Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 10, 2010

LOT 48

Rolex Ref. 14000 Air-King Rolex ?Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, Precision,? case No. U694722, Ref. 14000. Made circa 1997. Fine, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant stainless steel wristwatch with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. To be sold without reserve

USD 1,000 - 1,500

EUR 800 - 1,200 / CHF 1,100 - 1,700

Sold: USD 1,440

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screw-down case back and Oyster crown, inclined bezel, sapphire crystal. D. Satine silver with applied steel faceted baton indexes and luminous dots, outer minute/ seconds divisions. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. 3000, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, selfcompensating flat balance spring, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 34 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-9

Good

Scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very 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.