NEW Rolex Airking 126900 But Is It Better Than The  

One amendment!!! This 116900 does have the Easylink Extension!!! Was just very stiff!!!!!!;)

I liked the old AK but I actually like the new model even more! The crown guards makes it pair up nicely with the rest of Rolex professional models! And the 05 was needed for sure!

I like the Air-King, it's the slightly less goofy cousin of the Milgauss. These two are my favorite Rolexes as they exude an amount of fun. Thanks Russell!

Even though I don't have the moolah for a Rolex I'm happy with my Polex Invicta and Polex Casio Duro and of course My Polex Seiko asthe jewels in my Poor box. Keep up the fun reviews

I bought my wife the Wimbledon dial a couple of weeks ago and prior to that, she gave me happy time once a day. Ever since then, she's been giving me happy time twice or three times a day! Boys, GO FOR THE WIMBLEDON.

Love the new AirKing. I have the 14010M from late 90’s that introduced the Parachrom spring and reintroduced the machined bezel. You’d love it, great size for you and bigger crown with lovely nobbly bits. 2 to 4 year wait I reckon even for regulars! Fabulous review great job captain

Great review as usual, Russ. The new one does seem like a great upgrade. The transition at the 5:02 mark was new (I think?) and very fun... Then the macro work on the dial was great, love the little speedups.

I just fell off the couch seeing my weekend getaway wristshot in your episode... thanks mate. Greetings from Cape Town

What do you buff or clean your watches with? Thanks mad man

Dude! As great a review as ever! And thanks to you and your complete madness, I’ve got a SBTR027 on the way from Japan. You little rascal, you!! 👏🏻🎉🏆

Enjoyed this. I own a 116900 and am very pleased with it. Traded down from a two-tone Sub, and the AK had more comments than the sub did. After reading and listening to so much negative comments about the 116900, I'm amazed how people generally seem so positive about the new incarnation. Whilst the changes are positive, I honesty feel they are so minor they shouldn't be enough to change too many peoples mind.

Had both this and the black dial Milgauss but in the end settled for the discontinued 39 Explorer. AK and Mil so similar in weight and feel, loved the green/yellow logo. Didn’t like polished arabs at all and lack of lume. However great watches both and can’t go wrong for future value retention. New AK better balanced imho. Great video.

I really like how weird the modern Air-King is. It looks like nothing else in the Rolex range and the new 2022 revision is a real step up across the board. Especially that 05 at the 1 o’clock! Once you noticed that unbalanced solitary 5 on the old Bloodhound style dial you could never unsee it 😂 As striking as the Bloodhound dial is, I still think I prefer the pre-2016 Air-King. It’s just so classic and they are actually relatively affordable (for a Rolex anyway). Awesome show as always MWC and thank you to Ash for lending in his Air-King 👏👏👏👏

Amazed to see the elevation in status of the Air King over the years. When I bought my OP In 1989 it was the precision non chronometer version of that. I like the changes and could be tempted but let's not kid ourselves. Unless you are a grey dealer, a flipper, pay hugely over the odds or an established customer, you've got no chance of getting your hands on one. Maybe I should pop into Ernest Jones in Bromley and ask if they remember me...😁

The Air-King is such a cool piece!! Great review Russel!

Great review, been on the waiting list for 2yrs for 116900, bugger, contacted, AD and hoped I'd be still on the list for 126900, oh I have to go in and and re:sign my interest, Honestly give me strength

Watches with most waitlist are: Daytona panda. GMT Pepsi, airking in that order.

I have the 116900 as well to add to the collection .. Brought it a few months ago so happy with that and you get a lot for your money… Has the Milgauss housing, green second hand and writing also an explorer feel dial about it.. .takes a bit of getting used to but love it now. Been to the AD to order the new version but won’t happen lol… great video Russ keep up the good work.. 👍

Great review thanks

Fantastic review Russ 👏 I was one of the few people who liked the old Air King, and I just love the new one! I think Rolex hit the bullseye 🎯 with the upgrades. I would absolutely want to buy one if at all possible at msrp, but we all know the chances of that happening 🙂

Looks like Rolex do listen to the market in addressing all the 'dial' issues from the original. Now we have two clubs, the originals' criticized dial 'fans' and the new club with all the 'issues' fixed. Fun days coming up with the YT commentators pitching one V the other. Very entertaining video as usual, nice work MWC

I tried the older chunkier one one at the AD and my twig-wrist could not pull it off. It was one of the few models that was in the case. The newer case looks much better but the original Milgauss had a Faraday Cage and it was only 38mm. Everyone needs at least two G-Shock jellies!

Great review, thanks Russ

Another great episode! Keep up the great work

man, I just love your reviews. keep the awesome shyiiiit going.

I think the changes to the new one are a big improvement. I do like the old one too though. 😊👌

I think the new release is a definite improvement on the old, think I’d still prefer your Explorer though !

Great review Russell. Still regret selling my air king with the two 9s . Silly lad !

Got my Seiko coming soon thanks to your advice mad man

The vehicle inspiration did not fall on blind eyes with the boss lady, she saw the speedometer look. Rolex accomplished their mission. 🙂

Probably late to the party, just got a fresh air king today, after waiting on the list for almost 2 years. Brought my teenage son along for the historic moment. Mostly lost on him, but m, after trying it on himself, he did utter the immortal words - ‘😢that is actually really smart Dad’. Deposit paid, financed to the max, but all worth it.

Great episode! The Air-King does nothing for me but I do like the green and yellow on the dial

I have it, i buy it on 2021 still love it mate. Fast to read time than other analog watch.

Fantastic review, thanks! I like the 126900, seems to have all the good from the 116900, and took care of the not so good.

They changed the "5", they did it! They made the dial balanced. "05", Rolex was it that hard?

Another cracking video mate 👍🏽

Oh man. I really hope they re-release the Z-Blue Milgauss with this newer movement. I’d trade my old one in for the slimmed-down case. Great in-depth review :)

Whenever I see a new MWC video, I automatically like 👍 the video and then I watch it. It’s just a given that the video will rock!

The new cardinal markers won't play with light like on the old one. In bright light they disappear and really make the watch more interesting imo, whilst in low light they stand out.

Russell you make that seiko look better than any of us could have done!

basically It's a his and hers option little slinky one for the lady .. and the Mk1 of anything is always the best investment over a 10 year perod , great review maybe dial it down and talk how you do when you collect your caffey lattino moccinicino with a lemon twist

My Friend owns one of these airkings in green. I absolutely adore it. I learned a few fun facts about it.. thanks. Your editing is literally out of this world good! Seriously 😳 great work on that alone .. impressive… I know how much work it takes trust me! And I appreciate it. Great work as always

I laughed out loud at the wife’s comments (and your reaction) 😂. Have you thought about publishing a book of her comments?

I definitely get a aviation feel from this from the off. I just wish they'd gone a little bit more exciting with their new releases.

Interesting to read all the comments and opinions. I have the old one, which I (obviously :) prefer. What I like on the new one is the thinner case but not the case-type (I prefer the Oyster cases to the sport cases), dislike the lumed 3,6,9 and I am neutral about the crown guards (I don't like the look much, but I do always appreciate the extra protection). Like the clasp on the old one better (with the engraved crown, not the protruding crown). I understand why they got rid of the Milgauss movement and anti-magnetic case and it will make the watch lighter and more wearable....but the watch enthusiast in me just likes the unique Milgauss case and movement. They went from a watch with a unique dial, movement, inner case and outer case to a watch with just a unique dial. More people will like the new one I think.

Not a brand that interests me in the slightest, but do enjoy your show. Keep it up 👍👍

I do find some charm in it. Hope there would be an homage on this one. Tired of Subs homages.

The notebook..With the great wave on it, where is it from? The Air King is cool, I like it more than the blingy models of Rolex.

The Air King is the only Rolex that's any good!!! The Air King has a lot of character about it compared to usual bland same old same old designs they come up with every year. Just my opinion and no disrespect to any other Rolexes! I definitely prefer the Seiko Chrono!!

Great show Russ! i have already put my name down foe one .lol no seriously i have .

Wife was spot on. What a fugly pair compared to the early versions. Could they not have used more fonts? Surely another two or three would make it classier. 😆😆😆😆

Why do you neeed lume on a sports watch, what sports do you play in the dark?

The new Airking is perfect

Did you say it doesn’t have a 5mm micro adjust? Mine has one

If I can find one but i’m not going on a waiting list. I’ll get the Casio instead unless there’s a waiting list for that too.

If they can make the Milgauss with this case, keep the lightning bolt seconds hand, stick indices, black matte dial, red Milgauss text….

Brilliant review

I like the changes, but old King or new King, this watch is sofa king cool.

This guy is the Air King of watch reviewers ..

The new air king destroys the old one. 11.6mm thick the 05 the crown guards the lume 3,6,9. its just all amazing

Pagani Design are soon presenting what looks like a very faithful rendering of the new Rolex Air King, what with the 05 instead of 5, the applied and lumed indexes instead of the white gold ones, the hour hand extending to the digits. Just the '5's are slightly askew and the watch has no crown guards, at least on the photo of the prototype. If its diameter and thickness are okay, that might look like a VERY affordable and, more importantly, obtainable alternative.

The Air King is one of the few Rolex models I really like. Probably because it's a bit of an odd duck. Definitely prefer the new model. An improvement on the original design without going overboard and mucking it up.

Good vid, like the Red Dawrf comment, m8

The new one does look a bit better, but what a messy hodge podge of text sizes, fonts, colors, and numeral types. Not that I'd be able to get one anyway.

You’ve got to get your wife on camera - she’s a hoot! As always, a good balanced review. Pun intended.

I own the 116900 and absolutely love it. None of the improvements, other than the movement upgrade really excite me. I love the white gold and no lume 3/6/9, they reflect the light and disappear at times, which then switches the focus to the minute numerals. As for the 05 change, I don't get it. The watch is an interpretation of a Type B Flieger. Check them out, every single one of them just has a 5 and no-one ever said a Type B Flieger was unbalanced and needed 05. And given the Flieger influence, you don't need crown guards either, an aviation inspired piece should not have crown guards.

My Rolex AD wouldn’t even put me on any list.

I'm on the AD waiting List for the new Air King Russ 🙏

I want the new one for Retail…..

126900 is the best Rolex ever. My daily watch.

The new one will wear bigger. Face is bigger, it non turn down case and the 22mm Rolex bracelets are big compared to the old 20mm (I call them maxi bracelets). The turn down lugs and and face size make the old one fit the wrist better. With watches thickness isn’t everything.

Definitely the Explorer!

TURBO MAN!

The new Rolex Airking is a recycled Rolex design. It is not an original Rolex Airking design. There are old Rolex Oyster Perpetuals with the same watch dial as the new Rolex Airking.

Great review, as usual! Never been a fan of the Air-King, but have to say based on your review this model has peaked my interest. Now if only I had the dosh and actual ability to get one from an AD.....

We can’t blame nor find fault with Rolex for misinterpreting THEIR OWN inspiration. They can apply their inspiration to whatever ‘vehicle’ they darn well please. Yesterday a land machine, today a flight instrument. NO MATTER.

Nice video, but i will pass on the Air-King

I'm not a ROLEX hater. I love the Oyster Perpetual, the EXPLORER (if it was a bit larger), the EXPLORER II, the Submariner. The Air King has nothing special going on. Old or new. From the top of my head I can give you at least 5-6 Pilot's watches that look better.

I agree with your wife !!

There is no waiting list thats rubbish the ad gives the piece to who ever they feel like need to be a friend to the ad and you will get whatever you want

I kind of like the old one……don’t like the new one with that crown guard…..

Should have been an 0️⃣5️⃣.

I do love the design but am put off by the fact it is made with bits from other models and the lume coverage is shit. Great review though

Rolex YAWN

Really don't like this Air King, either one. Not that I could afford one anyway. If I was given oneI'd sell and buy something much nicer! 👌

6.5 wrist……my god that’s like a lil boy

The wife nailed it, not a nice watch.

You are British. The Rolex AirKing was made for Royal Air Force. This is your lineage mate.

Looks like a parts-bin watch. The new one is just slightly less ugly than the old one. Pass.

Your “funny” voice demerit your videos. Just a recommendation.

Rolex is interesting but so much over valued than reality of what toi get. So many other brands like Omega, Tissot, tag Heuer, Breitling who are really excellent valued for the High level of quality you get for your money. But Rolex is the best if you want to Make money with the years., It's an investment like no others!!!

Why is this guy acting like someone who needs professional help 🫠☠️