Bulova 1948 His Excellency

Submitted by Reverend Rob on April 15, 2012 - 7:53pm
Manufacture Year
1948
Movement Model
7AK
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
8111295
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

After some homework in the archives, I think this one is an American Eagle, but not sure if it's a variant, there's another in the database which matches it. The square datecode is under the balannce. Fully serviced, the dial is a but grubby, and there is some brassing on a few high spots on the case. 21 jewels, and Breguet Overcoil. Due to excessive running in the past with no service, we have some sideshake issues which make for a variation of over 50 seconds in three positions. It keeps good time on the wrist, and after 24 hours showed only an 18 second gain. As always, what it says on the timing machine and what it does in practice are two different things. 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
NOVA
Posted April 15, 2012 - 8:36pm

I do not believe that the American Eagle has the notched lug.  There is a 1946 AE in the database, which I believe matches the ad for same.   I believe that the correct date for your watch is 1948, based on the case serial number, and that makes it one of the His Excellency line, as shown in the 1947, and following, ads.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 15, 2012 - 8:42pm

The movt, in addition to the square code, has the number '47'. You can see it in the fourth pic, bottom left, but it is blurry. I'm re-checking the ads... 

NOVA
Posted April 15, 2012 - 8:48pm

I do not believe that the movement is the most reliable dating mechanism, as the movement can be left over from a prior year, or changed at some later date.  I only use the movement date if it post-dates the case serial number by no more than one year.  It is not at all unusual for the movement to pre-date the case by a year or more, in which case I would always go with the later case date.  The leading "8" of the serial number indicates 1948 for the manufacture of your watch.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 15, 2012 - 11:55pm

Excellency it is, I changed the heading, but I seem to have lost one of my posts? Weird. There was no swearing in it or anything, maybe I pushed the wrong button. Or maybe the coffee I spilled on the keyboard has something to do with it. These touchy modern contrivances....

My thanks for the help, Nova.

bourg01
Posted April 17, 2012 - 6:51pm

If I recall correctly, The 46 American Eagle has a solid 14K Gold case.

NOVA
Posted May 10, 2012 - 10:18am

In reply to by bourg01

There's no indication of that in the ad, Shawn.  You may be thinking of the Duncan, Grant, or Tuxedo.