Why We Love the The 2016 Rolex Air-King

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Rolex; you hear it in every single rap song, you see it on every single wrist of every single wealthy person in the world, and you know the name. It’s not just a watch; it’s a full brand and it’s everything that is luxurious about telling time. Rolex is synonymous with luxury and elegance, and it’s a true status symbol. This brand is like the Ferrari of watches. While everyone else is driving a Honda, only the best of the best get to drive a Ferrari – and everyone wants to be that person and know that person. That’s what Rolex is to the wearable time-telling community. As a proud Apple watch lover myself, even I like this watch despite its masculine physique. I can see my husband in it. Then again, he has the most beautiful hands, so he makes everything look good – it speaks more of him than it does of the watch no matter how much we love this Rolex. Will he own it? Probably not; since I could buy 6 pairs of Louboutins or two YSL bags and a pair of Louboutins for the same price (we’re not being selfish, just practical in his simplicity) but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a sexy watch.

Does it matter which Rolex you rock? It doesn’t to the general public, but it might be a bit noticeable to those with many in their college. The Rolex Air-King is the most traditional style. It’s also the most affordable, if I may call any Rolex affordable for the average consumer It’s simple, but that’s precisely what I love about this particular watch. Perhaps it’s just me, but I prefer classic, timeless fashions that never go out of style. Never one to fall into the trends and the ‘now’ and trendy, the Rolex Air-King is nothing short of traditionally classic. This is a watch that doesn’t need to tell you the date – you have a phone for that. It’s luxurious, but it’s also very simple with its basic chronometer and it’s water resistant case. It’s what makes it special.

In 2014, Rolex made the decision to discontinue the model. Perhaps it was the fact that many people felt that it had outlived its life. Was it too simple for a world that doesn’t do simple anymore? A year after it was discontinued and removed from the Rolex line, though, it was replaced with another simple Rolex called the Oyster Perpetual. It was fine, of course; but it was nothing super special. Thankfully, Rolex announced in 2016 that the company is bringing back the Air-King, and we love it more than ever.

Don’t get too complacent, though; it’s not the same watch it was. Gone is the 100 m case, replaced by the 40 mm case. Now it’s got a superlative chronometer, a new dial and far different features. It’s still simple. That’s what makes it fantastic. The simplistic beauty of this watch makes it everything that you could possibly want in a Rolex, which is why this particular entry-level watch performs so well.

It’s different, but sometimes different is good when you maintain the same integrity that the original boasts will still keeping it classic and stylish. If we are being totally honest here, this is not a feminine watch, nor is it made to be a feminine watch. I’m an Apple Watch-wearer myself, and I like it that way. However, for something simple and classic, the new Air-King is pretty decent. This one maintains the Oyster Perpetual logo along with the new Air-King logo. It also has new numbers, in that the 3, 6 and 9 are all bigger, and they are clear with a slightly silvery-white trim. The rest of the numbers are as follows: 5, 10, 20, 25, 35, 40, 50 and 55, which is not typical of your everyday watch.

The hour hand comes with its very own little Mercedes-esque design, and the minute hand is long and elegant. Rolex is green, the design is yellow and the second hand is made to match the Rolex symbol. If you’re in the market for an entry-level Rolex and you have an additional $6,200 to drop on this watch, you’ll find that it’s worth every penny. Timeless and elegant, it’s going to make you look good even if you have no style and you don’t know much about fashion. You can’t go wrong with that one.  

Written by Tiffany Raiford

Tiffany Raiford is a lifelong Floridian, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother of four littles (two girls and boy/girl twins...no, they are not identical and yes, I'm sure). My kids love to whine, so I love to wine. My loves include nap time, bed time, date night, travel and evenings and weekends when my husband is home because he handles all diaper changes.