I kind of hate my Rolex
Earlier this year, I was offered the only Rolex I ever aspired to have. Don't get me wrong, I like Rolex. I just was very turned off by the circus that has encircled the brand in the last few years. The Wait-lists, flipping, snobbery, and amount of non-enthusiast interest all turned me off. Unfortunately, most people I have met who wear a Rolex have no idea what they are wearing or care much about watchmaking or watches in general. Thats why I gravitated to the Air-King. See, the Air-King isn't loved. Its not worn by celebrities (Sans Federer who is not even human). I rarely see them on a wrist "In the wild". Even amongst watch enthusiasts, the Air-King is polarizing. It's quirky. Some Rolex owners don't even know it exists. Its the antithesis of what Rolex is today. This watch reminds me of what I believed Rolex was of the past, even if it's a romanticized view. It's a brand of watches made for a purpose, designed in lieu of popular perception. Who the hell asked for a new Air King? And yet, Rolex doing old Rolex things. Its a great legible watch that does not quite make sense but on it's own, is a great watch. Add in the one offs that make it special (I'm not a watch reviewer, so don't expect me to rattle off the typical YouTube comparisons), and it's the coolest Rolex I've put on. This weekend, I was given the chance to wear three Daytona's, including a bico and an entirely rose gold Daytona. They were all beautiful, but just way to hype beast for me. And, before you read what I say next, let me be clear... Anyone who is happy wearing their mechanical watch that they have paid money for, are watch people. They're just not all the watch people I want to be. The owner was a HEAVY Rolex guy, and said he would NEVER wear a Zenith or Grand Seiko, regardless if they contributed to Rolex historically. They rejected the idea of owning an FP Journe or Langa truly because it doesn't have thr name cachè of Rolex. And that itself, the way I see things, makes me never want to appear to ever want to be mistaken as a "Rolex Guy". But me, what am I wearing? What is on my wrist? It's called an Air-King... Which is weird because its designed after a car cockpit gauge and has crown gaurds like a dive watch...
I can't stop buying watches. Help. Me.
Looks great to me.
It looks great. wear it with pride.
Yeah, never understood the tribalism that seems so rampant these days. I would’ve thought most folks would pick specific models to like regardless of the brand.
Never got the current-gen Air-King myself (though previous-gen was pretty awesome), but it’s certainly unique 👍
My black dial 16570 says hi as one of the unloved models by the online watch community:
One of the few Rolex I like!
Yeah, never understood the tribalism that seems so rampant these days. I would’ve thought most folks would pick specific models to like regardless of the brand.
Never got the current-gen Air-King myself (though previous-gen was pretty awesome), but it’s certainly unique 👍
My black dial 16570 says hi as one of the unloved models by the online watch community:
Hilarious, it's maybe the only other one I've seriously considered
That’s a bad ass watch my friend
Yeah, I generally avoid commenting on people’s watches if they’re wearing a Rolex - just a lot of folks who aren’t that into what’s on their wrist. I own one and love it, but have no desire for a second.
My favorite interaction was an airport bar where I said “nice Zenith Daytona, how long have you had it?” And he said “oh, this is a Rolex.”
Only the Air King and Polar Explorer II appeal to me from the current Rolex catalog. We’ll done.
People can be insecure snobs no matter what they wear, drive, etc. Nothing you own can define who you are. So enjoy that Rolex for what it is.
People can be insecure snobs no matter what they wear, drive, etc. Nothing you own can define who you are. So enjoy that Rolex for what it is.
I agree, this is the way
The Air King is awesome! I say wear the hell out of it
Wear what you like, don’t care what others think. I know my wife isn’t a fan of some of my choices. I’ve got the previous Air King model and used it as a daily for the first couple of years and it shows but it is still as accurate as new. Great watch yet quirky dial with milgauss case and an understated oyster bracelet and quick adjust clasp.
One of the few Rolex references that I like together with the Milgauss.
Great watch!
Interesting post. Especially as I think the Air King is underrated by comparison to other models. I mean, just look at it! The splash of 'Rolex green' makes it recognisable from afar. To me, it is stunning. I think someone who has an Air King can be identified as an enthusiast, and someone that knows watches. You've got an absolute gem there. Wear it and enjoy it! 👌
It’s unique - wear what you like👍
So you mistakely interpret the behaviour of one guy as representative of any Rolex owners and then you are surprised of liking your own Air King? This is what you want to tell us? What is the point?
I went down the exact same path as you around a dislike for Rolex because of the perception of the owners not the watches. If you like it you’ll enjoy it and when someone asks you about your watch you can say more than “oh it’s just a Rolex.”
Yeah, I generally avoid commenting on people’s watches if they’re wearing a Rolex - just a lot of folks who aren’t that into what’s on their wrist. I own one and love it, but have no desire for a second.
My favorite interaction was an airport bar where I said “nice Zenith Daytona, how long have you had it?” And he said “oh, this is a Rolex.”
Your comment was so baller, what a response 😂
Yeah, I generally avoid commenting on people’s watches if they’re wearing a Rolex - just a lot of folks who aren’t that into what’s on their wrist. I own one and love it, but have no desire for a second.
My favorite interaction was an airport bar where I said “nice Zenith Daytona, how long have you had it?” And he said “oh, this is a Rolex.”
Wait. We are looking down at Rolex folks because they are just flexing (and looking down at people for their lack of a Rolex) and we don’t like that? So instead we try to flex our own superior knowledge of watches so that we can look down on them for their lack of knowledge about the history of their watch? (And in doing so, it makes us feel better about the non Rolex on our wrists - because we at least know what movement is powering it)
(Watch collecting is full of irony and I’m here for it)
The only Rolex I own! It’s the ultimate pilots watch. Tough and perfectly legible
Wait. We are looking down at Rolex folks because they are just flexing (and looking down at people for their lack of a Rolex) and we don’t like that? So instead we try to flex our own superior knowledge of watches so that we can look down on them for their lack of knowledge about the history of their watch? (And in doing so, it makes us feel better about the non Rolex on our wrists - because we at least know what movement is powering it)
(Watch collecting is full of irony and I’m here for it)
Nah, I think you’re putting some words in my mouth here - I’m just acknowledging that their customer base includes a lot of non-enthusiasts. There’s nothing wrong with that but it doesn’t yield a lot of interesting conversations with similarly-minded people.
In the interaction that I mentioned, I figured there was a decent chance that the guy was into watches because of the model on his wrist. He wasn’t - it was inherited - but he was perplexed by my LN GMT due to the single-color bezel.
Wait. We are looking down at Rolex folks because they are just flexing (and looking down at people for their lack of a Rolex) and we don’t like that? So instead we try to flex our own superior knowledge of watches so that we can look down on them for their lack of knowledge about the history of their watch? (And in doing so, it makes us feel better about the non Rolex on our wrists - because we at least know what movement is powering it)
(Watch collecting is full of irony and I’m here for it)
I’m on the same boat as minimums in that I just don’t ask about their watch if it’s a Rolex.
Reason isn’t that I look down on Rolex owners, but rather the likihood that they’re not a watch person is extremely high. It’s awkward when this happens.
I would strike up a conversation hoping to chat with another watch person because it’s fun to talk about watches, not because I want to flex my watch knowledge. I mean, wouldn’t you want to have the conservations on WC but IRL with other watch people?
At least that’s my thought process with my 16570…
My uncle just bought this watch last month. I personally love the subtle green. I also see it as an explorer alternative cause it gives the same vibes. I completely understand how you feel though. Looks good on you nonetheless!
Sorry to say the owner is a jerk.
Oh damn, I got home from work and see that 🔥 in the comments section. Lol... Let me make myself clear....
1. I don't think it's farfetched to appreciate a brand but not want to deal with the secondary experiences in owning a watch from it. I think Rolex is a great watch brand with great watches, but I don't think its controversial to say that the brands hype is disproportionate to the actual quality of the watches themselves. For some people, the "hype" or "brand" is more important than the watch itself. I personally prefer to have something high quality, with a cool story, interesting engineering, and what I perceive to be good looking. I love my watch because it happens to do that so well that I am willing to deal with the unwanted secondary.
The title is a hook. My English teacher told me the title is supposed to hook the reader. I dont hate my watch. That's.. factually inaccurate. I didn't expect readers to not realize that. Lol
2. I understand and accept that I'm an over-reasearcher and thus watch geek. It's hard for me to understand someone who spends $50k on items they didn't do the research on. I don't look down on them, I just can't relate. It took me months to buy a dishwasher. I do, however, look down on people who attempt to make others feel less than. This is a watch board y'all, people have opinions. We can disagree without getting personal.
3. I drive a Miata and still watch Jets games... Don't take my opinion to seriously.
So you mistakely interpret the behaviour of one guy as representative of any Rolex owners and then you are surprised of liking your own Air King? This is what you want to tell us? What is the point?
What I want to tell you is that the Rolex Airking is a great watch from a brand that has been the center of a lot of negative experiences in the last few years. That's all.
Rolex is a luxury watch. Just as many people like it for the luxury part as they do the watch part. Don't let a brand, nor the... fanbase? control what you like or wear
I totally understand what you mean! I own a black dial GV Milgauss, and the reason I got it were pretty much covered by you. The MG is a watch that nobody cared about, quirky and some people might even think is ugly. When I was waiting for the call, I was debating between the Ak and the MG… love those freaking Mercedes hands, yellow crown and the green lettering… so different… cheers
I own Rolexes and will buy at least one more, but I also own many other brands.
Can’t agree more. The only Rolex I would be interested in buying when I save enough would be the Airking and the now discontinued oyster perpetual Milgauss.
Thanks for the post!