Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at March 6, 2018 at 11:46 PM

This Yema Spationaute III, fitted with a NATO strap, was listed by a French eBay seller encherexpert_paris16 (of more anon) yesterday lunchtime with an absolutely ludicrous pie-in-the-sky Buy-it-Now price of 679.90 Euros ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401503063248

Last week, about half-way down the previous page, I wrote a somewhat lengthy, rather critical post about French eBay consignment seller 'EncherExpert' and the above Yema Spationaute III they were trying to sell. 

Indeed I wrote towards the bottom of my post: What a bunch of incompetents ! 

Some may think that was harsh, but now I feel completely justified in my critique.

Yesterday evening, another used Yema Spationaute III, fitted with a NATO strap, similarly ridiculously priced @ 679.90 Euros, came up in my eBay saved favourite search notifications. Indeed, it looked remarkably similar to their previous listing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132536873100

At first I thought they might have ended the previous listing; corrected the mistakes in it and re-listed it. But No - that one's still there. What they've done in fact, is list it a second time, using another subtly different eBay ID encherexpert-paris14. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is contrary to eBay rules and regulations (when there is only one item available) and hence reportable.

It also makes something of a mockery of a statement on their website, which infers you can walk into one of their 3 Paris outlets, try on and buy the watch in person.

http://www.encherexpert.fr

http://www.encherexpert.com/depot-vente-paris.php

But which one ? 

It's probably safe to expect another listing by eBay seller encherexpert_paris07 in a week's time, as it goes unsold and they tout it round the streets of Paris. 

Seiko7A38 at March 10, 2018 at 7:53 AM

Since mid-week, I've fallen behind slightly with updates to this thread, so with the next couple of posts I'll endeavour to catch up. On Wednesday, another French eBay seller antikpratik24200 listed a supposedly 'NOS' Yema Spationaute III and N8 Flygraf which, given their apparently less than perfect condition, with typically over-optimistic Buy-it-Now prices of 500 Euros and 290 Euros respectively.

The markings on the inner silver part of the Flygraf's slide rule bezel are truncated - I suspect rubbed away by someone polishing the crystal in situ (like my own first example). Again, the once black 12 o'clock side of the leather strap is badly faded. The case-back has one particularly nasty deep gouge, inflicted by a slipped tool. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132529858403

At the time of writing, the N8 Flygraf remains unsold.

Checking my eBay watching page, I notice that 'NOS' Yema N8 Flygraf sold in the early hours of this morning - not for the French seller's slightly reduced Buy-it-Now price of 280 Euros ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132529858403

But as revealed by WatchCount.com's Look-up tool for an offer of 250 Euros:

As confirmed by the eBay Purchase History:

Seiko7A38 at March 10, 2018 at 11:53 AM

Which brings me back round to US eBay seller watchaddict412 ....

Could it be that he's beginning to struggle to shift his speculatively over-priced stash of Yema N8's at his preferred inflated asking prices ? 

His two latest eBay listings are for a Spationaute III (with the less popular yellow lume) and currently a third blingy N81W63 on the Lizard strap. Both these are listed as 7-day auctions with an opening bid price of 'only' $295 (to which of course you'd need to add the obligatory GSP charges of approx. $110 on top). 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132531676159

If not much else, he's still managing to shift the odd Spationaute III. The above quoted 7-day auction ended in the early hours of this morning, selling for $405 after 7 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132531676159

The current spate of Yema '7A38' price-hiking madness continues.

This N81X26, fitted with an unsuitable Bonklip 'military' stainless bracelet, was listed late yesterday evening, by an Italian eBay seller, with a risible 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 500 Euros  (or the option to make an offer). Speaking of options, see my comment at the bottom of the listing description ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292486404855

Orologio cronografo vintage Yema N8 1x26 con movimento al quarzo Seiko 7a38, uno dei migliori movimenti cronografici al quarzo mai realizzati.

Acquistato solo testa in condizioni Nos e indossato solo poche volte, perfetto sia esteticamente che in tutte le sue funzioni (ora, data, giorno, start, stop, split, reset). Tutti i tasti del crono funzionano a dovere con click perfetto.

Bellissimo dial reverse panda dal look vintage che riprende le linee dei crono militari degli anni 60.

Le anse da 20mm, ben spaziate dalla cassa, permettono di utilizzare agevolmente sia un cinturino tradizionale sia di tipo nato, nonché altri tipi di cinturini di stile militare, cosi come ho cercato di mostrare nelle foto.

Vetro acrilico e ghiera fissa. Cassa dalla finitura sabbiata senza segni o ammaccature.

Corona serrata a vite, 40m di tenuta stagna (vista l'età non posso però garantire).

Orologio realizzato da Yema tra 1988 e 1989 e ormai di difficilissima reperibilità.

Venduto con cinturino nero in pelle (cinturino tipo Nato, Bonklip e Bund non sono parte dell'asta).

Spedizione con raccomandata, per altre modalità chiedere in anticipo.

International bidders are welcome, feel free to ask. (I will add in a few days also an english text, now I'm too lazy to just translate, sorry!)

Although the Italian eBay seller admits he's too lazy to translate, because of the number of strap options shown in his listing photos, I thought I'd clarify for his benefit. Google translates the penultimate sentence in Italian as:

Sold with black leather strap (Nato strap, Bonklip and Bund are not part of the auction).

Took me all of 20 seconds to do that. Not much longer to research this part:

Purchased only head in Nos conditions and worn only a few times ....

This watch has of course featured earlier in this thread (the non-original case-back protection sticker being the obvious giveaway). It was first mentioned a the top of Page 20 when it was listed by a French eBay seller, at the end of May 2016 and subsequently sold a week later for 156 Euros - to the current would-be profiteering reseller: jk13 appears to be a member of this forum.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252408186239

Just ran a couple of quick searches on LeBonCoin and noticed another Yema Spationaute III, which was listed last weekend that I'd overlooked to mention. It's typically over-priced @ 350 Euros, so is likely to be there a while (like the other two, which have been re-listed ad nauseam). It's fitted with a non-original ZRC leather strap and has a scuffed, rather than (tool mark) scratched case-back. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1397792628.htm

Yema spationaute 3

With so many speculatively over-priced Yema N8's on eBay recently, it makes a refreshing change to see one sensibly priced - even if it happens to be a less desirable 'Pseudo Plongeur'. This N80P896 was listed in the early hours of this morning by an Australian eBay seller stevenkazza_9 (who happens to be forum member 'Steve7A') with a Buy-it-Now price of $125Au (or the option to make an offer). As Steve correctly stated in his description, the mock-croc leather strap fitted (and the tin presentation box it comes supplied in) are not 'period' accessories, but post-1995 items (hence the lower case yema logo).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263555907451

Vintage Yema Paris N8 OP8 96 Chronograph watch made in France using the Seiko 7A38 15 jewel movement (worlds first quartz analogue movement), fwiw Seiko once owned Yema, rebranded Shimauchi V906 for the Yema brand watches. Very good condition and lightly worn condition with very few visible marks to the face and bezel, some scratches to the back as can be seen in the photos. Comes with Yema box, not original, also a new Yema replacement band. Overall a very clean and lightly worn watch, the buttons function like that of a new watch. Watch face measures 38mm, not including the pushers/ crown. A very collectable watch with a reasonable "buy it now".

Free postage within Australia only, thanks for looking.

International will be sent standard air mail parcel, please see exclusion list for countries I do not post to including - BRAZIL, ROMANIA, ITALY, GERMANY AND CANADA.

The above Yema N80P896 sold as a Buy-it-Now for $125Au this morning.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263555907451

The Offer History shows that the seller declined 2 earlier offers of $100Au.

Seiko7A38 at July 30, 2017 at 3:37 PM

I'm not finding much in the way of Yema N7's or N8's on LeBonCoin lately - and certainly not any bargains.  Maybe I'm just not searching regularly enough.  This wildly over-optimistically priced N81W53 was listed on there earlier this week. 290 Euros !

It's now at the top of the second page of a search on 'Yema'. I expect it'll be doing the rounds a while. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1167219560.htm?ca=1_s

Pour collectionneur montre Yema Paris Chronometre

I just ran a search on 'Yema' on LeBonCoin.fr to see if there was anything 'new'. Didn't find anything, but this came up near the top of the search results. Looks like 'Ludo' is finally getting the message. His latest re-listing, yesterday evening, for his well-worn N81W53, the asking price is now down to 'only' 120 Euros. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1167219560.htm

Oh - and there's this (which is not 'new' either)  ....

Seiko7A38 at March 10, 2018 at 7:53 AM

The Spationaute III suffered from badly yellowed lume on both the bezel and dial batons and the 12 o'clock side of the once navy blue shark strap was badly faded.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132529778943

Rare neuve de stock Montre yema à quartz MODÈLE Spationaute III

Parfait état. Sans pile.

Less than perfect or not, the Spationaute III sold on Thursday evening - not for the 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 500 Euros ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132529778943

But as revealed by WatchCount.com's Look-up tool for an offer of 350 Euros:

What appears to be exactly the same Spationaute III sold by French eBay seller antikpratik24200 on 8th March, was listed on LeBonCoin.fr at the beginning of this week - back at the eBay seller's original Buy-it-Now price of 500 Euros !  The chancer has even re-used the eBay seller's same 2 photos. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1402861750.htm

I suspect there are a minority of readers who are fed up of seeing me complaining about the profiteering that happens all too regularly on eBay. If so, I suggest they look away now. Yesterday evening I came across another blatant example of this practice by a long-time exponent. And I do mean 'long time', because he's been at it since at least 2009 and seems to specialize in selling this particular watch. I am of course talking about French eBay seller montre-luxe-occasion. If the eBay username isn't familiar, or you just want to refresh your memory, run a search on the forum on montre-luxe-occasion and you'll find where he's featured in this thread before, starting halfway down Page 9 - but the story goes back a lot longer than that. He was briefly a member of this forum before I banned him. 

Yesterday evening, this would-be profiteering re-seller listed a Yema Spationaute III 38mm reduced, with a risible 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 489 Euros. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232717339744

The primary image in his listing is a wrist shot taken by forum member Steve7A, which he'd posted at the top of Page 72 of the WRUW thread and subsequently used as his primary image, when he sold it on eBay last month (see previous page for full details of Steve's eBay listing).

Although all the photos have been 'borrowed' from Steve's listing, the description appears to have been copied from the original eBay listing (by 1placevendome), dating back to 2009 and later used by montre-luxe-occasion-com in April 2014 (that eBay ID was subsequently abandoned). Note the same case-back serial number 2 - 270. Turns out it wasn't an oversight on their part, as I intially thought, but a rather amusing 'coincidence'. 

Montre YEMA SPATIONAUTE III

Description : Montre équipant Jean Loup Chrétien pour la mission Franco-Soviétique ARAGATZ en 1988. Vol spatial effectué à bord du vaisseau Soyouz.

Chronographe 1/10e de seconde.

Excellent état- Entièrement révisée: Garantie 1 an

Boitier : YEMA - Acier - Lunette tournante unidirectionnelle - Fond vissé et signé : "YEMA SPATIONAUTE III - Water résistant 100M - N8 0A 696"

N° de série: YEMA 2 - 270

Cadran : Blanc, signé: "YEMA PARIS - quartz 100M" - Chronographe trois compteurs.

Mouvement : Seiko 7A38 - Shimauchi Ltd. V906 - 15 Rubis (SEIKO) - Excellent état de présentation et de fonctionnement. Entièrement révisé.

Bracelet : Superbe cuir Marron - 20 mm - Neuf- Boucle plaquée or.

Verre : Saphir. Excellent état

Dimensions : Épaisseur 12mm. Largeur hors couronne: 38mm.

In case that wrist shot of Steve's doesn't ring any bells, here's where he sold it last month, for $185Au - equivalent to approx. 115.30 Euros at today's exchange rate.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263528667999

Checking the mutual positive feedback left, it appears montre-luxe-occasion used a different (private) eBay ID to purchase the watch from Steve. I'm wondering now, if Steve realized who he was actually selling it (back) to, at the time. 

Please excuse the number of edits I've made to this post: I've just realized this is a case of Déjà Vu - in more ways than one.  The common denominator being that all too familiar case-back serial number: 2 - 270. Here's where it was first listed in April 2014 by montre-luxe-occasion-com, initially with a ludicrous Buy-it-Now price of 1499 Euros, later reduced to 'only' 949 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261453150023

The watch was re-listed umpteen times over the next 18 months - usually with a Buy-it-Now price of 749 Euros (see my last updates at the top of page 18 of this thread) until the end of November 2015, when montre-luxe-occasion eventually re-listed it as a 7-day auction with an opening bid-price of only 1 Euro.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231767528896

It finally sold for 301 Euros after 22 bids: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231767528896

Ironically I finished that post by writing:

Hopefully that'll be the last we see of it. 

I hadn't realized it was Steve who had bought it - and due to his changing the strap (and my having previously failed to spot the same case-back serial number in his eBay listing description) didn't make the connection until this morning. The upshot being that it's back once again - with the original seller, who's looking to make another fat profit by re-selling it. How long will it take him this time ? 

Thanks for the good write-up Paul on the 38mm reduced Yema. If only I knew what I was entering into when I originally purchased that watch lol.  Anyway let's keep the bastards honest! 

For one reason and another, I've fallen almost a fortnight behind with updates to this thread - so without further delay, I'm going to quickly rattle off a few.

Since I last updated this thread, US eBay seller watchaddict412 has managed to sell a couple more of his grossly over-priced shop-soiled Yema N8's (which he insists on describing as 'NOS'). The first to go was a blue and silver dialed N81W63 - the one with the damaged cabouchon crown. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132512605896

WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals it sold for an offer of $300.

That now leaves him with 5 of the less popular blingy gold-dialed version unsold:

A few days later, he sold another not quite 'NOS' Yema N8 Flygraf. I you'd checked the listing photos (which I hadn't previously bothered to upload here), the more observant of you may have noticed something not quite right with this one. Someone had obviously had the movement out of the case, fumbled the dial ring and put it back in upside down with the Pi symbol π at the top. That's the second or third one I've seen like that. Oh Yes - and the case-back had more than it's fair share of slipped tool marks. Incompetent botcher ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132563459892

WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals it sold for an offer of $425.

A couple of days later, he listed another N8 Flygraf - and amazingly this one could actually genuinely be described as 'NOS'. The dial ring is correctly oriented; the case-back is still fitted with its protective sticker - and to my amazement, for once appears to be devoid of slipped tool marks !! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132571268447

LES PILES DES 2 MONTRES SONT À CHANGER

LES BOÎTIER SONT DE 40 MM POUR LA FLYGRAF ET 38 MM POUR LA YEMA AVEC CADRAN NOIR

PAIEMENT PAYPAL

Because sometimes stuff just disappears !! 

This Yema Spationaute III was listed last week, by a US eBay seller, as a 5-day auction with an opening bid price of $150. I right-clicked and saved the photos and took a screen print of the listing, intending to write it up here. As you can see from the small green tick, I had added it to my eBay watching page. Next time I went to look at it, a couple of days later, the listing had disappeared without a trace ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263591730874

So, out of curiosity, I messaged the eBay seller asking what had happened to the listing. A copy of his first reply is below. Seems the watch is still available, though I get the impression he's not planning on letting it go for $150. 

See my comments at the top of this page about the apparent incompetence of French eBay consignment seller 'Enchere Expert'. Eventually, it seems they decided entre deux it was their Montparnasse 'Paris14' outlet who was going to attempt to sell the Yema Spationaute III - rather than 'Paris16' who originally listed it. I can't be bothered to post screen prints, but there were at least 3 duplicate listings (including the two linked at the top of the page) which were ended because of an (admin) error. The latest re-listing by encherexpert-paris14 appeared early this morning, with the 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price now further reduced down to 'only' 509.90 Euros. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382434344911

That Yema Spationaute III which mysteriously disappeared off eBay earlier in the week is back. It was listed again (rather than re-listed per se) at lunchtime today, as a 5-day auction with an opening bid price of $175 (compared to the previous $150). The photos are new, rather than the previous set re-used. Same case-back serial number 4-269. Clearly the same US eBay seller based in New Orleans, but using a different eBay ID this time: lnaha0 instead of darry1957. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152981905854

Watch itself is in great condition and running well. The casing and crystal are in amazing shape w/ minimal to almost no scratching, this watch has been drawer kept for almost the last 20 years and was only ever worn around the house when it was originally purchased, the dial is as perfect as can be for watch of it's age the photos don't do it justice all buttons push cleanly and nicely as the should with no akwardness or resistance as does the bezel rotates completely as it should and clicks very nicely and consistently with every rotation. Now believe it or not the only unsightly thing on the watch is the original black leather band that's got matching blue stitching and I only say that cause it is a little broken in but there are no tears or rips in the leather no obnoxious warps and the of the period Yema emblem can still be easily read on metal end of the band.

The above US eBay auction for a Yema Spationaute III ended about 10 minutes ago, selling for $242.50 after 9 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152981905854

I had placed an initial opening bid of $175 (more out of curiosity than anything else - because I really didn't need another), expecting to be outbid. Then on Friday afternoon, I received this unsolicited message from the seller:

Having already checked the feedback on his other eBay ID darry1957 and seen he'd recently been left three negative feedbacks, I declined. On Sunday I was outbid, by someone who placed a bid for $240. Difficult to prove, but for reasons I won't go into, I have a sneaking suspicion that was a shill. Anyway it's academic, because someone else seem determined to win it.

The latest re-listing for a 'nearly new' Yema Spationaute III on a NATO, by French eBay consignment seller encherexpert-paris14 reappeared early this morning, with the 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price now further reduced down to 'only' 400 - Sorry 399.90 Euros. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112974097442

Seiko7A38 at April 12, 2018 at 12:32 PM

A couple of days later, he listed another N8 Flygraf - and amazingly this one could actually genuinely be described as 'NOS'. The dial ring is correctly oriented; the case-back is still fitted with its protective sticker - and to my amazement, for once appears to be devoid of slipped tool marks !! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132571268447

Needless to say, with a ludicrous Buy-it-Now price of $485, that Yema N8 Flygraf went unsold. US eBay seller watchaddict412 relisted it again at the same price and then again, reducing it slightly to $475 - with the same predictable outcome. I haven't bothered checking, but I presume he must have declined a few lower offers over that 3 week period. Because at the end of April, he changed selling tactics and re-listed it as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of $299. That auction ended yesterday evening, with what could well have been his last 'NOS' Yema N8 Flygraf, selling for $350.50 after 3 bids - apparently bought by a member of this forum. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132600652400

Every now and then, I'll google the Yema N8 model numbers to see if I've missed anything. In doing so, I came across a couple of recent listings for dressy N8 models on the Indonesian classifieds site Bukalapak.com

The first, presumably an archived result - now sold, was a typically worn N8YX53, fitted with a replacement leather strap which had been notched to fit the 19mm lug width.

http://www.bukalapak.com/p/fashion-pria/jam-tangan-171/giyzuc-jual-jam-tangan-yema-paris-n8yx53

The second, for a N81W53 which appears to be in nice, little worn or possibly even unworn condition, on it's original Yema leather strap, is still a current listing:

http://www.bukalapak.com/p/fashion-pria/jam-tangan-171/7udfer-jual-yema-jam-tangan-langka

Note the case-back's engraving looks fresh and sharp and it's refreshingly devoid on the usual slipped tool marks. For anyone interested, who's prepared to deal at arm's length, with the potential language difficulties, the asking price of 1,250,000 Indonesian Rupiah equates to a mere $89.22 USD or £65.75 GBP.