Vintage Archives - Watch Ideas

April 2, 2021April 18, 2021

Rolex Air King 5500 Review: The Forgotten Vintage King

The Rolex Air King is truly the vintage Rolex for the purists. While the Air King is not as popular as the Submariner, GMT-Master, and Day-Date, it’s one of the older collections of Rolex with a rich history. The history of Rolex Air-King dates back in 1945 during World War II.

What made the Air King such an iconic timepiece is the simplicity of the dial and precise timekeeping.

We have already reviewed the Rolex Air King Ref. 116900 which is the closest you can get to a Rolex sports watch. Today, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Rolex Air King 5500.

For this Rolex Air King 5500 review, we find out if this vintage model is worth adding to your collection.

Rolex Air King 5500 Review: At a Glance

Model:	Rolex Air King
Reference no.	5500
Model case:	Stainless steel w/ polished bezel (34mm)
Material:	Oystersteel
Bezel:	Smooth
Winding crown:	Waterproof screw-down crown
Crystal:	Acrylic crystal
Movement:	Automatic 1520 movement
Water resistance	10 ATM
Power reserve:	40 hours
Bracelet:	Stainless steel Jubilee w/ Fliplock clasp
Clasp:	Fold clasp
Dial:	Silver Index w/ Tritium hands and lume plots

First Impressions

The Air King collection has always fascinated me due to its storied history. The Air King was introduced alongside names like Air Lion, Air Giant, and Air Tiger – all of which have flamed out. Rolex originally made the Air King as another spin to the Oyster Perpetual to honor the RAF Pilots who served during WW2.

The Air King is not exactly a popular model among enthusiasts and collectors but there are still many budding enthusiasts that do want it. Since this timepiece continues to fly under most people’s radar, even the most vintage Air Kings are sold at reasonable prices.

This is what made me decide to give the Air-King a well-deserved spin. It has a great history and good price, it’s hard to pass up on that.

One of the first things I’ve noticed about the Rolex Air King 5500 is the size. Clocking in at 34 mm, the Air King is a petite watch which is fairly common during its era. One look at the Air King and you’ll see that it’s a very vintage piece. It features a very simple and clean look and time-only design.

The design just doesn’t get any more classic than this.

The elegant silver dial is one of the standout design elements here, and the gentle sunburst effect of the dial does a great job of wrapping up the whole look. Aside from the vintage aesthetic, the Air King 5500 is, for the lack of a better word, typical. I know that it’s a classic and it deserves respect but I can’t help but feel merely “whelmed.”

Don’t get me wrong. It’s a very well-made timepiece with a timeless look and provides just what you can expect from Rolex. It just gives me the impression that it’s a piece that’s best for collection purposes.

Design

The Rolex Air King 5500 is the definition of timeless elegance. You can tell that Rolex made a watch exactly how they want it.

The 5500 boasts the hallmark traits of a Rolex without a single overdone feature. The minimalist good looks make the Air King such a versatile timepiece. Regardless of the purpose, whether it’s daily wear or something dressier, this is a watch that will never go out of style.

As mentioned, the main selling point of the watch is its elegant silver dial. The sunburst effect in the middle of the dial sure adds a lot to my enjoyment of the watch. The sharp, applied indices are elegantly detailed and are topped with small lume plots along the edge of the face. This is a common Rolex design element during that era.

The hands aren’t particularly mindblowing and look like your typical baton hands. The half part of the hands is fitted with lume but not all the way through. The lume is cut short before right before the tip, making the end look like a pencil.

The Air King 5500 is available in many different variants and dial colors which is always a good thing.

Construction and Wearability

The Air King 5500 is a stainless steel marvel. Despite being a vintage timepiece, it feels solid and robust which gives me a lot of confidence. After all, this is a watch designed to honor World War II pilots.

For the case, the 5500 utilizes the iconic Oyster case and screw down crown. According to its official specs, the watch can withstand depths of 50 meters which is pretty good for a watch of its age. In addition, a domed, acrylic crystal protects the dial. It’s not exactly sapphire crystal but you have to keep in mind that the Air King is supposedly and entry-level model.

Like with most Rolex timepieces, the Air King 5500 is fitted with the classic Oyster bracelet. However, since Air King’s production spans decades, a few different Oyster bracelets may be used depending on the production date.

With that said, the Rolex Air King 5500 offers a surprising comfort which can only be attributed to Rolex’s excellent construction philosophy. The Oystersteel bracelet and clasp work just as expected. It’s not as fancy as some of the more modern Oyster versions but there’s really nothing to complain here.

If you’re looking to wear the 5500 daily, you’re in a good company. The Air King might be vintage but it’s not fragile.

Timekeeping

Because of past U.S. import laws that are designed to protect domestic watch companies, the movement inside the Air King 5500 varied. There are two caliber movements found inside the 5500: the 1520 and 1530.

The caliber 1530 features 17, 25, or 26 jewels while the caliber 1520 had either 17 or 26 jewels. Unfortunately, the U.S. and Canada markets have the shorter end of the stick with downgraded movements. One notable example of this is that the 1520 came with the “Precision” text in the dial while with the 1530, Rolex used the “Super Precision” labeling.

However, both movements aren’t exactly the cream of the crop. Both are also not COSC certified. While wearing the Air King 5500, you can actually hear the movement rattling around. Despite that, both the 1530 and 1520 movements are robust and easy to service.

On an interesting note, the most sought out version of the 5500 is the one that features the words Air-King and “Super Precision” in red. There’s also the rare Dominos Air-King 5500 which was used to incentivize franchises that have fulfilled their sales goals. It’s a very interesting collaboration for sure.

Pricing

Of course, for this Rolex Air King 5500 review, we find out if this watch is worth the money.

The production of the old Air King was halted back in 2014. The new Air King Reference 116900 is a different kind of timepiece and marketed as an entry-level Rolex. Therefore, if you’re going to buy the old version of the Rolex Air King, you’re stuck with resellers and used models.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, the Rolex Air King 5500 isn’t the most popular Rolex watch out there. For this reason, it’s easy to find a relatively affordable Air King 5500 over the web. I’ve had mine for a little bit over $3,000 which is not bad at all for a vintage Rolex.

There are 5500 variants with different bracelets and dial colors that can go a bit higher in price. However, I’ve yet to see an Air King that went over $4,000 except for the Rolex Air King 5500 Dominos version.

For the price, you get a classic Rolex with a rich history. It’s also quite robust and versatile.

Should You Get the Rolex Air King 5500?

We end this Rolex Air King 5500 review with our verdict.

I’ve had the Air King 5500 for quite a while now and I’m honestly very fond of it. Sure, it’s not exactly a watch that goes into my regular rotation but I understand what Rolex is trying to accomplish here. In some parts, the 5500 is outdated and it doesn’t even have a mechanical movement for the avid horologist. However, its classic good looks can hold its own, all things considered.

Obviously, the best aspect of the Air King 5500 is the price. It’s a good Rolex to consider if you want a watch that won’t break the bank. However, I simply can’t recommend the Air King 5500 for new collectors and Rolex first-timers. Rolex has plenty of amazing watches under its belt and the 5500 is not even close to a contender.

If you want an entry-level Rolex, the Air King 116900 might be the better option. Rolex had fun with the 116900 and it has more features. It’s a polarizing watch but it’s a good first watch for any budding collector, as far as entry-level Rolex watches go.

Overall, the Air King 5500 is not without its charm. This collection has some pretty interesting variants that are difficult to find – royal logos, jeweler stamps, and company logos come to mind. The Rolex Air King 5500 offers a solid value proposition for anyone who’s looking to dive into vintage Rolex.

March 31, 2021April 15, 2021

Spinnaker Bradner Review: Vintage-Inspired Dive Watch

Based on my experience with dive watches, we’ve come up with this Spinnaker Bradner review. Considering the budget-friendly approach, bold and quirky design, packed with automatic and unique qualities, the Bradner is easily one of the best models produced by Spinnaker to date.

Spinnaker named the watch after Hugh Bradner, an American physicist and diving pioneer who worked in the Manhattan Project, where they created the first Atomic bomb during World War II. Using neoprene wetsuit, he solved the issues with diving in cold water for long periods. As an homage to this great man, every detail on the Spinnaker Bradner reflects his ingenious solution.

Today, Spinnaker is a reputable brand known for making attractive timepieces for enthusiasts or collectors looking for something different. Unlike other watch brands, it uses the wetsuit, and a compressor-style bezel meant for Scuba diving. Although there are some arguments that the Spinnaker Bradner collection only looks and feels like a dive gadget. Regardless, the watch is suitable for snorkeling, swimming, and definitely your fun weekend getaways.

Pros – Spinnaker Bradner Review

Quality Build up
High water resistant
Reliable movement
Comfortable to wear
Affordable price

Cons – Spinnaker Bradner Review

A bit ill-fitted at the lugs
Limited dive ability
Hard to turn the bezel

Benefits / Drawbacks – Spinnaker Bradner Review

One of Spinnaker Bradner’s charm is the vintage design and yet modern look of the watch. The impression is not to follow the usual style of most dive watches in the market. It has a unique and alluring look that you can easily spot from far away.

While we can always speak about the watch aesthetic value, the dial, case, bezel, strap, and movement contributes to the quality build-up of the timepiece.

Engaging Dial

The colors on the Bradner’s dial are striking and appealing. If you are one of us that enjoys watches with visible and large hands, you are in luck. The first noticeable feature on the dial is the thick and upfront hands. They are sturdy and bulky, especially the hour hand with a rectangular design near its tip. It looks almost like Chevrolet’s logo – a famous car brand. Speaking about logos, the Spinnaker’s name in a cursive font is under 12 o’clock. There is also a date window 3 o’clock on the dial.

As a result of the raised hour markers, when you view the dial from the doom sapphire crystal glass, it gives a textured, three-dimensional look to the timepiece. Instead of the intervals marked on the dial like in most watches, it’s applied to a ring. Also, another mentionable feature that partners well with the black dial is the LumiNova coating. In dark conditions, the light blue on black proves effective. Pointing to the numerals on the dial are sizable square and rectangle markers with enough space to hold the lume. In a way, it adds to the visibility of the watch. The second hand is not left out; it has a little lume dot on end.

Asides this, the outer ring displays the numbers in dark silver color at 5 minutes intervals. The combination of the black dial background, silver outer ring, and yellow polygon index go well together. Every detail has something significantly different to contribute to the good looks as well as the brawniness of the watch.

Comfortable Case

At a diameter of 42mm, Bradner’s compressor-style case is perfect for the watch. It sits well on the curved lugs to keep the timepiece comfortable on your wrist, especially when you have large wrists. Bradner’s 17cm circumference takes quite a lot of space on the wrist. This is barely a disadvantage since it does not create an overwhelming presence. Instead, it exposes the welcoming sight of the dial. The case has brushed finishing on most parts of it with a few polished pieces in some other areas.

The height sits tall at 14mm, elevating the casing from the back, which asides water use, it’s also great for casual wear. There are some arguments on how the height makes the watch look awkward in formal dress situations, especially with long sleeves. The inner-rotating bezel protrudes and requires the crystal glass to have a slightly bigger curve. It gives a unique look and makes the timepiece look as if it is jumping right out at you.

There are two crowns, one at 2 o’clock responsible for turning the bi-directional internal bezel and the other at 4 o’clock for other timekeeping functions. The former custom-made rotor does not wears the Spinnaker logo, and it also doesn’t move so freely and lags a little.

With so many features fitted in the watch, the Bradner has an exhibition case back. Spinnaker didn’t cover up the entire back crystal with branding so that you can get a good look at the Seiko workhorse and other mechanisms powering up this beauty.

Upgraded Bezel

The bezel is another excellent feature, probably even the best on the Bradner. It uses a Uni-directional inner rotating bezel. You can control it with the first crown on the casing that is not marked with the Spinnaker logo.

Again, to keep up with the target of a stocky and brawny look of the watch, the custom molded bezel inner ring has large numbers and solid outward dots. It also displays five-minute markers positioned on a straight horizontal that is parallel to the dial for easy viewing. However, if you prefer watches with manual bezel, you may miss the feel and sound of the bezel turning.

Well-built Strap

Spinnaker deserves to get credit where it’s due. Their strap game is a huge step up on the Bradner. To very well balance the 42mm dial of the watch, Bradner’s strap is 20mm in width. Most notably, the red color goes well with the black dial. At the end of it, there are a couple of line stitches to give it a great look and add more beauty and homemade feel to the watch. From my observation, the spring bar is a little ill-fitted at the lugs, and when bending the wrist, it adds pressure to the strap. Even if it doesn’t affect the comfort of the watch, but it makes a click or grinding sound.

The strap’s making is of thick leather (feels a bit like suede), the top has a soft and plush velvet feel and look to it. The underside, on the other hand, is more of a durable coating than softness. It is superbly comfortable and not irritating. On the clasp, you may spot Spinnaker engraved there, but it’s very subtle. Although, a bit of reflection shows it nicely, which is even preferable than seeing it dead-on.

Beyond this, a good view on the strap reveals the unique coating that keeps the watch waterproof. When the water treated strap comes in contact with water, it bounces off, retaining its shape and color. This is absolutely great to see. Although, I don’t totally recommend you taking the watch with you into hot tubs, steam rooms, pools. But there is no risk wearing the Spinnaker Bradner when you have to wash your hands or even when you get caught in the rain.

Reliable Movement

Inside the Bradner dive watch is a 3-hand Seiko NH35 with 24 Jewels Automatic Self-winding hack movement. Although most people would prefer the timepiece to come with a Miyota 9015, with a better BPH and power reserve. However, the Seiko movement is pretty popular in the world of microband watches. So far, it has proven reliable and worked well for this watch with the time accuracy only around +/-5 seconds per day.

Bradner offers a power reserve of 41 hours beating at 3Hz with 21,600 BPH. To add a bit of character to this, you will notice a charming Spinnaker branded rotor in matte black finishing. All these sit under a slightly domed and curved edge sapphire lens and also is visible through the exhibition see-through case-back.

Price versus Quality

Considering the cost of the watch, Spinnaker Bradner offers a lot. Without too much thinking, it is for anyone who appreciates real value. Of course, you wouldn’t put Bradner on par with high-end watches like the Rolex Submariner. But for a vintage-inspired dive watch offering something a little different, nothing is taken from their bragging rights.

Since the watch that is less than $300, it is hard to complain about the compressor-style case, bi-direction rotating bezel, or the tested and formidable Seiko NH35 automatic movement. It is blatantly obvious that Bradner is one of the favourite pieces from Spinnaker. There are also a lot of other watches that hit very close to this price from brands like Zelos or Marchand Legacy. Just in case you want to grab something else.

Final Thoughts on the Spinnaker Bradner Review

As one of the best microband dive watches, it is exciting to see how far Spinnaker has come. The Bradner watch has a great look with black dial and red strap, which is not something you see on just any watch. Again, the inner unidirectional rotating bezel is a great feature to have.

The Spinnaker Bradner is a culmination of a lot of things that, as it gives some quirky vibes and proves the brand has been doing well lately. So this was our Spinnaker Bradner review, and we hope you’ve enjoyed reading.

March 11, 2021April 6, 2021

Glycine Airman Review: Modern Classic Watches

Based on our research, the Glycine Airman is a fascinating modern classic watch with a rich history. In this Glycine Airman Review we discover how the brand offers excellent watches with a perfect wearing experience, especially for anyone who loves the vintage design.

Compared with other European watch brands, Glycine is not one that will often come up in conversations. Today, even only hardcore watch enthusiasts may remember this brand. But Glycine has been building quality timepieces since Eugene Meylan founded it in 1914. Debuted in 1953, Glycine’s Airman is one of the earliest GMT watches. It may perhaps be the most recognizable watch in the brand’s collection.

From the beginning, the mindset was to make the Glycine Airman specifically for professional airline pilots to have both GMT and local time while they fly. After the many improvement and re-issuing of the Airman, Glycine has populated the market with lots of successful pilot watches. We can’t be surprised how Airman functions as a choice for sport, fashion, and military use.

Pros – Glycine Airman

Excellent wearability
Special features
Easy to read dial
Great value for money
Reliable functions

Cons – Glycine Airman

Small Date window
Poor water resistivity
No extra watch feature

Benefits/Drawbacks – Glycine Airman

With the continuous reissuing and population in the market today, the Airman collection encompasses models that express both early and later designs. But we will keep our focus on the design iteration that the Airman series is best known by.

Excellent Wearability

Characterized by a thick case, large-diameter, long steel lug, and large dials, the Airman sub-series are certainly appealing to the masculine. Each sub-series come in a variety of styles and sizes for different writs. Focusing on this, they have some funky colorways that make lasting impressions.

If you take a good view of them, the dial colors are either white or black. The original Airman has a stainless steel case sizing of 36mmm. Moreover, the ones made after have their stainless case size ranges from 42mm to 46mm. The acrylic crystal glass keeps the timepiece durable to support the standing protection of the case. Its build quality secures the glass from shattering even when dropped.

The dial may seem bulky, but in comparison to other contemporary aviators, it’s relatively small. These days, a size like this as well as the authentic vintage look and feel is hard to come by. The Airman comes with long lugs and wide 20mm strap, which is perfect for keeping the watch on both small and medium-sized wrists. In case this sounds too minuscule, there are other similar Airman Watch sizes to suit larger wrist sizes.

Options of the GMT-hand variations and purist version which opts for a 24-hour dial are available. Glycine describes the purist watches as vintage pieces that stay true to its essence. Also, there are options with and without a GMT, of both 12-hour and 24-hour versions.

Easy to read dial

Like we have mentioned, the Airman sub-series come with either white or black colored dials. For ease of use, the original Airman has large numerals of a 24-hours clock on oversized dials. Some sub-models have large numerals for minute and seconds index laid across the rail track design instead.

The vintage Airman is best known for two outer rings marked with Arabic numerals, with inner minute rings, a tipped and tailed arrow 24 hour hand. The syringe style hand tells the time in local minutes, while a small lollipop indicates the second time zone tipped hand. For every five minutes, it has differentiated circles and rectangles, separated by Arabic numerals. The watch has a simple white date window on the 3 o’clock position, but for easy reading even while in flight the date is displayed in red color.

Special features

The revolution of Aviation watches can attest to the importance of the Glycine Airman. It’s managed to thread a path where only a selected few dares to venture. Between the vintage Airman and the modern re-editions, most of the designs and features are the same.

Beyond these contemporary details of the looks and features, it comes with a 24-hour dial, and 24-hour GMT function, with two distinct crowns. One is on the 3 o’clock and the other on the 4 o’clock position to adjust both local and GMT times.

All Glycine Airman Watches have a date window on the 3 o’clock position. The new models have the Cyclops window to display the scripted date in red, as different from the vintage in black. It also features two outer rings engraved on a rotating bezel, thick lumed hands, and 24-hour markings to ease readability in certain situations.

The water resistivity of the Airman watches is quite low – only 10m. Anyway, the timepieces already describe themselves as one to stay above the ground. If you want a dive watch from this brand, go for the Glycine combat sub. You might find all these features as basic since you can attribute them to other high-end watches. But for a modern classic piece like this one, it’s unique.

Value for money

Today, the Rolex GMT-Master II is arguably the most recognizable GMT watch, but it’s frequently inaccessible to the mass market because of the price tag. On the contrary, the Glycine Airman Vintage is way more accessible when you consider both price and features.

This doesn’t mean the Airman is better by any extent, but from the standpoint of price and quality, Glycine airman has pretty good value – no matter the sub-model you like. In fact, It has distinguishing features from the Rolex and much easier to add to a growing collection.

The price tag on each one genuinely proves the fantastic value of the watch. It’s probably what kept the series in the market for so long, regardless of the decades of market and technological competitions.

Reliable Movements

In its first few years, the brand developed with market demands as the series transitioned further from automatic into quartz driven movements. Although most contemporary Airman Watches still utilizes the base Sellita SW330-1 Swiss movement, otherwise known as the Glycine’s GL293.

It’s an automatic movement based on a reliable ETA 2893-2, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and capable of 42-hour power reserve. This power is good enough to keep the watch accurate for over a week, whether it’s on the wrist or off.

Outstanding functions

As a pure necessity for pilots, Glycine worked on the Airman to appeal both professionals and amateur aviators. This Glycine hosts some iconic feature; you wouldn’t find on most watches from that time. Like the 24-hour dial, 24-hour rotating and lockable bezels, and the double crowns. The Vintage Airman was known for a hacking mechanism, but it’s no longer available for the newer movements.

Glycine produces remarkable pieces to stand the test of time where all interiors are hidden and protected with a stainless steel or mineral glass back and a domed plexiglass crystal on the front, which is more charming than the sapphire crystal.

The new Glycine Airman Watches are hackable – as in, the ability to stop the second’s hand by pulling out the crown. The vintage ones had an old fashion solution that’s similar to the locking bezel where the pull pops up a small pin through a hole in the dial and stops the second’s hand at 12:00.

Reputable Brand

The Glycine Airman Watch series encompasses one of the most unappreciated and overlooked aspects of the pilot watch history. With the tasteful reissues and well-designed versions that Glycine continue to releasing, it’s obvious that they are eager to keep their story alive for their fans and watch collectors out there.

Glycine Airman Watches are pure classic pieces — each one with some sense of sentimental attribute – hence the popularity. For instance, the Glycine named the DC-4 after a propeller-driven plane from 1942. The aircraft was reliable for military use in World War II and still useful today to private airlines and operators. As pertaining to this ability, despite not having any distinct features of the DC-4 plane in its design, you can expect the same reliability from this watch as well as the other Glycine Airman watches.

Should you get the Glycine Airman watches?

Unlike most modern watches you find on the market today, every aspect of the Airman stands for quality. The case is of polished steel, with sleek and slender lugs which is typical for a 1950s vintage style. If you are not in league with the original’s 36mm case, you can try out the ones with 42mm – seems like a more appropriate and modern size.

The build quality of the recent Glycine stays faithful to the original with beautiful plexiglass crystal that won’t shatter when smashed into or dropped. What’s more, the small lume pips at every five-minute mark illuminates the dials at night with luminescence rather than the Superluminovas on new model watches.

Even though the Airman subseries have designs that looks so similar to each other, there are specific changes within them. Of the differences, you can find few new sub-series without the brand’s logo on the dial, as well as the PM/AM indicators on the 3 and 9 o’clock positions of some. Whereas the original shows no extra.

The cases are of stainless steel with the back screwed on. Again, some sub-models have a see-through mineral glass on the back. All these qualities are why you shouldn’t pass on the Airman.

Conclusion – Glycine Airman Review

If you have interests in historical relics, Glycine alongside a small list of alternatives is a reasonable choice. The sub-series have managed to release a diverse collection of Airman Watches in various sizes, styles, colors, and prices. Each one competing for the modern market. You just have to love these. Check out more reviews on the Glycine watches.

December 13, 2020December 14, 2020

Vintage Rolex Review: Air King 5500 Vs. Explorer 1016

Rolex Vintage: Air King 5500 Vs. Explorer 1016

Calling all watch lovers and collectors of all things antique! We have a review today that dates back to the 1970s. A review of the Rolex 5500 vs 1016. Just to get this out of the way up front, both of these watches are vintage masterpieces. I adore the quality and history of these watches, so it is going to be a challenge to recommend which one is better. At the end of the day, no matter what watch you purchase, you are buying a piece of history.

When reviewing vintage watches, it is important to note a few main points that I will cover in this article. History of the watch, value, product design, and style. Without further delay, it is time to jump into an overview of each watch, to go in-depth about the features that make them unique.

Vintage Rolex Air King

History

To begin, it is important to know that the Air King model of Rolex watches is one of the oldest models to release. The Air King dates back to as far as World War II! In my opinion, simply knowing you are wearing a watch (or storing for collecting), that has such a long history is insane! These watches were curated for pilots who started to purchase Oyster Perpetual watches after the war, hence the name “Air King.” With a sleek, classic design, Rolex released a model that features a time-only display to keep the watch simple yet handsomely appealing.

The Air-King reference 5500 was released in 1957. Paying homage to the brave soldiers of war, this aviation-themed watch was initially released with the war pilots as their market. The model stayed around a good thirty-seven years, which highlights that the watches were appealing to much more than just war heroes.

Product design

Now some features vary, because the reference 5500 has many variations. So to keep it simple I will focus on one particular model.

I chose this model because the overall design is wonderful. You get everything that makes a Rolex with this watch, (besides the cyclops). A crisp and clean stainless 34mm case with an alluring silver dial perfectly complements the durable stainless steel band. The all-silver look stands out on the wrist. You maintain a clean look that will go with any outfit you pull out of the closet. It is not a watch for those seeking a flashy and highly complex looking watch. The look is respectfully simple and genuine.

Durability

The stainless steel keeps this watch looking pristine with every wear. The watch was made to withstand everyday wear. An acrylic protective crystal and a waterproof, Rolex original, screw-down crown keep the watch safe from any water damage. There is no doubt this is one of the most durable watches on the market for its age. Many you find for sale are in almost pristine condition. I own a vintage Datejust oyster perpetual and although I love it, the durability is nowhere near the caliber of the Air King.

Movement

The watch does not state “precision” on the dial for no reason. The movement on this watch is advanced for its time. With in-house made 1520 movement, you are sure to have an accurate reading timepiece despite the age of the watch. A unique fact is this type of movement was the first to be made 100% at Rolex factories.

To be critical, it is a downgrade from the 1530 movement, lacking a Breguet over-coil and only 17 jewel movement compared to 25 jewel movement of the latter. Do not let this discourage you. The watch is still an expert timekeeper. I just wanted to inform readers of the slight downgrades from other Rolex’s manufactured during this time period.

The Value

Value is extremely important when deciding to purchase a vintage watch. To get straight to the point, due to the immense history and durability of this watch, the value is great. What is even better is the particular model I featured here is one of the most affordable vintage pieces by Rolex. So in short, yes this watch is valuable. Keep it in great condition and hold on to it for many years! It is a reserved classic that is sure to always be relevant to watch connoisseurs all over!

Vintage Rolex Explorer

History

What a trek we have with this piece. The Explorer ref. 1016 dates back to 1969 and the Explorer original model goes as far back as 1953. The Explorer brand of Rolex was created to congratulate the completed mission to the peak of Mt. Everest. British expedition, Sherpa Norgay, was wearing an early prototype that would eventually become the Explorer during his intense journey up Mt. Everest.

Now, if you have the chance to find a Rolex Explorer, you too can face Mt Everest (DISCLAIMER: You are not guaranteed to make it through the mission, but at least you have a beautiful reliable watch)! The Explorer quickly became a popular model and gave every hiker a bit of spirit!

Rolex began the production of the Explorer 1016 in 1969 and the watch lasted for over 25 years! Why it may seem odd, the older models are actually easier to find than the later produced 1016’s.

Product design

I would be lying if I told you this was one of the best looking Rolex watches. It is rather a plain model. The dark, tropical dial does not stand out as profoundly as the Air King dials, that match great with the band. A plus is a 36mm case, which is a great size on just about any wrist. It fits comfortably with an oyster bracelet with 280 end links.

The dial consists of three large numbers for the time, those numbers being 3,6, and 9. The font is not the most appealing and I feel as though the large numbers were unnecessary. Other than that, everything about the watch is pretty classic to Rolex.

You can never go wrong with the stainless steel bold and beautiful oyster bracelet. Rolex watches of every model are all made perfectly with no imperfections So when reviewing a watch by Rolex, I want to see the uniqueness and innovative design. Frankly, I do not see any of that with the Explorer 1016 watch. There is no doubt a great history behind the Explorer, however, nothing stands out when looking at the watch’s features.

Durability

Like the Air King, the Explorer is also a durable watch. It offers the same protection with a strong stainless steel bracelet, that is held tight with 280 end links that keep it in place on the wrist. A pro is the water-resistance of 100 meters. At the time of production, this is about double the resistance of other Rolex sports watches. The Air King can withstand 100 meters of water resistance as well, but it was produced later than the Explorer 1016, so it is innovative for the time.

Since the Explorer was made with extreme hiking in mind. Rolex added a low viscosity movement, so the watch is able to operate at extremely low temperatures. So your next trip to Alaska or the South Pole will not interrupt your watch’s functionality.

Overall, like many Rolex watches, the Explorer 1016 is a very durable watch that can withstand frigid cold temperatures and intense environments all over the world.

Movement

In order to survive a dangerous hike, you need a watch equipped with accurate time-keeping, VERY ACCURATE time-keeping. The Explorer does feature a 1570 caliber movement, which is an amazing movement for the time f production. Expect this watch to work today as it did 40 years ago! It is definitely a reliable time-keeper and it blows away the Air King on this one!

Value

This is a tricky one. The vintage Explorer 1016 is a very expensive model that has a wide range of prices. The high price is fair in some cases because it is indeed a rare model. But make sure to look at the year of production. Many of the older models are priced extremely high and have replaced parts; so it is no longer original. For some reason, it is more difficult to find later models, produced in the early eighties. So account for that if purchasing an Explorer 1016.

If the watch is kept in great condition, you are in for a good investment! Just always be cautious and safe when buying a vintage Rolex. If you want the best value make sure it is a 100% original piece, in great condition, produced in the late seventies or early eighties.

To Fly Or to Hike: Which watch is best? – Rolex 5500 vs 1016

With everything we covered accounted for, which watch is best? I have to go with the Rolex Air-King 5500. Despite a lower grade movement and history that does not involve Mt. Everest, the watch is much cleaner and better looking. The beauty of the Air-King makes up for the lack of a newer movement caliber.

Both watches are a piece of history. No matter which one you decide to purchase, keep in mind the age of the watch and all it has been through. These are old watches that are still working to this day! Appreciate your vintage Rolex, whether you decide to purchase the charming Air-King or the historic Explorer.

Due to the rarity of the Explorer 1016, it is not found on Amazon. You can purchase it from other trusted sources but stick to only websites that have great reviews and certifies the watch you are buying is authentic.