Rolex Air-King 116900 - Black Dial - NOS - Full Set

The Rolex Air-King occupies a distinctive position within the history of the brand, combining Rolex’s long-standing connection with aviation with the robustness and functionality of its Oyster watches. Although the Air-King name has deep roots within Rolex history, the introduction of reference 116900 in 2016 represented a bold reinterpretation of the model, transforming it into a modern 40 mm watch with a highly distinctive personality.

The reference 116900 features a 40 mm Oystersteel case, smooth bezel, screw-down Twinlock crown and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, with water resistance to 100 metres. Its unmistakable black dial combines large 3, 6 and 9 numerals with a prominent minute scale, creating a design strongly inspired by the functional layout of aviation instruments. The green seconds hand and contrasting white and green details further enhance its distinctive appearance.

At the heart of the 116900 beats Rolex calibre 3131, a self-winding mechanical movement equipped with anti-magnetic components and an internal magnetic shield. The movement features Rolex’s blue Parachrom hairspring and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve. This combination of technical robustness and anti-magnetic protection reflects the functional character traditionally associated with the Air-King.

The 116900 represents a particularly distinctive chapter in the modern history of the model. Produced from 2016 until 2022, it introduced a completely redesigned aesthetic, with a 40 mm case and an unconventional dial inspired by aviation instrumentation. Its relatively short production period, together with its unmistakable design, has made the reference increasingly appreciated by collectors of modern Rolex sports watches.

The present example, dating to 2017, is preserved in exceptional NOS condition and still retains its original factory stickers. It is offered as a complete full set (Box Rolex and Astrua Outer Box), accompanied by its original Italian Rolex warranty issued by authorised retailer Astrua in 2017 and Guarantee Manual Worldwide Service booklet. Particularly noteworthy is its single-owner provenance, adding an important element of continuity and authenticity to the watch.

A distinctive and now discontinued generation of the Air-King, the 116900 combines aviation-inspired design, contemporary Oyster architecture and Rolex’s anti-magnetic calibre 3131. This exceptionally preserved example offers a rare combination of original condition, documented Italian provenance and single-owner history, making it an especially compelling proposition for collectors of modern Rolex.