Rolex Air King 116900

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Air-King 116900

The Rolex Air-King 116900 is a discontinued 40mm time-only watch in Oystersteel, produced from 2016 to 2022. It marked a radical reimagining of the Air-King collection, transforming what had been a straightforward 34mm entry-level Rolex into a bold, aviation-inspired 40mm sport watch with one of the most distinctive dials in the entire Rolex catalog. At WatchGuys, we carry pre-owned examples of this single-configuration reference. The 116900 features a 40mm Oystersteel case with a smooth bezel, and is powered by the Caliber 3131 movement with a 48-hour power reserve. This is the same antimagnetic movement used in the now-discontinued Milgauss, featuring a soft iron inner case and Parachrom blue hairspring for resistance to magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss. Unlike most Rolex collections, the Air-King 116900 was offered in only one configuration: a single black dial with no alternative colors, materials, or bracelet options. Browse the full Rolex collection for all available references.

The Bloodhound Dial

The 116900's dial is its most defining and polarizing feature. Often called the "Bloodhound dial," it was inspired by the dashboard instruments of the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car project, with which Rolex partnered when the reference launched. The black lacquer dial features a mix of oversized Arabic numerals at the 5-minute intervals (in a speedometer-style font), applied white gold 3-6-9 hour markers borrowed from the Explorer family, and a prominent triangle at 12 o'clock. The Rolex crown logo and "Rolex" text appear in yellow and green, the only current-production Rolex to use these colors on the dial. A green "lollipop" seconds hand adds another touch of color. The overall effect is a dial that is highly legible, visually dynamic, and unlike anything else in the Rolex lineup. Some collectors consider the 116900 a future classic precisely because of its unconventional design.

Rolex Air-King 116900 Price

Pre-owned Rolex Air-King 116900 prices generally range from $7,000 to $9,500 depending on condition and completeness. Complete sets with original box and papers trade at the higher end. Because the 116900 was produced in a single configuration, pricing is driven primarily by condition and set completeness rather than dial variant. The original retail price when the 116900 launched in 2016 was $6,100. The current-production replacement, the Air-King 126900, retails at approximately $7,400 and trades between $9,000 and $11,000 on the secondary market, making the 116900 a value alternative for buyers who want the modern Air-King experience at a lower price point.

Rolex Air-King 116900 vs. 126900

The Air-King 126900 replaced the 116900 in 2022. Both share the 40mm Oystersteel case, smooth bezel, the same black dial concept with the yellow and green Rolex logo, and the Oyster bracelet. The key differences are the movement, case details, and dial refinements. The 126900 upgraded to the Caliber 3230 with a 70-hour power reserve (versus the 116900's Caliber 3131 with 48 hours). The 126900 added crown guards for a sportier profile, wider bracelet links, an improved Oysterlock safety clasp, Chromalight luminescence on the 3-6-9 hour markers (the 116900 lacked lume on these markers), and a "05" instead of "5" on the minute scale for better visual balance. The 116900 retains its own collector appeal thanks to the original Bloodhound design, the connection to the Milgauss antimagnetic movement, and a cleaner case profile without crown guards. On the secondary market, the 116900 typically trades $1,500 to $3,000 below the 126900.

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Why Buy a Rolex Air-King 116900 From WatchGuys

When you shop for a pre-owned Rolex Air-King 116900 for sale at WatchGuys, you get more than a watch. Every piece is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers and backed by a comprehensive set of buyer protections.

Common Questions

Rolex Air-King 116900 FAQ

• What Is the Rolex Air-King 116900?

  The Rolex Air-King 116900 is a discontinued 40mm time-only watch in Oystersteel produced from 2016 to 2022. It features a smooth bezel, a distinctive black dial with oversized Arabic numerals in a speedometer-style font (inspired by the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car project), applied white gold 3-6-9 hour markers, a green seconds hand, and the Rolex logo in yellow and green. The watch is powered by the Caliber 3131 antimagnetic movement with a 48-hour power reserve, the same movement used in the Milgauss. Water resistant to 100 meters.

• How Much Does a Rolex Air-King 116900 Cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Air-King 116900 prices generally range from $7,000 to $9,500 depending on condition and completeness. Complete sets with original box and papers command a premium over watch-only examples. The 116900 was produced in a single configuration (one dial, one bracelet, one material), so pricing is driven primarily by condition and set completeness. The original retail price at launch in 2016 was $6,100. The 116900 typically trades $1,500 to $3,000 below the current-production 126900.

• Is the Rolex Air-King 116900 Antimagnetic?

  Yes. The Rolex Air-King 116900 shares its Caliber 3131 movement with the Milgauss, including the same antimagnetic shielding. The movement features a soft iron inner case and a Parachrom blue hairspring that together provide resistance to magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss. This makes the 116900 significantly more resistant to everyday magnetic interference from phones, laptops, and other electronic devices than standard Rolex movements. The current-production 126900 uses the Caliber 3230, which does not include the same antimagnetic shielding system, making the 116900 unique in this regard.

• Is the Rolex Air-King 116900 Discontinued?

  Yes. The Rolex Air-King 116900 was discontinued in 2022 when Rolex replaced it with the current-production 126900. The 126900 introduced crown guards, the Caliber 3230 with a 70-hour power reserve, wider bracelet links, an improved clasp, and several dial refinements. Because the 116900 is no longer in production, it is only available on the pre-owned market. Collectors value the 116900 for its original Bloodhound-era design, the antimagnetic Caliber 3131, and its cleaner case profile without crown guards.

• What Is the Difference Between the Rolex Air-King 116900 and 126900?

  Both share the 40mm Oystersteel case, smooth bezel, the distinctive black dial with a yellow and green Rolex logo, and the Oyster bracelet. The 126900 upgraded to the Caliber 3230 with a 70-hour power reserve (versus the 116900's Caliber 3131 with 48 hours). The 126900 added crown guards, wider bracelet links, an Oysterlock safety clasp, Chromalight on the 3-6-9 markers, and changed "5" to "05" on the minute scale. The 116900 retains the antimagnetic Milgauss-derived movement and a cleaner case profile without crown guards. On the secondary market, the 116900 typically trades $1,500 to $3,000 below the 126900.

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