Great share and story. My step dad has pretty much the same watch as this one I believe. He still wears it. And I used to have one from my father, well almost. it was a mechanical hand wound version, an Oyster Precision, ref 6426 from 1974. But essentially looks exactly the same except it's prlobably a bit thinner because it's hand wound only. The dial and markers have the same retributes as your watch. The marker seem to have a slight golden hue to it. It's a great classic watch. Definitely on a leather strap makes for a great dress watch for its size and scale and elegant simplicity. In terms of the size and scale of the watch in modern day, I think you just have to wear a watch for a while and acclimate to it and don't look at or where your other larger watches and it all look fairly normal on wrist after maybe a few days. I think the same can apply in the opposite direction when you think a watch is too big, after a while it may not seem all that big on wrist to you. But, of course, I recognize there are all sorts of personal differences and preferences that dictate whether or not one feels comfortable wearing a watch that's not of the normal scale that one is used to. Like I tell my kids, don't say "No" first until you tried it first. Then you have something you can make a knowledgeable decision and opinion on.
I think it looks good on your wrist. I have a lot of vintage watches in my collection including a 5500 and for some reason I just love wearing mine over my other timepieces. It’s simple, yet elegant and robust. Flies under the radar but there’s no mistaking that it’s a Rolex. Although I have a Rolex strap and buckle, the oyster bracelet is still perfect as well on the wrist! It’s the perfect every day wearer but hey, it will survive any environment. It’s not the “cheapest” but probably the most affordable Rolex. For me, it was the first Rolex I came across and many followed from Subs to GMTs to Explorers and DJs; but for some reason this model is special in its own way and glad I have one…
I have many watches from the 80s :) and some not even worth more then several hundred $ and all of them work wonderfully, so nothing to brag about quality here :)
Genuinely, no. I've just been offered this exact model recently for a very good price. I turned it down as it just didn't excite me. Seeing it now on the strap gives me a different perspective. I really like it! I might get it now and throw it on a NATO or brown strap and use it as a field watch.
Size, sentimentality, blah, blah. It is still a kick ass top notch piece of equipment. It is what I consider an everyday, good watch. What you see as a "dress watch", an old school like me sees as an every day wear watch. I'd rock that thing on the bracelet.
![Average Bros [Mark Alamares]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/AMTyfBoS_HGUS5NeMIdml3FQHYPLCvE10yYPfvjGSZRfNEkgmgSJlVqPFEQ4yky_fTnRrnqQ=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
Great share and story. My step dad has pretty much the same watch as this one I believe. He still wears it. And I used to have one from my father, well almost. it was a mechanical hand wound version, an Oyster Precision, ref 6426 from 1974. But essentially looks exactly the same except it's prlobably a bit thinner because it's hand wound only. The dial and markers have the same retributes as your watch. The marker seem to have a slight golden hue to it. It's a great classic watch. Definitely on a leather strap makes for a great dress watch for its size and scale and elegant simplicity.
In terms of the size and scale of the watch in modern day, I think you just have to wear a watch for a while and acclimate to it and don't look at or where your other larger watches and it all look fairly normal on wrist after maybe a few days. I think the same can apply in the opposite direction when you think a watch is too big, after a while it may not seem all that big on wrist to you. But, of course, I recognize there are all sorts of personal differences and preferences that dictate whether or not one feels comfortable wearing a watch that's not of the normal scale that one is used to.
Like I tell my kids, don't say "No" first until you tried it first. Then you have something you can make a knowledgeable decision and opinion on.
Always a classic.
I think it looks good on your wrist. I have a lot of vintage watches in my collection including a 5500 and for some reason I just love wearing mine over my other timepieces. It’s simple, yet elegant and robust. Flies under the radar but there’s no mistaking that it’s a Rolex. Although I have a Rolex strap and buckle, the oyster bracelet is still perfect as well on the wrist! It’s the perfect every day wearer but hey, it will survive any environment. It’s not the “cheapest” but probably the most affordable Rolex. For me, it was the first Rolex I came across and many followed from Subs to GMTs to Explorers and DJs; but for some reason this model is special in its own way and glad I have one…
Beautiful! I might of missed the year so do you mind telling me again? Thx
I have many watches from the 80s :) and some not even worth more then several hundred $ and all of them work wonderfully, so nothing to brag about quality here :)
Same vibe as my Zenith Pilot, timeless
Beautiful “old” Air King. Would look much better with that Oyster bracelet… I’m sure everyone thought the same.
Genuinely, no. I've just been offered this exact model recently for a very good price. I turned it down as it just didn't excite me. Seeing it now on the strap gives me a different perspective. I really like it! I might get it now and throw it on a NATO or brown strap and use it as a field watch.
such a good watch
Beautiful watch. A better quality strap and an original Rolex buckle (16mm width, new about 70 Dollars) would compliment it nicely.
Size, sentimentality, blah, blah. It is still a kick ass top notch piece of equipment. It is what I consider an everyday, good watch.
What you see as a "dress watch", an old school like me sees as an every day wear watch. I'd rock that thing on the bracelet.
Strap?