A PIONEER ON THE WRIST
Created more than 60 years ago to pay tribute to the rise of civil aviation in the 1930s, the Geneva-based firm’s 2022 version of the watch features a few discreet modifications for improved ergonomics.
Within the walls of Rolex, evolutions are always done gently. “Change without change” could be the motto that expresses the philosophy of the Geneva-based watchmaker, which has always been at the forefront of innovation, whether mechanical or aesthetic, since its inception. It is in this same perspective that the new Oyster Perpetual Air-King watch was presented at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. The model born in 1958 to pay tribute to the takeoff of civil aviation in the 1930s and the first Oyster that accompanied, on the wrist or in the cockpit, the explorers of the sky, has gone through several “phases” before becoming the one we know since 2016, with this typical personality composed of a black dial, large 3-6-9 Arabic numerals and a highlighted minute track.
The 2022 version offers a few changes here and there for more performance and ergonomics without altering its identifying features. To begin with, its 40mm diameter Oystersteel case, equipped with a hermetically sealed caseback for immersion to a depth of 100m, has been slightly redesigned. It features a Twinlock crown framed by two reinforcements for added protection and straight case sides. Its bracelet has also been redesigned with an enlarged central link and the introduction of the secure Oysterlock clasp with folding clasp and Easylink quick-release extension. The black lacquered dial is adorned with Arabic numerals and a triangular marker in Chromalight white gold, a white pad-printed minute track with a 0 in front of the 5 for greater visual coherence, a pair of hour/minute hands and a Rolex green varnished second hand. The time indication is guaranteed by the automatic caliber 3230 that delivers a significant 70-hour power reserve.
