I think what we have here is a Date King. The watch has clearly never been opened, there isn't a mark anywhere on the inside or even in the locking ring. When I opened the back, the gasket was well stuck to it, and I had to carefully separate the back from it. This always worries me somewhat, as it means the watch has never been serviced at all. As received it is clearly suffering from being totally dried out, amplitude is low and even winding it is difficult. Hopefully there hasn't been too much damage from being run. It is possible the watch was put away soon after it being recieved, that would be the ideal situation.
Anyway, it was so sticky the reason it was brought in was the crown unscrewed because of the extra tension in the dried out cannon pinion, having only recently been purchased from an estate. The leather band is a recent replacement and not original. The pics really don't do this justice, it really is a handsome piece. The inside case back bears a reference number in ink: 2523
For 1965 I would agree with you that this one is the Date King, 1967 ad shows this one a possible match to the 'LL' variant. Looks untouched.
Is the marker at 12 on your dial angled like the ad?
In reply to For 1965 I would agree with by Andersok
Yes, hard to see but it is a triangle shape.
Hard to tell from the pics, but the indices are stepped vertically. I thought it looked like the 'TT' but the two adverts are almost identical except for the bracelet:
The lugs are illustrated as different also, more 'crablike' in the 'LL'. I'd say based on this it is a Date King 'LL'.
Lugs between the two adverts also look a bit different, but may just be the rendering. The 'TT' variant does mention white gold version.
The subject watch lugs look to match that of the the "LL" variant.
1965 Bulova Date King "LL"
That's a fine looking watch Rob, I cant' see that it got much wrist time.
1965 Bulova Date King LL
1965 Bulova Date King "LL"
A very nice watch indeed.
1965 Bulova Date King "LL"
1965 Bulova Date King "LL" works for me.