Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

I can't say I'd been keeping an eye open for 7A28-710A's myself, but running a retrospective search on ended items, reveals one sold on eBay recently - at the beginning of November for $555.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293305683007

Certainly not the best of examples, with a well worn bezel insert, manky lume on the dial batons, smudged dial printing, non-original sweep second hand and fitted with a NATO strap in place of the original bracelet. Hard to believe someone was actually desperate enough to pay $555 for that. 

There was another less than ideal example of the 7A28-710A listed on Yahoo Japan last weekend, as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1000 Yen, or the option of a somewhat over-optimistic 'Prompt Decision' Buy-it-Now price of 98,000 Yen. Not only was it fitted with the wrong bracelet (a Seiko p/n YA16A, normally found on the JDM 7A28-7010), but there were some nasty graunches on the tapered 6 o'clock end of the watch case.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j606516485

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

Seiko Speedmaster SEIKO SPEEDMASTER Chronograph 7A28-710A.

A rare model with a yellow dial. 

The accessory is the manual at the time of photo 7A28.

Normal operation product.

Bracelet can accommodate up to about 18mm.

As shown in the photo, there are scratches on the whole, and there are scratches around the bottom right of the case.

I think that it is a beautiful article for the age, but please give me a bid after understanding USED to the last.

The finer one should refrain from a bid.

Thank you.

The 7-day auction ended a few moments ago, the scheduled finishing time having been automatically extended by a total of 30 minutes, due to late placed bids. It finally sold for a quite incredible (given the condition) ¥82,500 Yen after 36 bids. That's equivalent to $753.44 USD / £582.82 GBP. Going by the high 5-digit feedback number of the encrypted winning bidder, the auction was won by an international buyer, using one of the proxy bidding services.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j606516485

Seiko7A38 at March 1, 2017 at 9:48 AM

Well, Phil, if you can't be bothered to update your own topic, I guess I'll have to do it for you. 

That 7A28-710A listed by the Japanese eBay seller ended a couple of days ago - sold against a Best Offer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262853424793

According to Goofbid's eBay Best Offer History tool, it sold for $400 (there were a few other lower offers made).

There's thread been started about it over on SCWF by the buyer (the ill-informed poster calls it a 'Vulcan'). 

http://www.thewatchsite.com/21-japanese-watch-discussion-forum/267945.html  Yes it was me, I bought the Vulcan

Well its a small (watch) world.

I've just joined this forum today and the first message thread I start to read refers to a rare 7A28 bought by an ill informed SCWF member.

I'm the now corrected ill informed SCWF member and proud owner of the 'Spock'

Other John

I can carry on dropping hints about Phil maintaining the thread that he started till I'm blue in the face, but I guess it won't make the slightest bit of difference.  So I'll just add a few updates, as an when I've got nothing better to do (or not). 

I did miss spotting another 7A28-710A which sold on Yahoo Japan in the first week of November (last year). I picked it up later from a closed search on Yahoo Japan.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h431836419

希少 イエロー SEIKO SPEEDMASTER 当時物 クロノグラフ クォーツ腕時計 OH済 7A28-710A 純正ブレス スピードマスター[黄色/黄ジウジアーロ]

It appeared to be in generally decent used cosmetic condition and according to the seller's description, had been recently overhauled. It was a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1 Yen, which ran from the 1st to 7th November, 2019. It sold for a strong 92,500 Yen after 66 bids. That's equivalent to approx. $845 US / £647 GBP at today's exchange rate.

There was another 7A28-710A listed on Yahoo Japan last week, in what can only be politely described as rather well-wabi'd condition. It was a 5-day auction listing with an opening bid price of 5,500 Yen.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o367688724

Google translates the bulk of the Japanese seller's formatted description as follows:

The auction ended on Monday, with the 7A28-710A selling for 57,500 Yen after 22 bids. That's equivalent to approx. $526 USD / £402 GBP at today's exchange rates.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o367688724

There is currently another 7A28-710A, in somewhat better cosmetic condition, but unfortunately missing a pusher button, listed on Yahoo Japan a couple of days ago, as a 6-day auction, with an opening bid price of 500 Yen. At the time of writing, with 3 days of the auction left to run, bidding has reached 15,500 Yen.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f400380477

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

The battery level is unknown but it is moving and the time is right.

The pusher at 2 o'clock is missing.

The needle is off the chronograph NG.

Dial & glass so-so beautiful bezel case There is some feeling of use on the bracelet.

How about repairing and removing practical parts? 

-Case size: bezel diameter of about 39mm, vertical width of about 44mm, thickness of about 11mm

-Pipe width: 20mm

-Arm circumference: up to about 17.5cm 

Please refer to the image and junk treatment.

* Please note that the product will be removed as much as possible without any maintenance or cleaning.

Please withhold the bid of the more nervous one.

Thank you at NC.NR. (No Claim, No Return).

And just in case anybody suffering from 'Yellow Dial Fever' hadn't noticed, there's another 7A28-710A currently listed on eBay, by an Indian eBay seller, as a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of £199.99.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312958395914

There isn't a description as such, but most details are included in the Item Specifics:

Welcome to All Watch Parts Shipping and Handling We take handling time of 1-3 Business Day from the date of receipt of the payment after receiving cleared payment. The shipping company takes 10-12 business days to deliver the product at US. 11-23 days for International Shipping apart of USA. This transit time does not include the seller's handling time. Transit time includes normal weekdays. Often Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays are not included in transit time estimates. Business day does not include Sundays. Payments A payment is considered "cleared" after your payment has been deposited into our account. We accept payment via PayPal only. Return Policy Merchandise must be returned within a maximum of 30 days on receipt. Merchandise must be unused, unworn, and undamaged by you and in the original shipping condition. Merchandise must have all tags. Your refund will be processed within 3 working days upon receipt of return package. Return shipping charges will be borne by the buyer. All duties, taxes in the buyer’s country are taken care by buyer only. Feedback Feedback & DSRs (Detailed Seller Ratings). We Strive for 100%Customer Satisfaction and we love to leave positive feedback's for our buyers.

The 6-day Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A28-710A in average used condition, but critically missing a pusher, ended a few moments ago. The auction finishing time was automatically extended by a total of 15 minutes, due to late placed bids. It finally sold for a quite astonishing ¥107,000 Yen after 43 bids. That's equivalent to approx. $981 USD / £754 GBP.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f400380477

The 7-day eBay auction for another 7A28-710A, by an Indian seller ended earlier this evening, selling for an equally respectable £701 after 10 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312958395914

'Junk' 7A28-710A for repair / restoration anybody ? This non-running example was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today, by a 'Store' seller as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1 Yen (+10% Japanese Sales Tax).

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c835539860

Google translates the formatted Japanese description as follows:

The above 7-day Yahoo Japan auction for a non-running well-worn 7A28-710A ended a few moments ago. The finishing time was automatically extended by 10 minutes due to late placed bids. The bidding ended at a hefty 81,000 Yen after 40 bids. Adding the applicable 10% Japanese Sales Tax gives a total of ¥89,100 Yen, equivalent to approx. $828.80 USD / £659.33 GBP. That's some expensive 'Junk'.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c835539860

Seems that kind of price, around 80,000 Yen, is the current going rate for 'Junk'. Another 7A28-710A, in generally decent used condition, in need of a battery and missing spring bar replacing, was listed on Yahoo Japan, earlier today, as a 3-day auction, with an opening bid price of 80,000 Yen. There is, however, another rather more important issue. Note that the seller has actually listed it as a 7A28-7100 and indeed, it has been fitted with the wrong case-back from one. 

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/490545879

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

Seiko Speedmaster SEIKO SPEEDMASTER Chronograph 7A28-7100 Rare Yellow Good Condition

Not a new product. It is a second-hand item, but it seems that it is not used much.

The pin on one side of the belt has come off and is still spreading.

I think the belt is also genuine.

The battery is dead and not working. We cannot guarantee.

Although it is expensive, please treat it as a junk item.

That 3-day Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A28-710A, fitted with the wrong case-back (off a 7A28-7100) ended yesterday afternoon, without any bids placed - unsold. Normal practice, in such situations is for the seller to re-list it, retaining the same YJ item number - but this one didn't. They've since re-listed it earlier this morning, as another 3-day auction. The listing looks virtually the same as before, except it's a 'new' listing with a different item number.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f443443037

Belated Edit: It subsequently sold for the 80,000 Yen opening bid price, 3 days later:

Perhaps I would do well to take a cue from Phil's original topic title, more regularly:

Rare Seiko 7a28-710a sold on ebay.

Remiss of me not to have spotted it before, but there was also another 7A28-710A listed on eBay, late on Thursday evening of last week, by a UK seller, with a highly ambitious 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of £895*. It may come with inner and outer boxes and pristine paper tags, but the watch itself is in only average worn used condition, with plenty of scuffing to the case and bracelet. More importantly, although the seller fails to mention it in his much amended* description, there appears to be water staining to the dial, around the area of the 8 o'clock baton.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324238784877

Seiko 7a28 Yellow Quartz Chronograph Vintage Vulcan Style Dial. Dated August 1983. Chronograph and pushers all function. Comes with original box and tags. Condition is Used and unpolished. Recent new battery. Dispatched with Royal Mail signed for.
PayPal and U.K. delivery only.
Thanks.

*Within 40 minutes of listing it, the seller made a number of revisions to the listing, including changing the Buy-it-Now price twice and the description three times.

I nearly missed spotting this one. Another 7A28-710A in what can only be described as extremely well-worn condition, with a broken crown / stem, was listed on Yahoo Japan at the weekend, as a 3-day auction, with an opening bid price of only 1 Yen. There's still more than a day before the auction ends and bidding is currently @ 8250 Yen. If nothing else it'll be interesting to see how much this 'Junk' makes.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b481003451

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

1 yen ~ SEIKO / Seiko Speedmaster Yellow Dial Quartz Men's Wrist Watch 7A28-710A Genuine Belt Working Junk Suzu 

Description of item

Watch size

■ Case size approx. 3.8 cm (excluding crown)

■ Arm circumference approx. 19 cm. 

Cannot be bundled with other successful bid products

Only the items shown in the photo are shown. 

■ State

Used goods.

I replaced the battery and it is working, but the crown comes out.

See the sixth photo. 

I confirmed the operation of the push button. It does not return to 0 after reset.

It is a working product but a junk product.

Please consider the overhaul premise in order to use it for a long time even if it is currently operating.

・The items in the image are all.

-The bids of those who do not read the explanation are strictly prohibited.

・Cleaning is mild, such as wiping the surface, so that we can offer it cheaply. 

-If you are a nervous person and are looking for operating product prerequisites/complete products, please refrain from bidding. 

・You may not be able to understand the internal situation in detail. We recommend it to those who can respond when there is a problem or who have specialized knowledge.

The above 3-day Yahoo Japan auction for an extremely well-worn 7A28-710A ended a few moments ago, the scheduled finishing time having been extended by 10 minutes, due to late placed bids. Quite incredibly, given the rather poor condition it still made ¥42,600 Yen after 20 bids, equivalent to $402.87 USD / £306.74 GBP.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b481003451

Here's another well-worn 7A28-701A, suffering form a broken clasp Z-fold hinge, that was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today, as a 7-day auction, with a somewhat over-optimistic opening bid price of 88,000 Yen.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j647591463

Google translates the seller's Japanese description as follows:

Seiko Speedmaster Yellow Dial 7A28 A rare item. 

I replaced the battery about a year ago with a real product.

It's been more than 30 years since I bought it, but I have sent it to Seiko from a nearby watch store for two overhauls. I used it everyday as a work product.

A part of the band broke like in the image and was released.

I think the second overhaul was about four years ago.

I hardly used the stopwatch function. The time is accurate.

I will attach a belt piece, an instruction manual and a round box at the time of purchase.

I hadn't bothered adding an update before, but the YJ seller had re-listed the above well-worn 7A28-710A at least twice (retaining the same item number), most latterly reducing the opening bid price to 60,000 yen.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j647591463

That most recent 3-day auction relisting was due to end yesterday afternoon, about 2:30pm UK time. I was fairly sure it wouldn't sell, even with the reduced opening bid price, so rather than waste time watching a non-event, I went shopping. (I'd run out of a couple of 'essentials'). When I returned, as I'd suspected it had ended unsold.

The YJ seller re-listed it this afternoon, with a fresh set of photos (which I can't be arsed to upload), as a 7-day auction, with the opening bid further reduced to 'only' 50,000 Yen. I suspect the new photos may be slightly more flattering than the previous set, so I'd advise anybody who might be tempted to study both sets.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w415546170

Even then, with the opening bid price reduced to 'only' 50,000 Yen, that well worn 7A28-710A failed to attract a bid. The most recent re-listed 7-day YJ auction ended yesterday, with it unsold. At the time of writing, the seller hasn't yet re-listed it again.

Meanwhile, last week a US eBay seller had listed another 7A28-710A. Although far from perfect, it was in better condition than some of the recent examples offered on Yahoo Japan. I don't run regular searches on 7A28's, so I didn't see the listing while it was live, but it was a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of $9.99.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174418065604

It sold for a respectable $635 after 21 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174418065604