Rolex Air King 6 Month Review - 116900 

Fantastic update Bruce...just the fact that you still have the Air-King after 6 months tells us it is a special watch. Thank you for sharing your love for this watch with us :)

Have had my Air-King for over a year. Never wanted a Rolex till I saw this one. Best choice I’ve made for myself. Wear yours in good health. 🖖🏽

I love this watch. I’ve had it for quite some time now. You can feel the steel. It’s just a funky watch. Buy what you love. It is a keeper. 👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

It's grown on me. It's like a flashy Explorer. Plus there's always something cool about wearing a piece that others just don't get. Especially from Rolex.

Great video, fantastic macros and an awesome watch! I saw in another YT video an Air-King with a green Everest rubber strap - this looks awesome too.

I keep reading here how this watch is so hated by the same guys that say they love it??? Honestly I've not known personally or heard of anyone who hates it. It's an uber cool watch, looks awesome, wears great, is versatile in that it's "sports" but also "dressy", goes well with jeans and with a tux. I was strictly a Rolex guy for years. Had the subs, gmts, datejusts, explorers, even a Daytona, then moved away to the omega, Tudor, zenith, but this air king has brought me back...just bought one!

I was never a Rolex guy but I am a pilot. I wanted to find a nice watch to start my collection and this one instantly popped out to me. Looking to get one.

I found this is watch has an appeal that grows gradually as you wear it. Yes, its busy looking but once you get used to it the quirkiness becomes endearing. Which means other people will love or hate. Seems like this watch is for the wearer.

nice video. i like that you always show realistic wrist shots, that helps alot=)

I love this watch because it s a diffrent rolex

I love my Air King. It’s the perfect mate for my white dial Milgauss.

Everyone hates this thing but I really like it. The green font is unique. 5 is my favorite number (more specifically 555). So I bought one for my pops and he loves it. As a bonus since no other watch people like it I think it'll get discontinued and become a classic that appreciates enough to break even after 20+ years of service costs/maintenance costs. :)

Nice video, yes I got one, my first Rolex, went slightly above an average Oyster Perpetual. Thanks for the great description of all the nice features. I also just ordered a black rubber strap from Everest, with the double clasp and crown embossed on the clasp, just as an alternative to the steel already on it.

Been wearing my airking daily that I got 5 months back.Its a keeper👍.Thanks for the video.

Great review. Had mine for a year and wear it on a Rubber B with the green stripe. All unloved Models become beloved over time.

I have both old and new. I love it the AK. One of those watch you have to see in person. It doesn't do justice in pictures.

Have been wearing my Air-king for 3 years, the more I look at it the more it grows on me. Wear yours in good health!

I love this watch very much, eventhough it's my first rolex. This is simple but very elegant. I used blue rubber B to avoid many scratch on the bracelet. It's value for money.

Nice review Bruce, I bought this piece after seeing your review and I love it. I like your videos man. All the best!

I love my Air king. I think it’s a great value proposition especially since it’s one that you can acquire much easier than the most. To me it’s a Explorer / Milguass combination and I enjoy it.

Great review. So cool that you give Air-King some love. I have one too, and it's awesome. It's always been an mystery to me why people seem to hate it so much. I guess we'll have the last laugh.

Finally got to try 1 last week at my AD. WOW, it’s even better looking in the metal. Been eyeing it up for nearly a year now, think I’m going to go for it. 👍

I love the green in this watch. Its definitely underrated.

You can’t see this watch then un-see it. After watching this video I hit Chrono24 and eBay comparing pricing on new and used Air Kings; too high. Remembered Bruce Taligent talking about his AD and decided to make a few local calls. The first call I made yielded an incoming Air King that hadn't been put in their system. I asked for 24 hour hold and went to pick it up the next day. In person, it is more impressive than in the pics. Great laid back experience at the store and was able to establish a relationship with the manager. Beautiful thing is I paid retail (thanks for your advice Bruce). Walked out knowing what all the haters would say, while wearing a huge smile on my face that I still can’t get off. Everybody copies Rolex but won’t ever do the funky Air King. I’m ok with that and and the fact that I saved $2000 in the process. It pays to be patient. Thanks Bruce

Plan on getting one of these. My family has 60 years of aviation history and I fly a lot. Speaks to me

Since the start of the new airking i have it on the radar,2 days ago i purchased a new one and i love this watch at most of my other Rolex,the airking makes no stress and fitts you around the clock!

I kinda like the different colors the greens and yellows. I could totally Rock that Watch. I have been looking at the Air King for a little while. Good video sir.

Great vid Bruce. One of my employees hand makes fountain pens truly bespoke. Seem like watch guys are pens guys lol

A lovely watch.It will soon become very collectable,as has the milgauss.As usual,a great video,Bruce.Take good care and enjoy those watches.

Hi Bruce This is a weird one, looking as a blend of Explorer and Millgauss. Nevertheless quite interesting and probably a conversation piece when meeting people who know about Rolex’s. It’s surely a personal choice and statement... I think you’re right about the long term value. It’s a bit like the Explorer II, now creeping up in value. Almost any Rolex end up being a classic - sooner or later. Stick to it😊 I really like the use of the green color - adds a bit of class...

The air king has Very precise minutes hands that Match the dial. So it’s very good at timing minute! Which I guess is all done for! Thanks Bruce J

Very nice watch , in particular the dial is true Rolex tool design & application. The numeration is genius for a pilot watch in that seconds & minutes can be read instantly off the end of the second hand with the numeration ending in 60, real unique with fast read green second hand, would love to own this model, great purchase. Thanx. P.S. Tx.

I was going to get another Breitling, but even though I have been really sworn to stay away from Rolex because of the pricing issues, this might be my next watch. The green and yellow really do it for me. I started with Rolex in 1994 with a Datejust, then went to Breitling, and now I just may go back to Rolex. I haven’t seen too many of these though. Could take some time to nail one down.

Already placed an order for this😍😍😍 this will be my 2nd Rolex and can't wait to see it on my wrist😊👍🏻

Had mine since October 19 and really appreciate it's difference from the it's bezel spinning siblings. The dial for me is the winner that yellow gold logo and green script just explodes and adds it's charm. Mine rotates with my GMT 2 tone and Date in gold. Can anyone confirm that it shares the Faraday case as does the Milgauss ? This one is a keeper and appreciated as it runs outside of the pack!!

I saw an Air King at my AD last summer. It’s a nice looking watch.

Great expose, I think it looks fabulous with the wonderful case build & unique dial, screams masculine everyday wearer, would be proud to own itt myself. Thanx P.S. Tx.

It is my second favorite Rolex because it is unique even to the explorer

Totally agree, I bought mine September 2019. And I am so happy that i not picked the explorer!

Awesome video ! I love my AK, Ad called me to try this and the explorer out early 2020 and went with the AK. Question, what’s the best way to clean the AK?

Thanks for the review. Waiting for an AD to stock one in mainland China.

Love the video and you are spot on , ever since I saw the promotional pictures of the air king I wanted it, I just love the look 👀 of it I bought mine 3 months ago , I’ve got a date just 41 oyster bracelet plain bezel as well . For me this new air king 👑 is the king really I mean it it’s so unusual and I think handsome, for sure it’s gonna be sort after in the future. Remember the launch of the Daytona years ago , not popular, but look at it now. Ive had a gmt Pepsi and a sub , but for me this watch is near perfection. I must admit I would have liked a cyclops eye 👁. It’s my favourite Rolex by far , wow yellow green on the dial it’s gonna be a very very coveted watch and very sort after in the future 😉👍🏻😀

I can't believe the current prices on the grey market; I'm so glad I bought my at an AD two years ago! love it, don't intend to sell it for a profit.

i have one and i love it its cool watch and its the only Rolex with green and yellow color on the dial like your videos well done

The white gold numerals kinda remind me of the Explorer 214270 Mk I. I know people hate that watch, but it looks fine to me, short hands and all!

Bought my air king today! I always loved it and now i got it. Also got tag aquaracer cal5 and love it too! But rollie is very special. Tag is special too 😎🙏

I like the Air King a lot, unlike a majority of people. I ended up getting an Explorer instead though. If you think this flies under the radar, then the Explorer is practically invisible. It’s slimmer, has more lume, and a better bracelet with the fold over clasp. But you’re paying a couple hundred more for that... I feel like the Air King compliments your GMT quite nicely. The Explorer would compliment a no date Submariner perfectly.

I was tempted with a pre owned one, there's about 6-12months waiting list for new, but in the end I went for a new Omega aqua terra I thought was better value.

I loved the look from the beginning - couldn't get your (and others) "dog" look. Could be the engineer in me and my affinity for gauges lol. When I bought it from an AD they were easy to get, saw another the very next week. No where to be found now, whish I'd bought two.

Great video, thanks bud 👍

I'm a fan of the Air King. Nice video thanks

I have this one and I got to say it is incredible I love it and has a special place in my heart as it’s my starting point and my first rolex and I started my collection on this one

Would you go Air King or Explorer 1 MK2 for first Rolex watch? I like them both a lot!

I fully scratched the bezel when i dried it with a towel 😖 thinking about replace or polish it to get it in top condition again . What’s your opinions ?

Have it. Love it!! It's my everyday watch.

Probably th most underrated Rolex & all the better for it, i think it's quirkiness & obscurity just add to the fun of it. Great vid!

Great Video! Im wit you I Love the air king ✌️😎

Hey bruce I want to sell my rolex datejust 16233 i bought from watch box in August. It has a champagne tapestry dial and papers no box. I paid $4800 but all i want is $4000 so i can use the money for a datejust 41. Whats the best way to sell a watch if you have never sold one before?

Great review 👍 I’ve just purchased an Air King 116900 & love it. Do you think it will be discontinued in September ?

Basel 2020: Explorer I 214270 moving up to this case size. Thoughts?

Great video. I own the same ref - and I absolutely love it. Air King - the first true military pilots watch.

If it was under rated I would have bought one at AD by now haha I think it's getting more and more popular

Hey Bruce, Any idea as to where I could find the new Air King? Thanks

I’m thinking about getting this or a milgauss z blue. Any suggestions?

I think it's a beautiful watch but it takes time to get used to it and appreciate it.

Air king said.....The daytona was hated in the 80s, the rest is history.

Such a pretty watch.

Great video. I agree with you I use to think the Air King was the ugly duckling of Rolex until I bought one. I love a larger watch dial. Gorgeous timepiece and is a real conversation starter.

any way to get it from NYC ADs or nearby without buying 5 other brands from them first? Any tips?

Thanks a lot for the feedback to the Air-King. I have to admit, after all the videos (including your purchase video) I was so taken with this watch that I tried it on in the shop 3 days ago. And I was shocked - I had imagined a MUCH BIGGER WATCH after all these very positive reviews and the look on my wrist. This watch seems to me (sorry of the good taste) like a "children's watch" - it seems brutally small despite the diameter of 40mm - for men who are sporty an absolute no go. Thanks for your top reviews anyway :-)

Love this watch! I agree: Quirky, understated but also classy. Also the gleam of the Oyster steel in the sunlight looks so nice. I’m wondering whether you are veering away from Seiko more towards Rolex in the last year or two? 😉.

Great to hear another ambassador for the Air-King. Also my favourite Rolex and agree it's the best value model they have! 116900 for life 🙌🏻

I can’t wait to get mine. One more week of waiting and it will be in my hand.

Love mine...bought it in august also....

Love at first sight!

I like the Airking. Almost got that over the Explorer 39mm but the Explorer wore better due to height. Great vid!

I think if it had any other brand name on the dial, be it IWC, Breitling and such, they would sell zero units.

Absolutely love mine. Wear it more than my Sub

I disagree...I think it's a fine looking piece.....not ugly at all.....

Hi, is it top heavy? I plan to purchase one.

I m 39 years old , can u suggest good Rolex watch series for such age ??

Exceptionally nice watch , only thing missing date window .

Bruce, how the hell do you keep the bezel and bracelet so smudge-free?!

Is it not just an explorer with about 17 5s?

I’m a Rolex newb and I like the looks of this Air King. What should I expect to pay for this watch? Thank you.

Bruce - honest quest. How do you not get weirded out wearing a multi-thousand dollar watch on a daily basis? Really love that watch, at least from here. I don’t own one, but I’d definitely wouldn’t call it a dog. If I ever wore a Rolex, that one and the Explorer would be my choices.

Would you suggest over a omega moon watch pro? Cant decide.

Do you still have this Bruce ?

BTW, do you still have you or have you flipped it? you don't talk about it anymore.

Bruce do you still have the Air King

Very unique choice 👍👍👍

Just bought mine! I believe next year it will be discontinued.

Air King.. Bellissimo.. Unico..

Air King is awesomeness!!!

I love this watch. Except for the numbers on the dials everything else is perfect. The proportions are perfect and make it handsome to look at. Those green and yellow accents are just uber cool. And the brushed CLs mean less scratches. Now only if they could sort out the dial numbers, add a date and increase the power reserve to 70 hours they would have a winner. It could be the best Rolex.

The OP39 and the Explorer do not have the same case

hey bruce do you fancy owning 2,I have an Air King which i dont like, will swop for your gmt lol

They should make white dial air king for 2025 watches and wonders.

I don’t agree Bruce, not kind of a dog to me. I like some colour , the green letters, the yellow crown, no fluted bezel (could you imagine!), I will say that the newest version’s dial looks more balanced - and it has a better movement.

Bruce, I think this is a great value for what you're getting, but it doesn't beat the OP 39 in terms of value. I think the OP 39 can be worn in many more situations than the Airking. Of course this is all contingent on what someone may already have in their collection. Not sure if I would recommend the Airking for someone as their first Rolex. It feels like a watch that can complement, and be an addition to a collection as the funky oddball of the family, but not as your only watch.