A handsome and very rare stainless steel Rolex Air King Date model. This model features a less common black dial glossy dial, with silver applied baton markers, and silver printed text that is all original to the watch, and unrestored. However, the real beauty, collect-ability and in fact desirability of this particular example is the fact that the dial has turned a stunning warm dark chocolate colour when strong light is caught on the dial. It is exceptional looking and very eye catching. All of the lume plots are there, as is the lume in the hands, which match to a pleasing ivory colour. The "Air" series from Rolex came to pass as a result of Mr. Hans Wilsdorf's, the founder of Rolex, deep admiration for the pilots of the RAF, and the sacrifices made during WWII, and the fact that many had chosen to wear his watches. Even if they were issued with other manufacturers watches by the M.O.D. Rolex introduced a number of "Air" branded watches; "Air Giant", "Air Lion","Air Tiger" and this the "Air King". The "Air King" is perhaps the best known model in this series, and the only one that has stood the test of time, still featuring in the Rolex stable today. This model is powered by the classic Rolex calibre 1520 automatic movement, with the case marked 5700. This reference was introduced in 1958 by Rolex, with this example having 2.49 million serial number, dates to being manufactured in 1970. The case measures close to 35mm (not including the crown) which is also the same size case used in the Rolex Date model. The watch comes on the original stainless steel Oyster style bracelet, which is in good condition, with little 'sag', and is date stamped for 1971 I, for the first quarter of that year. The inside of the case back is also stamped 'I 70' and has the generic Rolex Date 1500 model stamped into it. This is not incorrect, Rolex would use different mode case backs that were available at the time, and being that this model was quite rare, it is possible that they never even stamped up 5700 model case backs at all, as the date stamp is correct to this watch's production year.