Bulova 1946 Ambassador

Submitted by hhagen on
Manufacture Year
1946
Movement Model
7AK
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
6745563
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

The case material is 10k gold filled. It was last serviced Jan 2022 by the seller and purchased by me April 2022. The seller thought it may be an "Ambassador" model but I disagree after looking at old adverts. I believe it was part of "His Excellency" collection and may be a "Statesman." However, I have been unable to find a Statesman whose dial hour markers match exactly to mine. Additionally, there is no "46" after the square on the movement and so I thought there may be a possibility of it being made in 1936 but there is some debate on whether the 21 jewel 7AK movements were manufactured that early.

2022-04-28 hhagen front
2022-04-28 hhagen movement
2022-04-28 hhagen dial
2022-04-28 hhagen case
2022-04-28 hhagen case back
mybulova_admin
Posted April 28, 2022 - 7:06pm

The square date code was used for 27,36 and 46. Yours is 1946 for sure so will be pre His Excellency (started 1947).

I also tend to agree that this will be the yellow gold version of the Bulova Ambassador.

The method applied here is that whilst this case is seen in a few other models, the Ambassador is the only non solid gold version of this case and was available in rose (red), yellow and white gold versions.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 29, 2022 - 8:46am

This is an interesting one, thanks for sharing it. I also tend to agree that by case style, gold plate vs. solid and date, it's an Ambassador. In the database for 1946, we have all 3 Ambassador  variations noted above by Stephen:

Yellow

Rose

White

The dials on the 3 color variants all match available ads, showing alternating numbers and dots. I suspect the dial on subject watch is a replacement.

1946 Ambassador noting probable dial replacement.

Kathy L.
Posted April 29, 2022 - 10:11am

I agree with Ambassador with possible dial replacement.

1946 Bulova Ambassador

hhagen
Posted April 29, 2022 - 10:51am

The 1946 Ambassador for the case I 100% agree, thank you.

Now this may be outside the scope of identification but I am curious about where the dial may have come from. The closest dial I have been able to find in the database is this one:

https://mybulova.com/watches/1949-his-excellency-9441

But that dial seemed to have been an aftermarket recreation. The dial on this watch doesn't have the "Movement" designation and the border is different. Any thoughts?

JimDon5822
Posted April 29, 2022 - 8:47pm

I also agree with Ambassador with possible dial replacement.

1946 Bulova Ambassador