Bulova 1948 -Unknown

Submitted by OldTicker on April 2, 2011 - 12:51pm
Manufacture Year
1948
Movement Model
7AK
Movement Date Code
48 (A8)
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
21.6mm X17.6mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

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)

1948 Unknown Bulova 21J 7AK
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 5, 2011 - 8:58pm

Diamond enhancements to the Dial are Jeweler installed IMO.

mybulova_admin
Posted May 5, 2011 - 9:13pm

I doubt that Fifth as there are one or two known models that have this exact dial...the Director comes to mind.

IMO it s100% orginal to a Bulova dial, so chances are its an 'Excellency' variant (there's enough of them), but which one.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 5, 2011 - 10:01pm

Good question - one the Crystal experts could possibly help narrow down.

Glass looks beveled across?

OldTicker
Posted May 5, 2011 - 11:03pm

In reply to 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

OldTicker
Posted May 5, 2011 - 10:06pm

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.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 5, 2011 - 11:37pm

Greg, Based on Your findings IMO 'HIS EXCELLENCY' "EE" "FF" "GG" "HH" or "II"  -   I also own a '48 that does not display the 'Excellency' script on the Dial - all other traits are there. (21 J, Gold back)

JimDon5822
Posted October 7, 2021 - 8:10pm

Found the Case Design in the The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida) · 2 Dec 1949, Fri · Page 9

1948 His Excellency "KK" is the case.   Not sure if we can call it a KK due to the diamond dial.

His Excellency KK