As it does every year, Rolex introduced a fleet of new models for 2022. And one of those new releases was the Air-King 126900. While the Rolex Air-King name is certainly not new to the brand’s catalog – it has been around since World War II – the reference 126900 is the newest addition to the collection.
If you glanced at the Air-King 126900, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking it was essentially identical to the previous Air-King 116900 that it supplanted. However, a closer review reveals a few notable updates that alter how the Air-King wears and performs. In true replica Rolex fashion, it’s not about revolutionary changes but rather thoughtful design tweaks that show there’s always room for improvement.
So if you’re keen to know what’s new and what isn’t with the new reference 126900, keep reading for a comprehensive overview of the latest Rolex Air-King released in 2022.
The ref. 126900 replaces the ref. 116900, which debuted in 2016. For context, it’s important to note that the 116900 brought about a whole new design for the Rolex Air-King, including a new and larger 40mm size and a redesigned black dial (inspired by the Bloodhound dashboard) that includes both minute and hour markers. It’s also interesting to point out that, unlike other replica Breitling collections, the current Air-King is a one-reference line – which is to say, there are no options for materials, dial colors, or bracelet styles.
First, if we look at the case, we see that Rolex has equipped the 126900 with crown guards. The Oyster case is also slightly flatter and slimmer. Second, if we zoom in on the dial, we notice that Rolex has added a “0” before the 5-minute marker for better balance with the rest of the two-digit minute markers. Additionally, the hour markers at 3, 6, and 9 are now coated with Chromalight luminescent material so they can also glow in the dark. Staying on the dial for another moment, Rolex has also added its crown logo between SWISS and MADE, just below the 6 o’clock marker.
The presence of that small crown logo signals a new movement inside the Air-King 126900, which is the Caliber 3230. Part of fake Rolex’s newest generation of movements, the Caliber 3230 is the time-only (no date) variant of the famous Cal. 3235 that can be found in models such as the Datejust and Submariner.
Finally, another new update from which the Air-King 126900 benefits is a revamped Oyster bracelet with slightly wider center links. However, the most significant change to the bracelet is the addition of the sturdy folding Oysterlock safety clasp, complete with the Easylink 5mm extension system.