Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King

When wading through the sea of vintage Rolex, it can be difficult to know in which direction you should travel. At times, the divide between the tool watch models--the Submariners and the GMTs--and the dressier pieces (Datejusts and the like) seems incomprehensibly enormous, and it can be hard to know just what each model and execution would suit you best. But wrapped around each iconic Rolex is the understated benchmark of the brand's success. The Rolex's Oyster Case is probably one of the most ubiquitous designs in the modern era, and can be found in the simplest Oyster Perpetuals to the most sought-after sportier models. It's the silent canvas upon which every one of the brand's executions has been painted, and regardless of the movement that fills it, or the dials that adorn it, this simple and elegant case is a huge part of the brand's global success. The Rolex Air King, Rolex's most attainable model, is no different. Built upon the sturdy foundation of a 34mm Oyster Case, the Air King is one of the cleaner Rolex designs with simple stick markers and baton hands. And while recent trends have deemed the Air King a bit on the small side, modern manufactures are beginning to re-focus on slimmer, simpler cases, making this svelte, classy design totally en vogue. Often passed over by many who consider them "Entry Level," the Air King Reference 5500 is a tremendously desirable timepiece by any standard, combining a self-winding Calibre 1520 in-house movement with Rolex's signature Oyster Case. The clean design of the Air King dial, devoid of a date aperture, makes it an ideal candidate for the new Rolex collector.