Baselworld 2016: Rolex revisits the Oyster Perpetual Air-King
One of the highlights of Baselworld 2016 was a brand new iteration of one of Wallpaper's all-time horology favourites: Rolex's classic Oyster Perpetual Air-King.
Continuing the story of aeronautical heritage that began with the original Rolex Oyster, the new steel-cased Air-King features a distinctive black dial with a combination of large three, six and nine numerals marking the hours and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings. The dial bears the name Air-King in the same lettering that was designed specially for the model in the 1950s.
The Air-King name refers to Rolex's privileged ties with pilots and aeronautical adventurers since aviation's golden age during the 1930s. One of the pioneers of this era, English aviator Charles Douglas Barnard, set a number of flight records and always wore an Oyster whilst in the cockpit.
'The peculiar qualities of this Rolex watch render it eminently suitable for flying purposes,' said the pilot. 'I propose to use it on all my long-distance flights in the future.' In 1933, Oyster watches accompanied the Houston Expedition as it made the first-ever flight over Mount Everest at an altitude exceeding 10,000m (33,000 ft) in extreme weather conditions.
In 1934, Owen Cathcart-Jones and Ken Waller made a return voyage from London to Melbourne in record time with a twin-engine De Havilland Comet, using a Rolex Oyster as their on-board chronometer.
In case one's aircraft has to make an emergency landing on the ocean, the new Air-King's Oyster case, always a paragon of elegant robustness, is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m (330 ft). The middle case is crafted from a solid block of corrosion-resistant 904L steel, its fluted case back hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. Fitted with the Twinlock double waterproofing system, the winding crown screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire while the waterproof Oyster case provides optimum security for the Air-King's high-precision movement via a shield that protects against magnetic fields, an essential feature of Rolex pilots' watches of the past. Chocks away.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Rolex Datejust 41 imbues watch history with a modern twist
Rolex’s iconic Datejust has been updated with a new geometric golden dial that is perfectly in sync with the original wristwatch’s signature fluted bezel
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Vacheron Constantin unveils the Historiques 222 to mark 45 years since the model’s launch
Vacheron Constantin restates its place in the pantheon of ‘sports chic’ watches
By Bill Prince Last updated
-
This Timex retro quartz watch is straight from the 1970s
The Q Timex 1972 Reissue watch stays faithful to the design codes of the original
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Classic meets cool in Nomos Glashütte’s platinum grey watch design
Two new Tangente Neomatik watches draw on Nomos Glashütte’s clean German design codes
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Girard-Perregaux goes back to the future with rethought Casquette watch
Girard-Perregaux pays tribute to its original 1970s watch with the new and updated Casquette 2.0
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
G-Shock marks 40 years of youth culture with limited-edition watch
G-Shock and the Museum of Youth Culture look to the archives for the new GW-M5610MOYC-1ER watch
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Ten watch brands mark Mr Porter’s anniversary with special editions
Ten watch brands, including Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin and Bell & Ross, are celebrating Mr Porter’s tenth anniversary in style
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Atelier Oï’s Louis Erard watch is inspired by a minimalist sundial
Atelier Oï has rethought the Louis Erard Le Régulateur watch with a minimalist dial, engraved as if with rays of light
By Hannah Silver Last updated