Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Some of you may already have read threads - mostly on SCWF and also some posts written by myself on RLT, all in a fairly negative vein, about a UK eBay watch dealer 'Time_Classics', who, in recent months changed their username from 'Fireflywatches' - and over the years has traded under half a dozen different eBay ID's. Update: On October 25th 2012 they changed again to Timely_Classic.

They are notorious for grossly exaggerating the condition of the watches they offer; their purposely dark badly-lit photos, and deliberately misleading descriptions (usually by omission). 

Yesterday evening they listed a stainless dark-grey faced 7A38-7260: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300656130379

Like all their other watches, this one is STUNNING SERVICED AWESOME! 

Nothing particularly wrong with it, other than the fact that it's been fitted with a totally wrong bracelet (Seiko only offered the 7A38-7260 and -726A models on leather straps) - but to the more eagle-eyed amongst us, it might just look a bit (too) familiar. 

Check out the case-back serial number: 777699.

The reason it might look familiar, is because it was previously sold, only very recently by Filipino eBay seller José Sotto (a.k.a. 'Watchcooking'), who also had fitted it with a 'generic' (fake) Seiko repro' bracelet. See: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370574673349

Note the serial number match - the same 777699:

José's photos are much better lit, and his description factual and honest as always.

The only mistake he made was typing 7A38-7200 instead of -7260 in his listing title.

Note also, that it sold previously for a mere $89.88 (approx. £57.37) ....

So don't be fooled by the alluring photos; flowery description, and get carried away.

.... and Caveat Emptor, as always, Gentlemen. 

Dear Steve & Julie.

Should you stumble across this thread, please accept my profound apologies for borrowing two of your rubbishy copyright photos without your express permission.

Please note, that as a concession, I politely referred to your description of this watch as 'flowery', rather than using a crude adjective form of what makes roses grow.  

Not that I ever need an excuse to recyle any of my old photos, but ....

Here's a couple of my N.O.S. 7A38-7260 SAA097J on the original Seiko leather strap:

.... and another shot with my similar (self-refurbished) 7A38-7260 on dark grey lizard:

Note also, that it sold previously for a mere $89.88 (approx. £57.37) ....

This time around, funnily enough it made £88.00 - so not too crazy a price, thankfully.  

Going back to my first post, something I omitted to mention is that by posting negative comments on RLT, back in early December 2011, about a very iffy 7A28-7049, offered on eBay by 'Time_Classics' is that we managed to 'rescue' a  fellow 7Axx enthusiast from buying that particular piece of junk. In the meantime, 'Steve' the proprietor of 'Time_Classics' had ventured into the proverbial lion's den, and registered on SCWF as 'W4Watch' - presumably in an effort to defend / ingratiate himself. It appeared to be working, but ....

If you want a REALLY good laugh, have a read of this latest thread: http://www.thewatchsite.com/index.php/topic,29452.0.html  

The watch they are discussing is a much-refurbished 6309 Diver, containing a high proportion of after-market repro parts ....

which is exactly how it was previously and honestly described and sold by (once again) José Sotto ('Watchcooking) to them.

Then Steve & Julie decided to offer it on eBay using their own inimitable style of deceptive descriptive terms.

Rest assured, I will be watching every single 7Axx that passes through their hands, like the proverbial hawk. 

Caveat Emptor, Gentlemen. 

I'm sitting here repeatedly refreshing my standard ebay 'Seiko' search watching poorly lit watch after poorly lit watch get launched onto the unsuspecting public, literally willing a 7A38 to appear, in the hope that when such a watch does appear, we can 'release the hounds' (so to speak).

Come on Firefly!

Trouble Maker !!! 

Half the fun of ripping Firefly's auction listings apart is finding where he bought the watch from originally (usually eBay / Philippines),

because as shown above (and pointed out on several occasions on SCWF), he seems incapable of nailing them together himself. 

Belated edit.

As some of you will no doubt have noticed, both 'Watchcooking' and 'Time_Classics' schedule their eBay auction listings to start / end at 'peak viewing time' - on a Sunday evening (UK time), usually between 7:30pm and 8:30pm. So occasionally their listings will overlap.

Here's a screen dump from Sunday March 11th, where José managed to pop one of his listings in between a run of Time_Classics:

Quote from Mahatma Ghandi:  for I can see .... in the midst of untruth truth persists, in the midst of darkness light persists.

Having a little scout around just now.

This: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290691746417

I take it all back.  £361 for a bog-standard 1976 Pogue . Well, that's just CRAZY.

Ahem, James. I know you're itching to wade in there, but isn't your last post just slightly  for the scope of this forum ?

Anyway - what do you mean by 'bog standard' ? As stated in the description, it comprises all* the best quality after-market 6139 bits:

The dial and inner rotating bezel are new replacements. The dial has been changed with the highest quality aftermarket version on par with the originals that they replaced, it all looks correct and glows bright. The new hands are in great shape please see photos. Not bent, or scratched ....

.... and as appears customary practice with many of Firefly's offerings, it appears to be fitted with a Stella Tungchoy bracelet. 

*No mention of the Tachymeter bezel insert. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290721205542

BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE SEIKO 7A38 6010 PVD MILITARY STYLE CHRONOGRAPH SERVICED

Case/Bezel:

Case is in excellent used condition. Please study all the photos.

What about that crappy aftermarket/replacement bezel?

Fresh back from holiday, I flip on my computer to be faced with this!

I may need this as my signature:

WALOFS

Welcome back to the fray, James. 

Rather remiss of you not to include any of the dimly-lit photos from Time_Classic's eBay listing - if only for 'comparison purposes' ....

This very same 7A38-6010 was sold on eBay only a matter of 2 weeks ago - once again by José 'Watchcooking' Sotto:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370611972390

VINTAGE RARE SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONO 7A38-6010 DEC '84

Here's what it looks like in the 'cold light of day':

Previously described (rather more honestly) by José as:

Here's a Seiko quartz Chronograph, 7A38-6010....37mm

DIAL: Original dial in good condition. Relumed indexes and repainted hands. Spanish/English wheel. All functions work.

CRYSTAL: Original glass.

BEZEL: Insert is from another Seiko.

CASEBACK: Untouched case, black coating in fair condition......4D......December 1984.

MOVEMENT: Overhauled 3 weeks ago.... watch keeps time.

BRACELET: Nylon strap, short (for a 6.5 inch wrist).

Sold for $104.38 (approx. £68.06) on 20th May, after 16 bids, the listing having received 533 views.

I hadn't bothered mentioning it in the 7A38-6010 thread in the 7A38-xxxx model specific section, for the simple reason that ....

there were already sufficient examples of similar 'tatty' examples in the earlier part of the thread. This one is worse than most . 

Funny how Steve appears to be under some delusion about the size. 

Here we have a stunning military style  Seiko Chronograph watch, this is a large piece with a lot of weight to it. 

It's a large unusual watch and is showing natural signs of age and wear, please study the photos ....

These 7A38-6010's are only 37mm diameter, and wear quite small compared to most divers. Here's a photo of Mikey T's:

But then he's not actually described it as HUGE - as is his usual custom. 

Still, that brand spanking new 'James Bond' NATO should make it worth at least double the previous price to some poor sap ! 

Well not quite double the previous price, anyway. 

Sold for $104.38 (approx. £68.06) on 20th May, after 16 bids, the listing having received 533 views.

Suitably dimly photographed and mis-described by Steve 'n Julie of Time_Classics, it made £108.88 after 20 bids, this time around.

I can't believe that the later bidders were actually sniping a piece of junk like that.  

Speaking of pieces of junk ....

Rest assured, I will be watching every single 7Axx that passes through their hands, like the proverbial hawk.

Let me give you my prediction for the next ex-José Sotto 'well and truly cooked' 7Axx, soon to be temptingly offered by Time_Classics:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370618440341

VINTAGE SEIKO PEPSI QUARTZ CHRONO 7A28 MODIFIED AUG '84

With apologies for the slightly  post, but I know James, at least, will appreciate the significance.

Apart from that distinctly non-original 7A28-703A, here is a preview of some of Time_Classics other (non-Seiko 7Axx) future offerings:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370616855956

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360461499954

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360461555846

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360455074104

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370606092049

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370616853710

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360461556106

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370618675397

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360461556696

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360463027326

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360463490223

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370617888739

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360463025947

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370618441728

To save clicking on every link, they are the usual motley assortment of modded 6309, 7S26 divers, 61xx chrono's and Citizen bulleads.

Of the 50 or so of José 'watchcooking' Sotto's eBay auctions which ended yesterday evening, Time_Classics .... or should I say their other alternate eBay ID, which they use for buying - b***f (339) bid on over half of them, and won 15. Indeed lately, the bulk of José's auctions seem to be getting 'carved up' between them and US eBay re-seller Total_Time22, whose eBay ID shows as l***o (3562). 

While we're waiting impatiently for Time_Classics next distinctly iffy 7Axx offering to appear on eBay, so we can have a good laugh ....

I thought I'd just chuck in this little snippet. 

Some of you may already have read threads - mostly the SCWF, and also some posts written by myself on RLT, all in a fairly negative vein, about a UK eBay watch dealer 'Time_Classics', who, in recent months changed their username from 'Fireflywatches' - and over the years has traded under half a dozen different eBay ID's.

Going back to my first post, something I omitted to mention is that by posting negative comments on RLT, back in early December 2011, about a very iffy 7A28-7049, offered on eBay by 'Time_Classics' is that we managed to 'rescue' a fellow 7Axx enthusiast ....

Earlier today, I was searching on RLT for something else, not entirely unrelated, and came across that thread from December 2011:

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71166&st=15 - where I criticised the first 7A, I remember seeing them listing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300631775836

*RARE SEIKO 7A28 7049 CHRONOGRAPH SPORTS 100 STUNNING SERVICED AWESOME 1987

BORN NOV 1987

Here we have a Vintage Retro Seiko 3 Subdial Chronograph watch it has tripple sub-dials at 3 6 and 9 and is physically in great shape.

It is in fantastic used condition and is showing natural signs of age and wear, please study the photos to get a good idea of just how stunning this watch is. Was very tempting to keep this one myself actually!

All the functions work perfectly, and the chrono works perfect and the chronograph functions all work as they should resetting at 12, and the watch is running strong.

These are a rare find in this condition and would be a great addition to any collection, the watch has a retro appeal and is massive is size and weight and sits on a solid heavy duty steel strap.

These are one of the coolest retro chrono's seiko made.

Movement: Original Caliber 7A28 Clean and serviced.

Case/Bezel: No knocks or dents at all and really nothing worth mentioning, please see photos.

Bracelet: Solid Stainless Steel Strap

Crystal: Hardlex Crystal with only very minor marks

Crown / Hands: The hands and crown are in good shape, please see photos crown is replacement 

Measurements: 41mm wide.

Please bid with confidence ....

My alternative description of it on RLT read rather differently:

.... this one has all the usual botches: polished case; after-market bezel insert, wrong bracelet, dodgy lume, etc., etc.

The trouble was, some unwary bidders fell for it. Luckily by posting about it on RLT, I did manage to deter one potential buyer, who retracted his bids, but it still managed to make £205 after 26 bids. An incredible figure for a 7A28 in such poor unoriginal condition.

Seiko7A38 at June 10, 2012 at 3:28 PM

Speaking of pieces of junk ....

Rest assured, I will be watching every single 7Axx that passes through their hands, like the proverbial hawk.

Let me give you my prediction for the next ex-José Sotto 'well and truly cooked' 7Axx, soon to be temptingly offered by Time_Classics:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370618440341

VINTAGE SEIKO PEPSI QUARTZ CHRONO 7A28 MODIFIED AUG '84

Well, it took a few weeks for it to appear, but here just as I predicted, it is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300742519982

*RARE 1984 SEIKO 7A28 703A CHRONOGRAPH MODIFIED STUNNING SERVICED

Not even the darkest of dimly-lit photos (and a new strap) could disguise this allegedly 'stunning' watch. 

The fact you can't quite read the serial number in their last photo is academic - everything else matches ....

the dings in the case; after-market (6139-6002 repro') bezel insert, the dodgy lume, the damage to the (wrong) yellow minute ring, etc.

To quote James' favourite expression - WALOFS ! 

Surely they can't get good money for that? Even their magic photographic skills haven't covered its deficiencies.

It's an absolute mess isn't it?  WALOFS indeed

Definitely a case of Déjà Vu with this particular classic Time_Classics eBay listing - in more ways than one. 

I just read through their bullsh!t description for this modified and tired-looking 7A28-703A:

BORN NOV 1987

Here we have a Vintage Retro Seiko 3 Subdial Chronograph watch it has tripple sub-dials at 3 6 and 9 and is physically in great shape.

It is in fantastic used condition and is showing natural signs of age and wear, please study the photos to get a good idea of just how stunning this watch is. Was very tempting to keep this one myself actually!

All the functions work perfectly, and the chrono works perfect and the chronograph functions all work as they should resetting at 12, and the watch is running strong.

These are a rare find in this condition and would be a great addition to any collection, the watch has a retro appeal.

These are one of the coolest retro chrono's seiko made.

Notice anything ? 

They got the date wrong. 

From the serial number 480032, which is clearly visible in Watchcooking's listing photo, this watch was actually 'born' in August 1984.

The first part of their description (complete with spelling errors) is an exact copy and paste of the description they used for that iffy 7A28-7049 in December last year !! (Bar the omission of 'and is massive is size and weight and sits on a solid heavy duty steel strap'.)

He was tempted to keep it himself though, so it's clearly a lovely watch and in no way a complete piece of junk.