Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Pinch, punch, first of the month (and another new page) - my May Day watch ....

My recently acquired Orient J39722-70 BreitBling 'beater' (subject of this thread) on a 19mm Meyhofer 'Lanark' strap. 

Yema Spationaute III Aragatz, model # N80P76 in NOS condition - apart from the non-original Italian REWA brand 'rally' strap.

Wearing an 'oldie but a goodie' as I write this - a common-or-garden two-tone 7A38-7060 SAA016J.

This was the very first Seiko 7A38 I bought on eBay, back in December 2008 - and which effectively started off my collection.

I think I've probably posted it before (possibly in somwhere this thread), but here's the seller's (only) eBay listing photo.

I hardly ever wear it nowadays, but got it out of the watch box this morning to compare with my latest ex-eBay acquisition.

Of more anon ....

Here's a Q&D wrist-shot of my newest incoming Seiko 7A38 - the rather less common (understatement) 7A38-706A SAA034J. 

Wearing a Yema N8 Flygraf today (as something of a change from my usual Spationaute III's). Same old blue shirt though. 

This one' s my most recently acquired example of the N80Q16, fitted with the slightly unusual YEMA double jonc shark strap.

Seeing as I've been blathering on about them on the forum lately, I thought I ought to get my 'Poor Man's all stainless version of the Jean Lassale Thalassa 7A74 out and give it an airing. 

Well I guess somebody's got to try to keep this thread running. 

Wearing another of my favourite 43mm Yema Spationaute III's today. 

This time a 'cadran drapeux' (Aragatz mission flags dial) fitted with a navy blue Fleurus shark strap.

Not the prettiest of pictures, this dull overcast Sunday morning. Sort of a 'before' photo of what's probably my poorest example of the 7A38-6070 SAA073J. In dire need of a replacement bezel and a re-paint of the case. About to become the first guinea pig test victim for Bry's bezel removal tool, later this morning.

Wearing my all-titanium 7A38-7030 SJS018 this afternoon - temporarily, at least, back on its original YA22A bracelet.

Looks like I'm going to have to strip it down again, anyway.  Apart from the fact that I wasn't entirely happy with the alignment of the two parts of the Tachmeter ring, I've somehow managed to get a tiny piece of lint trapped (just past '250' on the upper ring). Hate it when that happens !  - even more so when you don't spot it until you post a close-up photo. 

Also wearing the 7A38-7030; now with the correct bracelet. Fortunately I was on holidays (without internet)  the first time a NOS bracelet surfaced on ebay. Otherwise it would have been more expensive for you, Paul.  Luckily it appeared again (3 bracelets!) as a buy-it-now deal.

Just as well I emailed you a link to that eBay listing for the 3 NOS bracelets, eh Achim ? 

Here's one of my old favourite 7A38's which I've always thought looked better (than original) fitted with a 'wrong' bracelet.

My 7A38-6000 Panda 'Dinky Diver' on vintage Seiko 'Beads of Rice'. So comfy to wear too. 

This thread may be dying of late, due to lack of new posts, but not through lack of interest. It's just passed the 50,000 views mark. 

So no real cause for the Blues. 

Here's something slightly chunkier (and rather less pretty IMO) from the same collection box - a 7A38-6060 SAA071J.

When I put that 7A38-6070 away yesterday, I noticed another watch doing the 'two-second two-step' (low battery indicator), so I made a note to swap the battery this morning. It was well overdue an outing anyway, as it's one of my favourite self-built Frankens - a lightly modded 7A38-7070 fitted with the all-black 709L dial out of a 7A38-7080 and 7A28-7040 hands. Subtle is best. 

One of of my favorites 7A38-6010. Perfect size for me at 38mm. However at 12mm thick it rides high on my wrist with the bracelet.

So in my infinite wisdom I decided to put it on a one piece 1mm thick strap. My thinking being…thin strap…thinner watch…perfect!

Except dumb arse me forgot that one piece straps go under the watch…and therefore will add one millimeter to the height…! 

Back to the bracelet.

Wow…28 days without a Yema.…I'll fix that.  My Yema N8 1X26 out for an early morning drive. 

WOW  to that one  

And some color on the 4th of July----Independence from the British----Ferrari Formula Cal.531----Although that beaded flag is the fob on my Bentley keys.  So  I am somehow still conected to the UK...  

Today, I dug out my 7A28-6000 "Bishop" JDM  beater.  Dated April 1983   

Nice patina Don…I like patina…of course NOS is nice too… 

Here is my 7A38-7290 with nicely worn paint. 

Had a tough time with reflections on the glass so I got this shot in direct sunlight. Sure highlights the beveled edge and the fact that the crystal is not quite flush. Oops! 

Second attempt at a wrist shot of my newest incoming non-Seiko 7A38 - the somewhat blingy Racer J39029-70 (by Orient).