Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 691

Rolex Oyster Perpetual, "Air King" Precision, Ref. 5500/1002. Manufactured in the 1960s. Fine, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, tonneau-shaped, stainless steel gentleman?s wristwatch with a stain-less steel Jubilé bracelet.

CHF 1,000 - 1,500

EUR 650 - 950 / USD 800 - 1,200

Sold: CHF 1,495

C. Three-body, polished, engraved screwed-down case back andcrown.D. Satiné silver with applied steel Bâton indexes and tri-tiumdots, above the 6, a personalized logo representing a "p"surrounding a blue sphere. Tritium-coated steel "bâton" hands.M. Cal. 1520, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight line leverescapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-com-pensatingflat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Engraved on the case back: "Tony R. Smith - Safety Award -11.26.79".Diam. 34 mm.Approx. overall length 190 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The "Air King" model Ref. 5500 was made in stainless steel only and was produced from the end of the 1950s to 1990. It has always been the less expensive model amongst the Oyster Perpetual watches. Many important companies have ordered, directly from Rolex, several "Air-King" watches personalized with their logos. Ref. 1002 is the reference of the Rolex "Zephir" model. Similar watches are published in "Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova 2001, pp. 354 to 359 - 378.