Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Slightly  blingy    Did you mention red ? Ferrari Formula Cal. 531 (Seiko 7A38)    Nice, I like the SS case !  Top of page again  

Seiko7A38 at March 31, 2017 at 8:53 AM

Orient J39722-70 - soon to be joined by its white-dialed sibling. 

A little later than planned.  I was hoping they'd be on the same page of the WRUW thread - but thanks to Don .... 

Here's a Q&D wrist shot of my newest incoming Orient J39722-70 - the white dial version - with almost invisible hands.

Wearing something a bit blingy to brighten up a dull overcast, chilly and un-Spring-like day.

My rare Italian market gold-tone 7A38-706B, now fitted with a suitably jazzy Pryngeps 20mm double ribbed strap (as an experiment).

Wearing the third of my trio of incoming Orient J39's - the comparatively bargain priced J39002-70. Happy (Easter) Bunny. 

I've been going through my watch boxes, checking serial numbers of my various Yema Spationaute III's, for a thread I intend to start writing up, later this afternoon - specifically about the desirable Mission Flags dial variants. So naturally, the first one that caught my eye, was my much loved 'bitza', my very first Spationaute III, which I nailed together back in December 2009 - and whose case-back serial number is totally irrelevant to this exercise !  

The next one to come out of the box (coincidentally sits in the next slot to it) was a genuine original Aragatz Mission Flags dial.

The most immediately obvious difference between the two being the lack of depth to the bezel engraving of the 'original' watch.

When I built my 'bitza' (from a basket case 'beater'), I repainted the bezel engravings (hence the slightly different colour) and then skimmed the bezel, quite significantly,  in an effort to remove some of the pitting and scratches; yet still it remains far deeper.

Of more anon ....

Seiko7A38 at March 19, 2017 at 10:51 AM

My newest incoming Yema Spationaute III Aragatz  after having been given a quick fettling this morning - now fitted with a temporary substitute crystal and 'cheapie' ZRC shark grain strap (for want of anything else). Of more anon in this thread.

Seeing as I had to get my other 'Mission Flags' dialed Yema Spationaute III out earlier today, to take a photo of the case-back for another thread I've been writing up this weekend, specifically about this dial variant, I thought I'd carry on wearing it this afternoon.

So here they all are, one after another - all on the same page of the WRUW thread. 

Difficult to tell the difference between the cheap ZRC shark grain strap and the much more expensive Fleurus, isn't it ?

Now can somebody else please jump in and post something else besides a Yema Spationaute III - Don ?  Anybody ?? 

Paul, let's go further out than the Mir Space Station    A Seiko "Bishop"  7A28-6000 Speedmaster     

Seiko 7A38-7100 Black Chrome.  Base Metal St. Back     From Sept. 1984  

Just arrived today - my first 7A38. Why did I wait so long? 

Congratulations, John and Welcome to the 'Owner's Club' - at last. You may be a little late to the party, but a stainless 7A38-7280 is as good a place to start as any - they're one of my favourite daily wearers.

Funnily enough, this one has the 5-hole clasp mod (same as yours), which makes them so much more comfortable to wear.

Thanks Paul - I'm DELIGHTED with the watch. After a few years of chasing mechanical stuff... its the lack of weight that surprised me most. A lovely thing to wear. I assume this 5 hole mod is an alternative clasp from a different model then? As you say, makes it easy to get the perfect fit.

I fancy a black, sports model next. The hunt begins 

John. I've replied to your question about the clasp mod by PM. There's some more information about it / photos in this thread. 

This afternoon I've been wearing something with a little more weight to it, that you certainly know is on your wrist, not only because of its 'wrist presence' and the extra weight, but because, mostly thanks to its complex bracelet, it's also a lovely thing to wear. 

My 'Poor Man's Jean Lassale Thalassa 7A74-017 - a couple of Q&D shots in bright sunlight (excuse the lint) and shade.

Sunday morning beater - my recently acquired Racer J39907-50, which I've just managed to get going again - I think. 

Major panic earlier today - I thought I'd lost one of my titanium 7A38-7030's.  I'd searched everywhere, since lunchtime.

Turns out I'd put it away in the wrong collection box.  Crappy Q&D photo - just happy to have it back on my wrist again. 

A bit of bling for this sunny Spring morning.  I haven't been able to wear this two-tone 7A38-6090 for a while; the bracelet (which, due to the style of clasp, has no facility for adjustment) had just got too tight.  But last week I was fortunate enough to pick up one NOS adjustment link. That's all it took. 

A Q&D 'as received' shot of my newest incoming 7A38-6060 SAA071J.

Yema N81X26. (Shame about that non-rotating elapsed time bezel)   Installed a tropical band/strap in anticipation of the first 100°F day of the season.

The strap started out as a Perlon NATO. I'll fix that. One razor blade and five minutes later…a one piece tropical watch band 

It's Star Wars day ! 

7A38-7070 on this snowy spring day. My bezel's seen better days, but at least it's on an exceptional NOS bracelet.