Wasn’t it 34mm or even 31mm? In my opinion it’s too small for the wrist in the photo… And that’s how it would look on mine.

That’s why I don’t talk about it.

 

The 6420 which I have is 30mm excluding the crown with a lug width of 17mm

It’s just a shame they get so overlooked on the basis of the size bearing in mind the history the line has

 

The 6420 which I have is 30mm excluding the crown with a lug width of 17mm

It’s just a shame they get so overlooked on the basis of the size bearing in mind the history the line has

There’s about a half dozen AirKings I would like to own. I don’t think 34mm looks proportionate on my wrist… Has nothing to do with “today’s fashion”. Plus they’re cheap because few want them! I also don’t wear anything much over 40mm.

 

The reality of modern Rolex/Tudor online forums is they have for many years become discussion locations for primarily sport/tool models and to a lesser degree, Datejust topics.

It is futile to fight this trend, even though you may have your favorite niche model, in this case, the Speedking.

It does not diminish whatever affection you feel for the Speedking, or old Air King, or Bubbleback or early versions of the Oyster Perpetual, it's just discussion forums follow the topics a majority of participants want to talk about and the smaller, older Rolex models are not falling into that stream.

 

Yeah, if I found something that I really liked that no one else seems to be paying any attention to, I'd keep it to myself.

Why would I give away a treasure map?

Sweet watch btw. 😉

 

30mm is a tough sell for a mens watch. 34 - 44 is pretty much the de facto modern standard. I think it is as simple as that.

 

This exactly. The size standards have changed quite a bit over the past decades. That probably explains the lack of attention to the Speedking.

That said, it looks great on your wrist!

 

Just an out of curiosity post really why the Rolex Speedking rarely gets any mention apart from the odd post here and there

I do own a Speedking and yes for todays standards they are extremely small at 30mm excluding the crown

but the history of this line is definitely interesting with links to the race car driver Sir Malcom Campbell to the choice of Officers being held captive during WW2 in prisoner of war camps ( Rolex Magazine has a great article explaining that one )

Right up to the fact Steve McQueen wore one in the Great Escape .. that in itself is usually enough to send people wild

is it basically down to the fact it is just too small to be worthy of adding or sourcing one to your collection or they are just deemed a bit so so ?
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Nice looking vintage watch you got there [emoji106]

I think the real reason why Speedking rarely gets any mention here is because it is an older watch, and there's very few in circulation nowadays, especially here on the forum. Just like anything, be it cars or audio stuff, vintage stuff are no longer mainstream and are really only discussed amongst a small group of enthusiasts. Take for example, today's watches in 20 years' time. It will be forgotten as the discussion will move on to the latest and greatest for the day.

 

Yes, size matters. If you like 30 mm, good, enjoy the watch. My father gifted me high 1972 Explorer 1016 that he wore for 30 years. I wore it for 20 years or so and then got a few Subs, GMT, Explorer II, etc. The 1016 is now relinquished to the safe. It's a great watch with one of the BEST dials that Rolex ever made, but 36 mm for me just looks dainty on my wrist. 34 mm and below is pretty much a hard pass from me.

 

It does make sense why people would overlook this model given the age , size etc

and obviously the Rolex catalogue is packed full of iconic watches with amazing stories and history attached to each line

I guess my personal draw wasn’t for any potential future value or rare collectibility

I was just interested in the back story of the Speedking line the whole link to motor racing breaking speed limits to being known as the POW watch worn by officers

and obviously the Steve McQueen link .. because it was Steve McQueen !

As much as I do love the watch I do agree with others it would of been nice to be a little bigger

 

Historically speaking, I suspect he'd be wearing the A-11.

 

Not many American men could zip up McQueen size 36 A-2 flight jacket these days either.

 

I would wear a 34 but not a 30

 

I don't think there's anything strange about not seeing lots of discussion. It was discontinued 50 years ago; it'd be surprising to see lots of forum discussion about a watch Rolex stopped making half a century ago.

 

Great watch but just too small for a mens watch these days

 

I have a gold speedking in my collection and really like the change in size to my large divers.

 

First time I've seen a picture of this. Thanks for sharing.

Now are those rivets actually functional? I assume yes

 

Perhaps it could be reimagined as a watch for stay-at-home housewives, the Speed Queen!

Oh, wait, never mind, wrong image there...