Rose Gold model with original rose gold Kreisler Quality mesh bracelet. Added 6/12/2011
Changed from Director to His Excellency 7/17/11 Photos Updated 11/09/2022
Hello Geoff,
My name is Donna and I live in Palm Beach, Florida. This watch brings back memories for me. My dad had the exact same watch and looking at it really brings back fond memories of my dad. How did you happen to come across this watch if I may ask and do you happen to know if there are any more out there. I would love to own one as a keepsake memory of my dad. Thanks Geoff for your help.
I was wondering the same thing Stephen. The last ad that shows this watch labeled as a Director is dated 1946.
Last Director ad below. Dated 1946
As a matter of fact the Princeton to the left of the Director is changed to Excellency ## & available in white, yellow & pink consolidating the Excellency Group a tad.
The subject watch is 1947...so that may mean its a 'His Excellency'
Wayne you're dead right. It looks like 46 was the year they started to introduce the Excellecy Group.
This looks to one of the first ads introducing the group.
http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/vintage_ads/bulova%20ad%201…
Ahh the penny just dropped, sort of.
In 1946 it appears that Bulova grouped a number of their top line 21 Jeweled watches as the all new 'Excellency Group'. Then in 1947 Bulova release a number these 21 jeweled watches as 'His Excellency' or 'Her Excellency' followed by 2 letters in indicate the model variant.
The 1946 mens watches that looked to have formed the 'Excellency Group' are:
- Tudedo
- Princeston
- Ambassador
- Statesman
- Treasurer
- Director
- Craftsman
Some of these (not all) looked to have been rebadged as 'His Excellecy' models in 1947.
Bulova seemed to really pushing the 21 jewel line during 1946/47 as the top of the line watches.
So it'll come down to the line with Geoff's watch at the top of this post. if it was infact sold in 1946 then its more likely to be a Director, but if it was sold in 1947 then its a His Excellency, model ??
I notice that Geoff has indicated that the movement is stamped 47.
Sorry - must have nodded off and missed all the excitement. Interesting dialog around this fellow. I myself first cataloged it myself as a Statesman and at some point - not sure when- changed it to the Director.
I agree with most of what's posted above however I note one exception. We have an ad dated 1944 showing this very case design as 'His Excellency". I suspect that Stephens analysis above it spot on, but is the '44 ad is mis-dated?
Either way - Flipping it to His Excellency...........