This is the follow up to 1958 - 1960 thread found here. https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/gillette-adjustables-1958-1960.65501/ This covers the end of the Fat Boys, full Slim production years, the introduction of the Super Adjustables and Super Deluxe Adjustables. Synopsis In 1961 Gillette sold standard Fat Boys for the full year, Executives up until around Christmas season. Christmas season of 1961 usually around end of October they introduce the gold plated Aristocrat adjustable. They produced these with date codes from G3 (1961) - M3 (1967). They were sold continuously from Christmas of 1961 until Christmas of 1969. In 1962 the Fat Boys are dropped by May though it is known they sold excess inventory for up 2 years afterwards in foreign markets like Australia. The Slim is formally brought to market around May of 1962 in time for Father's Day. They produced them with dates codes of G3 (1961) - N4 (1968). Any Slims with date codes of G3 - H2 were most likely originally produced to be Aristocrats but were nickel plated and sold as Slim adjustables instead when first introduced. The Slim was sold continuously from mid 1962 until Sept. of 1969. The Super 84 and Super 109 formally come onto the market in Sept. of 1969. The Super 84 would last until 1975 and the Super 109 until 1988 The Super 84 was produced with date codes of N3 - V3 (68 - 75) and was sold from Sept of 69 at least until 1975. The advertising record is unclear on exactly when retailers stopped selling them. The Super 109 went through 3 major revisions first being from 1969 - 1976 date codes O1 - W4, second being the base plate going from metal to nylon being from 1977 - 1981 date codes x1 - B4 and the final revision being a knurling changed on the handle overlapping the second revision being from 1980 - 1988 date codes A1 - I2. The advertising record is also unclear exactly when they stopped selling these in stores. They may have still been available on shelves or through mail order as late as 1990. The Super Deluxe gold plated adjustables were produced with date codes of O1 - P2. The Super Deluxe adjustable was sold in the US starting around June of 1970 for Father's day until Christmas of 1971. The discrepancy in dates can possibly be attributed to fact these razors may have been introduced first in Japan in 1969 as the New Aristocrat before being brought stateside in 1970 and repackaged and branded as a Super Deluxe adjustable for the US market. The other factor in play is they may have delayed the introduction of the Deluxe Super Adjustable in the US until 1970 even though they might have been selling them in 1969 in Japan to sell down the remaining inventory of the Aristocrat razors. I'd be remiss to not mention that in 1968 adjustable band cartridges were first introduced making the Techmatic an adjustable.
Here are some key dates for the Fat Boy, Executive and Aristocrat. One of the last instances I found in the US for the Executives being sold. Later in the year instances exist in other countries. March of 1961 Last instance of the Fat Boy I found in March of 1962. They were offered at least until May of 62 before formally being discontinued in the US. First instance of the Aristocrat in time for Christmas of 1961. Last instance of the Aristocrat adjustable being sold in December of 1968 other instances throughout the year exist.
First instance I found of the Slim being sold in May of 62 in time for Father's day. Last instance I found in July of 1969. The Slim is discontinued and Super adjustables are formally introduced in September of the same year.
Formal introduction of both the Super 84 and Super 109. Earliest instance of the Super 84 Earliest instance of the Super 109 October of 1969 showing both together
Looks like I was wrong on the final sale date of the Aristocrat it was sold until December of 1969 not 1968. Ad from December of 1969 multiple instances are available throughout the year.
Super Deluxe (gold plated) adjustable sales date range in the US. It is possible the O1 through P2 razors were introduced prior as New Aristocrats in Japan. What is known is they do not show up for sale earlier than for Father's Day of 1970 in the US. The other factor in play is that besides being introduced in Japan first they may have delayed the introduction in the US as they sold down remaining stock of the gold plated Aristocrat through Christmas of 1969. early instance from June of 1970, earlier instances exist in May One of the last instances in June of 71, later instances exist as late as Christmas of 71. edit. I rewrote and expanded the synposis to include these razors since they had a short production and sale range.
The thread wouldn't be complete without pictures. What the razors share in common is they all use the same style of blade adjustment by lifting or lowering the base plate. Fat Boy style razors 1961 - 1962 Fat Boy 61 - 62 Executive 61 Slim style razors 1961 - 1969 Slim 62 - 69 Aristocrat 61 - 69 Super Adjustables aka Black Beauties 1969 - 88 Super 84 69-75 Super 109 V1 69-76 Super 109 V2 77 - 81 Super 109 V3 80 - 88 New Aristocrat (Japan) / Super Deluxe (US) 69-70 (Japan) / 70 - 71 (US)
Not sure what it is. Could be a prototype for all I know. If it was an earlier run of parts and not some prototype or limited test market piece you should find some F dated coded Aristocrats also out there.
I have my Dads Fatboy '58 E3 that my brother and I bought him for his birthday, he used it till his passing in '86. I have my Slim G3 that I bought in '61, would have bought the Fatboy but it would have gotten mixed up with my Dads, so I got the Slim that I still use today.