Bokey TimeThe replication of the AIR KING series can be traced back to the era of the N Factory. Later, the AR Factory emerged, and subsequently, smaller manufacturers such as GS and GM Factory appeared sporadically. As the models did not sell particularly well, the replicas of this series became somewhat marginalized. In fact, the AIR KING is too similar to the Explorer I, and the Explorer I is overly famous, leading to this series being slightly overlooked. However, this does not mean there are no excellent replicas available. As everyone knows, JVS takes a cost-effective route: its craftsmanship is close to that of top-tier factories like C Factory, but the price is several hundred yuan cheaper. In terms of movements, it has now been upgraded to use the same Shanghai-made movement as C Factory. When manually wound fully, the power reserve can approach 3 days, which is indeed highly cost-effective. For those who love Rolex but find the mainstream series difficult to carry off, they might as well consider JVS Factory’s new entry-level Air-King 126900.
JVS Factory Rolex’s latest 2022 Air-King model 126900, 40mm, customized green hands, green logo dial! Three-dimensional digital scales, super Swiss luminescence, (integrated 3230 without calendar space) and ultra-cost-effective 2824 calibre to choose from!
The Air-King pays homage to the golden age of aviation in the 1930s. British aviator Charles Douglas Barnard was one of the pioneers of aviation at the time, setting several flight records. He once said of the Oyster: “This Manufacture R watch is extremely high-performance and is particularly suitable for flying. I plan to wear this watch on all my future long flights. “The Air-King embodies the unique connection between Factory R and the aviation industry in the 1930s. It was a golden age for the aviation industry, with aircraft performance evolving, routes expanding and long-haul flights introduced.
The Air-King features a distinctive black dial with large Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, and a prominent minute scale for legibility while sailing. The inscription “Air – King” on the dial was designed for the original watch in the 1950s. The Air-King pays homage to the pioneers of flight and celebrates the important role of the Oyster in the history of aviation. The 40 mm Oyster steel case, with its solid Oyster link bracelet and distinctive black dial, continues the original Oyster’s connection to aviation.
There is nothing worth discussing in terms of workmanship, and the current shell factory and strap factory process has improved a lot, resulting in a small gap between factories, unless some super low-cost manufacturers will find some cheaper foundries to produce. In terms of positioning, although JVS is not a first-line, their shipments are very large, after all, the price is reasonable and the workmanship is passed.
If you are choosing from the perspective of an authentic watch, the Air-King—one of the so-called “three treasures for budget-conscious enthusiasts”—still offers first-rate cost-effectiveness! To achieve anti-magnetic performance, the old model used the same 3131 movement as the “Green Glass” and added an anti-magnetic soft iron layer beneath the case back, which increased the thickness of the case. Since Rolex’s 32-series movements already have certain anti-magnetic capabilities, the new Air-King does not feature a special version of the movement, allowing the case thickness to be reduced and improving the wearing experience to a certain extent. Thanks to the introduction of the 32-series movement, this entry-level model has become an even more compelling purchase. Isn’t an entry-level Air-King better than buying a Seamaster? Therefore, apart from the different movements, the overall thickness of the authentic old and new models also varies. Whether you are buying a genuine or replica watch, this detail should be noted.
11.8mm thickness is much thinner compared to the old Air-King model.
If you like the AIR KING series or the 40/36mm of the Explorer 1, you can buy the JVS products.
