Rolex Air King Ref. 126900 Air-King | A Week On The Wrist

The modern Rolex Air-King's design history is a tad hard to make sense of. How does a simple 34mm time-only watch intended for World War II pilots evolve into something that was inspired by an instrument gauge from a supersonic car trying to break the land speed record? It wouldn't seem too off if the watch was part of a totally new model line (Speed-King maybe?), but to still designate it as an Air-King was an interesting choice, to say the least. Regardless of this watch's odd journey, I actually find the Air King ref. 126900 to be one of the best modern Rolexes on the market.
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[@mhjceulen7652]

I love Hodinkee, but for some reason they are also 100% positive in their reviews. Thats something I don’t necessarily like

[@MeestroDavid]

The reason is fairly simple-they exist as a PR outlet, not as journalists.

[@wiscobuckeye]

Hodinkee will NEVER criticize any Rolex…

[@cecaju9516]

He criticized how the watch wears flat like a dinner plate and he criticized the Celebration dial OP.

[@Sebastian85]

watch journalism is dead.

[@MeestroDavid]

Hodinkee will never criticize any watch, apart from qualifying something as a nitpick before ultimately endorsing it, no matter how ridiculous the price.

[@JDYTC]

Duh 🤦‍♂️ I don’t understand anyone who still likes Hodinkee…it’s just an e-commerce website that sells watches and ad space 💁‍♂️

[@HeonApple]

why criticise Rolex..?

[@schnerrydog]

My favorite Rolex! Forgive an unpopular opinion, but I prefer numerals on a dial. I never understood how silver columns as hour markers make anything dressy! But to each his own.

[@montha123]

It’s a great watch , perfect for a daily wearer

[@mb-watches]

I like it, friend of mine has the predecessor is the 2022 model, the refresh was well done and it is the not so common Rolex which makes it, from my point of view, more interesting. Great vid as usual, cheers guys.

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

You're videography keeps getting better bro. Thanks for the relaxed overview of the Air King 👍

[@barryvercueil2346]

Love this watch. The odd Rolex that still feels like Rolex Tool watches of the past. No mainstream appeal means I want it even more. Awesome video Brandon!!!!!! Cheers.

[@I-Libertine]

Bingo. (Shhhhhh...)

[@Armoer]

Feels like rolex tool watches of the past? How so? It doesn’t look or feel like any model I can remember

[@tonytrinidad5294]

Who really cares about mainstream appeal? That’s what drew me to the Airking. It’s unique, different and falls under the radar. It’s just a robust tool watch and great EDC

[@justingalore123]

Like the look of it - the colours and the eccentricity. The only thing that puts me off is the mix of minute/second increments (05,10,..) and hour increments (3,6,9) would make it hard for my feeble brain to tell the time!😊

[@didi4571]

Thanks for the review, good video. I like the 126900, it's a nice day to day watch!

[@okiali6381]

One of my favorite go to in the watch box.

[@gmcenroe]

This is my favorite Rolex. I don't like the flashy models

[@timelesssneakersandwatches]

Another great video by my boy Brandon... And low key, liking how the air king looks 😉

[@STROND]

The AirKing is clean and smart looking, looking like a pilots watch. I know you are going to not agree, but this watch with a nice vintage leather strap would look MINT !

[@bh848]

I absolutely love my airking 12900. It's subtle. Perfect sized. Reliable. Simple. Beautiful. And still a Rolex. I wear it constantly and people never recognize it until they see the Rolex logo and then they want one. I wear that and my omega seamaster 007 edition equally 6/7 days a week. The last day I tend to rotate other watches lol. I'll never get rid of the air king. Even after wearing my brothers oyster perpetual.

[@JM-gf7ti]

literally no one is walking around their neighborhood with an indoor coffee mug

[@justingalore123]

I do. Sometimes you just gotta have a coffee and just gotta get to the store.

[@ghost123g3]

Just picked this up!

[@siddheshpoojari9666]

For how much bro

[@pedromiguel480]

One of my favourite watches

[@evandrocosta1393]

Nice video. ❤

[@JFK-1984]

I bought mine in 2022 for the birth of my son. He will get it when he graduate. Love this watch❤

[@Techaktien]

Very nice. Thanks

[@The_Uni85]

Great video! What brand are your sunglasses? They are great

[@finns23653]

Just from looks the new air king is my favorite Rolex by quite a wide margin

[@chrisr9154]

Good review, it is an oddball that works

[@alanyoung2683]

Home boy is walking down the street with a mug here 😂

[@jinroh516]

i bring my mug at the nearest 7-11

[@klauskillski3881]

@3:00 you always go for a walk with a mug in your hand?

[@AZU560]

Brandon you're magic. (No fast food in this video 😢)

[@drewshannon]

IMO it’s like a slightly more interesting Explorer (which I say as an Explorer lover and owner)

[@Bisley1]

Love the Explorer too. One of the cooler things I once saw on instagram was a guy who added the green AK seconds hand to his 39mm Explorer😍

[@samwebmaster6466]

Nice one

[@fernandoyanez7328]

Beautiful watch!!!! I ve had other older versión with the milgauss case, truly remarcable, one of My top 3 Rolex picks

[@clint_davis]

Favorite reviewer, of my least favorite rolex ,that i'd totally wear if given to me.

[@ianfisher9477]

The green and yellow accents always make me think of Tennis. Anyone else?

[@Techaktien]

I like it

[@teammacnamara5320]

I actually do like the Air King. If you asked me why, I wouldn’t be able to answer you. It’s just different and I like that. However for a time only watch it’s way overpriced in my opinion. This will be discontinued or drastically design changed in the coming years I believe.

[@LIONTAMER3D]

So...where can i buy the super-sonic car with the custom rolex dials in the dash?

[@johnt2694]

Even though the diameter is slightly smaller than the Sub 41, does the AirKing wear bigger because if the bigger dial? I do enjoy your videos, thanks!!

[@John-qh3kj]

Wears bigger imo

[@Constantlywatching]

Great watch to add to a collection wgen you are looking for something a little different. I little less boring then the Explorer. Nothing against the explorer at all, but pair the new AK with something like the 41mm sub and your winning 🎉

[@watchchat]

Brandon. Miss your KZbin channel

[@watchchat]

Lol! More digits since Omeega ref #…I have 2 Omegas and no clue of the ref # because of that

[@korswe]

This is my watch.

[@structurescience]

Watching from Jacobsberg, vacation day 30/37.

[@demarko500]

There’s absolutely nothing odd about this watch. It’s only odd to blind and rigid so-called hard-core watch people. Aside from the Skydweller, the NEW Air-King is the only watch from Rolex I found interesting. Love it, bought it, and will not purchase another Rolex of any kind. Thanks Rolex for making a watch for people like me…Finally. Well, there is that black explorer, just not for me…

[@edotedy]

Better than the last one, still too weird for me

[@PapriceP]

My first 3 Rolexes will little Air Kings.

[@whyog2823]

Best rolex and watch in my opinion

[@steve8510]

It's an Explorer with crown guards, funky numerals and a splash of color, no need to overthink it.

[@keesketsers5866]

More like a bezel-less submariner. The explorer has an oyster case. The last air-king had an oyster case (milgauss) but no one liked it. So now it has the sport case. The only explorer part is the 3 6 9 on the dial.

[@AldoFelt]

Buddy makes amazing videos

[@ludovicoc7046]

And he's hot asf.

[@richardsmegma5081]

@@ludovicoc7046 You must be easily pleased, pal 😆

[@Gearsandco]

would you guys think they will ever make a 36mm version just like the Explorer, I think it's the same exact case as the Explorer 39. all they need to do is take a 36mm explorer and change the dial, bam you got yourself an Air king 36. btw Rolex uses the same cases or case design, bracelet and movement for most of their collection, it really doesn't cost them much to make the same exact case for the GMT Master II, SUB and Explorer II and just change the bezel and dial lol.

[@robbiedazzler6358]

It’s a busy dial with lots of numbers I feel a black Daytona 116520 is a better option the jury’s still out for me on this one ☝️

[@Bisley1]

If the Daytona is an option at all😄 that’s arguably comparing their most and least desireable watches. But yeah, busy dials on chronographs come with the territory and make sense. Here it doesn’t really serve a purpose, but with the added colors i think it’s cool that they made a more playful watch

[@paulosullivan3991]

Fantastic , that’s why I bought one , for them reasons ! Top class

[@RedwoodAggie]

Brandon's videos are so great and exactly what Hodinkee needs. As for the Air King, I was surprised they refreshed it vs. the rumored killing of the line. That being said, I think they did a good job on the refresh and added a bit more personality with the crown guards. This is not your normal Rolex, much like the Explorer II on my wrist at the moment. I dare say it's got more personality than an Explorer I, but if one agrees with the looks is another story. The Explorer I certainly is a bit more low key and that may suit some personalities. I do kind of wish they had gone with the new Air King case for the Explorer 40 in order to differentiate it a bit more from the 36. It would have added a bit more personality and tool-like nature to the design.

[@Bisley1]

I’m so glad they didn’t add crown guards to the Explorer 1 and ruin its clean lines or mess with a design that’s been pretty consistent for decades and almost unchanched apart from its size for 3 decades. While it would make sense to have crown guards on a tool watch, it’s really more of a dressy time only tool watch with no extra functions and many Explorer 1 fans appreciate it for just that. It’spretty much on par with the dressiness of a n OP or a smooth bezel oyster bracelet DJ. The folks who’d prefer it with crown guards would probably still find it too uninteresting to buy even if it had them. Just my thoughts. Anyway, I love and own both Explorers and don’t ever get tired of either😍 As for killing the Air King line, yeah, I’m rather surprised they didn’t either.

[@nikr1d3r32]

I think Rolex still hopes at some point someone will say the wrong that they broke the record and people will start repeating it and this is how will change the history 😂 just needs little bit more time to pass, Rolex always plays the long game.

[@muzalyahya7146]

I’d might as well go for an Explorer…

[@iainsutherland1113]

Not for me I’m afraid but each to their own. It’s just an Explorer with far too much crammed on the dial, it’s very messy looking.

[@j.m.4444]

Hodinkee equals QVC in watches.

[@jiebenz9548]

the better and affordable Explorer, for the SEAL (sea-air-land)… 🕺🎉

[@precollegeenglish]

This is week on the wrist, but it's all specs and not personal take on how the wrist experienced it over 7 days.

[@soyellowsoviolent]

I can always trust a Slam Dunk fan.

[@luiscastro2020]

Hummmmm

[@igorcicala7]

is it realistic to buy this watch at an AD ?

[@vincent67239]

yes

[@Techaktien]

AD?

[@Ben-yw8be]

They should have named it Land King. Start a new line. 😂 I bought an Air King homage trying to get a feel for it. Nope. After two weeks on the wrist, I sold the Air King homage which will tell me not to buy the Air King. I just couldn’t stand the dial. A bit too quirky for me.

[@michaelfletcher1224]

We’ll… it is a jet-car. 🤣

[@beerkegaard]

The contrasting numbers look ugly to me.

[@rustydrog]

Nice advert

[@calesticall128]

Moonblanc that mean be completely this craft wrafmant market pilot.

[@saucykat44]

UGG! I'll pass. Give me the salmon dial Air King any day.

[@qwertyman9560]

weird watch with confusing numerals

[@mdo5121]

I NEVER wanted a Rolex because I never thought the designs were anything special ...then in Malaysia I tried the 40 mm AIR KING and it changed my mind on at least this Rolex. It was a perfect fit and finish of a watch with a uniqueness of design featuring numbers which I love plus that touch of green.that had me staring at my wrist. Dropped 9 k and that's all she wrote.

[@pgcs98]

Can’t get over how busy the dial looks has too much on it imo

[@Redondo_dom]

Still don't like or get this watch. But Brandon still makes class videos.

[@danielskirkpatrick]

The Timex of Rolex. Not their best dial.

[@EudesRJ]

My favorite Rolex, sadly I can only afford the Pagani Design homage, but at least I’m not afraid of using it anywhere and it’s being my daily for the last 9 months without any complaint.

[@philandrew1625]

this guy rocks

[@watchPaige]

Saw it on AD in Buenos Aires , ready for grabs . Meh i turn it down pass

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

@brandonmenancio killing it once again!

[@navegandolejanooriente6268]

This case should been used for the Explorer II anniversary. If Rolex done that than that model would of been higher in demand because the 42mm case with 22 mm lug width is just too much for most rest when it comes to basic GMT watch

[@Bisley1]

Completely agree. I’m disappointed that they didn’t go back to the 40mm case and just use the same new 70h GMT movement. I believe that watch would fly off the shelves and it was a missed opportunity, the current Explorer 2 not being extremely popular and all

[@michaelriera6277]

Looks like it was put together from Rolex bits bin. Odd ball ugly watch.

[@wozza1]

So Hodinkee get stuck with 30 of these on their website. Likely paid over the odds during the hype. Now the AK is their fav in the line?? Really? I bet their trade in on a new one is well below retail. Cynical I know. It’s the ugly duckling no real history, a mismatch of several ideas. Sorry if I was to suggest one similar Rolex it would be an Explorer. It has a back history.

[@jameswestconsultant]

The previous version looked much better in my opinion; a more flattering case & lugs vs. the somewhat harsh current appearance. The lack of a crown guard also complimented the overall aesthetic as well ☝🏻🥴

[@cdm765]

The Air-King font looks like it belongs on a BBQ.

[@deltropico7]

The narration style feels at times more in line with children's literature than a luxury/adventure watch.

[@satl3161]

Because anyone who likes Rolex is a child

[@wowza5758]

no adventuring happening with any of these watches

[@nathanf1934]

My Explorer is beaten hard. It’s been all around the world on many adventures. I rock climbed and explored caves in Vietnam only last week. When you actually start using your watch for sport/outdoor activities you’ll realise that a smaller watch is much more appropriate. Love my 36mm Explorer!

[@wowza5758]

@@nathanf1934 that’s great that you do, I’m speaking on the vast majority of rolex owners

[@223Nebraska]

That's his point. It's an easy dateless time only bottom of the line watch. That does what it does very well Nothing less Nothing more 🤡

[@oarancards4443]

Yoi will never find one

[@pickles632]

Overhyped and ugly... I'd MUCH rather then bring back the Milgauss series!

[@benbamboozle]

First!

[@a004]

This guy is a great content creator, but give him casios and seikos and other entry level pieces. His style does not suit luxury pieces like Rolex

[@vincent67239]

Hard disagree. In fact, I’d say he should (also) be sporting two tone and solid gold

[@cl302]

Good video, but this is gotta been one of the worst looking and pointless watches in their lineup. Can’t believe the hype it’s received over the last few years.

[@RoyalDudeness]

If the watch makes you wear a stupid hat and run around with a mug, I am out!

[@jasonkey2006]

That dial is a hot mess.

[@koneill1771]

Third least appealing Rolex ever.

[@jhatgotagat300]

And guess what? You’ll probably still have to wait a week or 2

[@I-Libertine]

Wrong! 😊

[@johnprosser5035]

What are the other 2

[@Robert-vw3od]

It’s a great shame, Rolex got rid of the air king. Of course, it was always the cheapest Rolex

[@kolyacali4989]

They didn´t. The Milgauss was discontinued.

[@mracekproductions]

Wrong

[@DavidLopez-rk6em]

Milgauss and cellini were discontinued. Those were my 2 favorite rolexs. Theres nothing else in the brands line up that i care about, except for the air king. Knowing that the air king isnt trendy, they'll probably get rid of that too

[@Bisley1]

@@DavidLopez-rk6emthey probably figured: “ah, what the hell. We’ve already made all of these new 369 numerals for the new Explorer, might as well bang out a new Air King!”😄

[@Novilicious]

This is the least attractive of all Rolex watches. The vintage ones are stunning however! This…not so much

[@nathanf1934]

That dial is an abomination. I love Rolex, but this is a weak model for them.

[@AjejeB]

Clearly the worst Rolex, except maybe the yatch master II

[@BudFox575]

Nice video, but very hard to follow this guy's reasoning and what point he was trying to make

[@larzoneth]

A Week On The Wrist 🫶🏼

[@slevinkelevra8696]

it's gorgeous but I hate this green brand and seconds hand, it's horrible, as is the gold crown logo!!

[@user-or9cj3vk6t]

charity shop watch. rolex is a charity paying no tax