Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

I'm a bit late in flagging this one up, because it's already been sold 4 days ago - but then I don't check WatchUseek that regularly.

This stainless 7A38-7280 was offered for sale by someone who previously had ZERO posts up and was snapped up the following day.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-seiko-7a38-7280-near-mint-quartz-chronograph-c-1988-a-1644242.html

FS: Seiko 7A38-7280 near MINT Quartz Chronograph c. 1988

The watch head looks in reasonably good (if not quite mint) condition. However, the seller's poorly lit soft-focussed photos don't do a particularly good job of disguising the fact that it's fitted with a non-original bracelet. It's a Seiko p/n B1424S, which I'd consider a satisfactory alternative on something like a 7A38-701x - but really isn't anything like the correct original fitment B1627S and lacks those dummy link pieces to mate with the cut-outs in the watch case.

In hindsight, it seems I may have failed to report it in a timely manner - twice.

Because I don't appear to have flagged it in the Yet another 7Axx on an undisclosed non-original bracelet .... thread. 

Here's some rather better lit photos of the very same 7A38-7280 that I right-clicked and saved from an eBay listing on 11th January:

Corrections to my previous post.  Here's the reasons I didn't bother flagging it up back in January ....

Firstly, the Australian eBay seller ended the listing early, just a few hours later (going by the time difference) ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131400697364

Ignoring the fact that the Australian eBay seller got the model number wrong (7A38-7270 vs 7A38-7280), the other reason I didn't bother flagging it, is that if you look at the original seller's listing description, he clearly disclosed the non-original bracelet fitted:

Up for sale is a vintage Seiko 7a38 watch kept in great condition, working great (chronograph, day/date and keeping good time) with new battery. 

This is a unique Seiko quartz movement which is fully jewelled, all-metal, and made to be serviced and maintained for life. These watch movements are bulletproof. 

Bracelet is non-original but genuine Seiko, fits up to a ~7.5" wrist. 

Please see photos which show the watch in detail.

Just goes to show that if something is offered FS on a watch forum it doesn't mean it ain't a wrong 'un. Caveat Emptor - everywhere.