The fake Rolex Air-King 116900 is a replica of the 40 mm Oystersteel Air-King that Rolex made from 2016 to 2022. A good replica copies the 40 mm case, the black dial with Arabic 3, 6, and 9 numerals, the green dial accents, and a Caliber 3131 style movement with a 48 hour power reserve. Quality ranges from cheap quartz lookalikes to high end clones that use a 28,800 vph automatic and a soft iron inner shield.
What are the real Rolex Air-King 116900 specs?
The genuine reference uses a 40 mm Oystersteel case with a polished domed bezel, a Twinlock screw down crown, and a sapphire crystal. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres. The dial is black with white gold Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9, plus green accents that tie the model to its Bloodhound SSC heritage.
Inside sits Caliber 3131, a 28,800 vph automatic with a 48 hour power reserve and a soft iron magnetic shield rated to 1,000 gauss. That shield is one of the hardest things for a replica maker to reproduce.
Which details separate a replica from the genuine 116900?
Check the dial first. Genuine numerals are white gold appliques with sharp edges, and the printing sits flat and crisp under magnification. Replicas often show soft edges, thick ink, or a green tone that leans yellow.
- Case profile: genuine lugs have sharp bevels and even brushing, while fakes show rounded edges or polished sides.
- Bracelet fit: genuine Oyster links sit tight with no rattle and a flush clasp crown.
- Movement sound and sweep: a quartz fake ticks once per second, while an automatic sweeps smoothly.
- Rehaut and engraving: genuine inner ring text aligns with the minute track, and fakes often sit off centre.
- Crown action: genuine winding is smooth with a firm click into each position.
What movements do replica Air-King 116900 watches use?
Entry replicas run quartz or a low grade DG2813 with rough finishing and a short service life. Mid tier copies use an ETA 2824 clone or 2836 with a genuine 28,800 vph beat rate. Top tier builds use a clone 3131 such as the SH3131 or VR3131, often with a decorative rotor and a case sized closer to the original.
What do replica Air-King 116900 watches cost?
- Budget tier, roughly $70 to $150: quartz or basic auto, wrong case thickness, printed dial.
- Mid tier, roughly $200 to $350: 28,800 vph movement, sapphire crystal, closer dial font.
- Super clone tier, roughly $450 to $800: clone 3131, 904L style steel option, magnetic shield in some builds.
Genuine secondary market prices for the 116900 sit far above these bands, so any Air-King 116900 sold near replica money is not authentic.
Is it legal to buy or sell a fake Air-King 116900?
No. Counterfeit watches infringe Rolex trademarks, and selling them is illegal in the United States and most of the European Union. US Customs can seize shipments, and sellers face civil claims plus criminal exposure for repeat trafficking. Buyers risk lost money, no warranty, and no recourse if the watch arrives broken.