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Air-King · 2016 to 2022
“Air-King 2016”
Grade B · 72/100Today's call: Value buy
B: solid, selective. Ranked #81 of 129 references in The Crown Index vault.
| Original retail (2021) | $6,450 |
|---|---|
| Market today | $7,000 – $7,800 |
| Vs original retail | +15% |
| 1-year trend | +3% |
The divisive 2016 Air-King, born from the Bloodhound land-speed project, now discontinued in its original no-crown-guard form.
Weird Rolex models have a habit of becoming cult pieces a decade after everyone mocked them.
The 2016 Air-King reboot in the Milgauss's antimagnetic case: dashboard-instrument dial, green ROLEX signature, crown logo in yellow. Committee-designed oddness that aged into cult appeal.
Discontinued in 2022 after just six years, a short run by Rolex standards. Short runs plus weird details is the recipe every discontinued cult Rolex shares; this one is still in its 'too recent to be cool' phase, which is when you buy.
Our verdict: Cheap cult-classic lottery ticket. Low entry, discontinued, and genuinely odd.
| Sizes | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet material | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Smooth steel |
| Notable dials | Black, no crown guard case, 'Bloodhound' lineage |
| Caliber | 3131 |
| Production | 2016 to 2022 (discontinued) |
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