Many people will compare Explorer I and Air King when they are getting started with Rolex sports watches, because both are entry-level three-hand sports watches. Explorer I has a simpler design, while Air King has a unique yellow crown and green Rolex logo, which is very eye-catching. In the past, most people would choose the old version of Explorer I, because the 40mm diameter of Air King is slightly larger than the 39mm of Explorer I, and Explorer I is equipped with 3, 6, and 9 digital hour markers, and a simple and neat appearance. Compared with the busier dial design of Air King, Explorer I is a reasonable choice for entry-level Rolex.
But with the launch of the new Explorer I by Rolex in 2021, things seem to have changed a bit. Although the Explorer I has upgraded its movement to the new 3230 movement, the diameter of the watch has been reduced to 36mm (unfortunately). I believe that many friends who are preparing to get started with Rolex will immediately fall into a dilemma. Therefore, Air King has become the new favorite of a small number of rotating watch supporters! But Rolex has always been a leading indicator in the market. At present, the market no longer prefers overly large watch diameters. In the future, small watch diameters may return to the watch market, but… who knows? Regardless of which model you choose, the basic threshold for buying a stainless steel sports watch has become higher and higher in the past two years, and it is definitely necessary to match the watch or over-price (premium).
The Explorer I has maintained the same size since the launch of the 39mm model in 2011. It was redesigned to 36mm in 2021, returning to the size of the first generation in 1953, upgraded with a new generation movement, and available in stainless steel and the new Two-tone half-gold model. Since Explorer has always been positioned as an entry-level model of Rolex, the price is relatively affordable. This time, the diameter of the watch has been reduced and the price has been slightly reduced. The price advantage is still there. The rest depends on the market demand for 36mm.
The entry-level three-hand Rolex watch released in 2016 is the only Rolex watch with a color logo. The yellow five-claw crown and the green ROLEX lettering were only used in car instruments in the past. The handwritten font AIR KING on the dial is the finishing touch. The 3, 6, and 9 hour markers are bright numbers, and the others are printed minute numbers. The large numbers are quite in line with the feeling of a flight watch; however, the blue luminous light is only applied to the hour, minute, and second hands and the inverted triangle at 12 o’clock, and the luminous range is relatively small. The 3131 automatic winding movement is the same model as the Milgauss, which is designed for anti-magnetic, and the price is much cheaper.
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