Rolex Air-King
+88 % above RRP
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ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Rolex Air-King (Ref. 116900) is $10,193. Last sold at auction: $17,406 (Sotheby's, 05/2026).
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Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Rolex Ref. 116900 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Bloodhound, Bloodhound SSC, Air-King Reboot, Modern Air-King
Production phases and changes
- 2016: Introduction of Ref. 116900 at Baselworld 2016 — complete relaunch of the Air-King line
- 2022: Discontinuation of Ref. 116900, replaced by Ref. 126900 (Watches & Wonders, March 30, 2022)
Movement variants
- 3131 (2016–2022) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- Smooth Steel Bezel "Plain Bezel / Smooth Bezel"
Dial variants
- Bloodhound Dial — ROLEX (green) / Crown (yellow) / OYSTER PERPETUAL / AIR-KING (at 6 o'clock) / 18k white gold applied markers 3-6-9 without Chromalight / Inverted Triangle 12 o'clock with Chromalight / minute track 5-10-20-25-35-40-50-55 / green seconds hand
Crystal variants
- Saphirglas mit Cyclops
Bracelet variants
- Oyster Solid 3-Link Ref. 71200
Serial numbers
- ca. V-Serial (2016) – ca. 2020er Random-Serial (2016–2022) — From 2010, Rolex uses randomized serial numbers without a year code; an exact year-by-year serial assignment is no longer publicly documented. Serial number engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock (rehaut engraving with 'ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX...' also present).
In 2016, Rolex draws a line under the old Air-King lineup and starts practically from scratch. The Ref. 116900 takes over the Milgauss case, 40 mm in diameter, no crown guard, replacing the familiar 34 mm build of its predecessors entirely. Inside ticks the caliber 3131, in place of the old series' previous automatic movements.
## Where the Name Bloodhound Comes From
Among collectors, the 116900 has picked up the nickname Bloodhound, after the British land speed record project Bloodhound SSC, whose logo Rolex places on the dial. The black dial with its yellow 5-minute markers and red 60 is the only version ever made. No second color variant, no alternate dial across the entire production run.
## A Plain Bezel, a Clear Statement
The bezel stays smooth, no numerals, no engraving, a deliberate counterpoint to the technical dial beneath it. It's exactly this mix of instrument look and clean bezel that makes the 116900 such a sought-after entry point into the modern Air-King world today.
## The End After Six Years
On March 30, 2022, at Watches & Wonders, Rolex retires the 116900 and sends the Ref. 126900 into the race. The successor brings the caliber 3230 with 70 hours of power reserve, a crown guard, Chromalight lume at the 3, 6, and 9 positions, and a "05" in place of the old "5" minute marker. The 116900 stayed in the catalog for six years, with exactly one dial and one bezel option — a short, clearly defined chapter in Air-King history.
Brand profile: Rolex
Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world. Super-clones (VSF, ARF, Clean — the latter inactive since the 07/2025 raid, with only old stock still circulating) reach 95%+ similarity. Authenticity can almost always only be identified through micro-details and caliber behavior.
- Case back: ALWAYS solid and closed — any display window means it's definitely fake (exception: vintage Ref. 6085 only)
- Minute hand length: genuine Rolex minute hands end EXACTLY at the minute chapter ring. 1 mm too long = fake. The strongest VSF tell.
- Seconds hand: smooth sweep without any hesitation — the slightest tick-tock motion means it's fake
- Cyclops lens (on Date models): must magnify exactly 2.5×, with the date filling almost the entire window
Serial number format: Since 2010, a random alphanumeric combination (e.g. 'G3M9K721'). 2000-2010: a letter plus 6-7 digits. Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 o'clock (from ~2005). Older models: between the lug shoulders at 6 o'clock on the case.
Further sources
Buying guide: Rolex Air-King
Entry into Rolex
At $10,193 this reference is one of the more affordable ways to wear a Rolex on your wrist. That is precisely why many pieces have already passed through several hands — condition varies accordingly. Buyers here should pay particular attention to service history and honest photos from the seller.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 44.7 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Rolex Air-King reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Air-King.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
Check the market value live now
Interactive price analysis with momentum indicator and buy/sell signal.
Go to the market value tool →Auction results Rolex Air-King 116900
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $17,406 | Sotheby's | 05/2026 |
| $7,465 | Christie's | 04/2026 |
| $12,093 | Loupe This | 07/2025 |
| $8,397 | Sotheby's | 10/2024 |
| $12,107 | Phillips | 08/2024 |