{"product_id":"1971-rolex-air-king-matte-black-dial-ref-5500","title":"1971 Rolex Air-King Matte Black Dial (Ref. 5500)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWorth A Read\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1075\"\u003eHistory and Significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"7698\" data-end=\"7923\"\u003eThe Air-King has long represented one of Rolex's purest offerings. Without additional complications, rotating bezels, or precious-metal embellishments, the model focused entirely on legibility, reliability, and everyday wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"7925\" data-end=\"8180\"\u003eMatte black dials from this era are considerably less common than their silver counterparts and bring a distinctly sportier appearance to the watch. Combined with warm pumpkin tritium, the result is a look that collectors often spend years trying to find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8182\" data-end=\"8418\"\u003eWhat makes vintage Air-Kings appealing is their simplicity. Everything unnecessary has been removed, leaving only timekeeping in its most straightforward form. Decades later, that restraint remains one of the model's greatest strengths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1815\"\u003eWriter’s Thoughts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-69b37331-b3ec-832b-9dd7-e354558c83a1-10\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-69b37331-b3ec-832b-9dd7-e354558c83a1-10\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-69b37331-b3ec-832b-9dd7-e354558c83a1-10\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-286\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"44165089-decd-42f1-a48f-7ac3a75beb64\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"8442\" data-end=\"8855\"\u003eIf someone asked me for a vintage Rolex under the radar, I'd point them toward watches like this Rolex Air-King. The matte black dial gives it a completely different feel than most Air-Kings from the period. The pumpkin lume is beautiful, the dial is remarkably well preserved, and the case appears to have escaped polishing. It's the type of watch that rewards collectors who appreciate details rather than hype.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2167\" data-end=\"2184\"\u003eOur Promise\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2262\" data-start=\"2024\"\u003eEvery watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8878\" data-end=\"8888\"\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8897\" data-end=\"8907\"\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air-King\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8919\" data-end=\"8928\"\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1971\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8936\" data-end=\"8954\"\u003eCase Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8973\" data-end=\"8987\"\u003eCase Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 34mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"8995\" data-end=\"9004\"\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Matte black dial with tritium lume\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9042\" data-end=\"9055\"\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9068\" data-end=\"9087\"\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex Oyster bracelet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9112\" data-end=\"9129\"\u003eBuckle\/Clasp:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex folding clasp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9152\" data-end=\"9165\"\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e Watch only\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eCondition\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9194\" data-end=\"9203\"\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Appears unpolished with strong overall definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9257\" data-end=\"9266\"\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition with beautiful pumpkin tritium lume and no notable blemishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9351\" data-end=\"9361\"\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Matching tritium hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9397\" data-end=\"9409\"\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows wear consistent with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9450\" data-end=\"9469\"\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Oyster bracelet remains in very good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"9529\" data-end=\"9546\"\u003eBuckle\/Clasp:\u003c\/strong\u003e Functions properly with normal signs of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48615654523063,"sku":null,"price":4300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0553\/8391\/6727\/files\/DSF8634-2.jpg?v=1781551175","url":"https:\/\/huntingtoncompany.com\/products\/1971-rolex-air-king-matte-black-dial-ref-5500","provider":"Huntington Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}