Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

This lightly customized 7A38-6030 with tidily re-painted chronograph hands apeared on Yahoo Japan auctions at the weekend:

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d161999662

セイコークロノグラフ　クオーツ黒　中古

Google translates the description as follows:

Seiko chronograph black quartz used. For exhibition, I was put in the battery. Working no problem. Color I seen where the body, the breath of the black corner is I so black that. There are Surekizu to 3:00 and 10:00 of the position on the glass. There is an embossing of SPEEDMASTER and helmet (see image) Batsukuru part. Crown is located in the 8 o'clock position. Around the arm is 19.5cm. Modified piece no. Nervous because overall attrition is large, please consider the tender looking for beauty products. Shipping is, we plan a box BOON. Dispatch from Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Yamanashi Prefecture is 597 yen postage. Thank you.

(February 8, 2015 4:32 addition) on the back cover, round mark of wave has been embossed in the middle. Please look at Tara glad Because we put the detailed image to Yahoo! My box. https://box.yahoo.co.jp/guest/viewer?sid=box-l-gt4q6ep6r3pxdtnvsfl3hzm3mu-

That Yahoo Japan auction, which was automatically extended (once) by 5 minutes, due to a late bid placed, just ended:

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d161999662

The lightly modded 7A38-6030 sold for 16,500 Yen (equivalent approx. $138.50 USD / £90 GBP) after 21 bids by 9 different bidders.

Having thankfully recovered from his major health scare in the second part of last year (2014), erstwhile Australian 7Axx collector Stuart Lennard (ex-forum member 'ginny') has resumed the selling off of his once impressive collection. In the early hours of this morning he listed three 7A38's, including this reasonable looking example of a JDM 7A38-6030.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121653768008

ONE OF THE RAREST SEIKOS 7A38-6030. THESE VIRTUALY NEVER COME UP FOR SALE. A JAPAN DOMESTIC MARKET MODEL. 

ALL FUNCTIONS WORK CORRECTLY, BEZEL TURNS FREELY. IN FANTATIC CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. 

YOU WILL NOT FIND ANOTHER ONE OF THESE IN A HURRY. COMPLETE WITH BOX AND OUTER BOX. 

Customer is responsible for additional if any custom fees brockerage fees duties and or taxes. 

Shipping is about four days trackable signed for. Shipping is subsidised, it does cost me a lot more. Australian residents shipping s $14.00, I will send you a price difference refund. I will only ship to confirmed paypal address. Sorry NO PO BOXES.

As with Stuart's 7A38-6010, which he has listed concurrently, it's not too difficult to figure out where he bought this 7A38-6030.

Although I can't verify the serial number, it's the one that was (re)listed by Yahoo Japan seller serena_special, in November 2013.

As I wrote on the first page of this thread, at the time (November 22, 2013 at 9:51 PM):

There was only one bidder who got it for the 49,500 Yen opening bid price. If I'm not mistaken, the winning ID loa***** with a whopping feedback rating of 19252 belongs to one of the YJ proxy bidding services. So I've got a pretty good idea where this one is headed.

Ignore the date shown on my screen print below - once again, eBay seems to be confusing the actual ended (i.e. item sold) date with the date the listing would have ended, had it run the full 30-day duration.  I just picked this up from my eBay watching page, but it looks like Stuart's 7A38-6030 finally sold early this morning (June 9th) for his $380 Buy-it-Now asking price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121653768008

It's been a while since we've seen a 7A38-6030 offered for sale and a long time since I've personally seen one in such good condition. This lightly worn well cared for used example, with JDM box and instruction manual was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today:

http://page24.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q92146389

Google translates the title and seller's lengthy description, amusingly in places, as follows:

Seiko Speedmaster 7A38-6030 chronograph SEIKO beauty products

[Hello]

Thank you very much for seeing it.

Watch it but had been to the various and collected like, design is the model's and the or I bought two I dub favorite

did therefore been quite a few, I was allowed to exhibit and I will try to a little organized.

I think you need a courage pretty is it to bid without checking directly in kind with their own hands.

Actually validated before all watch running an exhibition, or used, so we have to confirm the operation, please feel easy.

Storage etc. which had been kept in a good environment for the watch.

and I'd like to see the the original if actual thing, but it is happy if you can please judge image.

Actual thing check if someone is us and the timing in the way of your local is also possible.

[Size of the body]

The size of the case (without button) side about 37mm, vertical (including lag) about 43mm, a thickness of about 12mm,

about arm around is enough About longest 18.5 or 19mmcm. (Genuine metal band: Stamped Speed ​​Master)

[Appearance of state]

it becomes a used article, there are fine attrition etc. Although it is not much beautiful goods use impression.

Of course windshield is also beautiful.

We have reflected something like a white dot in the image, but it was and slipped's dust at the time of shooting. 

[State of the operation]

and is operating without problems in the quartz operation. Battery level is unknown.

Exhibiting, when there was a dead battery in the dispatch after a successful bid

, please replace the battery, etc. in the way there is no excuse for the highest bidder.

On the manual reference that comes, we've verified all of the functions is not a problem.

Rotating bezel is around is hard, but you can be surely one rotation.

Luminous (phosphorescent) is also weak but I will light.

It will be working properly goods. 

[Accessories]

accessory is the original manual and Seiko sport case.

[An exhibitor my super personal impressions]

It becomes rare Blackie Speedmaster 7A38.

Anyway, it is cool! It is an old watch, but I think that a state is quite good.

In fear from being marked with use flaws, after obtain this speed master it had become almost ornamental.

The next owners, please by all means give with under the blue sky! (Lol)

[About the postage, etc.]

product will be only to those of the image.

Please let me free shipping by letter pack plus (no time specified none transportation damage compensation).

Watch I think it's okay with generous I do therefore letter pack plus packing in recognition that delicate thing, but

if courier (with time specification equipped transportation indemnity) When was the hope,

letter pack plus shipping from courier postage The dispatch by the carriage who discount the 510 yen

after a successful bid also because it is possible to let me, please let us know before the payment in the first contact.

(Example of a courier hope) if courier postage of 710 yen, I transfer money of the highest bid plus 200 yen. 

[Questions]

If you have any thing to be worried about, please do not hesitate to ask a question also means trivial.

It goes without saying that, in honestly my understand range, we will as quickly as possible to your reply.

During the exhibition, If there is a point you notice us, so we will update item description,

bid please seeing from along with the question column.

And fortunately it is if you have a good dealings for both sides.

Besides, since I have sent the watch also this, please have a look, if very well.

Thank you. 

(Additional 08 pm November 14, 2015)

Thank you very much for seeing it. Although the third image showing manual for 7830,

I have taken it accidentally. Do not worry because there is original 7A38 of the instruction manual.

That Yahoo Japan auction for the 7A38-6030 ended yesterday lunctime - sold for the Buy-it-Now price of 60,000 Yen.

http://page24.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q92146389

I will admit - 'twas I who bought it - I asked Daisuke to act as intermediary for me and once again he generously obliged. 

I've wanted a 7A38-6030 ever since I saw photos of Hung Pham's pristine example (top of previous page) and I guess after missing a couple of decent examples over the years, impatience finally got the better of me. Thing is, once you've bought one, effectively paying over the odds, just to fill a gap in your collection, it's probably ill advised to google the model number of the watch in question.

But that's exactly what I did.

I found another listing for a 7A38-6030 - in similar condition and similarly described, that was sold recently on Rakuten.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/manpukusyoten/40000048/

This reasonable looking example of a 7A38-6030 was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions yesterday - as 'Junk'.

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u93772250

Google translates the Japanese seller's formatted description as follows:

The above Yahoo Japan auction listing for that 'Junk' 7A38-6030 ended earlier today, selling for 17,500 Yen - equivalent to approx. $150 USD / £105 GBP after 8 bids by 4 different bidders.

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u93772250

This listing for a 'head only' 7A38-6030, not only missing its bracelet but also, more crucially, its rotating 'Diver' bezel, appeared on Yahoo Japan earlier in the week. The opening bid price was 3500 Yen.

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u101893893

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

Please participate in the auction from ※ read all of the items First

※ Please participate in the auction, read the self-introduction sentence

Product Details

Brand: SEIKO

Product Name: Speedmaster [7A38-6030]

Color: Black

Dial: Black

Size: Face length of about 4.3cm side about 3.7cm (excluding crown) 

Material: Stainless

Specifications: Quartz [Chronograph]

Accessories: None [body only]

State:

[Body] scratch there is beating scratch due generally use. Bezel has taken.

[Glass] scratch damage I think without a beautiful state.

The battery is exchanged. Status quo is operating without problems.

Essentially secondhand goods becomes therefore present condition delivery, no claim Roh thank you in over return.

Please contact us certainly from the question when there that anxious.

Amateur size ※

※ Since the amateur storage / state will be the only here subjectivity, in the image please verify. Fine scratches and damage such as oversight, etc. might be there, but is in because it is second-hand goods please acknowledge payment details bank transfer [Japan Post Bank] [Hokuriku Bank] credit card settlement [Yahoo! simple settlement] [transfer fee serves as a successful bidder burden] dispatch details Toyama prefecture from shipping becomes ※ letter pack 360/510 will also be accepted, but delivery accident guaranteed No corresponding repayment etc from here even in the unlikely event eventuality It can not be accepted at your own risk. Notes bid please refrain from the person who can not understand the situation here [If there is no understanding in old clothes] [contact us within 48 hours after a successful bid] [payment within five days after a successful bid] ※ before bidding successful bid before wait if you in advance for your contact you in no claim no return becomes. Please contact us beforehand from the question column questions. Questions principle please refrain of the highest bid for after the commodity so bad also new and significantly evaluation has a case where I am allowed to carry out the notice of the transaction after a bid and a successful bid, please contact us beforehand from the question column.

The auction was originally scheduled to end @ 12:43 (UK time), but was automatically extended by a total of 20 minutes, due to late bids placed and so instead finished @ 13:04 (UK time). It finally sold for 10,000 Yen (equivalent to approx $91.90 USD / £64.70 GBP) after 24 bids by 6 different bidders.

This 7A38-6030, fitted with a non-original rubber dive strap, was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier this week, with an opening bid price of 1000 Yen. Bidding is currently @ 7250 Yen, with 4 days of the auction still to run.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b223532202

Google translates the Japanese seller's description (badly) as follows:

◆ Seiko Speedmaster 7A38-6030 quartz used ◆ 

※ shipping source Thank two places. Please give me a bid after confirming the commodity shipping origin of the region.

* This will be the men's watches.

Dirt and scratches associated with the use, there is a fine painting peel off.

Belt does not have genuine products.

Belt of Teikawa is not there.

※ operation not yet verification for, will be C rank. - It becomes a personal storage. Please note. Accessory is not. · Bid thank you on the check with a photograph. Movement has been currently stopped at the battery-powered. · The crown has become a possible date, time, day of the week changes. ※ us, detailed operation check for lack of knowledge is not done with respect to our products. - Since the battery replacement is not done, or failure or battery power is subject unknown. Size (excluding crown) diameter of about 3.6cm around the arm about 14.4-19.9cm for ※ amateur measuring, there is error. - We have taken a picture of close to the actual state as much as possible about goods, but there is the case that there are some differences, such as in color. ※ In order to give you at present, guarantee of behavior we can not do. ※ can not respond to returned goods even if there is a problem with the emergency operation. Please note. · Bid thank you for your understanding.

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A38-6030, fitted with a non-original rubber dive strap, ended about half an hour ago.

It sold for 28,398 Yen (equivalent to $276.25 / £209.40 GBP) after 28 bids.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b223532202

Seiko7A38 at September 14, 2016 at 8:38 AM

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A38-6030, fitted with a non-original rubber dive strap, ended about half an hour ago.

It sold for 28,398 Yen (equivalent to $276.25 / £209.40 GBP) after 28 bids.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b223532202

A bit high for the head only. I guess someone wanted it more than me...

Speaking of 'A bit high', I see that Morethan1 now also has a 7A38-6030 up for sale on WatchUseek, with an asking price of $600.

Case of 'The pot calling the kettle black', eh Alex ? 

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-seiko-7a38-6030-speedmaster-pvd-3685162.html

This well-worn looking 'head only' 7A38-6030 (also a non-runner) was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions earlier today, with an opening bid price of 1 Yen.

http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l373409400

Google translates the seller's colourful (and musical ?) description as follows:

Jeez - I'm only two days behind in posting the result, but the YJ hosted images have already disappeared from the above listing for a non-working 'head only' 7A38-6030 !  The auction ended on Christmas Day, around lunchtime (UK time), selling for a mere 6,000 Yen (equivalent to approx. $51 USD / £41.75 GBP) after 35 bids.

http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l373409400

This morning, I was checking the forum's control panel / dashboard, looking at some visitor activity, when I noticed an incoming search on 7A38-6030. The Italian visitor then appeared to have spent some time reading this topic. As it's a JDM model, I then quickly ran a search on Yahoo Japan to see if one had been listed - as you would. Nothing. Seems he must have had one to sell. This 7A38-6030, fitted with a very worn non-original bracelet was listed by an Italian eBay seller this lunchtime. Not a coincidence, methinks. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292065854877

VENDO OROLOGIO CRONOGRAFO AL QUARZO SEIKO REF 7A38 6030 , DIAMETRO ESCLUSA CORONA 37 MM BUONE LE CONDIZIONI, IL BRACCIALE SEMBRA GENERICO FUNZIONANTE MA NON CONOSCO LA DATA DELL'ULTIMA REVISIONE,ACQUISTATO CON FORMULA VISTO E PIACIUTO, NO GARANZIA NO RESO NO VENDITA IN CONTRASSEGNO. 

That Italian eBay auction for the well worn 7A38-6030 ended a few moments ago, selling for the opening bid price of 79.99 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292065854877

I must admit that a couple of times last week, I'd considered bidding on it. It was the Italian seller's inclusion of the word 'Pilot' in his listing title that had given me the idea. I thought it might make a suitable basis for a possible MODding exercise, converting it into a pseudo-military 7A38 RAF Gen. 1 clone - either bead-blasting the existing case and finding a plain fixed bezel to replace the rotating divers one, or by fitting the dial / movement into a bead-blasted stainless 7A38-7060 case (using a 7A28-702A Tachymeter ring). The 7A38-6030's 603LXB13 dial  (which is also used in the stainless 7A38-6040) is probably the plainest all-black 7A38 dial available, with only white painted logos. But the more I studied the eBay seller's photos, I became less sure about the apparently discoloured lume on some of the batons. So although I was watching as the auction ended and could have sniped it, I passed on the opportunity. Besides, I've already got far too many unfinished projects. 

Paul: What a great idea. That dial, 603LXB13, as you say is perfect. And I have the perfect strap that I will contribute. A US Military Issue one piece Marathon nylon watchband… 

Well here's your second chance, Paul. It's back on eBay again, re-listed this morning by the same Italian seller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292095353563

Listing title, description and photos all appear to be the same, but the opening bid price has been increased by 10 Euros. 

Thanks Paul however at US$98.00 plus shipping and not accepting PayPal…I'll pass. Too much money for a dial and tachymeter ring.