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chrisby2112

Fathers 1965 Rolex Airking

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chrisby2112

Thought I would share this story with you.

One thing I always converted as a child was my fathers Air King, he wore it day in and day out through the 80's and even though I had no idea what it was I always had a fascination with it, probably started my habit. It disappeared over the years and he replaced it with an Omega Seamaster.

Well anyway skip a couple of decades and after my father recently passed away my mother found the Airking in a box along with its papers an the receipt from when he bought it In Cyprus in 1965 whilst in the RAF.

So she gave it to me with all that was in the box, it's in a sorry state and missing the end links from the bracelet. Today I dropped it into the local dealer and eagerly await the call to say the full refurbishment in complete. This obviously will be thorough but sensitive to retain the patina of the last 56 years can't wait to see it again ....

1c7830ae59509c05aeee409b36ee4181.jpg

Edited by chrisby2112

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onzenuub

Nice, take good care for it.

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Piccolo

Great thing to hold on to, with the memories it no doubt conjures up for you. Enjoy looking after it.

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ShovelnTC

Nice story and watch,

 

I had my stepmothers fathers Airking, (I believe ot was late 50's) for a short time after her passing but she had asked me to pass it on to her 10 year old nephew (only male in her direct line) and although it was only a verbal bequest and the devil in me craved to keep it I did give it to the young bloke.

 

No idea if he has kept it or sold it to buy the latest X-Box but I do have a very bad pic of it to remind me of it.

 

vpX97Nf.jpg

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Robin195959

Can't wait to see the end result buddy.

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BM284

That's a great story to share - that's something to cherish and pass on in the long distant future. Looking forward to seeing the re-furb. Enjoy the many years ahead of you enjoying wearing this in the best of health :D

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purger72

Great memorie that has left from your father. Looking forward to se how it will look after refurbishing. Look aftef it and pass it to your child one day. Beautiful watch.

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chrisby2112

Thanks for all of your kind words, I'm very much looking forward to it coming back and will update with some decent photos.

I've decided not to keep the watch myself, it turns out my younger brother also had the same feelings for the watch so when it's done I'll surprise him and give it to him, think he'll be very happy with that. All on the proviso that when my son is 21 that it's passed on to him on his birthday. Although I'd also love it I do have freakishly large wrists so it would never fit with the current original links and also would look out of place due to the size, I'll be happy to see it being worn again and I think the old man would definetly too.

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BM284

Any update on the refurb?

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splke

Any update on the refurb?

yes please ?

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Sifu Whitey

I'm anxious to see it finished too.

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Diver Dave

Wonderful stuff. Happy for you!

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chrisby2112

Completely forgot about updating this thread, 

So anyway here is a pic of the finished article. Just on a leather strap had kicking about that was 19mm.

Having real issues sourcing a pair of the correct endlinks for the bracelet , Found out that actaully its a 1952/53 from the serial number and the riveted bracelet apparently is quite rare in the 19mm hence not many end link sets around.

My Brother loves it and wears it, which is the way it should be.

8_C22_F91_E-5935-484_F-9742-28_C917_E99_

BF2_DECFF-17_E9-4416-8493-_C65_D6_E417_E

 

 

Edited by chrisby2112

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splke

Beautiful watch beautiful story pal thanks for sharing with us 

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NCRich

Oh, that turned out nice.

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chrisby2112

Thanks  Guys 

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NCRich
42 minutes ago, chrisby2112 said:

Completely forgot about updating this thread, 

So anyway here is a pic of the finished article. Just on a leather strap had kicking about that was 19mm.

Having real issues sourcing a pair of the correct endlinks for the bracelet , Found out that actaully its a 1952/53 from the serial number and the riveted bracelet apparently is quite rare in the 19mm hence not many end link sets around.

My Brother loves it and wears it, which is the way it should be.

8_C22_F91_E-5935-484_F-9742-28_C917_E99_

BF2_DECFF-17_E9-4416-8493-_C65_D6_E417_E

 

 

If you just want some end links and are not arsed about authenticity.

http://rafflesdials.com/end-pieces/19mm/

 

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GingerApple

Wow, what a great restoration job. Lovely to give it to your bro too. Top work.

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BM284

Top job - really pleased to see that the restoration went well and it’s now being worn for another generation to enjoy :) 

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chrisby2112

Thanks, really please with it. Brother of course was too.

Interesting that decoding the serial number showed it to be 12 years older than the receipt said  when it was bought in 1965. All paperwork shows it to be new from the dealer in ‘65, serial 1952/53. Shame finding out more won’t be possible but its a little quirk that adds to the interest I have in the piece.

 

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chrisby2112

 

40 minutes ago, NCRich said:

If you just want some end links and are not arsed about authenticity.

http://rafflesdials.com/end-pieces/19mm/

 

Thanks for the link, Had thought about going that route, For some reson I’m a bit precious on it being authentic. Would love to find some correct links of the correct era.

If it was one of my Gen’s TBH I wouldn’t think twice bout putting non gen part on it. But suppose its more about the memories with it so that might be where desire to keep it right comes from.

Edited by chrisby2112

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RussP

That's a lovely restoration.

Would you mind divulging just how much it cost to have restored?

Thanks for sharing the journey with the rest of us watch nuts.

Always a pleasure to read this kind of stuff.

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chrisby2112
8 minutes ago, RussP said:

That's a lovely restoration.

Would you mind divulging just how much it cost to have restored?

Thanks for sharing the journey with the rest of us watch nuts.

Always a pleasure to read this kind of stuff.

Hi Russ,

The whole Job was £720 which I believe to be the right money for the right Job, Couldn’t have been happier with the quality of the work or the price.

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Yee

The leather strap pairs beautifully. Such a timeless piece 

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tripdog123
14 hours ago, chrisby2112 said:

Completely forgot about updating this thread, 

So anyway here is a pic of the finished article. Just on a leather strap had kicking about that was 19mm.

Having real issues sourcing a pair of the correct endlinks for the bracelet , Found out that actaully its a 1952/53 from the serial number and the riveted bracelet apparently is quite rare in the 19mm hence not many end link sets around.

My Brother loves it and wears it, which is the way it should be.

8_C22_F91_E-5935-484_F-9742-28_C917_E99_

BF2_DECFF-17_E9-4416-8493-_C65_D6_E417_E

 

 

As you probably know, you need 357 end links, which come up for sale rarely - and when/if you do find a set you maybe surprised by the price - even a used set will sell for $250 - $300

13 hours ago, chrisby2112 said:

Thanks, really please with it. Brother of course was too.

Interesting that decoding the serial number showed it to be 12 years older than the receipt said  when it was bought in 1965. All paperwork shows it to be new from the dealer in ‘65, serial 1952/53. Shame finding out more won’t be possible but its a little quirk that adds to the interest I have in the piece.

 

Nothing unusual in this. Many Rolex models sold poorly when they first came out - those famous Paul Newman Daytonas, they couldn't give them away in the '60's, and they only started selling thanks to a  photo shoot of Newman wearing one in an Italian magazine.

The 1665 Sea Dweller, is a,other model that didn't sell - it's frequent to see several years between the case serial number and the date on the receipt.

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