Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

This well worn-looking Kamatz listed by a Canadian seller rocked up in 3 of my eBay saved favourite searches earlier this evening ....

If you look at the description you can probably figure out why. 

In other circumstances, I might have tacked it onto the Beware the Gender Bender - this is a Kamatz LADY's watch ! thread 

in the eBay section. But as this seller isn't actually claiming that it's a Gent's / Men's watch, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt .... 

Because once again, this is a Kamatz model # 507000 - the Boys / Ladies version - and fitted with a non-original bracelet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391072632786

FIND IT IN VERY GOOD CONDITIONS IN THE ORIGINAL BOX ,,RUNNING IN A FRESH BATTERY,,,WAS BOUGHT IN PARIS ON THE 1980..AT COST ABOUT 800$ THEN..

THE MOVEMENT IT'S ALSO THE SAME FOR THE Yema Spationaute III

Shimauchi Ltd. V906 - 15 Rubis 

WE SHIP TO CANADA AND USA cost...15.00$

I haven't bothered uploading all the seller's photos - a few are quite similar. The 'wrist shot' gives a good idea of the size of these little watches - they're only about 35mm diameter (excluding the crown and pusher extensions). Best avoided unless you've got very small 'girly' wrists. Note the horribly butchered case-back and the ill-fitting bracelet end pieces. The Kamatz box is genuine though. 

Seiko7A38 at March 2, 2015 at 1:09 PM

What is it with Yema and Romania lately ?  Here's another N8 Flygraf listed by another Romanian eBay seller this afternoon.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121585004277

HELLO.AN AUCTION THIS RARE YEMA FLYGRAF CHRONOGRAPH 100 M FRANCE.ALL STAINLESS STEEL,THE CASE MEASURES APROX 41 MM WITHOUT CROWN AND PUSHERS.EXCELENT WORKING WITH MOVEMENT SHIMAUKI JAPAN ,15 JEWELS LIKE SEIKO. THANKS.

I've rotated all 4 of the seller's photos through 90 degrees for clarity. Note also the non-original screw-down crown fitted.

That eBay auction for a Yema N8 Flygraf by a Romanian seller ended a few minutes ago, selling for the opening bid price of £99.99

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121585004277

And before anybody so much as hints .... No - it wasn't me, either (private listing - bidders' identities protected). 

Remember - I really didn't need another Yema N8 Flygraf .... and I think 4's more than enough for anybody. 

My apologies to readers of this thread if it seems to be turning into a 'Yema Spationaute III and N8 Flygraf spotted' thread lately ....

But I am really struggling to spot anything else new of interest, lately - even on LeBonCoin. 

I just ran my Worldwide eBay search on Yema again this afternoon, which yields 700+ items (Horology related - excluding crap) ...

All it found (new rather than re-listed) was this rather grubby Yema N8 0P896 'Psueudo Plongeur' listed by a French eBay seller:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/271795818363

Seller's description reads simply: Chrono yema bon état bracelet cuir.

With apologies for mentioning the F****** word one more time. 

But I just ran a quick search on LeBonCoin and guess what has just been re-listed for the nth time this afternoon ? 

This rusty empty case and case-back (no bezel, crystal nor crown / stem) for a Yema N8 Flygraf  - with an asking price of 50 Euros !

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/113867662.htm?ca=1_s

BOITIER et FOND VISSE CHRONOMETRE YEMA

f1yves111 - Mise en ligne le 7 mars à 15:13.

Prix : 50 €

Ville : Sanary-sur-Mer

Code postal : 83110 

Description :

Boitier YEMA avec son fond vissé pour montre (chronomètre) YEMA. Port suivi compris.

I haven't bothered right-clicking the seller's photos (from this listing), because I already had them on file - from July 2010 !!

I distinctly remember back then the seller was asking 35 Euros for it.  The mind truly boggles at the continued stupidity. 

Seiko7A38 at November 20, 2014 at 4:46 PM

Speaking of French eBay sellers and their laughably over-optimistic asking prices, earlier this evening, I spotted this ....

Yema N81W53 listed by one with zero feedback, apparently a good command of English - and absolutely no idea of their value. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281500830710

 

RETAIL VALUE $ 500.00 if available, rare!  

If you are looking for a high quality watch that is a true statement piece, this is the watch for you. Yema features movements by the Seiko. This quartz timepiece is known for quality workmanship, accurate timekeeping, and modern style! Water resistant to 50 meters, with lots of features! If you want a reliable watch for everyday, you can’t go wrong! Black leather band, 39 MM x 11MM with many working functions. There is no box or paperwork accompany the watch. This is an estate piece, probably from 2010-2012. It does show slight signs of wear typical of a gently used watch. No tears, discoloration, or defect in the leather band. No scratches on the crystal and dial features large Roman numerical. Must have for the watch collection.

I say 'apparently', because if you google (any part) of the description, you can see where he copied it from (almost verbatim):

http://www.buggysgoneshopping.com/Pages/Watches.aspx

Remember Buggy's Yema N81W53 ?  If not, scroll back to page 6 where the saga begins almost exactly a year ago. 

That Yema N81W53 first listed by a French eBay seller with (then) zero feedback, back in November last year is still being re-listed. 

The original over-optimistic opening bid price of 250 Euros changed to $225 US at some point, but otherwise it looks much the same.

Here's a link to the latest re-listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281633003251

Meanwhile on the other side of the pond a US eBay seller has just listed one (fitted with a new Hadley Roma 19mm strap):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171720411823

Here's a somewhat less than original full-sized (43mm diameter, not 40mm as stated in the title) Yema Spationate III Aragatz, listed on eBay in the early hours of this morning, by another of the less than scrupulous Filipino watch botchers - tempus617.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151624016337

As is common practice with such disreputable Filipino eBay watch botchers, the description and T's & C's continue ad nauseam.

I'm not going to bother copying the rest of it, other than this poignant oft-abused sentence which appears further down this listing:

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED on ALL ITEMS

Unscrupulous sellers like tempus617 wouldn't recognize genuine authenticity (or originality) if it bit them in the ass ! 

Apart from the non-original screw-down crown (plenty of photos of the correct part on this forum), for the benefit of any foolhardy punter who might be considering bidding, may I draw your attention to the hands fitted. They are not original Yema (neither the silver painted or polished main hands that might be found on this dial variation). I'd hazard a guess that they're Seiko, including the sweep second and sub-dial hands - possibly off something like a 7A28-7069 (black wrinkle coated Titanium). Caveat Emptor - as always.

I have a couple of admissions to make. 

As nobody else really seemed interested in it, I bought the Yema N8 0P896 that I posted higher up the page on March 7th:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271795818363

The French seller had already agreed he'd ship to the UK and quoted me postage, but after I'd won the auction for only 16 Euros, he tried to renege on the deal. Anyway, it arrived today. Originally I'd bought it solely with the intention of breaking it for parts.  

But although rather grubby and in need of a replacement crystal, it might be worth saving for its own sake. 

I've also just bought another of those fugly Kamatz 517000's with the Tricoleur sub-dials. 

I spotted this listing, again by a French eBay seller, 10 days ago, when it was first listed and placed an opening bid on it.

Then just added it to my watching page and wait and see what happened. I didn't plan on paying too much for it. 

With 10 minutes of the auction remaining bidding was still only @ £22.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231500827988

GENTS KAMATZ PARIS CHRONOGRAPH / TACHYMETER. MODEL NUMBER 517000 QUARTZ WRISTWATCH. MADE IN FRANCE. DAY / DATE AT THREE O'CLOCK THE WATCH IS IN WORKING ORDER BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW OLD THE BATTERY IS. IT IS IN GOOD USED CONDITION WITH ONLY MINOR MARKS ON THE CRYSTAL, THE STAINLESS STEEL BACK HAS SOME SCRATCHES. PLEASE SEE PICTURES.

With just 10 seconds left to go, it was still @ £22 and by then I'd aready decided to nail it:

Sold to me for £34. 

A very patriotic color combination ! Good one.  

That eBay auction for the somewhat less than original Yema Spationaute III, by Filipino watch botcher tempus617, which I posted about last week, ended on Tuesday. I hadn't bothered posting the result. There was only one bidder at the $99 opening bid price:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151624016337

Apparently, the winning bidder must have had second thoughts, because I see it's been re-listed this morning:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151632798855

I can't see any obvious amendments to the seller's description. So, still very much a case of Caveat Emptor as far as I'm concerned.

I haven't seen much listed on Yahoo Japan auctions, in the way on Yema N7's or N8's lately (nor on LeBonCoin, for that matter). 

Maybe I haven't been searching diligently enough.  Just spotted this Yema N7 '7A28' which had been listed for a couple of days.

It's a bit rough round the edges.  But perhaps with some effort all those deep scratches on the case might 'buff right out'. 

Had to refresh my memory of the model number - it's a N71X32 - same as that mint (YJ) example posted on the first page.

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m136594319

1円～used YEMA クォーツ 動作確認済(シ-90C)

Google translates the lengthy Japanese description, full of the usual caveats, as follows:

¥ 1 ~ used YEMA quartz Verified 

Product size

Face (including crown) W about 3.7cm arm around a maximum of about 20cm

(It will be amateur flat putting measuring, please understanding and understand some of the error or the like. On the reference to the size in regard Men Women, successful bidder please judge. Belt is also described the case of goods outside no cage.)

Product Status

Rank [3]

Exhibit will be only a thing of image. Please your understanding because accessory etc not in the image is not included in the basic even if there are described as new.

Please confirm the state in the image.

Even if there is a description with a working, if it is the battery out when the commodity arrives, please replace the battery at borne by the successful bidder.

◆ setting display of rank

[N] is the goods of new or unused,.

[6] with little feeling of use, it is goods of a beautiful state.

[5] There is some feeling of use, it is goods of a beautiful state. (There is a crack, dirt degree inconspicuous in windshield-belt or the like.)

[4] There is some feeling of use, there is no problem in normal use. (There is no problem to use, but some there is a scratch, dirt, etc. to the windshield, belt or the like.)

[3] There are quite a feeling, but this is not a problem for normal use. (There is quite scratch, dirt, etc. to the windshield, belt or the like.)

[2] There are quite a feeling of use, it is repair the necessary state repair.

[1] is junk. (There about failure or wear, etc. there is no ready-to-use expected, please understand and have lost the use value as a product. Junk reason even if I received your question, we have stock junk and Sote at purchase time Since we can not answer at all, please bid on that effect your understanding.)

※ Because only will the rank of at individual subjectivity, judgment (also please check described if there is a state of the description.) In the image you on that was also received bid ask of.

Ask

This is a USED goods, but, because we have exhibited at cheap, images and different, "dead battery" of "junk" described merchandise return I am afraid that I can not accept at all. (Bid of the hope the new at the time of nervous direction and over-the-counter purchase, we have refused. It was to know exhibited better judgment ending of those of the case physician of antique person responsible I am but, by some chance regard the case of the fake-Tested initial failure will be a 100% Money Back Please be assured. initial failure with respect to contact please always within two days. The corresponding withdrawn for exchange later of fraud prevention I can not do so, please understand.)

Dispatch of the same packing is possible, but there are cases where fee is changed by the size, etc. of the successful bid thing Please note. Reserve will be made up to 1 week.

On account of work, reply shipping will on tender of your understanding and note that there are cases where late days 2, 3.

Image of and the environment on your PC, on the performance of digital cameras, may differ slightly from actual colors.

Here's another very similar Yema N7 '7A28'  - same watch case, different Arabic number dial, but in rather better cared for condition than that rough one on Yahoo Japan; listed on eBay in the States a couple of days ago, offered through the useless GSP program:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171732743101

Brand: Yema 

Vintage: c. 2000s 

Movement: Quartz/Battery 

Case Material: Gold Plate 

Attachment: Brown Leather Alligator Grain 

Dial Color: Off White with Dark Arabic Numbers

Yema is a French watchmaker known for being the first modern watch to be entirely made in France. For a little while they were owned by Seiko but a few years ago they reverted to being a French owned company again. This quartz chronograph model is fairly recent, from the last 10 years or so. It has a sleek, modern look and is highly functional.

This watch is a consigned piece and is being sold "As Is". Prior to being listed for sale we installed a fresh battery and it has been running accurately and consistently since. It was not serviced by Neighborhood Watch Repair Co and we do not have records to indicate if/when it was last serviced. This watch qualifies for the $100 flat fee service which comes with a one year warranty and can be added to this purchase or can be obtained in the next 30 days. There is a one year warranty on the battery only.

From his vague (and largely incorrect) description, the seller obviously knows very little about the watch. It clearly ain't gold plated ! 

Going by the Yema catalogue illustrations, I'd hazard a guess this one is another variant of model # N71X32 rather than a # N71X33:

Edit: Subsequently confirmed. 

I'll admit I also messaged the eBay seller pointing out where they might like to correct some of their previous glaring mistakes. 

Their revised description now reads:

Brand: Yema 

Vintage: c. 1989 

Movement: Quartz/Battery (Shimauchi Ltd. V905) 

Model Number: N71X32 

Serial Number: 1 919 

Case Material: Stainless Steel 

Attachment: Brown Leather Alligator Grain 

Dial Color: Off White with Dark Arabic Numbers

Yema is a French watchmaker known for being the first modern watch to be entirely made in France. In 1988 Yema was acquired by Seiko France and this model features a movement furnished by Seiko. The first year that they got up to full production was 1989 and this model was produced in that year. It has a sleek, modern look and is highly functional. Recently Yema was purchased and returned to French hands.

The re-listed auction for that somewhat less than authentic Yema Spationaute III Aragatz by Filipino watch botcher tempus617 ended about 5 minutes ago. This time around it sold for $202.50 (approx £136.69) after 22 bids (19 of them placed by one bidder).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151632798855

Sometimes, I wonder why I bother.  

Nearly forgot to post a result.  That Yahoo Japan auction for the rather well worn looking Yema N71X32 ended earlier today:

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m136594319

It sold for a mere 5505 Yen (equivalent to $46 USD / £31 GBP) after 22 bids by 9 different bidders. Someone picked up a bargain.  

I hadn't run my world-wide eBay search on 'Yema' for a couple of days, but when I did, earlier this evening, it picked up this laughably over-optimistically priced N81W43 listed by a US eBay seller: $350 + $55 Shipping ?  Some people have no idea. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141631680850

For sale Yema chronograph watch white dial roman numerals gold tone

Gold tone in good condition

Look at photos please

Quarz movement

In working order watch and crono look at photos

Has pretty breguet stlye hands

Interesting that the seller has commented on the Breguet style hands - because they're not what I'm accustomed to seeing on the Roman dial variant of the N81W43. My own and (having checked my photo folder) every other watch I've seen previously has been fitted with these rather prettier slender leaf style hands:

I s'pose I oughta 'fess up.  I've suffered another moment of weakness and bought another dressy Yema N8. 

Bit naughty, because I didn't write it up when I first spotted the 3-day listing on eBay Italy late on Thursday evening.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311338054436

The seller had done a pretty reasonable job of the listing, including the model number N81W63 in the description, so it attracted a fair bit of attention - there were 6 other bidders besides myself, but nobody seemed to want to pay too much for it. 

So I ended up winning the auction for less than 30 Euros. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311338054436

The blingy gold-tone bracelet clearly isn't original to the watch. I think I can safely say (off the top of my head) that all Yema N7's and N8's were shipped ex-factory fitted with leather straps. That fact apart, if you study the seller's composite photo, it's not too difficult to spot that this was once a 20mm fitting bracelet. The end pieces have been filed down (on one side) to fit the watch's 19mm lug width. Assuming they haven't butchered the case lugs in doing so, this could turn out to be a decent bargain buy. 

That 'New without Tags' Yema N81W63 arrived yesterday. It's not in too bad condition - typical Italian eBay seller NOS NOT. 

There are a couple of minor scratches and scuffs and an annoying graunch mark on the underside of the top left hand lug. 

As I'd suspected, the bracelet was a 20mm fitment that been filed down to fit the watch's 19mm lug width. Not sure what brand it is.

As can be seen in one of the eBay seller's photos (bottom right), there was a small handwritten paper tag attached.

What's visible in that photo reads JP2000-8E - turns out to be a variant of Citizen Aqualand - a Promaster II, which this clearly ain't.

On the reverse of that label is written 350€. Whether that was the price the Italian seller had hoped to get for this N81W63 is anybody's guess.  Still, for less than 30 Euros, I'm not complaining. 

Seiko7A38 at April 10, 2015 at 4:34 PM

I hadn't run my world-wide eBay search on 'Yema' for a couple of days, but when I did, earlier this evening, it picked up this laughably over-optimistically priced N81W43 listed by a US eBay seller: $350 + $55 Shipping ?  Some people have no idea. 

But sometimes they can take a hint ! 

Over the next couple of weeks, the Buy-it-Now price came down in stages from the original ludicrous $350 (though it appears from the dates below, it may actually have been higher than $350, initially - before I spotted the listing, 2 days late) to a more sensible $155.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemRevisionDetails&item=141631680850

It sold earlier this evening for $155 (approx. £102): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141631680850

Here's a prime example of how not to successfully sell your Yema Spationaute III on eBay. 

I spotted this job lot listing by a French eBay seller, which included one, only yesterday evening, with less than 20 hours to run.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181729631068

Lot 6 montre..

En tout ya une montre quelle founction tissot pour femme en bois..

Yema aragatz chronographe

Tissot chronographe pr 516 mecanic

Yema superman 2.quatz 300m

Tissot sideral automatic

Emporio armani mecanico...

3 bracelet et une boitie les bracelet je n peux pas dire ce marque ou non..

Si vous avez question je vous reponse sans soussi...

PAIEMENT PAR CHAQUE UNIQUEMENT...

Clearly not the best of examples: scratched crystal, missing bezel inlay paint, but it did have that desirable 'cadran drapeaux' dial.

I made the seller a low but fair offer, adding a message that my offer was only for that particular watch which I was interested in.

Last time I looked, there had been 3 or 4 other offers made, besides my own, all of which were similarly summarily declined.

It ended about 15 minutes ago - presumably unsold.

According to Goofbid's eBay Best Offer History tool, my offer (for just the Spationaute III) was the second highest he received !