While the stainless steel case still measures 40mm like the predecessor, Rolex has updated the styling significantly to give it a far more athletic stance. The crown guards are similar to the ones found on the modern Submariner or GMT-Master II.
The addition of crown guards not only gives the Air-King a sportier feel but also makes it a very unique timepiece in the history of Rolex. It’s the only Rolex to feature crown guards and a non-functional bezel.
Although it’s still in black with the logo and wordmarks in green and yellow, Rolex has given it functional updates to rectify the issues of the outgoing model. The applied numerals are now filled with luminescent Chromalight material.
Housed inside the case is Rolex’s in-house 3230 automatic movement, bringing the Air-King up to speed with other updated models by the Swiss watchmaker. The movement features Rolex’s patented Chronergy escapement and offers an improved 70 hours of power reserve.
The upgraded Oyster bracelet comes with widened center links and an Oysterlock safety clasp. While the new bracelet might not be the most prominent change, it does go well with the rest of the upgrades that cumulatively help in transforming the character of the sports watch.