Bulova - Excellency — Rose Gold Filled Tank - Hooded Lugs - Vintage Watch - Circa 1947

The Excellency was one of Bulova's named dress references of the mid-1940s, a designation the company reserved for watches they considered representative of their best work in case design and movement grade. What makes this particular example immediately arresting is the combination of a rose gold filled case and a salmon-toned dial, two warm elements that age together into something a yellow gold or steel case simply cannot produce. The rectangular tank body sits on four hooded bell-shaped corner lugs, a case architecture that gives the watch a sculptural quality from any angle, and in rose gold fill the warm tone of the case and the salmon-patinated dial read as a single unified composition. That dial has aged to a deep copper-rose tone that no new watch can replicate, the numerals and printed border still clearly legible against the warm field, the small seconds subdial sitting neatly at six o'clock. The blued steel hands stand out elegantly against the salmon dial.

Joseph Bulova arrived in New York from Bohemia in 1875 and built what became one of the dominant forces in American watchmaking, competing directly with Hamilton, Gruen, and Elgin for the wrists of American men who wanted quality without a Swiss price. The 7AK movement inside this watch is part of that story: a 21-jewel manual-wind caliber made entirely in the USA, the jewel count placing it above standard production grade into the category Bulova reserved for their finer dress pieces.

The caseback is stamped Bulova / Fifth Ave / New York, and the exterior is stamped 14K Gold Filled. The movement is signed U.S.A. / Bulova Watch Co, 21 jewels. The watch runs well and is keeping time. The watch is fitted on an original period alligator strap that suits the scale of the case, though it shows significant age and would benefit from replacement.

Terms: Please review all photos carefully as they are a part of the listing. This is a vintage timepiece. Accuracy, power reserve, and water resistance are not guaranteed. Vintage watches may require periodic service. Performance can vary with wear, temperature, and position.

I am happy to service any unserviced watch listed on the site — please inquire about service charges when purchasing.

All sales final.