Rolex Air-King Watch 14000 Steel — Silver Patinated Dial (1991)
Only 1 available
Payment by bank transfer: -3%
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Movement checked & guaranteed for 1 year
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Atelier Note
A name given in 1945 to RAF pilots, a silver tone that thirty years have gently warmed — the Air-King, preserved in its original condition, never refinished.
A 1991 Air-King, the Oyster in its purest form
This Rolex watch is an Air-King, reference 14000, dated to 1991 by its serial number. Its name comes from afar: in 1945, Hans Wilsdorf created the “Air” series in tribute to the Royal Air Force pilots of the Battle of Britain, who wore Rolex watches on missions. Air-Lion, Air-Giant and Air-Tiger have disappeared from the catalogue — the Air-King is the sole survivor, and its name is still written in the same period script, beneath the crown.
The sunburst silver dial has acquired over the decades a light, even patina: the silver has warmed to a soft shade, uniform across the entire surface — the sign of an original dial that has never been restored, which collectors seek precisely because it attests to the integrity of the piece. The applied baton hour markers retain their cream-patinated tritium dots, in harmony — the mention T SWISS MADE T at the bottom of the dial confirms them —, beneath three baton hands and the mention PRECISION. No date window, no Cyclops: the 14000 is Rolex without complication, the one purists uphold as the house’s most faithful expression.
The 34mm Oyster case in steel bears its smooth polished bezel, its Crystal sapphire crystal — reference 14000 is the first generation of Air-King to be fitted with one — and its Rolex-signed screw-down crown. We believe the case has never been polished: the sides and lugs retain their edges and their factory brushing. Together with the patina of the dial, it is the portrait of a watch preserved in its original condition, uninterrupted since 1991.
The movement is a self-winding Rolex — caliber 3000, the documented movement for this reference —, serviced by our partner watchmakers and guaranteed for one year. The original Oyster 78350 bracelet, with solid links and 557B end links, closes at 17.5cm and can be adjusted by removing links.
Three points to note
01
Silver dial with light patina — even ageing that attests to an original dial, never restored.
02
The heir to the RAF pilots — the name given by Wilsdorf in 1945, the sole survivor of the Air series.
03
Never polished, in our opinion — factory edges and brushing preserved, original Oyster bracelet.
Why choose a vintage Rolex Air-King?
This pre-owned Rolex watch holds a precise place among vintage watches for men and women: the Air-King is the most direct access to the Oyster Perpetual — the screw-down crown, the in-house automatic movement, the Oyster bracelet, without a complication — in a 34mm size that can be worn equally by either. An example left in its original condition, with patinated dial and a case retaining its factory edges, is exactly what this market is looking for.
Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and checked by our partner watchmakers: movement inspection, examination of the dial, hands and case. Every vintage Rolex watch we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and lifetime guaranteed authenticity.
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Technical characteristics
- Brand: Rolex
- Model: Air-King, Oyster Perpetual
- Reference: 14000
- Serial number: X7482••
- Year: 1991
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Automatic, Rolex calibre 3000
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
- Case: Steel, Oyster case, polished smooth bezel, screw-down caseback
- Diameter: 34mm (36mm with the crown)
- Lug to lug: 42mm
- Thickness: 10.7mm
- Lug width: 19mm
- Crown: Screw-down, signed Rolex, original
- Dial: Sunburst silver with light patina, tritium hour markers (T SWISS MADE T), original
- Hands: Steel baton hands, original
- Crystal: Sapphire (condition 9/10)
- Bracelet: Rolex Oyster 78350 with 557B end links, 17.5cm, adjustable, original
- Buckle: Rolex steel folding clasp, reference 78350, original
Condition and guarantee
- General condition: Very well preserved condition. The original silver dial shows a light, even patina across its entire surface, never restored; the hour markers, tritium plots and hands are crisp and all belong together. We believe the case has never been polished: factory edges and brushing preserved, with fine signs of wear visible in our photographs. The original Oyster bracelet is in bet condition. Crystal sapphire crystal in very beautiful condition.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanics: Serviced movement, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Invoice Atelier Victor, travel case
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name Air-King come from?
From the Second World War. In 1945, Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, created the "Air" series in tribute to the Royal Air Force pilots of the Battle of Britain, many of whom wore Rolex watches on missions. Four names were registered — Air-Lion, Air-Giant, Air-Tiger, Air-King — and only the last survived, produced without interruption for nearly seventy years. The cursive script on the dial is that of the original models.
Is the dial original?
Yes, and its patina is proof of it: the silver has warmed to a slight and even shade across the entire surface, and the tritium plots on the hour markers have turned a uniform cream tone — coherent aging that no restoration can reproduce. A retouched dial would present a uniform surface but would have lost this indication. Collectors seek precisely these examples that have remained in their original condition.
What does "Precision" mean on the dial?
It is the wording Rolex used on models not submitted for official chronometer certification — as opposed to the Superlative Chronometer models. On the Air-King, it remained until the late 2000s as more of an identity signature than a technical indication: the automatic caliber is built with the same rigor as the house's certified movements.
Is the tritium still active?
No. The tritium on the hour markers, indicated by the wording T SWISS MADE T at the bottom of the dial, has ceased to be luminescent — its radioactive half-life is around twelve years, and it is now inert and harmless. What remains is its cream patina, uniform across the markers: proof that the dial has never been mismatched or retouched.
Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a 34mm diameter, 42mm Lug-to-lug, and 10.7mm thickness, it suits wrists of approximately 15 to 19cm — a guideline, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. The Oyster bracelet can be adjusted by removing links; let us know your wrist size before shipping, and we will deliver the watch ready to wear.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, inspected, and photographed by our team. As each sale is final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos, or a video of the piece in hand — so that you can make your choice with complete peace of mind.
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