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[checked revision]

Revision as of 03:32, 18 April 2026

Vintage Rolex is a catalogue problem as much as a collecting one. A single reference can carry a dozen dial variants across a twenty-year production run, with movement and case changes overlapping them, and placing a specific watch in its generation matters before anything else about it does. BezelBase is the archive that answers those questions, reference by reference.

Pages are indexed by reference number, the way collectors already think about these watches. The 5512 before the phrase "four-line gilt." The 1680 before "Red Sub." Each entry documents a reference's dial variants and production years, then maps the movement and bracelet fitments that travelled with them. Sources are named. Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than smoothed over. Scope is everything Rolex no longer makes, from the earliest bubbleback Oysters through the last five-digit Submariners. About →

Submariner

Era	References
Early 1953–59	6204 · 6205 · 6200 · 6536 · 6536/1 · 6538
Crown-guard 1958–90	5508 · 5510 · 5512 · 5513 · 5514 · 5517 · 1680
Five-digit 1979–2010	14060 · 14060M · 16800 · 16610 · 16610LV · 16803 · 16808 · 16613 · 16618

→ Full Submariner index

Explorer

Era	References
Pre-Explorer & early 1952–59	6150 · 6350 · 6610
Foundation 1960–89	1016
Modern 1989–2021	14270 · 114270 · 214270

→ Full Explorer index

GMT-Master

Era	References
Early 1955–59	6542
Long vintage 1959–79	1675
Transitional 1979–88	16750 · 16753 · 16758
Late GMT-Master 1988–99	16700
GMT-Master II 1983–2007	16760 · 16710 · 16713 · 16718

→ Full GMT-Master index

Oyster & Bubbleback

Era	References
Pre-Oyster / Submarine 1922–1926	3666
Pre-Perpetual Oyster 1926–1937	2136 · 3003 · 3004
First Bubbleback 1933–1935	1858
Two-piece Bubbleback 1936–1944	3131 · 3372
Oyster chronograph 1939–1945	3525
First Datejust / Ovettone 1945–1953	4467 · 5030 · 5031 · 6031 · 6075 · 6105
Triple calendar — Padellone 1949–1953	8171
Super Oyster (pre-Submariner) 1952–1953	6098

→ Full Bubbleback index

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |title=BezelBase — Watch Reference Encyclopedia
 |description=Encyclopedic reference for Rolex watches. Vintage and discontinued Rolex references documented — specs, dial variants, serial ranges, production history.
-|keywords=watch reference, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Bubbleback, Oyster, Ovettone, vintage Rolex, collector guide, watch history, production history, dial variants
+|keywords=watch reference, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Explorer, Rolex GMT-Master, Rolex Bubbleback, Oyster, Ovettone, vintage Rolex, collector guide, watch history, production history, dial variants
 }}
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 <div style="margin: 0.5em 0 1.5em 0; font-size: 110%;">
-'''Encyclopedic reference for Rolex watches.''' Production histories, dial variant taxonomies, serial range guides, movement specs, bracelet authentication, and collector context — organized by reference number. [[BezelBase:About|About →]]
+Vintage Rolex is a catalogue problem as much as a collecting one. A single reference can carry a dozen dial variants across a twenty-year production run, with movement and case changes overlapping them, and placing a specific watch in its generation matters before anything else about it does. BezelBase is the archive that answers those questions, reference by reference.
+Pages are indexed by reference number, the way collectors already think about these watches. The 5512 before the phrase "four-line gilt." The 1680 before "Red Sub." Each entry documents a reference's dial variants and production years, then maps the movement and bracelet fitments that travelled with them. Sources are named. Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than smoothed over. Scope is everything Rolex no longer makes, from the earliest bubbleback Oysters through the last five-digit Submariners. [[BezelBase:About|About →]]
+</div>
+<div style="text-align:center; margin:1.5em auto 2em auto; max-width:100%;">
+<div style="display:inline-block; max-width:min(420px, 92vw); width:100%;">
+[[File:Bezelbase_main_poster.webp|frameless|420x420px|link=]]
+</div>
 </div>
 == Submariner ==
-{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em;"
+{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em; table-layout:fixed;"
 |-
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Era
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px; width:220px;" | Era
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | No-date
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | References
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Date (steel)
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Date (precious metal)
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Early<br/><small>1953–59</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Early<br/><small>1953–59</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" colspan="3" | [[Reference:6204|6204]] · [[Reference:6205|6205]] · [[Reference:6200|6200]] · [[Reference:6536|6536]] · [[Reference:6536-1|6536/1]] · [[Reference:6538|6538]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:6204|6204]] · [[Reference:6205|6205]] · [[Reference:6200|6200]] · [[Reference:6536|6536]] · [[Reference:6536-1|6536/1]] · [[Reference:6538|6538]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Crown-guard<br/><small>1958–90</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Crown-guard<br/><small>1958–90</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:5508|5508]] · [[Reference:5510|5510]] · [[Reference:5512|5512]] · [[Reference:5513|5513]] · [[Reference:5514|5514]] · [[Reference:5517|5517]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:5508|5508]] · [[Reference:5510|5510]] · [[Reference:5512|5512]] · [[Reference:5513|5513]] · [[Reference:5514|5514]] · [[Reference:5517|5517]] · [[Reference:1680|1680]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:1680|1680]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | —
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Five-digit<br/><small>1979–2010</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Five-digit<br/><small>1979–2010</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:14060|14060]] · [[Reference:14060M|14060M]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:14060|14060]] · [[Reference:14060M|14060M]] · [[Reference:16800|16800]] · [[Reference:16610|16610]] · [[Reference:16610LV|16610LV]] · [[Reference:16803|16803]] · [[Reference:16808|16808]] · [[Reference:16613|16613]] · [[Reference:16618|16618]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16800|16800]] · [[Reference:16610|16610]] · [[Reference:16610LV|16610LV]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16803|16803]] · [[Reference:16808|16808]] · [[Reference:16613|16613]] · [[Reference:16618|16618]]
 |}
-<small>'''Collector landmarks:''' [[Reference:6538|6538]] Bond Sub · [[Reference:5513|5513]] 27-year run · [[Reference:1680|1680]] Red Sub · [[Reference:5514|5514]] COMEX · [[Reference:16610|16610]] 23-year benchmark · [[Reference:116610LV|116610LV]] Hulk · [[Reference:114060|114060]] last small Sub</small>
+'''[[Reference:submariner|→ Full Submariner index]]'''
-'''[[Reference:submariner|→ Full Submariner index]]''' — every reference with specs, movement progression, and collector landmarks
 == Explorer ==
-{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em;"
+{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em; table-layout:fixed;"
 |-
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Era
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px; width:220px;" | Era
 ! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | References
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Pre-Explorer & early<br/><small>1952–59</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Pre-Explorer & early<br/><small>1952–59</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:6150|6150]] · [[Reference:6350|6350]] · [[Reference:6610|6610]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Foundation<br/><small>1960–89</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Foundation<br/><small>1960–89</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:1016|1016]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Modern<br/><small>1989–2021</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Modern<br/><small>1989–2021</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:14270|14270]] · [[Reference:114270|114270]] · [[Reference:214270|214270]]
 |}
-<small>'''Collector landmarks:''' [[Reference:6350|6350]] first "Explorer" name · [[Reference:1016|1016]] 29-year run, gilt & matte eras · [[Reference:14270|14270]] Blackout</small>
+'''[[Reference:explorer|→ Full Explorer index]]'''
-'''[[Reference:explorer|→ Full Explorer index]]''' — every reference with specs, movement progression, and collector landmarks
 == GMT-Master ==
-{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em;"
+{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em; table-layout:fixed;"
 |-
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Era
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px; width:220px;" | Era
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Steel
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | References
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Two-tone / Gold
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Early<br/><small>1955–1959</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Early<br/><small>1955–59</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" colspan="2" | [[Reference:6542|6542]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:6542|6542]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Long vintage<br/><small>1959–1979</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Long vintage<br/><small>1959–79</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:1675|1675]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:1675|1675/3]] · [[Reference:1675|1675/8]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Transitional<br/><small>1979–1988</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Transitional<br/><small>1979–88</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16750|16750]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16750|16750]] · [[Reference:16753|16753]] · [[Reference:16758|16758]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16753|16753]] · [[Reference:16758|16758]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Late GMT-Master<br/><small>1988–1999</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Late GMT-Master<br/><small>1988–99</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16700|16700]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | —
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | GMT-Master II<br/><small>1983–2007</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | GMT-Master II<br/><small>1983–2007</small>
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16760|16760]] · [[Reference:16710|16710]]
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16760|16760]] · [[Reference:16710|16710]] · [[Reference:16713|16713]] · [[Reference:16718|16718]]
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:16713|16713]] · [[Reference:16718|16718]]
 |}
-<small>'''Collector landmarks:''' [[Reference:6542|6542]] first GMT-Master, bakelite bezel · [[Reference:1675|1675]] 20-year vintage core · [[Reference:16760|16760]] Fat Lady, first GMT-Master II · [[Reference:16700|16700]] last GMT-Master · [[Reference:16710|16710]] Pepsi · Coke · black across one long run</small>
+'''[[Reference:gmt-master|→ Full GMT-Master index]]'''
-'''[[Reference:gmt-master|→ Full GMT-Master index]]''' — every reference with specs, movement progression, and collector landmarks
 == Oyster & Bubbleback ==
-{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em;"
+{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:0.5em; table-layout:fixed;"
 |-
-! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | Era
+! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px; width:220px;" | Era
 ! style="text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc; padding:2px 4px;" | References
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Pre-Oyster / Submarine<br/><small>1922–1926</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Pre-Oyster / Submarine<br/><small>1922–1926</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:3666|3666]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Pre-Perpetual Oyster<br/><small>1926–1937</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Pre-Perpetual Oyster<br/><small>1926–1937</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:2136|2136]] · [[Reference:3003|3003]] · [[Reference:3004|3004]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | First Bubbleback<br/><small>1933–1935</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | First Bubbleback<br/><small>1933–1935</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:1858|1858]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Two-piece Bubbleback<br/><small>1936–1944</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Two-piece Bubbleback<br/><small>1936–1944</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:3131|3131]] · [[Reference:3372|3372]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Oyster chronograph<br/><small>1939–1945</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Oyster chronograph<br/><small>1939–1945</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:3525|3525]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | First Datejust / Ovettone<br/><small>1945–1953</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | First Datejust / Ovettone<br/><small>1945–1953</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:4467|4467]] · [[Reference:5030|5030]] · [[Reference:5031|5031]] · [[Reference:6031|6031]] · [[Reference:6075|6075]] · [[Reference:6105|6105]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Triple calendar — Padellone<br/><small>1949–1953</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Triple calendar — Padellone<br/><small>1949–1953</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:8171|8171]]
 |-
-| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold; white-space:nowrap;" | Super Oyster (pre-Submariner)<br/><small>1952–1953</small>
+| style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top; font-weight:bold;" | Super Oyster (pre-Submariner)<br/><small>1952–1953</small>
 | style="padding:4px; vertical-align:top;" | [[Reference:6098|6098]]
 |}
-<small>'''Collector landmarks:''' [[Reference:3666|3666]] pre-Oyster Submarine · [[Reference:1858|1858]] first Bubbleback, Didactic · [[Reference:3525|3525]] first Oyster chrono / POW watch · [[Reference:4467|4467]] first Datejust · [[Reference:6105|6105]] first Datejust-text dial · [[Reference:8171|8171]] Padellone · [[Reference:6098|6098]] Super Oyster, pre-Sub ancestor</small>
+'''[[Reference:bubbleback|→ Full Bubbleback index]]'''
-'''[[Reference:bubbleback|→ Full Bubbleback index]]''' — every reference with specs, movement progression, and collector landmarks
 </div>
 [[Category:BezelBase]]