A little vintage "slang" help please...

[thewatchguy93]

Hello vintage folk...


So, i'm very new too the vintage scene and during my prowling frequently in the vintage section I find myself stumbled with all of the "slang" / terminology used here.


I would really appreciate if some of you could be so kind and give me a little help here..


A few that I have come across to date...


- Gilt dial
- Flat 6
- Open 6
- Radial Dial
- Chapter Ring
- Top hat
- Fat lady
- Bubble back
- Nipple
- Meters first
- Sigma dial
- Wide boy
- Tropical


Another thing... I here a lot of talk in the millions 1.5million 2.2million 5.2million etc... what does this mean?


So sorry for my ignorance here peeps, I would really reallyy appreciate a little help/ insight into understanding this terminology..


Much appreciated



Dino

[LAFlyer]

I don't want to guess on any of the slang. I am better off not showing my ignorance! <grin>

The "millions" are referring to the serial number.

I just bought a Rolex circa 1971 and the serial number is in the 3 millions.

You can find a list of Rolex serial numbers and the years they represent by googling.

There is probably one here on this website (I'm new and don't know the site very well.)

[dexvd]

Originally Posted by Dingoo93

Hello vintage folk...


So, i'm very new too the vintage scene and during my prowling frequently in the vintage section I find myself stumbled with all of the "slang" / terminology used here.


I would really appreciate if some of you could be so kind and give me a little help here..


A few that I have come across to date...


- Gilt dial
- Flat 6
- Open 6
- Radial Dial
- Chapter Ring
- Top hat
- Fat lady
- Bubble back
- Nipple
- Meters first
- Sigma dial
- Wide boy
- Tropical


Another thing... I here a lot of talk in the millions 1.5million 2.2million 5.2million etc... what does this mean?


So sorry for my ignorance here peeps, I would really reallyy appreciate a little help/ insight into understanding this terminology..


Much appreciated



Dino

I'm a bit of a noob as well but can impart what I have picked up so far, some of this may be incorrect however.

-Gilt dial, gold lettering seen on some Rolex dials
- Radial Dial, little lines around the outside edge of the dial (this one was way off oops)
- Meters first, on some submariners the text for the depth it has been pressure tested to reach, the meters are written before the equivalent measurement in feet.
- Tropical, when the paint of a black dial has aged to turn brown.

[R.W.T.]

Okay...one view...

Gilt Dial: a dial made with a process where the nomenclature is actually the exposing of the metal of the dial base underneath the color coat of the dial...showing the nomenclature and time markings as the color of the dial base...gold or gilt.

Flat 6...haven't heard that one.

Open 6: refers to the beginning of the figures containing the number 6 on a date wheel as opposed to closed where it touches the tail like 6 here does.

Radial Dial: is a certain era of 1675 dials that utilizes very small dots for plots recessed in slightly further away from the minute tics.

Chapter ring: refers actually to a closed minutes dial meaning that the minute tics are connected by a solid line on the outside toward the rim of the dial as opposed to the later style or "open minute track".

Top Hat: refers to an old style of 1680 submariner plexi crystal that was very tall and flat.

Fat Lady: is the name given to the GMT II first generation because of it's thick case like that of a Sea Dweller.

Bubble Back: is a nickname given to early rolex automatics because the back of the case was bubbled out to accept the auto rotor.

Nipple Dial: refers to the markers dials on Gold subs or Gold and Steel and Gold GMT models shaped like little cones...before the current issue with the large gold surrounds.

Meters First: refers to the meters designation coming before the feet designation on early matte dialed submariners.

Sigma dial: refers to an era of datejust dials that use o swiss o or similar at 6:00

Wide Boy: A type of Datejust or Day Date dial with wide stick markers with a wide rectangular surface noted on the top of the larger rectangular marker.

Tropical: Oh boy....any wasted or fried dial on any watch loosely....specifically nicely browned dials...but also more correctly on early bubblebacks and oysters watches with gold tops and stainless steel backs manufactured speculatively marketed for tropical climates.

How'd I do? lol

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

Okay...one view...

Gilt Dial: a dial made with a process where the nomenclature is actually the exposing of the metal of the dial base underneath the color coat of the dial...showing the nomenclature and time markings as the color of the dial base...gold or gilt.

Flat 6...haven't heard that one.

Open 6: refers to the beginning of the figures containing the number 6 on a date wheel as opposed to closed where it touches the tail like 6 here does.

Radial Dial: is a certain era of 1675 dials that utilizes very small dots for plots recessed in slightly further away from the minute tics.

Chapter ring: refers actually to a closed minutes dial meaning that the minute tics are connected by a solid line on the outside toward the rim of the dial as opposed to the later style or "open minute track".

Top Hat: refers to an old style of 1680 submariner plexi crystal that was very tall and flat.

Fat Lady: is the name given to the GMT II first generation because of it's thick case like that of a Sea Dweller.

Bubble Back: is a nickname given to early rolex automatics because the back of the case was bubbled out to accept the auto rotor.

Nipple Dial: refers to the markers dials on Gold subs or Gold and Steel and Gold GMT models shaped like little cones...before the current issue with the large gold surrounds.

Meters First: refers to the meters designation coming before the feet designation on early matte dialed submariners.

Sigma dial: refers to an era of datejust dials that use o swiss o or similar at 6:00

Wide Boy: A type of Datejust or Day Date dial with wide stick markers with a wide rectangular surface noted on the top of the larger rectangular marker.

Tropical: Oh boy....any wasted or fried dial on any watch loosely....specifically nicely browned dials...but also more correctly on early bubblebacks and oysters watches with gold tops and stainless steel backs manufactured speculatively marketed for tropical climates.

How'd I do? lol

Wow, what a response!! Incredibly in depth and very helpful indeed. Thanks so much


My only query in your answers is... "Radial Dial: is a certain era of 1675 dials that utilizes very small dots for plots recessed in slightly further away from the minute tics."

I have googled this for images. And can't pin point the differentiation between a standard GMT dial and a Radial.


Thanks again, very informative indeed.

[Paul]

Here's a standard 1675 dial ....





.... and here's a radial dial

[springer]

The Fat lady is slang for the GMT II model 16760 made from around 1984-1988. It is also referred to as the Sophia Loren = obviously due to the larger case and its "shapely curves."

[foodle]

Originally Posted by Dingoo93

- Flat 6

Perhaps you mean "flat 4"? The not-really-vintage 16610LV bezels sometimes have a "4" with a flat top that are referred to as "flat 4".

And you're missing some fun ones like:
Bart Simpson
Spider dial
Rail dial

[R.W.T.]

Radial dial....sigh...I think it's so cool...

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

Fat Lady: is the name given to the GMT II first generation because of it's thick case like that of a Sea Dweller.

I've always wondered about that one. Now I know!

Does anybody have a picture of a fat lady next to a non-fat lady to demonstrate the difference in case size/shape?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by springer

The Fat lady is slang for the GMT II model 16760 made from around 1984-1988. It is also referred to as the Sophia Loren = obviously due to the larger case and its "shapely curves."

Just Love ..that analogy .. Couldnt be better said, or attributed..

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by foodle

Perhaps you mean "flat 4"? The not-really-vintage 16610LV bezels sometimes have a "4" with a flat top that are referred to as "flat 4".

And you're missing some fun ones like:
Bart Simpson
Spider dial
Rail dial

he might also mean flat 3 - in the date -wheel?!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by jatco

Just Love ..that analogy .. Couldnt be better said, or attributed..

yep, bet she'd be delighted to know a bunch of watch weirdos named an angular steel case after her…

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I've always wondered about that one. Now I know!

Does anybody have a picture of a fat lady next to a non-fat lady to demonstrate the difference in case size/shape?

This was coined by Tomvox

[foodle]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

he might also mean flat 3 - in the date -wheel?!

Good point, as we're talking vintage.

[descartes]

My personal favorite is "Overttone", which refers (in Italian) to the egg shape of the large bubblebacks from the 50's. Americans refer to these as "O Tony's".

[azguy]

Top hat

20140716_112834_resized.jpg

[descartes]

A truly excellent explanation of what a 1665 "rail dial" is, and its significance and rarity (even compared to the "Double Red" 1665), can be read here:

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/show-f...the-rail-dial/

This is a most interesting watch for a collector IMO, and there seems to be reasonably good authority that only about 400-600 of these dials were produced in the short run they were manufactured.

[thewatchguy93]

Thanks for everyones input here you guys :thumsbup:


I'm sorry to say, I really struggling with Radial dial... I just can't see the difference....

[JerimiahLee]

I will add:

Sigma Dial - also applicable to other models including the Daytona where white gold was used on the dial. Noticeable in the right natural light. Again indicated by the "O T Swiss T O" on the bottom of the dial.

Here is an example I formerly owned and now on the wrist of a forum member.

[omitohud]

Check out the general section. It has the list of the terms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[omitohud]

If u look closely the radial one has longer markers which makes it more focus n nicer IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[R.W.T.]

The plots on the radial dial are considerably smaller in diameter and they are much further away from the minute tics than on the regular dial.

It gives it a "RADIAL" looking effect. The minute tics also seem longer and protrude into the dial further.

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

The plots on the radial dial are considerably smaller in diameter and they are much further away from the minute tics than on the regular dial.

It gives it a "RADIAL" looking effect. The minute tics also seem longer and protrude into the dial further.

THANK YOU !!!

[CrownMe]

Odd questions for someone with the instagram name @thewatchguy

I know your new to vintage which is Very different from the modern.

[dexvd]

What is the bart simpson is that just a term for a certain patina like tropical?

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by dexvd

What is the bart simpson is that just a term for a certain patina like tropical?

The coronet looks like Bart's head.

[omitohud]

I found this site, which is really cool. Never mind the translation though.

http://translate.google.com/translat...01%26bih%3D641