Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at December 20, 2015 at 6:06 AM

I must admit to having had lascivious thoughts about that NOS 7A38-6000 which was listed on eBay earlier this week. Seems it wasn't meant to be (see my update to the relevant model specific thread).  But even if I'd been fortunate enough to add it to my collection, I don't think I could ever have beared to part with my original 'Dinky Diver'. The sweep second hand may not have a red-painted tip and it might be fitted with a non-original vintage Seiko 'Beads of Rice' bracelet, but regardless, it's still a firm favourite - and a keeper.

Took it out yesterday to remind myself. 

There's no harm in having the occasional lascivious thought.  Though at the time, I can honestly say I had no serious expectations of winning that eBay auction for that 'NOS with defects' 7A38-6000.  But I did.  It arrived mid-week. I still haven't had the chance to clean it up properly, but here's a Q&D comparison shot I grabbed between the showers. I think I still prefer my 'Dinky Diver'. 

Sunrise shot of my 7A38-706A.

Taken on the set of the new Jason Bourne movie. Nice legible face for easy reading with tired eyes.

A night shot taken on the set of the new Jason Bourne movie being filmed on The Strip.

This is my subtle Franken. 7A38-7060 case with the dial / movement from a 7A38-7289.

I had to use a flashlight for fill-in. Not very Blingy for Las Vegas I'm afraid.

This is my new 7A38 -- $ 77.00 USD + FREE shipping took it off Ebay      I had it bookmarked but had not bid when I received a message from Paul- why not "bid on this one" ?      ---A Seiko 7A38-7100 SAA038J----Very nice with a few light scratches on the glass, I'll leave it alone  

Hello everyone, new to this forum. Got out my 7a28-7040 today....

My new Seiko 7A38-701B  from October 1983.   Paul what does that blue delta symbol under the 12 mean ?   The delta wing on a Vulcan Bomber  ?            

Nice Vulcan, Don. 

A small triangle, inverted or right way up is often used in place of a '12' marker. You may find this recent thread on TZ-UK amusing.

The fact that it's light blue on the 7A38-701B is nothing to do with the (delta winged) Vulcan aircraft. The sister models: 7A38-7010 and 7A38-701A both have them on their dials, in yellow and orange respectively.

Couple more Q&D wrist shots of my newest incoming 'cheapie' Orient J39908-70 - different to those I posted in the other thread.

Thought I could use the practice. 

A couple of Q&D wrist shots of my newest incoming 'bargain buy' from eBay Italy. A pretty decent 7A38-705A SAA027J. 

7A38-706A. One of my favorite travel watches. Easy to read on a quick glance. And the subtle blue face gives it a nice touch of class.

Photo taken at Badwater Basin, Death Valley.

I've been messing about with a couple of 7A38 Divers this morning - my First and my Last (or should I correctly say, most recent).

After my little '3-way Z1148S bracelet adjustment link re-distribution exercise' yesterday, I thought I'd check I'd got the fit(s) right.

Back in 2009, when I was getting into my stride building up my collection, initially I eschewed collecting the Diver variants. 

I used to have this little saying: I don't do Divers as a rule. 

This was my very first 7A38 'Diver' - a 'beater restoration project' 7A38-7050 generously donated gratis, to start my collection off, by erstwhile German collector Mike Rothe, back in November 2009. It's gone through a few iterations - most recently being bereft of the 4 NOS adjustment links that I'd fitted (it came with a very short bracelet). It's still fitted with a NOS bezel and SKX replacement crystal.

This is now the (partial) beneficiary of 2 of those NOS Z1148S bracelet adjustment links - my recently acquired 7A38-705A.

Both now fit a treat. 

First moment with new 7A38-7290. Lets see how we get along..

A couple more (different) Q&D wrist shots of my newest incoming stainless 7A38-6020 SAA041J beater restoration project.

Pretty it ain't, for certain.  But it's got possibilities. 

A NOS Kamatz Model # 517000    With a re-branded Seiko 7A38 movement.  Thanks to Paul I now have two of these ( Long Story )    

Some SUN on the first day of spring 2016----Showing my Seiko 7a38-702H----NOS  "Sample"  Case with my donor mvt.     

Today I went with this one - 7A38-7190. Is the bezel originally polished or brushed ?

Benni. As far as I can tell, the original factory finish on a 7A38-7190 stainless bezel should be polished at the (vertical) sides and bright machined finished (duller, but definitely not brushed) on the upper bevelled edge (same as on a stainless 7A38-7270). This is my 'Argos special' beater, with the slightly scabby 30 minute sub-dial, which just happened to be lying around.

Brief moment of cross-dressing this afternoon - wearing a Lady's watch  - the diminutive 36mm Ø Loris Azzaro D900. It arrived yesterday. Received condition was rather disappointing, though the French eBay seller's photos gave a fair indication, you always hope for the best. Tricky to photograph, because of the scuffed domed crystal, which hides a beautiful but flawed dark blue dial.

No way you can flatter this one from any angle.

Thanks for the info. The side is polished, the top is lightly brushed; so that fits.

So the black one did not stay. Here is the latest, so far 2€ cost, fully working 7A38-702A. Horribly wrong bracelet but search is on.