Author Archives: Timmy Tan

Rolex Air-King: Still flying

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Rolex Air-King in 40mm stainless steel. Introduced in 2016. Reference (case – bracelet): 116900 – 71200. Powered by the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 3131 automatic movement, COSC-certified. Superlative Chronometer (COSC and Rolex certification after casing). Water-resistant to 100m (330 ft). Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke.

Rolex Air-King in 40mm stainless steel. Introduced in 2016. Reference (case – bracelet): 116900 – 71200. Powered by the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 3131 automatic movement, COSC-certified. Superlative Chronometer (COSC and Rolex certification after casing). Water-resistant to 100m (330 ft). Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke.

The Rolex Air-King, introduced at the 2016 BaselWorld watch fair, has prominent features such as the 3, 6 and 9 Arabic hour numerals, combined with the smaller numerals for the minutes (in five-minute intervals, that is 5, 10, 20, 25, etc).

What is probably more appealing for collectors is the “Air-King” lettering; these are the same fonts used for the model in the 1950s.

According to Joseph Lavender, author of the article The Complete History of the Rolex Air-King, the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, honoured RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain with a series of aviation-themed watches.

These “Air” series included the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger and the Air-King. Today, only the Air-King remains.

Interestingly, with regards to the Second World War, Lavender also mentioned that Rolex supplied their SpeedKing watches or other models on credit to British POWs (prisoners of war).

Lavender also states that the first “true Air-King was introduced in 1945 with the 4925, the follow-on to the 4365 of “Air” models. The progression for the international market from 4925/4365 (sub-seconds), 44999, 6552, 5500 and others.

The year 1957 is the year of the reference 5500, says Giorgia E Guido Mondani in the book Rolex and it was launched with different names such as Air-King, Metropolitan, Explorer and Everest.

For Rolex, the new Air-King is a tribute to aviation pioneers and the Oyster’s role in the epic story of airflight. This is because Rolex Oyster watches had accompanied aviators in some of history’s most significant flights.

In 1933 for example, the Oyster was with the Houston expedition, the first-ever flight over Mount Everest at the altitude of 10,000 metres (33,000 feet) in extreme weather.

In 1934, Owen Cathcart-Jones and Ken Waller made a return voyage from London to Melbourne (Australia) in record time flying in a twin-engine De Havilland Comet, using a Rolex Oyster as their on-board chronometer.

Was Sophia Loren giving Jayne Mansfield the “Evil Eye”?

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The caption that came with the above black and white photo was well-phrased: “Sophia Loren giving a disdainful ‘side eye’ to Jayne Mansfield’s dangerous décolletage.” Source: PRNewswire / Regency Superior Auctions.

The caption that came with the above black and white image was well-phrased: “Sophia Loren giving a disdainful ‘side eye’ to Jayne Mansfield’s dangerous décolletage.” Photo: PRNewswire / Regency Superior Auctions.

What was on the mind of Italian actress Sophia Loren (born September 1934) when this 1957 photo of her seated beside Jayne Mansfield (1933 to 1967) was taken?

The photo was taken during a party held for the then 22-year-old Loren by American film company Paramount Pictures. Mansfield, who was wearing a low neckline dress, sat down at the Italian movie star’s table.

Hollywood blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield was said to be the last to arrive. Speaking of bombs, the American actress was wearing a low-cut satin dress that was literally described as something “about to explode”.

In 2014, Loren mentioned that she was worried that Mansfield’s dress would “blow [up]” and even told Entertainment Weekly that she was afraid that “something” would spill onto her plate, adding that this was the only photo that revealed how it was.

So did Loren give Mansfield the “evil eye”?

Well, no. Loren gave her the “side eye” for her extremely “dangerous décolletage”.

Richard Mille’s Tourbillon RM 26-02 Evil Eye counters potential evil eyes and is also for protecting oneself against those who literally come “bursting” (at the seams and) onto the scene with naughty intent. Limited to 25 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

Richard Mille’s Tourbillon RM 26-02 Evil Eye counters potential evil eyes and is also for protecting oneself against those who literally come “bursting” (at the seams and) onto the scene with naughty intent. Limited to 25 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

The “side eye” is a sideways glance that expresses disapproval and contempt and is less harmful than the “evil eye”.

It may have come 60 years later but it is still relevant – Richard Mille’s Tourbillon RM 26-02 Evil Eye to counter the potential evil eye and protect oneself against those who literally come “bursting” (at the seams and) onto the scene with naughty intent.

For more information on the “evil eye” and the RM 26-02 on timewerke.com, we recommend:
i. Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 26-02 Evil Eye: Eye Protection