Purchased non-running from eBay 12/2022. Black/charcoal dial with diamonds at 9, 12, and 3. L6 date code. "10K ROLLED GOLD PLATE" stamped on caseback. Serial B084261. 10BU movement, 17 jewels.
I believe it's a President, but haven't been able to find any materials describing this exact variant.
Great watch, I have a weakness for 50's diamond dials. After going through the linebooks and database at large, my gut feeling is that this is a President "P" with a refinished dial. It was offered with a white dial; yours looks to me like the black dial color was introduced after the indices were affixed to the dial surface. Based on the premise that the "P" was the only model sporting this 9 diamond dial configuration in this casing, I feel safe ID'ing your watch as a
1956 President "P" with a refinished dial.
Here is my "P".
https://mybulova.com/watches/1956-president-p-13292
I just noticed on mine that there is dial deterioration around the diamond mounts. Looking at yours in comparison, it appears that perhaps the dial refinisher failed to clean it all off on yours, resulting in the "flat" areas. Also take note of the difference in the layout of the markers in the seconds subdial. It appears to be a non-Bulova pattern. Just thinking out loud....Not a big deal, I would wear it and treasure it myself.
Finally got around to a tear down and rebuild of this guy. After a new mainspring and a thorough cleaning and lubrication, it's keeping time within 5 sec/day, and a freshly polished crystal really sets it off.
The dial still looks like hell up close, but on the wrist it's really sharp.
