First released in 1945 in honor of the British RAF following their efforts in WWII, the Air-King has become one of the longest-serving members of Rolex’s catalog, with its official debut as a standalone collection, as we know it today, tracing its origins a little bit more recently to 1958. Since then, the collection has become one of Rolex’s most unique collections, with its design and construction often used as a means to push aesthetic boundaries and experiment with design in a way that few other collections within the Rolex family could. As such, the Air-King collection has been found to sport a vast expanse of dial colors and set-ups, with different bezel configurations and a large variety of sizes. Offered here, we have the ref. 5500. Debuting in the late 1950s, the ref. 5500 remained in production until 1989 in what is Rolex’s longest production period for any of their timepieces. Marketed as an affordable and entry-level offering, the ref. 5500’s timeless design ensured its popularity remained fixed over the decades. With Rolex’s prestigious reputation, the ref. 5500’s affordable price and clean dial, it served as the perfect timepiece on which brands could apply their logo and give away to retirees, award winners, and high-achievers as a mark of well done and thanks - a tradition that has been lost to time with Rolex no longer co-signing the dials of their timepieces.

The case with light surface wear and minor polishing. With monograph to case back which reads Donald R. Decker, Safety Award, 10-26-1977. The USA Rolex Jubilee bracelet with minor stretch and wear, 22 links, 2 removable. The dial in nice condition, the seconds hand is oxidized throughout.

A fantastic piece of Rolex history, these co-signed timepieces hark back to the times of old when Rolex would co-brand their watches, a service they have ceased. Thus, the popularity and collectability of timepieces like this Air-King ref. 5500 has increased with collectors seeking their unique dials and interesting history.