One of the vintage Rolex watches that has really heated up in the last few years is the vintage Oyster Perpetual Air King due to the fact that its understated and classic design strongly contrast the much busier look of modern Rolex watches. It's a watch that is perfectly at home being worn everyday or on special occasions.

Collectors have increasingly taken to one of the most uncommon and desirable models within the Air King line, the Air-King-Date. What makes this watch so special is the rarity of its date function, a feature that the overwhelming majority of Air King watches do not possess. The Air-King-Date was sold mainly and most likely exclusively in Canada and Commonwealth countries.

And at 34mm, it's a rare smaller size option for someone who wants one of Rolex's smaller standard mens size watches, but with a date. Rolex's other main automatic 34mm watches did not have a date.

We are very pleased to offer today this original Air-King-Date watch. We were fortunate to acquire it in such pleasing condition accompanied by its original K date code (1986) Rolex Jubilee bracelet.

Its case has had a fresh light polish and presents as close to mint. Its champagne dial is mint. And its bracelet is scratch-free.

Our Master Watchmaker has given the watch a light servicing which includes performing any needed servicing to the movement, replacing all of the waterproofing seals with new Rolex gaskets, lightly polishing the case and bracelet, installing a new crystal, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $395 value).

Note: Published examples of this model can be found in Osvaldo Patrizzi's work Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches, 2001 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 230-231.

• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Maker: Rolex
• Year made: c. 1986
• Model: Ref. 5701N, Air King Date
• Serial no: 9,629,131
• Designed for: Men - today could be worn by a lady looking for a larger watch
• Case material: Gold and stainless steel
• Case markings (inside): Montres Rolex S.A., Geneva, Switzerland, Stainless Steel
• Case condition: Presents as just short of mint with light signs of polishing and light pin pricks to the back from the bracelet contacting it
• Dial: Champagne with applied gold baton indexes, luminous dots, outer minute/seconds division, aperture for the date, original, mint condition
• Dimensions: 35mm diameter, 12.5mm thickness
• Hands: Luminous gold "baton" hands, mint condition
• Movement type: Cal. 1520, rhodium plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring
• Band: Rolex Jubliee, appears to be original and date stamped K7 for July 1986, steel, sized to fit a wrist up to approx. 7 inches, adjustable, scratch-free with moderate stretch
• Width between lugs: 19mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, mint condition
• Serviced: Our Master Watchmaker has given the watch a light servicing which includes performing any needed servicing to the movement, replacing all of the waterproofing seals with new Rolex gaskets, lightly polishing the case and bracelet, installing a new crystal, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $395 value). If you would like more information on our watchmaking team please visit:
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee