{"id":24975,"date":"2023-08-04T14:57:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T18:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rubberb.com\/blog\/?p=24975"},"modified":"2024-12-27T10:42:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T15:42:47","slug":"rolex-air-king-126900-vs-116900-rolex-air-king-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rubberb.com\/blog\/rolex-air-king-126900-vs-116900-rolex-air-king-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Air King 126900 vs 116900 Rolex Air King Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rolex Air King 126900 vs 116900 Rolex Air King Watch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rubber B has become well-known as a highly respected crafter of custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from some of the most respected watchmakers in the field, including such brands as Patek Philippe, IWC, and Breitling. Rubber B has a variety of straps in different colors and styles in our product portfolio that are appropriate for both business\/formal wear and more casual situations as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rolex Air King is one of the more underappreciated watch lines in Rolex\u2019s catalog. Despite the fact that it has been around for the better part of a century, the horological press does not spend a lot of time writing about this particular timepiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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126900 vs 116900<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In honor of the fact that a new version of the Rolex Air King, the Rolex Air King 126900, was released this year, we thought it would be a good time to take a closer look at this new watch and its direct predecessor. Below, we will compare their technical specifications, as well as their design style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Technical Specifications of the Rolex Air King 126900?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Rolex Air King 126900 measures 40mm, which is an industry-standard size for a men\u2019s luxury watch. It is powered by the 3230 caliber, which is one of Rolex\u2019s newest calibers. As always, all of Rolex\u2019s calibers are produced in-house. It has a power reserve of 70 hours, which is impressive for a watch that is not a dive watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This watch is also waterproof for up to 330 feet, which is to be expected for a luxury timepiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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126900 vs 116900<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Does the Rolex Air King 126900 Fare Aesthetically?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons that the Rolex Air King 126900 was not announced with much fanfare is that, even by Rolex standards, this is not a showy watch. Its lack of ostentatious clearly shows its original history, which was more of a tool watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dial is a solid, deep black with large, easy-to-read white numbers and white and green text. This watch is all functional and not much in the way of form. That isn\u2019t to say that it isn\u2019t nice to look at \u2013 just that it\u2019s not as flashy as many of the other pieces that Rolex is known for. The elegance and craftsmanship of the brand are still clearly on display here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Are The Technical Specifications of the Rolex Air King 116900?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Rolex Air King 116900 also measures 40mm, which is the same as its successor. However, the size of the watch, from a technical standpoint, is about the only thing the two iterations have in common with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older model of this watch is powered by the 3131 caliber, which only has a power reserve of 48 hours. This clear diminishment in power reserve tells us that we are dealing with an older model of Rolex watch. It does maintain the same water resistance though, at 330 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Does the Rolex Air King 116900 Rate in Terms of Design?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In terms of the look of the watch, both of these models are visually identical. The dial of the newer model is clearly inspired by the older version. The same austere black dial, and the same large lettering and numbers, remain prominently featured on the face of the watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Oystersteel\u00ae that the watch is made from pairs perfectly with the dial. Both form and function imply that this watch is all business. However, it can be worn at both formal and casual events, which makes it handy to have in one\u2019s collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Similarities: Air-King 126900 vs 1169000<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Air-King 126900 vs 116900 both have 40mm Oyster cases with Twinlock screw-down crowns and are water-resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). Smooth bezels, sapphire crystals, and screw-down case-backs are among the features of the cases. Furthermore, both models have black dials with a yellow and green Rolex logo, a green seconds hand, a Mercedes handset, and a mix of hour and minute markers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new ref. 126900 Air-King, like the predecessor ref. 116900, is outfitted with a sporty three-link Oyster bracelet. Finally, both generations of Rolex Air-Kings in 40mm are automatic timepieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Differences: Air-King 126900 vs 1169000<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The case, dial, and bracelet are the main design differences between the ref. 116900 and ref. 126900. The newer model has crown guards on the subject, lume-coated hour markers on the dial, a “0” at five minutes, wider links on the bracelet, and an improved clasp compared to the previous model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These design changes not only make the Air-King 126900 look more sporty than the original 116900, but they also make the newer model appear slightly larger on the wrist. The other significant difference is found within the case. While the Air-King 116900 is powered by the Caliber 3131 and has a 48-hour power reserve, the new Air-King 126900 is powered by the Caliber 3230 and has a 70-hour power reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ref. 116900 Rolex Air-King 40mm (pre-2022 models) Watch strap Collections By Rubber B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Solid:<\/h3>\n\n\n