Will ROLEX Service An Air King Watch Without Papers?

Watches like air-king purchase from an official Rolex retailer comes with the paperwork necessary for service and repair. Air-king steel is sold on the grey market all over the world. When watches are not purchased from an Official Rolex seller with no papers, people also ask if a Rolex Service Center will take care of watches without an authenticity guarantee card. It is a valid question people also should consider when watching by a 'best offer' or free shipping. Stainless steel or yellow gold, or white gold Rolex watches will need servicing at some point in the future. Lower payment for luxury watches is one aspect of going for an independent seller vs a Rolex retailer. Authenticity guarantee and professional servicing for your watches are also important for selecting a range of best watches for men.

Rolex will service a genuine Rolex Air King without papers

Many Rolex watches do not have the original papers. It does not mean that the watch cannot be serviced at a Rolex Service Centre.  Furthermore, Rolex Air King service cost and prices are the same if you have the original documents or not. Stainless steel Air-king are sold without a certificate of authenticity by non official sellers. It does not mean automatically that the air-king is not a genuine timepiece from Rolex, but having the air-king certificate is useful if you want to sell it in the future.

What is the Rolex Papers?

Rolex paper is the green plastic card that comes with a new Air King watch. It looks like a credit card. It used to be a paper document, that is why everybody uses the terms Rolex document or Rolex paper.

Offical Rolex warranty card

The Rolex card is like the watch ID card. It includes the model reference and the serial number of the watch. The card is stamped with the name of the Rolex dealer and has the date of purchase. This card is also the Rolex warranty. There is only one card ever made for each Rolex watch. If the card is lost or stolen, it will not be replaced by Rolex SA. 

Airking watches with Rolex's documents, and papers will be served by any Rolex Centers all over the world. It is normally necessary to send your original guarantee documents if you have them. However, there can be several legitimate reasons why somebody does not have the original papers for their Rolex Air-King. Does Rolex service any Air King watches without Rolex papers? The answer is yes.

Here is why Rolex will service genuine Rolex Air King watches without papers

Rolex AirKing Watch Serial Number

An indication of air-king authenticity comes from its serial number. Rolex Air King has a serial number often found on the Oyster Case side. The number engraved on the case gives the reference to the model and movement. It also includes a unique serial number for the timepiece. The unique serial number can identify its original configuration and track its history.

Rolex Watches Identification

Watches from the Air collection can be service by Rolex because the watches serial number will be checked by the Rolex Service Centre. They will be able to see when it was registered and follow its service history profil. This way, every watches have a traceable authenticity guarantee, from entry-level men's stainless steel watches to Rolex's yellow gold watches. King watches are not expection.

A Rolex Service Centre can access the database to see if the Air King has been stolen or lost. They may keep the watch if it been reported as stolen.

The watch will be examined to check if it is a genuine Rolex Air-King. When a third party has upgraded an air-king, it may be more of an issue than having no records. If the watch has been modified or any work has carried out by third parties Rolex can refuse to service it.

If you do not have the original papers for your Air King, you need to know if the watch has been modified or service by an independent watchmaker. It is also a good thing to know where it was purchased or who was the previous owners. Any document related to its acquisition could be helpful.

If the Rolex Air-King watch without papers is a genuine Rolex, the air has not been modified, and it is not a stolen watch, then Rolex will service the watch.

The gasket seals on a Rolex Air King will wear down over time and become less water resistant. New gasket seals will be more watertight than old rubber gaskets.

Gasket placement and condition play a role in the wristwatch's water resistance. In spite of being quality seals, Rolex gaskets deteriorate over time and need to be replaced. A gasket can be dislodged by an impact. When determining the speed of gasket degradation, it is vital to consider the model waterproofness. The Rolex Air King that is used to swim in the sea will be subject to more stress than one that has never been exposed to saltwater.

Rolex watches are water-resistant because of their gaskets. Several gaskets are placed around the crystal, the winding crown, and the case back on the Rolex Air King in areas where water pressure can penetrate the wrist watch. The primary function of the gasket is to act as a water barrier. The strength of the barrier is the water-resistance of the watch.

Does Rolex Service Grey Market Rolex Air King?

I found out through my research that Rolex will service Rolex models purchased on the grey market. Grey markets are not the same as black markets. Genuine Rolex timepieces are sold by a grey market dealer who is not an authorized Rolex dealer. On the black market, Rolex fakes and stolen watches are sold. Your grey market Rolex Air King will be serviced as long as it is 100% authentic and hasn't been tampered with.

Identifying and examining the wristwatch is the first step of the Rolex Service. Rolex will seize counterfeit watches if they are fake. Just examining the Oyster case will tell a certified Rolex watchmaker that the watch is not a Rolex. The fake movement is immediately visible once the timepiece is opened. A Rolex clone will not deceive a professional Rolex watchmaker.

Rolex does not service fake watches or replica watches. The first step of the Rolex Service is the identification and examination of the watch. If the watch is fake, Rolex will seize the counterfeit watch. Just examining the Oyster case will tell a certified Rolex watchmaker that the watch is not a Rolex. When the watch is open, the fake movement will be immediately visible. The best counterfeit Rolex Air-King will not fool a Rolex watchmaker. 

Following are the steps followed in your service appointment.

1. Rolex Air King Watch Disassembly

‘The bracelet is detached from the watch case. The case is opened and the movement removed. The case is completely disassembled.’ (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

The Rolex Air King will be dismantled beginning with removing the band from the Oyster watch case, opening the casing, and then mechanical movement is removed.

2. Cleaning the Rolex Air-King Oyster Perpetual Movement

'The movement is dismantled and each component is ultrasonically cleaned in a special formulated solution' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

The movement is disassembled, and the parts are cleaned thoroughly in an ultrasonic machine using Rolex specially formulated cleaning solutions.

If your watch has water damage and salt residues have infiltrated your Rolex movements, this cleaning process will eliminate any trace of that salt.

3. Replacement of Watches Worn Out Components

'A Rolex watchmaker closely examines each individual component of the movement and identifies which components require replacement. Only genuine replacement parts supplied directly by Rolex Headquarters in Switzerland are used' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

The Rolex watchmaker then closely examines each individual component of the Rolex Air King. He identifies the components that require replacement for example, the mainspring.

Replacement of components is where you need to be careful; Rolex will replace any olds parts of your Rolex watch. An old unique part could be the element that makes your Rolex rare and collectable, but it will be replaced during a full service appointment. For example, a specific glass is only produced during a certain period and no longer used in the modern Rolex series. If the component is worn, the Rolex watchmaker will replace it with a new genuine Rolex glass. Not having the old original component will affect your Rolex value on the collector's market.

I recommend you be extremely specific on what you are authorising Rolex watchmaker to replace.

4. Rolex Air King Lubrication and reassembly of the movement

'Using the most advance lubricants, each functional component of the movement is carefully lubricated to minimise friction and prevent wear. This ensures that the movement of your Rolex timepiece will continue to perform accurately.' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

Many owners are misinformed and believe the surface is simply lubricating the movements, and therefor find the service appointment to be expensive. However, as it includes many other services as well, understanding the entire process is the only way to see the value in the Rolex Service appointment.

5. Rolex Air King Timing calibration

'The heart of your Rolex watch movement is its balance wheel, which has a frequency of over 690,000 beats per day. To ensure timekeeping precision, the watchmaker meticulously adjusts the balance wheel and electronically tests its timing accuracy. Your Rolex is then thoroughly tested and carefully observed over a period of several days to verify its performance.' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

With the 690,000 beats every day the timing calibration is extremely important and well worth the several days that it takes to monitor the calibration to be sure it is just right. It is observed not only sitting flat but also on the side dial, facing up and facing down. This also includes ensuring the timing standards of +2/-2 seconds per day is maintained before returning the watch.

6. Refinishing the Rolex Air King Case and Bracelet

'The same keen attention to detail that is devoted to servicing the movement of your Rolex also goes into servicing its case and bracelet. After the initial cleaning, the case and bracelet of your watch are closely examined, and any worn or damaged components replaced with genuine Rolex parts. Your case and bracelet are then expertly refinished and ultrasonically cleaned to restore lustre.' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

The Rolex polishing procedure will restore the lustre of Rolex watches almost to a brand new condition. Any deep scratches will not be completely removed, but it will be improved and small scratches will be removed.

Polishing or Not, Your Rolex Air King is a Personal Preference.

Some people like the feel of a new watch, and Rolex service refinishing is outstanding, but it erases the watch history for others. Knocks and scratches, for some people, are life memories they want to keep. To have your Rolex polished or not comes down to personal preference. At the beginning of the Rolex service, you can instruct the Rolex Service Centre not to polish your Air-King.

7. Reassembly of the Rolex Air King Case

'The case is carefully reassembled, and all the seals replaced to guarantee waterproofness' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

Watch gaskets are a wearable element of the Rolex Air-King that is replaced automatically during servicing. The Rolex Service Centre will reassemble your Rolex as the same standard as the Rolex factory in Switzerland.

8. Rolex Air King Waterproof tests

The watch case is rigorously tested to ensure it meets water resistance requirements. The three-step process – a vacuum test, a compression test and a condensation test – will reveal the presence of even the smallest amount of moisture inside the case.

Water and dust are harmful for any watches. Rolex watch is famous for its water-resistant Oyster case. Your new gaskets will be tested the same way as the factory testing before original purchase.

9. Final Quality Control of the Rolex Air King

'Rigorous quality checks are carried out at each stage of the servicing process. During the final check, the power reserve, timing accuracy and aesthetic appearance of your watch are verified one last time against manufacturing specifications to guarantee the highest possible standard of quality.' (source: Rolex Service Documentation)

A Rolex Service will have the same quality control standard as the Rolex manufacture in Switzerland.

10. Rolex Service 2 Years Warranty

The two year Service Guarantee: After a complete service, your Rolex is covered by a two year Service Guarantee. This guarantee excludes any damage or deterioration that results from an accident or from mishandling of the watch. Any intervention by a non-Rolex authorised third party or the addition of any non-Rolex manufactured parts or accessories will void the Service Guarantee. One work completed at a Rolex Service Centre is covered by the Rolex international warranty.