1948 Diamond Dial 21J 7AK, 48' date stamp on movement, 3 real (tested) diamonds, Applied Gold numbers on a Champagne colored dial with Black tracks, Bulova signed 10K Gold filled bezel and back, Speidel "Golden Templar" expansion band, 5X signed. Picked this up at a local estate auction, very near mint shape, winds, sets and runs excellent. Update; 4-4-2011 Unknown number 2 arrived today off of the bay, this one has a 49' date stamp personal engraving, :-( and not as nice, different crystal and band, Satin White dial, 21J 7AK and in need of a good polish. (Last Picture)
In reply to Good question - one the by FifthAvenueRes…
I thought of that also Mark,
The size of the crystals on the 2 watches are the same, the first one is shaped like the GS CMX326-35 with a slight curve at the ends, made for the His Excellency "EE" "FF" "GG" "HH" "II" , and also fits the Director.
The second watch pictured has a flat top crystal, like the CMX326-35H, same specs but looks to be a newer crystal because it has a Bulova model number of 1017DI or Chesterfield "A" in the catalog
So one may have the right crystal, or they both could be wrong, 21.6mm x 17.6mm Seems to be a popular size with Bulova
This ad is from 1948, Bulova was advertising Diamond dial watches, so they were factory made back then, or both that I have came from the same Jeweler.
The case design on this unknown is one that I have not seen in any ad's so far and the picture with the "Excellency" logo on this dial moves it towards one of the many His Excellency models, now to find the ad.