The Bart Simpson and The Classic Coronet

[TheButcher]

great write up.

[xfhxzfh]

Hi John. One of the most comprehensive writeups on the gilt gloss Bart sub dials I've ever seen. Thanks.

[roll9]

Great usable and fun information. Thanks!

[badass09]

That's awesome knowledge man.. learned something new today...

[TurboM3]

I'm new to the vintage scene so the s is great info! Thank you

[Keldw]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

There has been some talk on the forum recently about the last run of gilt gloss dials for the Rolex Submariner aka the "Bart Simpson" dial.

While this may be a bit pedestrian for some of the vintage collectors here, I thought it might be helpful to some of the new members to compare the "Bart Simpson" gilt gloss dial to the more classic gilt gloss dial that immediately preceded it. I must confess that I learned something myself.

Photos used with permission from Andrew Shear.

The "Bart Simpson" dial, so named because of the odd shaped coronet resembling the odd shape of Bart Simpson's head, is considered by collectors to be the last run of gilt gloss dials for the 5512 and 5513 before the change to the matte dials. As such, the serial number range for the dial is typically in the 1.4 to 1.5 mil range, with examples also being seen a little earlier and a bit later in the 1.3 mil and 1.6 mil serial number range as well.

Starting from the top of the dial, its easy to spot the coronet for which the dial is named. But, I don't want to stop there because I think it's important for collectors to know the other nuances about the dial to make sure that the dial has not been altered/repaired/restored etc.

So here goes:
....The "L" in Rolex is all the way to the left of center and underneath the coronet
....The "P" in Perpetual is directly under the extended part of the serif on the "L"
in Rolex.
....When considering the depth rating and the text below it, the 2 and the 0 are
directly over the S and the U in Submariner, the 6's are open, and the horizontal
marks of the "f" and "t" are aligned.





While I have seen examples of the more classic coronet seen below in the very late 1.0 mil serial range, it is typically seen in the 1.1 to 1.3 mil serial range prior to the "Bart Simpson". Please allow that there is some overlap during the transition of this dial to the "Bart Simpson" dial. It is also common to see this dial with an underline in the serial range that correspond to 1963.

Again starting from the top of the dial it is evident that this coronet is shaped with, shall I say cleaner lines than the "Bart Simpson"?

Other differences are as follows:
....While the "L" in Rolex is to the left of center and underneath the coronet, the "P" in
Perpetual is farther to the left and underneath the "L" in Rolex.
....The shape of the letter "S" in Submariner is distinctly different on this dial
than the "Bart Simpson" dial.
....The horizontal marks on the "f" and "t" in the depth rating are not aligned as
they are on the "Bart Simpson" dial

Excellent write up. Thank you

[jamesmay]

awesome post bro

[cell1010]

Hello just one question. I have seen a few non Bart dials, like the one that is shown in the original post in 1,58M cases. Seems to be correct, isn't it?

Thank you very much for this tutorial!!!

[Beaumont Miller II]

It's possible, but I would want to talk with the person selling it and consider the provenance.

[SearChart]

I'm slowly broadening my knowledge of Rolex, thanks a million John!

[fabio1965]

Very interesting, thx !:pollice in su:

[AR5150]

Wow, very cool info. Thank you! As a newbie to vintage Rolex I'm learning the more I know and learn, the more there is to know and learn! So much minute details and info it's a bit overwhelming. As a new Rolex enthusiast with only a couple of, well not vintage, but less modern pieces, and who would like to add a vintage piece sometime very soon, I'd like to know more.

My humble collection thus far. 16800 and E series 16520, with i'm told a MK3 dial.

[fghuj]

Wow John, thanks for that. Extremely interesting.

[10after10]

wow didnt even know about these.
Learn something new everyday.

Thank you sir for the post

[droptopman]

Great post and thank you for providing the information. Very helpful as I have been looking for one for quite some time and this is a great reference to look back to. 1966 is my birth year and the "Bart" is my grail piece. Sooner or later I will acquire one....

[Keldw]

Here my 5512. 1.47 serial with a l.66 case back

[Beaumont Miller II]

That's a beauty

[Keldw]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

That's a beauty

Thank you Beaumont

It does have a minor flaw on the dial, but I´ve chosen to live with it.

[Tarandy]

Brilliant thanks

[Keldw]

Flaw or no flaw, I love this watch

[GrandAnimus]

Very informative, thanks!

[Hairdude1]

Good to know Thanks!

[petemc1953]

reat post

[project_alpha]

Thanks for the informative write-up. Cheers!

[A.F.W.]

It looks quite different in various light conditions.
It is 1.35 million series.




[QUOTE=QueueCumber;5319369]It's probably worth noting that the gilt features of the Bart Simpson dials can get a bit wonky/fuzzy depending on the level of crazing. The paint/gloss on these generally have major crazing issues, but the crazing comes with a beautiful brown tropical hue in many cases.

Here is a closeup of mine (bought from Christies private sales) that has a bit of wonkiness on the crown and lettering due to micro-crazing:

[bigmigs]

Thanks John

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by bigmigs

Thanks John

Your welcome

[Dries]

Here's mine Bart 1.3m

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

There has been some talk on the forum recently about the last run of gilt gloss dials for the Rolex Submariner aka the "Bart Simpson" dial.

While this may be a bit pedestrian for some of the vintage collectors here, I thought it might be helpful to some of the new members to compare the "Bart Simpson" gilt gloss dial to the more classic gilt gloss dial that immediately preceded it. I must confess that I learned something myself.

Photos used with permission from Andrew Shear.

The "Bart Simpson" dial, so named because of the odd shaped coronet resembling the odd shape of Bart Simpson's head, is considered by collectors to be the last run of gilt gloss dials for the 5512 and 5513 before the change to the matte dials. As such, the serial number range for the dial is typically in the 1.4 to 1.5 mil range, with examples also being seen a little earlier and a bit later in the 1.3 mil and 1.6 mil serial number range as well.

Starting from the top of the dial, its easy to spot the coronet for which the dial is named. But, I don't want to stop there because I think it's important for collectors to know the other nuances about the dial to make sure that the dial has not been altered/repaired/restored etc.

So here goes:
....The "L" in Rolex is all the way to the left of center and underneath the coronet
....The "P" in Perpetual is directly under the extended part of the serif on the "L"
in Rolex.
....When considering the depth rating and the text below it, the 2 and the 0 are
directly over the S and the U in Submariner, the 6's are open, and the horizontal
marks of the "f" and "t" are aligned.





While I have seen examples of the more classic coronet seen below in the very late 1.0 mil serial range, it is typically seen in the 1.1 to 1.3 mil serial range prior to the "Bart Simpson". Please allow that there is some overlap during the transition of this dial to the "Bart Simpson" dial. It is also common to see this dial with an underline in the serial range that correspond to 1963.

Again starting from the top of the dial it is evident that this coronet is shaped with, shall I say cleaner lines than the "Bart Simpson"?

Other differences are as follows:
....While the "L" in Rolex is to the left of center and underneath the coronet, the "P" in
Perpetual is farther to the left and underneath the "L" in Rolex.
....The shape of the letter "S" in Submariner is distinctly different on this dial
than the "Bart Simpson" dial.
....The horizontal marks on the "f" and "t" in the depth rating are not aligned as
they are on the "Bart Simpson" dial

Unfortunately, pics NLA...

[ravenhome777]

hehe