Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Don't worry about the program: that is a beautiful (not so) little watch! 

Thanks, Harry. 

These 38mm 'reduced' versions of the Spationaute III are somewhat rarer than their larger 43mm counterparts that you're familiar with.

There are a couple of slight variations in the white dialed version - flat or raised gold hour batons; black-painted or gold-plated hands.

You'll occasionally see them listed on eBay France or LeBonCoin - often as not with borderline ridiculous pie-in-the-sky asking prices.

This was the first one I ever saw; it was also listed on eBay France in 2009 with an eye-watering Buy-it-Now asking price of 749 Euros.

Pity about the (not so) little scratch on the crystal (above the seconds subdial) visible overleaf. Something both mine suffer from.

I've not had much (read any) success sourcing replacement (or substitute) crystals for the shallow domed types used on these Yemas.

Well British Summer Time has officially arrived, and perhaps Spring is finally just around the corner on this sunny Sunday morning. 

Wearing a 7A38-7070 SAA031J (earlier production with 'polished edge' main hands):

A bit of Yank-inspired Bling for this somewhat belated first day of Spring. Only intended for the American market. 7A38-6109 SAA114J.

Yes, .....ehm, very exuberant! Is it safe to wear without sunglasses?

On another dull grey day, just a civilized bit of bling:

Very subtle subdued, Harry.  I keep telling Paul in Vegas he ought to get a -6109.  I bet the pawn shops in LV are full of them. 

A favourite: 7A38-7000 ruined (   by a very non original sapphire crystal. It has a good size and it's flat. The watch, that is.

Nowt wrong with that crystal, Harry. 

I'm wearing this 'little' 7A38 this afternoon - or about as small as Seiko made them anyway: 36mm diameter. My 7A38-7090 SAA035J.

Prompted by the eBay listing for that less than 'perfect' two-tone 7A38-7020 by a Polish seller, last night, I dug out this 7A38-702x 'Dirty Panda' Franken I built back in September 2011. They have a few things in common - notably the non-original polished bezel.

I hadn't worn it for almost exactly a year - my last wrist shot was taken on 31st March 2012.  I've never been entirely happy with the (deliberately wrong p/n Z1005C) bracelet I'd fitted. It's a bit too blingy - and a shade too narrow (@ 22mm) where it meets the watch case. Maybe I'll finally try it on a Seiko p/n Z1020S bracelet like I've got on my other two (stainless) 7A38-702x Frankens. Hmm. 

After 5 months I finally had enough time to repair my 7A28-7079. I'm wearing it today as to celebrate its reborn

I forgot to change the DST....shame on me

Well done, Arpad ! 

Blimey, I just noticed this thread has had 15,000 views ! 

Paul, that 'dirty Panda Franken' is to die for! I absolutely love it! I think everything works about it. Don't change a thing.

(No 7A for me today....)

I'm wearing my 7A38-7010 today.

Anyone can spot the tiny "mistake" about the watch? (Apart from the non-genuine Z1118S bracelet)

Non-original (white lettering on black background) Day and Date wheels.  Looks pretty good, if not strictly correct, though Arpad. 

You nailed it, Paul! But I believe it's not a surprise to you after I have asked photos about modded 7A38-701X, do you remember? 

I think it looks more "balanced" than the original version. These day & date wheels harmonise much better with the dial. I don't really understand why Seiko used the black lettering on white background wheels originally.

It's a shame that I don't have more white lettering on black background Day and Date wheels.....I would modify my 7A38-701A too

That's probably Achim's very attractive modded 7A38-701A (fitted with black Day / Date wheels and also a 7A38-7010 bezel) you're referring to, Arpad. Though I first saw it done back in October 2010, on a 'bitza' offered FS on SCWF Trading Post by Mike Mounce:

http://www.thewatchsite.com/index.php/topic,9653.html

FS: Seiko 7a38 Quartz Chronograph $110 (Note: in the description it says 7A38-7180 not 7A38-7010).

This one had it all: Black Day / Date wheels; non-original bracelet and fitted with the wrong case-back off a 7A38-7180. If you look closely, the constant seconds sub-dial hand, with the silver boss has been incorrectly re-fitted to the 30 minute sub-dial. Ooops !

That watch was purchased by 'Aiken74' who posted a thread on SCWF about it, IIRC (with a link to a large PB gallery of photos).

Here's another link, but the photos are all gone: http://www.thewatchsite.com/index.php/topic,20143.msg125284.html#msg125284

Can't find the link to his Photobucket album containing 30 images any more, either, but here's one of the photos he posted on SCWF:

For the benefit of those readers who are wondering what we're discussing, here's a Q&D wrist shot of a 7A38-7010 SAA001J - as they left the Seiko factory with the correct (black lettering on white background) contrasting, rather than matching day and date wheels:

Sometimes, contrasting white Day / Date windows appear to 'work better' with black sub-dials - like on the 7A38-7029 SAA013J.

Today's early shot. I'm wearing my 7A28-702A.

Been busy, so something of a 'no brainer' for me this afternoon. One of my 'grab and go' everyday wear stainless 7A38-7280 beaters.