Introduction
Hello, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a watch review from Clean Factory, focusing on the Rolex Air-King, model M126900.
Clean Factory stays in step with Rolex’s innovations, mirroring updates seen in the new Explorer I. Both models serve as the “gatekeepers” of Rolex’s professional watch lineup, sharing similar design aesthetics, mechanical performance, and pricing strategies.
The 2023 Explorer I reintroduces a 40mm diameter, aligning with mainstream preferences and removing size as a limiting factor for choice. Similarly, the new Air-King embraces a sportier look with added crown guards, aligning with higher-tier professional models like the Submariner, Yacht-Master, and Daytona. It also transitions from the longstanding Cal.3131 movement to the latest generation Cal.3230, addressing previous performance gaps.
Main Review
Today’s focus is on the Clean Factory’s Rolex Air-King. The significant update in appearance for the new Air-King is the inclusion of crown guards. Traditionally, Rolex has reserved this feature for its professional watches with external bezels, such as the Submariner, Yacht-Master, and Daytona. The Air-King’s adoption of crown guards marks the first “smooth bezel” Rolex to include this feature, indicating a move to elevate the Air-King’s professional status.
Additionally, the new Air-King sees a minor adjustment in its hour markers. What enthusiasts jokingly call a “major breakthrough” is the transformation of the dial’s “5” into “05”, mirroring the “55” on the left side for a more symmetrical look. The previous generation Air-King Ref.116900 featured 18K material hour markers at the 3, 6, and 9 positions (replicas used stainless steel), lacking luminosity. The new Air-King improves this with Chromalight material on the hour markers (again, Clean Factory uses stainless steel for the replica), enhancing its overall luminosity. Furthermore, it upgrades to a folding Oysterlock safety clasp to prevent accidental opening, another step toward professional-grade enhancement.
Conclusion
The updates to the Air-King represent a significant evolution in its design and functionality, aligning it closer to Rolex’s higher-tier professional models. Clean Factory’s replica closely follows these updates, offering collectors and enthusiasts a chance to enjoy the latest Rolex innovations at a fraction of the price. Stay tuned for the second part of this review, where we delve deeper into the performance and detailed comparisons between the genuine Rolex Air-King and Clean Factory‘s replica.
