Air King White Rubber Replica
🛩️ Rolex Air-King 116900 40mm — White Rubber B Band & Oystersteel Case
VS Factory × Clean Factory — The Two Kings of Precision
The Rolex Air-King 116900 is the kind of watch that tells stories without words — stories of flight, of precision, of time measured by confidence rather than chance.
When I first handled the VS Factory version, I felt its weight before I saw its shine — the unmistakable density of 904L Oystersteel against the skin. Then came the dial: black, bold, and sharp, with Arabic numerals so crisp they looked printed by a jet’s altimeter.
And then, of course, there was the Clean Factory version — smoother to the touch, with every polished edge refined to a mirror finish, its White Rubber B strap giving it a modern, effortless contrast against steel.
Two factories. Two philosophies. One watch that deserves both.
⚙️ The Machine Beneath — Same Heart, Different Soul
Both VS and Clean factories equip their Air-King 116900 with their proprietary clone 3131 automatic movements, modeled on Rolex’s original Caliber 3131.
Each is a near-perfect mechanical twin, but their personalities differ:
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VS Factory’s 3131 Clone:
Built for endurance. The rotor hums quietly with a low-friction ceramic bearing system. You feel stability in every wind — a firm, reassuring resistance that collectors describe as “steel confidence.” -
Clean Factory’s 3131 Clone:
Built for refinement. The finishing under magnification is extraordinary — Côtes de Genève-style stripes, gold-tone engravings, and smoother gear polishing for silent rotor motion.
Both deliver 28,800 vibrations per hour, a 48-hour power reserve, and an accuracy of ±6 seconds per day — but the emotional experience is subtly different.
VS feels like a pilot’s tool. Clean feels like a jeweler’s art.
🔩 Craftsmanship & Exterior Design
The Air-King’s 40mm case is cut from solid 904L Oystersteel, CNC-machined and polished through a six-stage process.
The smooth bezel plays with light rather than reflecting it — a quiet luxury only Rolex could make timeless.
The black Arabic dial remains the soul of this model. Both VS and Clean factories capture its depth and layout perfectly, including:
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The precise green hue of the seconds hand
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The gold Rolex crown, proportioned 1:1 to genuine
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The balanced numerals at 3, 6, and 9 with mirror-polished edges
The White Rubber B band, however, brings a breath of modernity — sporty, pure, and surprisingly comfortable. It fits seamlessly with the original Oysterlock clasp, offering both luxury and function in equal measure.
🧾 Technical Specification Comparison
| Feature | VS Factory Air-King 116900 | Clean Factory Air-King 116900 | Genuine Rolex Air-King 116900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 40mm | 40mm | 40mm |
| Case Material | 904L Stainless Steel | 904L Stainless Steel | 904L Oystersteel |
| Dial | Black Arabic with green hand | Black Arabic with gold crown | Black Arabic with gold crown |
| Crystal | Sapphire with AR coating | Sapphire (genuine clarity) | Sapphire |
| Movement | VS3131 Clone Automatic | Clean 3131 Clone Automatic | Caliber 3131 |
| Beat Rate | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Accuracy | ±6 seconds/day | ±5 seconds/day | ±2 seconds/day |
| Bracelet | White Rubber B strap | White Rubber B strap | Oyster bracelet / optional Rubber B |
| Clasp | Folding Oysterlock | Folding Oysterlock | Folding Oysterlock |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters | 100 meters | 100 meters |
| QC Grade | A+ (Tool watch realism) | A++ (Luxury finishing) | Reference standard |
💭 Wearing Experience — Two Interpretations of the Same Legend
Slip the VS Factory Air-King onto your wrist and you feel it — that industrial honesty.
Every surface speaks of precision; every click of the clasp feels mechanical, deliberate. It’s a watch that says: “You can trust me.”
Then wear the Clean Factory version. The edges feel smoother, the dial seems a shade deeper under sunlight, the rubber band cleaner and more seamless in transition. It doesn’t try to copy — it tries to perfect.
The two versions don’t compete. They complement each other — one for the collector who values authenticity, the other for the wearer who values refinement.
🕰️ Final Thoughts — When Detail Defines Mastery
The Rolex Air-King 116900 40mm is one of those rare watches that blends purpose and poetry.
Whether from VS Factory or Clean Factory, the craftsmanship here speaks to how far Chinese high-end watchmaking has evolved — from imitation to interpretation.
It’s not about copying Rolex anymore. It’s about understanding it.
And that’s exactly what makes both versions worth wearing — proudly, confidently, and without apology.
