Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

To start the new page - another old favourite I haven't worn in a while: my subtly modded 7A38-7070, fitted with the all black 709L dial from a 7A38-7080, with 7A28-7040/9 hands.

Thought I'd gave the 7a28-7039 an airing today

Sir Alan at August 3, 2018 at 7:48 AM

Hot, sunny day in London.  This 7A28-7030 really sparkles.

Looks like a fine example. The only thing wrong with it is I don't own it! 

I will admit to owning just one 7A28 - the ever-popular 7A28-7040 SPR013J 'diver'. I bought it on a whim, as the basis for an experiment (which came to nought) and it hardly ever gets any wrist time. Goes without saying, this standard model was my inspiration for the modded 7A38-7070 at the top of the page.

Afternoon switch to another non-7A38, which hasn't seen the light of day in a while. My 'Poor Man's Jean Lassale Thalassa 7A74-017. Stay classy. 

Seiko 7A38-706B. This is about as classy as I get. 

At least it has some gold on it… 

Early morning reflections on my stainless 7A38-7000 SAA007J. 

Sorry, Paul, I know how you hate that.  I'll take a decent photo of it one day. 

Did somebody mention 'Gold' ? A quick afternoon switch to my seldom worn gold-tone 7A38-7000 SAA008J, before I hide it away again. Couldn't decide between these two photos ....

 A Gold, Roman White Dial, Fancy Hands, Chronograph,  Seiko 7A28-May 1983       

I forgot, I’ve got “Gold”  My Seiko 7A28-7029. Here is an early morning photo taken in ‘abundant’ sunshine. 

With just a couple of reflections…

Don, that’s a great looking 7A28. But then again I really like Roman Numerals. 

I've just finished this 7A48-5010 that I picked up listed as 'in need of repair'.

It obviously (from the listing) needed a new crystal and it was difficult to see the dial condition. There were also no movement shots. But, as these black dialled variants are rarer than the white / ivory ones I took the plunge.

Removing the caseback revealled the signs of significant rust damage around the battery well and the antimagnetic plate.

But, the dial was OK - not perfect. There was evidence of damage from battery acid.

So I started the strip down, starting with the hands and dial - and hit a major issue. The upper dial screw was severely corroded. Grrr. I tackled this very carefully, scoring out the groove in the head to give myself the best chance of getting some torque from the screwdriver. But, it was rusted solid and would not turn. Inspecting things more closely the dial spacer ringer was rusted to the mainplate all the way round, and the dial itself was stuck to the spacer ring (with that horrible white/green deposit).

I tried a few things to loosen the screw, all the time worried that if I ruined the dial I had effectively negated the reason I got the watch. I put it down deciding to come back - which I did last night armed with my Dremmel and some very small drill bits. I carefully (relatively) drilled the screw head out and thankfully with some careful prying the dial popped off without any further damage.

With the dial spacer welded (rusted) in place, any thoughts of resurecting this movement (quickly) were put aside so I reached for a 7A48-5000 (with the white / ivory dial) that I bought ages ago quite cheaply. This had a non original bracelet and is a duplicate in my collection.

I swapped out the movement, giving the case components and bracelet a jolly good stripdown clean and voila.

I'm very pleased with this one.

Simon, that version looks great with the black dial. I seem to recall the auction for that watch has only very recently finished, so well done on turning it around so quickly. 

I guess we’re going Moon-phase.

How about a 7A48-7020 with the common white dial. 

Simon, I’m curious, how did you guys have a full moon on the 18th when we here in the colonies are only at a 65% waxing gibbous? 

Nice shot, Paul !  How about a JDM 7A48-7000       

My newly acquired 7T32-F050 titanium

Today is wrist time for my lovely condition 7a28-703a, all original. Looks brand new. I'd say it's in as good condition as the one that just ended on eBay for eur905 !

Seiko7A38 at June 12, 2018 at 5:33 PM

Sorry, but I simply couldn't abide the fake 'antique look' strap it came fitted with. So very quickly swapped for a cheap but rather more appropriate navy blue ZRC 'Faux Requin' Shark grain strap, which I just happened to have in my spare strap drawer. It'll get something of better quality - which its condition merits, in due course.

I'm sure only the most eagled-eyed readers would be able to spot the difference, but I did eventually manage to find a better quality genuine shark strap to replace the ZRC 'Faux Requin', which I'd fitted to that Yema Spationaute III as a stop-gap. It's a now discontinued design 'Ontario' by the Italian manufacturer Morellato. It's rather more bleu - and very comfortable to wear, straight out of the packet.

Finally managed to grab a wrist shot between the showers. It's been raining on and off, almost all day. Typical UK August bank holiday weekend weather.  Yema N8 Flygraf on ZRC 'double jonc' strap.

I haven't worn one of these quirky Kamatz pilot's watches in a good while. Indeed, going by the last appearance of this particular 518000 'Oscar Bravo' in the WRUW thread, it probably hasn't seen the light of day in nearly 5 years. Hardly surprising its battery was completely flat. These obscure and apparently unpopular 7A38 variants deserve better. I just picked up another on eBay for $20.

In a similar vein, but nowhere near as attractive, despite the fashion label branding - my Loris Azzaro H900 gets another outing.