THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 5506
YEAR: 1959
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 34mm
CASE MATERIAL: 9CT PLATED YELLOW GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: 9CT PLATED YELLOW GOLD
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The Air-King was, for many years, Rolex‘s entry-level, time-only watch, originally created in honour of RAF pilots after World War II. The Rolex Air-King was part of an obscure group of “Air” watches made by the brand throughout the 1940s, including the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant.

Outlasting this collection, the reference 5500 Air-King was eventually introduced in 1957, serving as one of the core pieces of Rolex’s simple (yet robust) time-only collection all the way until 1989, the longest running model in Rolex history.

This example is the 5506 which came in 9 carat plated yellow gold. Back then they didn't scrimp on the plating, they applied it with a depth of 40 microns, modern heavy plating is around 3 microns, hence why even after 65 years its still visible. 

The case still retains its plating, as does 90% of the bracelet. The dial is flawless  and the radium plots are still intact as is the lume within the dauphine hands. The correct 7205/61 rivet bracelet still retains its full links and will accommodate a 19cm wrist. The clap is stamped 3/64. 

The movement has been serviced within the last few months and its running at a respectable +6 s/d, 245 amps and a beat error of 0.3.

As affordable Rolex's go, this has to be up there, especially with a touch of that old gold charm.