I've seen a couple of these in the last 10 years but I've always thought it was a redial. It appears to be a black luminescent dialed President from say the early 1940's. Almost like a "General", but with a yellow gold case and black dial vs the rose gold/copper.
What I think is happening, is a movement/dial swap from the 1946 Bulova Ambassador that we see in this advertisement from 1946. The movement/dials should be interchanglable in the 7A* series if I recall. Thoughts?
In reply to The dial of the subject is… by FifthAvenueRes…
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In reply to Show me your silver radium… by plainsmen
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A historical lesson about Radium Hands and Dials. Post WWI and the late 1920's - 1930's US Radium Corp, Orange, NJ had mainly women painting watch dials and hands for military use. They are known as the Radium Girls. They all died of horrific Bone disease caused by saliva and powdered and liquid radium mixing together. After the deaths, the 1930 Factory Workers Protection Act was passed. By 1940, Radium is this form was no longer used for commercial use within the timepiece industry. A enamel based harmless luminous paint was now is use. That is what you will see on most post 1940's dial and hands. John V. TIME & AGAIN
In reply to A historical lesson about… by JEV1A
I'm not so sure about the post 1940's use of Radium John.
Many parts packages (of hands) are marked RD (Radium) through the 40's and into the 1950's, particularly the Military stuff.
mid - late 1950's is the earliest date I see Luminous parts referred to as 'Lume' not Radium.
I believe there are two documented ads for the General. Yellow gold with white lumed dial and hands and Rose gold with copper lumed dial and hands. It is possible there was a black dial version but I have not seen any ads and the hands are not lumed so either the hands or the dial color are incorrect.