W&W 2022 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Ref. 126900

Rolex is presenting the new-generation Oyster Perpetual Air-King. The watch features a completely redesigned case with a crown guard and straight sides like the majority of Professional category models.

The proportions of the Oyster bracelet have also been revisited, and notably the centre link has been broadened. In a first for the model, it is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp. The watch’s display has also been refreshed and is perfectly balanced thanks to the addition of a ‘0’ before the ‘5’ on the minutes scale. Each five-minute interval is, therefore, now marked by two digits.

In addition, the new-generation Air-King benefits from an optimized Chromalight display, guaranteeing maximum legibility in dark conditions. The hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock are filled or coated with a new luminescent material that provides a longerlasting intense glow. The 3, 6 and 9 numerals, which were previously made entirely from 18 ct white gold, are now also visible in the dark thanks to this innovative material, which is exclusive to Rolex.

The new-generation Air-King is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Air-King carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

A homage to aviation

The Air-King symbolizes the privileged relationship between Rolex and flying during the golden age of aviation in the 1930s. It pays tribute to the pilots of the era and the Oyster’s role in their epic story. The 1930s was a period when spectacular progress in aircraft performance constantly expanded humanity’s capacity to conquer the skies and led to the introduction of long-distance flights. Several pilots set records while wearing an Oyster. Others used a Rolex watch as an on-board chronometer, such as Owen Cathcart-Jones and Ken Waller, who, in 1934, made a return voyage from London (United Kingdom) to Melbourne (Australia) in record time with a twin-engine De Havilland Comet.

The name ‘Air-King’ has featured on the dial since its launch in 1958, in lettering that makes the model immediately recognizable. Since 2016, the Air-King has had a distinctive black dial with a combination of large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minutes scale for optimal navigational time readings. The green seconds hand echoes the brand’s emblematic colour.

The Oyster case, symbol of waterproofness

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case of the new-generation Air-King is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement.

The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

Perpetual calibre 3230

The new-generation Air-King is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2020 and is fitted on this model from 2022. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. Calibre 3230 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 3230 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3230 extends to approximately 70 hours.

Oyster bracelet and Oysterlock safety clasp

The new-generation Air-King is fitted with an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

The Oyster bracelet on this new watch features the Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. In addition, a concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.

Technical specifications

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King

Reference: 126900

Case

• Material: Oystersteel
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Oystersteel bezel, smooth
• Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Winding crown: Twinlock in Oystersteel, screw-down, double waterproofness system
• Caseback: Oystersteel, solid, screw-down with fine fluting
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• Black lacquer
• 3, 6, 9 in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
• White transferred minutes numerals
• Triangular hour marker in 18 ct white gold at 12 o’clock, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
• Hands in 18 ct white gold, green lacquer seconds hand, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)

Movement

• Calibre 3230, Manufacture Rolex
• Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
• Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring.
• High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
• Number of jewels: 31 
• Frequency: 28,000 vph (4Hz)
• Power reserve of 70 hours

Functions/Indications

• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
• Stop-seconds for exact time setting

Strap and buckle

• Oyster, three-piece solid links
• Oystersteel, satin finish with polished edges
• Oysterlock folding safety clasp
• Easylink comfort extension link (approx. 5 mm)

MSRP: CHF 7'000

For more information, please visit rolex.com