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Rolex · Family: Air-King

Rolex Air-King 126900

The Rolex Air-King 126900 is the current generation of the house's aviation watch, introduced in 2022: a 40mm Oyster case in Oystersteel with crown guards, a black lacquered dial with white gold 3-6-9 numerals, and a prominent minute scale inherited from cockpit instruments. It runs the Calibre 3230 with 70 hours of power reserve. Cazador has no verified price observations for this reference yet (n=0).

Specifications

Case diameter
40 mm
Case material
Oystersteel, polished smooth bezel
Movement
Rolex Calibre 3230, automatic, Chronergy escapement, Superlative Chronometer (−2/+2 sec/day)
Frequency
28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve
Approximately 70 hours
Water resistance
100 m, screw-down Twinlock crown
Dial
Black lacquered, white gold 3-6-9 numerals with Chromalight, prominent minute scale for to-the-minute reading
Crystal
Sapphire
Bracelet
Three-link Oyster in Oystersteel, Oysterlock clasp
Generation launch
2022

Price & trend

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History

The Air-King name dates to 1945, when Hans Wilsdorf coined it in tribute to RAF pilots who flew with Rolex Oyster watches during World War II. For decades it was the entry-level Rolex, discreet and 34mm.

In 2016, reference 116900 reinvented the model: a 40mm case with antimagnetic shielding shared with the Milgauss and a dial inspired by the cockpit instruments of the Bloodhound land-speed-record project, with a prominent minute scale and 3-6-9 numerals.

The 2022 126900 refined that formula: it introduced crown guards for the first time on the model, redesigned the bracelet with a wider center link, added a two-digit "05" to standardize the minute scale, and replaced the Calibre 3131 with the 3230, featuring the Chronergy escapement and 70 hours of reserve.

Within the Rolex range it is the sports entry point with the most personality: it shares the toughness of the house's tool watches, but its flight-instrument dial looks like nothing else in the catalog.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Rolex Air-King 126900 cost?

Cazador has no verified price observations for this reference (0 PricePoints recorded as of today). We do not publish estimates without our own sourced market data.

What changed on the 126900 versus the 116900?

It added crown guards, a redesigned bracelet, the two-digit "05" numeral on the minute scale, and the Calibre 3230 with 70 hours of reserve, replacing the 116900's 3131.

Where does the Air-King name come from?

From 1945: Hans Wilsdorf registered it as a tribute to the British pilots who wore Oyster watches during World War II.

Is it antimagnetic?

The 2016 generation 116900 introduced antimagnetic shielding shared with the Milgauss; on the 126900, the Calibre 3230's Chronergy escapement uses amagnetic nickel-phosphorus components.

Is it suitable for swimming?

Yes, its Oyster case with screw-down Twinlock crown guarantees 100 meters of water resistance, enough for swimming, though it is not a dive watch.

How accurate is the Calibre 3230?

It is certified Superlative Chronometer by Rolex: −2/+2 seconds per day after casing, twice as strict as the COSC standard.

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