Lot #AN3907 – Rolex Air-King Watch 4925

Price: $1499.00

Very rare vintage stainless steel Rolex Air-King wristwatch, ref #4925.  Circa 1940’s.  Silver Rolex Oyster Air-King dial with applied gold tone Arabic and arrowhead hour markers.  Stainless steel smooth bezel.  Swiss made, mechanical manual wind movement.  Comes on a stainless steel Rolex Oyster rivet bracelet.  The bracelet is stamped #7205 with matching #57 end pieces, clasp date code 4 67, with end piece size of 19mm.  Approximate diameter is 34mm.

Has superficial scratches due to normal wear and age.  Previously refreshed silver dial with areas of patina radiating in the center.  The hands have spotting throughout.  The plastic crystal has some crazing.  All of which can be expected due to age.  Running at the time of inspection, however not checked for accuracy nor water resistance/proofness.  An overhaul is always recommended for used watches.

The Rolex #4925 was the first Rolex Air-King model which was originally introduced in 1945.  At the time of it’s release, it’s 34mm case was considered to be a large Rolex watch.  The Rolex Air-King #4925 was produced for a very short period and was replaced by the Rolex Air-King #4499 shortly after.  The small production run makes this a highly sought after model by collectors.

In 1905, Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, founded their company Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd.  In 1908, they registered Rolex and became Rolex Watch Co Ltd in 1915.  After moving their headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland, the company name was changed to Montres Rolex S.A. in 1920.  Rolex introduced the first waterproof Rolex Oyster in 1926.  The following year, Mercedes Gleitze swam for 10 hours across the English Channel wearing a Rolex Oyster.  Rolex invented the first self-winding automatic movement with rotor in 1931.  Rolex watches became popular in the fields of aviation, motor racing, sports, and expeditions.  Some notable models are the Rolex Datejust, the Rolex Explorer, the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex GMT-Master, the Rolex Day-Date (aka “President”), the Rolex Milgauss, the Rolex Lady Datejust, the Rolex Deep Sea Special, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, the Rolex Sea-Dweller, the Rolex Explorer II, the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000, the Rolex Pearlmaster (aka “Masterpiece”), the Rolex Yacht-Master, the Rolex Yacht-Master II, the Rolex Deepsea, the Rolex Sky-Dweller, the Rolex Air-King, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, and the Rolex Cellini.