Fantasy Vintage Rolex AirKing

[hanski]

Whether it’s sports or dress, four digit Rolexes are where it’s at. Slimmer profiles, sinuous curves, and gracious proportions.

This build approaches a franken with budget and aesthetics in mind. The genuine case set including mid-case, bezel, crystal, case back, and crown is a reference 1002. However this is married with stunning and affordable genuine AirKing dial is a five digit reference 14000.

While the dial fits its slightly too small to the dial seat in the case. This meant the movement retaining ring needed to be spot on in thickness to maintain center in the case.

To top off the build it’s an A2824 movement with date works removed and set spring swapped out for a 2-position 2801 part.

The hands are Raffles. Acceptable but for future consideration they would benefit from a Tudor Prince, OysterDate, or Day-Date.

On to pictures, enjoy!

 

[sukwonee]

Semi-modern meets semi-vintage. Love it!

 

[KJ2020]

Looks very cool bro. I've always liked the Roman numeral Air King dials.

 

[schtozo]

Very cool build!

 

[sukwonee]

Just received this today and omg... Hanski's pics didn't do this justice (not saying mine do, gotta see this in hand).

I have a Gen 78350 bracelet with 557 endlinks en route but until then I am wearing it with aftermarket bracelet from Raffles. I am surprised it actually fit, although not perfect.

5500 case is much smaller (physically and optically) than the Oyster case. It works perfectly for my scrawny wrist but if you guys are thinking of doing something like this, keep this in mind. It may look like a women's watch if you have wrists bigger than 7 inches.

 

[hanski]

Just received this today and omg... Hanski's pics didn't do this justice (not saying mine do, gotta see this in hand).

I have a Gen 78350 bracelet with 557 endlinks en route but until then I am wearing it with aftermarket bracelet from Raffles. I am surprised it actually fit, although not perfect.

5500 case is much smaller (physically and optically) than the Oyster case. It works perfectly for my scrawny wrist but if you guys are thinking of doing something like this, keep this in mind. It may look like a women's watch if you have wrists bigger than 7 inches.

Glad you’re lovin’ it!

 

[schtozo]

Just received this today and omg... Hanski's pics didn't do this justice (not saying mine do, gotta see this in hand).

I have a Gen 78350 bracelet with 557 endlinks en route but until then I am wearing it with aftermarket bracelet from Raffles. I am surprised it actually fit, although not perfect.

5500 case is much smaller (physically and optically) than the Oyster case. It works perfectly for my scrawny wrist but if you guys are thinking of doing something like this, keep this in mind. It may look like a women's watch if you have wrists bigger than 7 inches.

Very very nice! Hanski is a great person to deal with, very skilled and communicative! Awesome build youve got there... wear it in health. I added a gen 78350/557 to a 15000 i bought off hanski and it made night and day difference!

 

[sukwonee]

Very very nice! Hanski is a great person to deal with, very skilled and communicative! Awesome build youve got there... wear it in health. I added a gen 78350/557 to a 15000 i bought off hanski and it made night and day difference!

That's good to hear because I was a bit hesitant to drop $600 on the bracelet and endlinks. It's in mint condition too so we will see haha.

 

[schtozo]

That's good to hear because I was a bit hesitant to drop $600 on the bracelet and endlinks. It's in mint condition too so we will see haha.

Yep a bit expensive if you are used to buy $30-50 bracelets like me but totally worth it. I scored mine for a bit less and surprisingly it is in like nos condition.. no stretch at all!
PS, bought 2 gen bracelets in the lapse of two weeks! Oval link jubilee for the 1675 and the 78350 for the op date. Go figure how hurt my pocket is! Hahahaha

 

[sukwonee]

Yep a bit expensive if you are used to buy $30-50 bracelets like me but totally worth it. I scored mine for a bit less and surprisingly it is in like nos condition.. no stretch at all!
PS, bought 2 gen bracelets in the lapse of two weeks! Oval link jubilee for the 1675 and the 78350 for the op date. Go figure how hurt my pocket is! Hahahaha

​​​​​​haha I am used to wearing rep bracelets (some good, some just straight up trash lol) and just getting my feet wet into the gen world lol. Not just bracelets but watches and parts.

I would love to see your 1675 and 15000 build!

 

[schtozo]

​​​​​​haha I am used to wearing rep bracelets (some good, some just straight up trash lol) and just getting my feet wet into the gen world lol. Not just bracelets but watches and parts.

I would love to see your 1675 and 15000 build!

Sure! 15000 is hanskis build, full gen but movmt and hands. 1675 is a viet build with gen acrylic, gen crown, gen bracelet, Yodog build.

 

[sukwonee]

schtozo both beautiful! Very well done. Love how both watches have the open "9" DWs too.

My next build will be a Viet build as well. Probably a sub though.

 

[schtozo]

schtozo both beautiful! Very well done. Love how both watches have the open "9" DWs too.

My next build will be a Viet build as well. Probably a sub though.

Thanks a lot! Good luck with the journey

 

[sukwonee]

Gen bracelet came

How do I know though if this is authentic? Lol

Can anyone help me?

 

[schtozo]

Gen bracelet came

How do I know though if this is authentic? Lol

Can anyone help me?

Good! Gen is totally different from the reps. Pics look good, some quick points to check
1- gen clasp has 7 micro adj first 4 has longer separation than last 3 reps have only 6 micros.
2- gen centerlinks are about 7mm wide x 9mm long
3-gen clasp open/close feel is totally differnet
4-taper on gen is way different than rep
5-last link (the one that attaches to endlink) is B shaped insted of D shaped in reps
6-gen clasp blades are 13mm wide
7-gen clasp is about 15-15.5mm wide from outside

See pic of measurements i took of mine

 

[sukwonee]

Good! Gen is totally different from the reps. Pics look good, some quick points to check
1- gen clasp has 7 micro adj first 4 has longer separation than last 3 reps have only 6 micros.
2- gen centerlinks are about 7mm wide x 9mm long
3-gen clasp open/close feel is totally differnet
4-taper on gen is way different than rep
5-last link (the one that attaches to endlink) is B shaped insted of D shaped in reps
6-gen clasp blades are 13mm wide
7-gen clasp is about 15-15.5mm wide from outside

See pic of measurements i took of mine

Wow..... This is amazing. Thank you so much for this. Mine is definitely gen. 7 micro adj, 15mm wide and 28mm long clasp, B shape last links. Very helpful!

 

[schtozo]

Wow..... This is amazing. Thank you so much for this. Mine is definitely gen. 7 micro adj, 15mm wide and 28mm long clasp, B shape last links. Very helpful!

Glad i could help! Cheers... sleep comfortable tonight! Hahahaha

 

[sukwonee]

With gen bracelet installed. Decided to polish the glass a tad bit as well. Figured I wanted to make my own markings as I wear this baby out

 

[schtozo]

Beauty! Wear it well

 

[sukwonee]

Beauty! Wear it well

Thank you!

If I get sick of this later, I may source a gen 5500 dial and rep 6694 hands and make it into a true 5500 build.

I love the look of it for now though - more mid 90s feel haha (best decade ever)