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I have a stainless Rolex Air King available for sale. It is the reference 5500 with 1520 movement. 34mm case. Vintage 1979 with original oyster bracelet. This is a retirement piece with case back engraved. The watch is in excellent condition for its age. No box or paperwork. No additional links. It has seven links on top side and five links on bottom. Approximate measurement is 7 to 7.25”. I can text or email more detailed pictures upon request.
$2,750

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/19179539/air-king

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What’s the engraving on case back?

Name, dates of employment and “southern natural gas”. It was a retirement gift to the original owner.

Service history ?

Can the case back be replaced?

I have owned it since 2014. No service by me. As far as I know the watch is original. Currently operating fine. Caseback could be replaced. Please pm for further details. Thanks for the interest!

PM ok ?

Sure

PM sent good luck on your sale nice 5500.

PM sent good luck on your sale nice 5500.

Is that a manual wind or kinetic?
Thanks!

The movement is automatic/kinetic.

Any idea what it would cost to have the watch serviced and to replace the back?

I do not. I am sure it can be swapped out. I have just considered it part of the history and character of the watch. Especially considering it’s 45 years old.

Any idea of the +- seconds per day?

I can check.

Rolex service is around $800.00.. and they "strongly" recommend all service is done thru them.. No idea what it cost to replace
the back. Last I heard there are three Service centers in the US.. Dallas, Beverly Hills, and NYC.. You may want to contact them for help.
There are other "approved" service centers, but in my experience they all charge about the same... so I went with the one in Dallas.

However, the watch hasn't kept correct time since the last service..

Rolex service sets the upper limits of cost. There are several qualified watchmakers that can service for far less. Sometimes the best policy is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. An authorized Rolex service center is also going to bring the watch up to spec and change parts as they deem needed. They don’t care if it affects the value and sometimes it’s a negative effect to a vintage watch.