Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 10, 2010

LOT 47

Rolex Air-King Ref. 5516 Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, Super Precision,? No. 555930, Ref. 5516. Made in the early 1960s. Fine, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant yellow gold-plated and stainless steel wristwatch with a gold-plated Rolex Oyster expandable bracelet.

USD 1,500 - 2,500

EUR 1,200 - 2,000 / CHF 1,700 - 2,800

C. Three-body, polished, screw-down case back and crown, stainless steel case back, polished bezel. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold faceted indexes and luminous dots, outer minute/seconds divisions. Luminous yellow gold alpha hands. M. Cal. 1530, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 34 mm. Thickness 11 mm. Approx. overall length 190 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Little is known about early Air-Kings. To the best of our knowledge the word first appeared on Rolex dials around 1945, on the reference 4925. Over the years the model evolved, rangingfrom manual to self-winding models and with various dials, from honeycomb to explorer configurations. Interestingly, the gold-capped models are quite rare as they were most likely made exclusively for the commonwealth market. This reference has never before appeared at auction and still retains its original riveted expandable plated bracelets, which is extremely rare today.