This exceptional and historically significant Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 represents a fascinating and rarely encountered chapter in vintage Rolex and corporate Americana history. Featuring the original Calvert Distillers Company co-branded dial, this watch was originally presented to a salesperson for the company in recognition of service and achievement and was later acquired directly by us from the original recipient, offering provenance seldom found with vintage presentation watches. At its core is the highly respected Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500, a classic 34mm stainless steel model produced from the late 1950s through the 1980s and admired for its clean, timeless design and reliability. What makes this example especially compelling is its completely original configuration, including the original Calvert Gin signed dial and the original presentation engraving on the case back, preserving the watch’s authenticity and historical significance. Watches such as this were not standard retail offerings but specially commissioned presentation pieces awarded to top-performing salespeople, long-term employees, and valued company representatives. Similar in concept to the legendary COMEX Submariner, this watch represents a specialized subset of Rolex production tied to a specific corporate identity. While COMEX models became famous through their association with professional divers, the Calvert Gin Air-King reflects Rolex’s lesser-known corporate presentation history and is rarely encountered today, especially in original condition. This example has been professionally serviced by Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix to ensure reliable performance while preserving its originality and honest original patina, valued by knowledgeable collectors. The watch includes our 1-Year Limited Warranty and comes with the box and booklet shown.
Rolex Air King “Calvert Distillery” Service Award Watch
$11,850.00
This exceptional and historically significant Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500 represents a fascinating and rarely encountered chapter in vintage Rolex and corporate Americana history. Featuring the original Calvert Distillers Company co-branded dial, this watch was originally presented to a salesperson for the company in recognition of service and achievement and was later acquired directly by us from the original recipient, offering provenance seldom found with vintage presentation watches. At its core is the highly respected Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500, a classic 34mm stainless steel model produced from the late 1950s through the 1980s and admired for its clean, timeless design and reliability. What makes this example especially compelling is its completely original configuration, including the original Calvert Gin signed dial and the original presentation engraving on the case back, preserving the watch’s authenticity and historical significance. Watches such as this were not standard retail offerings but specially commissioned presentation pieces awarded to top-performing salespeople, long-term employees, and valued company representatives. Similar in concept to the legendary COMEX Submariner, this watch represents a specialized subset of Rolex production tied to a specific corporate identity. While COMEX models became famous through their association with professional divers, the Calvert Gin Air-King reflects Rolex’s lesser-known corporate presentation history and is rarely encountered today, especially in original condition. This example has been professionally serviced by Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix to ensure reliable performance while preserving its originality and honest original patina, valued by knowledgeable collectors. The watch includes our 1-Year Limited Warranty and comes with the box and booklet shown.
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