Alright so I started wondering about that 2022 Rolex Air-King price after hearing rumors that Rolex prices took a nosedive. Figured I’d dig into it myself.
Getting Started
First thing I did? Hit up some watch forums and collector groups I’m in. People kept talking about how Rolexes weren’t selling like hotcakes anymore. One guy straight up said his “Green Gold Daytona” tanked from like 1.2 million RMB down to around 410k. Wild! Made me wonder how my favorite Air-King was holding up.
Checking the Numbers
Started looking at what folks were actually asking for. Found that same 2022 Air-King model, the reference 126900. Saw listings all over the place:
- One dude had his “like new” with box and papers for around 58k RMB
- Another was trying to move a blue dial older model close to 49k RMB
- Stumbled upon a really optimistic seller asking nearly 45k RMB for a 2008 model – crazy!
Here’s the kicker though. Remember when everyone said you just couldn’t get a new Rolex? Had to wait months? Well, things changed big time. Watched some market reports saying wait times for Subs went from like 105 days down to 60. GMT Master waits got cut in half too – from 180 days to 90. Guess people just ain’t lining up like before.
The Real Price Check
Decided to actually contact some sellers myself. Found one guy with a 2022 Air-King 126900. Asked straight up: “What’s your best price right now?”
Got hit back with this: “Bro, market’s slow. I’ll do 64k RMB.”
64k?! Thing is, I knew its original price was just over 50k RMB brand new back in 2022. That 16% “premium” they used to get easy? Not really holding up like before. Last year this same watch was going for almost 69k RMB. Clear as day that prices are softening up.
So… What’s the Deal?
Putting it all together:
- Market got flooded after everyone and their cousin tried buying Rolex as an “investment”
- That Rolex CPO program they started? Pulled a bunch of used sales back to authorized dealers, so fewer gems floating around the grey market.
- Air-King always felt like the weird cousin of the Professional line – popular but not a top dog like the Submariner. Means prices might slide more.
The bottom line? That seller offering 64k RMB? Maybe wait a bit. Prices are still coming down to earth after flying way too high. Remember when people thought any Rolex was a guaranteed money maker? Yeah, not anymore.