Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at August 25, 2017 at 2:58 PM

Earlier today I received an email notification of a forthcoming auction for a brown coated 7A38-6020 by Liveauctioneers.com.

The actual auction is being held by Watches of Knightsbridge on 16th September. 

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/108312_modern-and-vintage-timepieces/

This is Lot number 0153: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/55563228_a-rare-gentleman-s-brown-pvd-coated-seiko-sports-100

The opening bid price is a laughably over-optimistic £700 (equivalent to approx. $900 USD), with an estimate of £700 to £900 (joke), to which any foolhardy buyer would need to add a further 25% Buyers Premium - and then another 20% VAT on top of that !!

Assuming that common sense prevails, I doubt it'll attract a single bid in this forthcoming auction. But the fact that someone's trying to sell it again probably means we haven't seen the last of it. 

No great surprise: Lot Passed - Unsold. 

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/55563228_a-rare-gentleman-s-brown-pvd-coated-seiko-sports-100

Seiko7A38 at September 25, 2016 at 9:55 AM

Here's a pretty horrible example of what once was a brown coated 7A38-6020, that probably fits just as well in this other thread.

Except I cant be bothered to post it there as well, as I've done with a previous example. Besides, this one hasn't been completely stripped of its coating - just the bezel and the top side of the bracelet, leaving the watch case and underside of the bracelet in the original chocolate brown finish. Bit of a half-hearted job - watch ruined. Listed on eBay Italy (where else ?) earlier this afternoon.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162216856756

• Usato e originale

• SEIKO SPORTS 100 VERY RARE BROWN FINISH

The less said about the seller's brief description the better. 

Thankfully I didn't pay more than that for it   ^^^

Movement works well enough so tempted to put it on a different strap and treat it as the beater that it is.

Sorry about my earlier comments. That's always the danger of my being openly critical of a 'less than original' example, like this watch - even if my comments were justified. As long as you bought it with your eyes open and you're happy with the watch and what you paid for it, that's all that really matters. 

The criticism is perfectly valid   - one of those NOS bezels, cleaning up the case and leather strap - are there better options ? I'm not obsessed with the metal link strap, and I'm wondering if the case could be cerakoted to a good shade.

Personally, I wouldn't throw any (more) money at it. The first example of this model that I bought was a well worn 'beater' - although it still had all its original coating, albeit worn through exposing the black chrome and base metal underneath in a few places, particularly on the bracelet. There are photos of it on the first page of the thread. At the time I considered re-spraying it, but never got round to it. I did manage to mix almost the right colour to match the watch. But later on, when I bought a NOS bezel that I'd intended to fit, that was a competely different shade. More of a mucky grey than chocolate brown.  If it were mine, I'd just wear it as a beater - and if you particularly like this model, look out for a better example.

So I've put a leather strap on my dreadful example - so I can actually wear it without cutting off circulation !

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a better example. 

Seiko7A38 at September 6, 2017 at 12:48 PM

Seiko7A38 at August 3, 2017 at 7:11 AM

Checking my eBay watching page this morning, I noticed that long running listing for a NOS 7A38-6020 bezel, by profiteering US eBay re-seller chicagogoody had been ended yesterday afternoon, because the item was no longer available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252727354521

When he'd first listed it in December 2016 (see my post higher up the page), the Buy-it-Now price was $150. The above summary shows $99.99, but I remember seeing it fairly recently reduced as low as $59.99 - and even then it didn't sell.

Here's a summary of the revisions made: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemRevisionDetails&item=252727354521

I make that a total of SIXTEEN changes to the Buy-it-Now price in 7 months ! 

Can't say I'm not glad to see the back of it - and this greedy scumbag seller !  Hopefully it'll be the last. 

Speaking of bad pennies turning up - it's back again. 

The same NOS bezel, that was allegedly no longer available, was re-listed by chicagogoody earlier this afternoon. 

This time he's offering it through eBay's GSP program. The current Buy-it-Now price is $69.99 - but watch this space. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263190797904

With apologies for the double quote (to carry forward from the previous page), but checking my eBay watching page I notice that chicagogoody's NOS 7A38-6020 bezel finally sold in the early hours of this morning - for a very reasonable $47.99.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263190797904

Looking at the revision history (there were only 3 changes of Buy-it-Now price this time around), it had been listed at that reduced price for at least two weeks. So congratulations to whoever grabbed it ! 

This brown 'PVD' coated 7A38-6020 was listed yesterday evening by a Canadian eBay seller with a Buy-it-Now price of $499 CA (equivalent to approx. $389 US) and as yet no option to make an offer. It's in typical average worn condition, with some loss of the brown coating and worn right through the black chrome plating to the base metal underneath in the usual places - on the underside of the bracelet and one of the bezel thumb grips.

I don't know about the seller's 'rare dark grey / brown coating' bit. I suppose it's 'rare' in that it's the only 7Axx that comes in this colour finish, but compared to the more desirable silver (PVD / anodised / painted, whatever) coated version of the 7A38-6020 (SAA041J), going by the number of appearances on eBay over the last few years, brown is clearly the more common of the two. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162939443693

VINTAGE RARE Seiko 7A38-6020 CHRONOGRAPH SPORT 100 in the rare dark grey/ brown coating.

The watch is used and does have scratches on the bracelet and bezel as seen in photos.

Rotating bezel

The chronograph hands set to zero as it should be

Not guaranteed for waterproofing due to age.

The glass may have some hairline scratches that I couldn't capture in my camera

Quartz movement, I'm not sure about the age of the battery but currently, the watch is running and keeps good time

Weighs 130 grams

Generally in good condition for the age, but please review and examine images PRIOR TO BUYING, you can ask any question or request additional photos. What you see in images is exactly what you'll receive.

Buyer is responsible for any customs fees.

Shipping to US and Canada

Shipping to US is CA$35 with tracking and coverage

Please excuse the rant, but I've just seen something that annoyed me. 

I've made no secret of my loathing of social media and the wannabe experts that frequent it - especially those who spread misinformation to their fanboys in an effort to score more likes. I just did a quick google search on 7A38-6020, and came across these 4 images of quite a decent example of the brown-coated version. It looks like it may have benefitted from a NOS bracelet (compared to the coating wear on the case).

http://imgur.com/r/JapaneseWatches/g5zZY

The page is titled:

One of the lesser-known Giuigiaro designs - Seiko 7A38-6020

The reason it might be 'lesser known' (to you) is because it's not a Giugiaro design - you ignorant Fg Moron ! 

This truly hideous mess - what's left of what once was a brown-coated 7A38-6020 was listed late yesterday evening by a Venezuelan eBay seller, as a 5-day auction, with a laughably optimistic opening bid price of $250.

So, where shall we start ? 

Obviously the bulk of the brown coating (and underlying black chrome) has been obliterated from the upper part of the case and bezel - but perversely not the underside.  The bezel inlay numbering is typically faded - as is the dial printing. The crystal looks like it's been shot-blasted, but you can still clearly make out the decomposing lume on the tarnished hour and minute hands. It's tenuously fitted with a worn out knackered-looking generic replacement stainless bracelet. The scarred movement backplate looks like it has survived the ravages of a serious battery leak at some point. Oh and Yes - there's that deftly deflected centre seconds finger tension spring. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253517494990

Seiko Chronograph Quartz 7A38 6020 Sports 100 Divers Run 4D8996 Very rare

View seller's other items

Printed in Venezuelan Market Only

Very Limited Quantities !!

Really Tough to find!!

NOTE: forget not qualify after receiving the product

Seiko7A38 at March 11, 2018 at 1:45 AM

This brown 'PVD' coated 7A38-6020 was listed yesterday evening by a Canadian eBay seller with a Buy-it-Now price of $499 CA (equivalent to approx. $389 US) and as yet no option to make an offer. It's in typical average worn condition, with some loss of the brown coating and worn right through the black chrome plating to the base metal underneath in the usual places - on the underside of the bracelet and one of the bezel thumb grips.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162939443693

After a fortnight, the Canadian eBay seller relented, revising his listing by adding a 'Best Offer' option. The 7A38-6020 sold yesterday morning, not for the $499.99 CAN Buy-it-Now price ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162939443693

But as revealed by WatchCount.com's Look-up tool, for an offer of $400 CAN:

As confirmed by the eBay Purchase History:

($400 CAN is equivalent to approx. $315.20 USD / £222.60 GBP).

Seiko7A38 at March 25, 2018 at 11:13 AM

This truly hideous mess - what's left of what once was a brown-coated 7A38-6020 was listed late yesterday evening by a Venezuelan eBay seller, as a 5-day auction, with a laughably optimistic opening bid price of $250.

The Venezuelan eBay seller re-listed that mess of a 7A38-6020 twice, reducing the opening bid price each time: initially to $198 (no takers) then last week down to $159. That second re-listed 7-day auction ended earlier this evening, with it selling for the opening bid price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253565681677

This familiar well-worn looking brown coated 7A38-6020 was listed in the early hours of this morning, by an Australian eBay seller, as a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of $100 Au. The seller's false statements in his description:

was only available as a JDM issue. and ....

A 7A38-6020 silver finished model sold lately for $1075.00aust but I feel the PVD model are the harder model to buy ....

.... are both of course complete and utter tosh. Both versions of 7A38-6020 were exported worldwide - and not actually sold in Japan. The silver anodized stainless version SAA041J is by far the more desirable and less commonly seen of the two - and the price achieved by that recent example (given its badly faded condition) was something of a fluke, IMHO.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223069736941

A Super Rare Seiko 7A38-6020

This is one of the harder to find Seiko 7A watches - A 7A38-6020 SAA043J model - Black Chrome Large 'Diver' (Brown PVD Coating)

I am going to list some of the watches from my personal collection of watches that I have more than one models of.

The last scan is one of both models of these. the chrome finished and the chocolate PVD finished 7A38-6020 models - you are bidding on the front Brown PVD Coated model 7A38-6020 only

The time runs fine as does the chronograph but not all hands zero back to 12 when zeroing in chronograph. There is wear to the chocolate PVD finish on both the original band and case - it had a new battery fitted a week ago at watch/ jewellery shop. This is one of the larger Seiko 7A models and was only available as a JDM issue.

Please study scans as they better described this watch.

A 7A38-6020 silver finished model sold lately for $1075.00aust but I feel the PVD model are the harder model to buy

Postage by sign for registered mail only - if you require an international postage cost to your country please email me

thank you for looking

This same brown coated 7A38-6020, case-back serial number 511198 has, of course featured earlier in this thread, at the top of page 4, back in June 2016. It took me longer than it should have, but the excessive wear to that first bracelet link on the 12 o'clock side (indicating a prior attempted repair) and the crack through '30' on the bezel inlay, finally helped me to figure out which one it was. Note that the current Australian seller has conveniently omitted to upload a photo showing the excessive wear to the bracelet clasp - so here's one from the previous Italian eBay seller's listing from June 2016:

.... And the result of the previous auction with my comments at the time:

Seiko7A38 at June 11, 2016 at 7:21 AM

The 10-day eBay auction for that well worn-looking brown-coated 7A38-6020, by the Italian seller (at the top of this page) ended a few moments ago, with bidding jumping from 182.99 Euros (which might have been a reasonable price for an example in this condition) to a hefty 251 Euros (approx. £198)  in the final seconds, as a single snipe bid came in.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222137462762

No surprise as to the identity of the 'mystery' winning bidder - it's none other than our 'old friend' n***e (1696), a relative newcomer to collecting 7Axx's, whose previous frenetic sniping activity I've commented on in this thread in the Members' Lounge section. Once again, it seems he's little concerned with the price paid / condition of some examples he's adding to his burgeoning collection. 

And so another little long overdue mystery solved - see above linked thread. The full eBay ID of our 'old friend' n***e is uneedanotes1144 (Feedback now 1812) - same as the current Australian eBay (re)seller of this brown coated 7A38-6020.

I concede that there are probably times when I could be rather more tactful. Particularly when criticising an eBay listing for a 7A38, which I happen to know belongs to a member of this forum. In hindsight, some of the harsher comments I made in my penultimate post, about about this brown coated 7A38-6020 - and how I waded in was not one of my finer moments. My apologies to Glenn. 

It seemed a bit of a dramatic reaction, when a couple of edits might have sufficed, but this afternoon the Australian eBay seller ended his listing because of an error.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223069736941

He re-listed it a few minutes later with a revised description and a different set of photos (which appear to have been taken at the same time as the last set), including a shot of the bracelet clasp showing the excessive coating loss.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223072696048

Due to incorrect information in my earlier listing I have re-listed this watch, removing that incorrect info that I believed true, before re-listing it - the removal came about after reading Seiko38's forum about my listing - not everyone is as well informed as seiko38 or others might be about these Seiko 7A watches.

Collecting older watches is a big learning curve - so thank you seiko38 for further teaching me things that I did not know or correcting things that I thought I knew.

A Rare Seiko 7A38-6020

This is a hard to find Seiko 7A watch - A 7A38-6020 SAA043J model - Black Chrome Large 'Diver' (Brown PVD Coating)

The time runs fine as does the chronograph but not all hands zero back to 12 when zeroing in the chronograph. There is wear to the chocolate PVD finish as seen on the case, original band and bracelet clasp - it's had a new battery fitted a week ago at watch/ jewellery shop. This is one of the larger Seiko 7A models at 44mm

Please study scans as they better described this watch.

Postage by sign for registered mail only - if you require an international postage cost to your country please email me.

Thank you for looking.

Bidding on the above re-listed auction for a brown-coated 7A38-6020 had been sluggish; from memory, it had struggled to make $125 Au. after half a dozen bids. The 7-day auction was scheduled to end at 4:30pm (UK time) this afternoon. But just after 4:00am (UK time) this morning, half a hour outside the permitted 12-hour window, the seller pulled the listing once again, because of an alleged error.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223072696048

Whether it was a case of the Australian seller losing his bottle, due to the lack of bids, or he succumbed to a 'back door' offer off eBay, only he knows.

This well-worn brown coated 7A38-6020, which appears to have been partially stripped of the brown coating from the bezel and is somewhat tenuously fitted with an unidentified non-original stainless replacement bracelet, was listed by Italian eBay seller pichimmi, this afternoon, as a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of 100 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302951710306

SEIKO RARO, CRONOGRAFO 7A38-6020, IN ACCIAIO ,GHIERA DI 38MM, BRACCIALE NON ORIGINALE, REVISIONATO, FUNZIONA OTTIMO. CONDIZIONI VEDI FOTO.

These are, in fact, rather larger diameter @ 43mm - but that doesn't make this particularly poor example any more desirable. I wasn't sure at first, but then I got that nagging feeling of Déjà Vu - and of course this one has previously featured in this thread, higher up the page ....

Seiko7A38 at April 23, 2018 at 3:12 PM

Seiko7A38 at March 25, 2018 at 11:13 AM

This truly hideous mess - what's left of what once was a brown-coated 7A38-6020 was listed late yesterday evening by a Venezuelan eBay seller, as a 5-day auction, with a laughably optimistic opening bid price of $250.

The Venezuelan eBay seller re-listed that mess of a 7A38-6020 twice, reducing the opening bid price each time: initially to $198 (no takers) then last week down to $159. That second re-listed 7-day auction ended earlier this evening, with it selling for the opening bid price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253565681677

The 7-day Italian eBay auction for that poor excuse for (what once was) a brown coated 7A38-6020, ended earlier this afternoon, selling for 151 Euros after 8 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302951710306

This brown coated 7A38-6020, in average worn condition, was listed earlier this afternoon, by an Italian eBay seller, with a typically over-optimistic 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 590 Euros (or the option to make a much lower offer). This example is allegedly slightly larger diameter than the norm @ 43.50mm !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153266332420

Very rare vintage chronograph Seiko 7a38.6020 giugiaro design-very clean and working perfectly 7a38 caliber-case and bracelet grey/brown pvd-hardlex glass-case 43,50mm-very long original bracelet.

leggere bene quanto segue !!!

read the following carefully !!!

prego i signori utenti di non chiedere rimborsi parziali a consegna avvenuta.ebay non è un gioco anche se divertente,grazie.

Oggetti usato, venduto con formula AS IS (visto e piaciuto nelle condizioni in cui si trova).

Gli oggetti usati in vendita,non sono coperti da nessun tipo di garanzia

Secondo il codice civile ( art.1510,1527 e successivi) non posso essere in alcun modo responsabile per danni o smarrimento durante il trasporto

Garantisco la massima cura nell’imballo

Il pagamento deve essere effettuato secondo le regole di ebay,ossia entro massimo 3 giorni lavorativi dalla chiusura dell’annuncio

Il feedback è molto importante perché contribuisce a nutrire fiducia nei confronti della controparte.Per qualsiasi tipo di problema vi invito a discuterne insieme,senza macchiare la reputazione di un venditore onesto

Per eventuali commenti feedback negativi ingiustificati,sarà mia premura contattare un legale per la risoluzione del problema indicando i dati della controparte

Tutti i miei oggetti sono contrassegnati per renderli riconoscibili ai fini di eventuali denunce presso le forze dell'ordine,onde evitare eventuali truffe sulla restituzione di oggetti diversi o di altra provenienza.