Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Well, I was cleaning out a drawer, and found my first watch buried in it--a 7A38-7069.  

My parents gave me the watch when I was in high school in the late 80's, and I wore it through college almost daily.  Eventually a pin broke and I lost an endpiece, so I basically forgot about the watch until last week.

I popped the back off the watch (with a proper tool) and replaced the old battery, and I was suprised to see that it basically looked to be in mint condition on the inside.  With the new battery, the watch started up, keeps good time, and all functions work.  Buttons also feel solid--no sponginess and they feel as "sharp" as I remember them feeling from a long time ago.

I slapped on a brown leather band and actually wore it to work today.  It really could use a new crystal, but I am not planning on doing any more to it than that.  I do want to keep it operational--I didn't realize that the 7A38 had such a fan club or history, so I'd like to keep it in a collection I am building.  However, since every scratch in it is "mine", I'm in no rush to try to refinish it.

So, a few questions:

1) I have no real equipment to replace a crystal and have never attempted anything like that.  Should I just go to a dealer/jeweler, should I buy some equipment and supplies and do it myself, or should I try to buff out the original crystal?  (I have a dremel...)

2) What should I do in terms of "maintenance" to keep the mechanism in good working order?

3) Have anyone had any success in matching an end piece to the original bracelet?  My bracelet is in pretty lousy cosmetic shape, so I don't know if I would reuse it if I could.

4) What kind of bands would you recommend matching to this style?  For those of you who don't know, the watch is a basic silver face/silver dials with a gold round bezel and gold buttons/crown.  It's a basic look, one that probably looked good to me in the '80s but looks dated to me (especially with the two tone bracelet).

Thanks for the help!

Darren.

Congratulations on rediscovering your 7A38-7069 and successfully getting it running again. You might have been lucky - they don't always respond quite so well after being left neglected in a drawer with a flat battery for 20 years. 

To help you understand why these watches are becoming more appreciated, may I suggest you have a read through a few of the other topics in this forum section (and the other Workshop section). Hint - look for anything with 7A38-7069 in the topic title. 

But to answer your first question(s) about crystals ....

I'd suggest you start by reading at least the last few posts on page 5 of the Crystals and Gaskets thread.

In terms of maintenance, to have the movement serviced: stripped, fully cleaned and re-lubricated, is probably going to cost you around $150. So as that's probably more than the watch is worth in resale terms, I suspect you won't want to go there. You might want to consider stripping the pusher assemblies and / or replacing / re-greasing their O-ring gaskets (again see that thread), but if you don't fancy that, just keep the watch well away from water (even when washing your hands under the tap). Other than that, exercise the chronograph function regularly. Easiest way to do that is to run the inbuilt self test (hold in the 4 o'clock pusher for 2 seconds).

The Seiko p/n Z1162C bracelet was unique to the 7A38-7069 (which was a US export model). It was 'blinged up' from the European equivalent 7A38-706x variants by the gold anodized link centre sections and clasp. A bit of an acquired taste - and as you say, looks rather dated nowadays. I suspect your chances of finding an end piece are slim to remote, but if you fancy buying a complete replacement bracelet, with end pieces and patina to match your watch, there's always this (infamous) one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-RARE-VINTAGE-SEIKO-15-J-QUARTZ-CHRONOGRAPH-BRACELET-20mm-ENDS-FOR-CHRONO-/262956416600

It is very regularly re-listed with vastly differing prices - anything between $25 and $200.  See this long-running thread ! 

Yes, most of us are familiar with the 7A38-7069. It's a fairly common US market model. I think they look just as good on a lightly padded 20mm leather strap. The choice of grain is entirely up to you. Mock Croc seems fairly popular (but I'm not a fan, personally).

Suggest you Google images for more ideas. 

Thanks for the info.  I have been bouncing around the site, and saw the post on the ebay bracelet previously (and I think I'll pass).  I actually think I am going to ultimately go for a full stainless steel aftermarket bracelet rather than a two tone.  Drop me a line if you have any recommendations.

I'll check out the gasket thread as well.  I hadn't seen that thread specifically.  After that, I'll make a decision on the gaskets--I am not going to this in for a full rebuild because of the economics (as you suggested).

I'll post some pics later in the weekend.

As promised, here are the pictures (although a few days late).  As you can see, the crystal is in rough shape, but the actual body of the watch is in fairly good condition--especially considering how beat up the crystal is.

Everything still working well, btw.  I do have a question:  has anyone tried these bands?  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-20MM-SEIKO-STAINLESS-PRESIDENT-BRACELET-WITH-CURVE-END-FOR-ALL-SEIKO-WATCH-/222503509882

I doubt they are real Seiko bands, but I'm thinking of going with the pure stainless steel band rather than the two tone to try to update the look a little. 

Thanks for the help, and here are the pics....

Hi, Darren.

I haven't tried them personally. Despite the Seiko 5 packaging, I'd also be inclined to doubt their authenticity.

The seller doesn't actually claim they're genuine Seiko, plus there's a subtle inference in their description:

A perfect "Replacement" to your Old Vintage Seiko Bracelet.

If you do decide to go for one, you may find that you need to radius the end pieces to get the best fit against the watch case ....

Easy enough to do. My technique is to wrap Wet & Dry paper around a suitable diameter ½" drive socket. Done a couple that way.

I still think that a new leather strap is the better way to go - keeping the classic look.

I picked up my watch from the repair shop today, where they replaced the crystal with the recommended Sternkreuz. 

Given the age and style of the watch, I think it looks pretty good.  I'll keep the current band on it for now, but eventualy I will swap it out the with something a bit nicer and darker.  It definitely is back in my watch rotation because of its personal story and that it is distincitve from the other watches I own.

The Sternkreuz does have a decent bevel on it--looks pretty similar to stock.  Close enough for me...

I would appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks.