1946 Ad-3 states: These models were available in the distinction and color of natural, pink and white gold. Note that the colors included a matching color dial. The Princeton model can be distinguished from the very similar His Excellency (introduced in 1947) by the dial style.
Interesting lugs! BTW, the dial is just like the one on Lisa's 1947 Treasurer, except hers is in black. It seems Bulova often used the same dial with a number of different cases. I've also seen Treasurers with the 'bottlecap' bezel that have the same dial as the Excellency in your ad.
Sure looks like I'm seeing an L0 date code on the case back picture.
I'm also not convinced a dial style change distinguishes 1947 Princeton from 1947 His Excellency, but I'm checking ads. I believe Wayne's saying Princeton exclusively had subject dial, while His Excellency did not have this dial style. Below is another 1947 ad snippet for Princeton, also showing Statesman, which I think also changed to His Excellency (variant) in 1947, but without a dial change between the two. Click graphic for full ad.
Here's a 1947 Sears catalog snippet showing Princeton (and Statesman). Note the dial for Princeton. I believe Plains has the actual Sears catalog from which this ad was originally scanned.
Here's a December 1949 ad. Very poor res. the DRAKE. The case could be that of the Princeton/His Excellency? If subject watch case is date coded L0 (1950), then subject watch could be a marriage by someone who preferred the look of the 21 jewel Princeton/His Excellency over that of the 17 jewel Drake.
