mode="packed" heights="180"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | ||
File:Ref 5501 hero.webp|alt=Rolex Air-King 5501|Rolex Air-King 5501 | File:Ref 5501 hero.webp|alt=Rolex Air-King 5501|Rolex Air-King 5501 | ||