Rare ‘1967’ Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air - King Date - Precision is a vintage timepiece that holds significant historical and collectible value. Reference 5700 is powered by the much sought after caliber 1520, a rare early variant featuring 17 jewels. Housed in a 34mm steel case retaining the original silvered dial which has developed patina over time. Fitted to a period correct Rolex Jubilee bracelet, fits an extra large wrist circumference of upto 10.5 inches can be adjusted to a smaller size within the clasp or by removing links. This watch has benefited from a service by a Rolex Specialist Watchmaker, in good running order keeping accurate time and date - Ready to enjoy!
Although it receives far less attention than the Submariner, Day-Date, or GMT-Master, the Rolex Air-King is one of Rolex’s oldest collections of watches, with an interesting history that spans over seventy years of near-continuous production. And the Air-King 5700 (date) and 5500 (non date) is one of the collection’s longest-running iterations.
A History Dating Back To World War II
The Rolex Air-King lacks any specific features or complications that make it specially tailored to one type of sport or environment; however, this minimalist collection of watches has become a cult favorite among purists due to its simple time-only display and clean, all-stainless steel construction.
After hearing stories of World War II British pilots discarding their standard-issued field watches in favor of personally-purchased Oyster Perpetual timepieces, Rolex co-founder, Hans Wilsdorf decided to release a series of aviation-themed watches, intended to honor the brave RAF pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain.
Among these aviation-themed watches was the Air-King, which made its first official appearance in 1945 with the reference 4925. Several references followed as Rolex continued to refine the design; however, in 1957 (officially sold to the public in 1958), Rolex released a new version of the Air-King that would be known as the reference 5500 series.
The Rolex Air King 5700 history covers 37 years and For the majority of these years, the Rolex Air King 5700 series was left untouched and was considered to be a classic and very coveted model, the Porsche 911 of the watch world. For sure a collectors time piece that would be a great addition to any watch collection today.
Popular for its tough and simple design people often forget that it was originally designed for the demanding conditions faced by the RAF pilots during the 2nd world war.
Original Dial: Signed Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Date Precision. White dial with aged creamy patina. Raised steel baton markers. Pointed lume filled baton hands with a matching tapered steel seconds sweep hand. Outer chapter ring with minute indices. Dial has marks all over with signs of some area’s being touched up commensurate with age and wear - Please observe photos.
Original Perspex Crystal: Good condition.
Original movement: Signed Rolex Montres Rolex Geneva 26 Jewels Swiss 1520. Ask any watchmaker today what in their opinion is the best movements Rolex ever produced, and many will still say the Cal. 1520. The Rolex Calibre 1520 is a historically significant movement, known for being one of Rolex’s earliest of the 1500 series self-winding (automatic) calibres. It played a foundational role in the evolution of Rolex’s modern automatic movements. The Calibre 1520 was introduced in the - early 1960’s and was used in a variety of Rolex models, including the Air-King, Explorer, GMT - Master and Submariner. It is a self-winding movement featuring a bi-directional rotor, a hallmark of Rolex’s innovation in automatic winding. Known for its robustness and reliability, the Calibre 1520 set a new standard for durability in Rolex movements. It features a full balance bridge for stability and shock resistance, a design element still used in Rolex movements today. The Calibre 1520 is a key milestone in Rolex’s history, marking the transition from manual-wind to automatic movements. It’s reliability and simple. Has been serviced by a Rolex specialist master watchmaker, in good running order keeping accurate time and date - Ready to enjoy!
Original Case: Rolex Oyster case with a polished finish, satin-finished lugs and case. Smooth chamfered bezel. The serial number between the lugs at 6 reads 170**** dating the watch to 1967 on the Rolex date register in line with the case back cover, the digits remain clearly legible. The reference number 5700 is stamped between the lugs at 12. The case shows surface scratches consistent with age and everyday wear. Please review the photos carefully for condition details.
Original Crown/Winder: Signed Rolex logo with the dash in relief, screw down crown in good functioning condition.
Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed Montres Rolex S.A Geneva Switzerland Patented STAINLESS STEEL 1500 (date stamped) fourth quarter 1967. Period service markers present in good overall condition.
Original Case Back Cover Outer: Milled edge beveled brushed steel cover screws perfectly flush with case. Has surface scratches associated with stainless steel commensurate with age and wear.
Original Rolex Jubilee Bracelet: Signed Rolex U.S.A. Stainless Steel. A full link Jubilee bracelet fits a wrist extra large circumference of 10.5 inches can be adjusted to a smaller size within the clasp or by removing links. Correct end links. The bracelet has scratches and some moderate stretch to the links commensurate with age and wear.
*Please note this Rolex is over 58 years of age*
*Please observe photos carefully as they form part of the description*
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