Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

If someone is hungry for a Yema Flygraf then here it is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300808686623

RARE YEMA FLYGRAF DAYDATE CHRONOGRAPH STAINLESS STEEL QUARTZ MENS PILOTWATCH

• Have you noticed that the crown is not original?
• Can you see that paint damage on the dial (sub-dials) and on the bezel?
• What about the damage on the bezel insert, seems it's a dent?
• Maybe I'm too sceptical but the 1/10th sec sub-dial had some kind of corrosion damage...possible water leakage previously?
• What about the incorrect bracelet pins?

Too many questions I know.....shame for this lovely watch.

My, you are on the ball tonight, Arpad ! 

Correct about the non-original (presumably screw-down) crown. I've seen a few like that (and Spationaute III's) on eBay France.

Seems it's a bit of a weak point with these models (or possibly due to ham-fisted owners):

Also, in original Yema factory specification, at least, pretty much unobtanium. 

There is a workaround, using currently manufactured ISO Swiss parts, some of which are available from Cousins UK:

http://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/4/0/1975/3290.aspx#select (and scroll down to styles J and K), but it also means changing the tube. Probably beyond the likes of Ramon 'Badingski' Bangit, if it can't be hammered in.  Not cheap, either at £20 + VAT for the crown !

I wrote up a thread about this on the RLT forum, when I was sorting out the screw-down crowns on two of my 38mm Spationaute III's:

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=60293 .... Here's one of the photos that was originally included in the thread:

Left to right: Original 43mm Yema Spationaute III / N8 Flygraf crown; the nearest ISO Swiss replacement (which Cousins stock as their p/n C9067) and an ISO Swiss replacement (their p/n 31027) for a 38mm Spationaute III. As you can see, they differ in detail somewhat.

In fact, all the dimensions are in my post #28: http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=60293&view=findpost&p=640453

Looking again at the incorrect replacement screw-down crown which has been fitted to that Flygraf, it's reminiscent of the temporary 'stop-gap' I'd used myself, on my 38mm Spationaute III, while I was trying to suss out a part number for the 'correct' mushroom style:

But as the old adage states: If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well right !

Of course, in typical misleading fashion, the eBay seller has written in his description: CROWN : ORIGINAL. Oh No it isn't ! 

That bezel isn't too bad, actually, apart from the big graunch between '100' and '110' on the outer scale. Again, I've seen a lot worse.

The missing original Yema crimped sleeve strap pins, replaced by ill-fitting spring bars - again relatively common, especially if the strap has been replaced. What personally horrifies me (and one of my white dial 38mm Spationautes had been subjected to this treatment),

is that some jewellers (and I use that term advisedly), actually resort to cutting the original Yema pins off with a hacksaw !! 

After a few (failed) experiments with various sizes of piercing needles, I've since been able to make up proper-appearing replacement pins for my own watches, using 1.4mm Ø stainless steel rod and the outer tubes from (28mm long) 1.8mm Ø diameter spring bars.

What surprises me about this watch is how good the lume actually looks - and it looks original too, rather than having been relumed.

But, in contrast, it's those grotty mis-coloured subdials that really let the watch down. Again, I've seen a LOT worse (on eBay France):

The other shame (which you didn't mention) is the case-back engraving has been all but obliterated, in an effort to hide tool-marks:

The case-back markings on most Yema's is relatively shallow, compared to the stampings you'll find on a Seiko 7Axx or Orient J39.

Here's a Yema Flygraf case-back in reasonable condition (not one of my own) - but an image someone posted on ForumaMontres:

Both mine are rather better than that. 

This is the first Yema N8 Flygraf I've seen on eBay, coming out of the Philippines, so it'll be interesting to see how much it makes.

Particularly as the eBay seller hasn't made any reference to 'Seiko 7A38'. Surely he must have recognised the movement as one ?

There have been one or two examples posted on Indonesian / Malaysian blogspots in the last couple of years, so they're not that rare, even in the Far East. Here's one still online: http://jamvintage.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/yema-flygraph-chronograph-quartz-for.html

One thing's for certain, although I might have had a little punt at this one on eBay already, I won't be following through. 

Remember ? http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7226478-i-really-didn-t-need-another-yema-n8-flygraf-  

If someone is hungry for a Yema Flygraf then here it is ....

The moral of the story being: Stay hungry; be patient - a better example will always come along, sooner or later. (Sod's Law states).

A nice little Yema Spationaute III was listed on LeBonCoin earlier this evening. Little being the operative word, because this is one of the more rarely seen 38mm 'reduced' versions, presumably a model # N80A66 (but I can't read the case-back stamping in the photo).

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/391385713.htm?ca=1_s

Yema Spationaute III 1988

Mise en ligne par Yema le 10 novembre à 18:29.

Description :

Cette montre est authentique et originale, la vente de contrefaçons est interdite par la Loi. 

Je vends mon chronographe Yema Spationaute 3, datant de la mission franco russe ARAGATZ de 1988, lorsque JL Chrétien devient le premier Français à marcher dans l’espace, avec une durée de sortie de 5h 57min en compagnie d'Alexandre Volkov. Ils prennent le record de la plus longue sortie extravéhiculaire. 

Montre en parfait état de marche, sur bracelet ZRC en requin bleu. 

Marquage commémoratifs au dos avec numéro individuel 1-296, idéal pour collectionneur ou amateur d'histoire de la conquête spatiale ! 

Port à votre charge, merci.

Could almost be tempted myself, if it wasn't for the seller's rather hefty asking price of  285 Euros. 

Seiko7A38 at June 11, 2012 at 7:51 AM

I notice that it's back again, this morning: http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/331442450.htm?ca=1_s

Montre chrono yema

Mise en ligne par philippe le 11 juin à 09:26.

This time, using another 'borrowed' stock photograph, presumably lifted from here: http://sliderulewatches.yvod.com/historyfrench.html

although that image originally came from the 'historique' section of the Yema website, and again is actually of my (first) Yema Flygraf. 

See this other thread: http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7226478-i-really-didn-t-need-another-yema-n8-flygraf-

The seller has reduced his asking price from 450 to 390 Euros. Try knocking another 200 off, Philippe, and you'll be getting closer. 

Mon ami Philippe is back yet again, his price now down to 210 Euros, but still using a borrowed stock photo of my Yema Flygraph ! 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/391327951.htm?ca=1_s

Encore une fois (18 novembre à 19:09): http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/394971520.htm?ca=1_s

Seiko7A38 at October 22, 2012 at 4:04 AM

The same eBay seller (who once was the US importer / distributor for Yema) listed another of those NOS Spationaute III's last week:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120999947808

It sold in the early hours of this morning for the opening bid price of $225.

Another quote from my previous post, on page 2 dated 18th August:

The auction only received 66 views over the 7-day listing period. The seller was unfortunately blocking bids from outside USA.

It would seem that I have finally managed to convince the proprietors of Watchfactory.com that they should be offering these lovely NOS Yema Spationaute III to collectors worldwide, rather than restricting their sales solely to domestic USA bidders.

Their latest eBay offering, (re)listed overnight: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121018125948 is also open to potential bidders in Europe:

Still at the same very tempting opening bid price of $225, but then anyone in Europe is faced with the adder of $60 for USPS Express Mail and the prospect of getting lumbered with Customs clearance charges and VAT / TVA at the prevailing rate (20% in UK) on top.

Hopefully, all members of this forum who wanted one have already managed to acquire them, if sometimes by a convoluted route.

If nothing else, it'll be interesting to see how many views this (re)listing receives over the next 7 days ....

Especially as it has both Yema Spationaute III and Seiko 7A38 in the listing title !

Good luck with this sale, Leanne and Dory - and thanks for all your help ! 

Belated edit: This NOS Yema Spationaute III sold for $341.99 (approx. £215.82). The listing received a more respectable 251 views. 

Yup.  They've definitely been listening.   With apologies for the slightly post, but it is 'Spationaute' related. 

In their earlier eBay listings, 'izeldor' had included this old B&W photo of Jean-Loup Chrétien (taken in 1982, wearing a Spationaute 1)

I just scrolled down their newest listing to find this little lot embedded in the description, with French translations included ! 

I wonder where they could have got this rather better selection of images from ?  

Try here: http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/8109499-what-became-of-jean-loup-chr-tien-s-yema-spationaute-iii-

Perhaps I should consider re-naming this thread: Space Watch Price Watch. 

Yet another Yema Spationute III listed on LeBonCoin yesterday evening - this time a full-size 43mm Ø model N80P76.

See: http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/394164011.htm?ca=1_s

Now: http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/396505416.htm?ca=1_s

Montre yéma spationaute III collector

Mise en ligne par Jean le 16 novembre à 21:23.

Prix : 300 €

Ville : Lambesc

Code postal : 13410

Description :

vend: une montre de marque YEMA spationaute III mission aragatz de 1988.

trés bon état estetique et de fonctionnement, pile recente.

braceler requin et boucle ZRC d'origine.

pour tous renseignement et photos supementaire me contacter par mail ou par téléphone.

Why anyone would want to consider paying 300 Euros for a well-used example, when you could buy one NOS on eBay for $225 .... 

Remiss of me not to have checked it (more recently), but both Spationaute III's above on LeBonCoin are also listed on Chronomania.

http://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=76313

[VENDS] Yema Spationaute III Vol Aragatz 1988 - 285€

posté par Laurent B, Sud du Sud Gironde, 13.11.2012, 11:47

http://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=76487 

[VENDS] Yema spationaute III baisse de prix - 300€

posté par hypocampe, 16.11.2012, 16:57

Prices are the same as on LeBonCoin (too high - and the 43mm was 350€) - just bigger (and a couple of additional / different) photos.

I hadn't run a search on Yema on Yahoo Japan Auctions for a couple of weeks, so it's possible I may have missed one or two. 

However, this morning I remembered - and found two old favourites, both re-listed for the Nth time, misleadingly flagged as 'new':

See: http://page12.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p261600930

and: http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n104083747

Of course, neither are 'new' listings, as such. It's one of the anomolies of YJ. Indeed, both still retain their original listing numbers.

The first is the N71X31 which was mentioned near the top of the first page of this topic ....

Its original ridiculous asking price of 49,800 Yen now reduced to a merely risible 25,800 Yen (after nearly 9 months). 

The second is the N81W43 previously mentioned in my third post this thread:

http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7320889-yema-n7s-and-n8s-were-exported-back-to-japan-it-seems-

.... which I'm sure when I first saw it was priced around 13,000 Yen - but has since been increased to an equally laughable 19,800. 

To make a refreshing change from all the Spationaute III's, I spotted this dressy little gold-tone Yema N8 on LeBonCoin yesterday:

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/397201344.htm?ca=1_s

Montre chronographe yema

Mise en ligne par gilles le 23 novembre à 15:00.

Prix : 90 €

Ville : Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer

Code postal : 83270

Description :

MONTRE CHRONOGRAPHE YEMA ORIGINALE.

It's a model # N8YX53, and only the second one of these that I can remember seeing. The previous one was listed on eBay France, originally in May 2010, then re-listed by the same seller again in June and October 2010, when it finally sold, for a very similar price.

Clicking on the above link, the one listed on LeBonCoin yesterday, which appears to be in better cosmetic condition, has been sold. 

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose .... so here's a dressy gold-tone Yema N7 listed on eBay France earlier this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251189523798

CHRONO YEMA

MONTRE CHRONO YEMA 

pile à changer 

bracelet double cuir bleu marine

It's a model # N71X33, the same as belonging to 7A28 collector Mark Mills, as pictured near the top of the first page. 

The N8 Yema Flygraf listed yesterday evening on eBay UK by the notorious re-seller Time_Classics / Timely_Classic didn't take much in the way of spotting - for one thing we knew in advance it was coming, but because it sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. 

This is exactly the same Yema Flygraf listed and sold, 2 weeks ago, by Filipino arch-watch-botcher Ramon 'Badingski' Bangit, critiqued at the top of this page - save for a change of strap, and having been given the dubious benefit of the Timely_Classic 'spar treatment' (which probably means hitting it with a large wooden stick) and their typical dimly-lit photo makeover. As it was previously listed / sold:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300808686623

Purely for the record, as it's already been flagged in another relevant thread, here it is in it's new Timely_Classic reincarnation:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110980920938

*RARE VINTAGE YEMA CHRONOGRAPH FLYGRAF WATCH NOT TO MISS SERVICED

This watch will not be ended early, so please do not ask, this YEMA will run it's auction course to the end. 

Description:  

Here we have a stunning Black and white Faced YEMA flygraf Pilots watch, these are getting VERY difficult to find now and this one looks absolutely amazing with all it's details, please study these photos well as you will not see another like this.

The day/date snaps over at the correct times on the right had sub window and all the functions work perfect.

It's a unusual watch and is showing very little signs of age or wear due to the complete spar treatment, please study the photos to get a good idea of the quality of this watch.

This one has had a full clean and service recently and it running great and the flyback Tachymeter is working beautifully.

The bezel rotates well and the split times also work perfect.

These are a rare watch has it a lot of weight to it and is very hefty in size, there are not many like this left.

This would take pride of place in any watch collection.

This is not one to miss, you will not see another one of these again anytime soon.

Movement: Original Yema / Seiko chronograph movement serviced and running perfectly. 

Case/Bezel: Case is in excellent used condition.

Please study all the photos has had the full spa treatment please see photos as they do the best talking.  (Especially the sub-dials !) 

Bracelet: New Full Size rally strap with matching stitching 

Crystal: Crystal in great condition. 

Crown / Hands: The hands are original.  (Typical Timely_Classic misleading omission - the crown is obviously not original). 

Measurements: 44mm including the pushers. 

Please bid with confidence. 

By all means do, if you're happy to settle for a rather tired dog-eared example of the N8 Flygraf. But just remember what they paid.  

That 38mm 'reduced' Yema Spationaute III, previously advertised on LeBonCoin and Chronomania (see above) is now listed on eBay.

The timing is probably coincidental, but today is the anniversary of the launch of the Soyuz TM-7 / Aragatz mission on 26th November.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350654043767

The three photos used in the eBay listing are the same as in the Chronomania advert, so I won't bother posting them again.

The seller has obviously made the 'Seiko 7A38' connection and has included quite a few pertinent details in his description:

Yema Spationaute 3, datant de la mission franco russe ARAGATZ de 1988, lorsque J.L. Chrétien devient le premier Français à marcher dans l’espace, avec une durée de sortie de 5h57min en compagnie d'Alexandre Volkov. 

Ils prennent le record de la plus longue sortie extravéhiculaire. 

Montre en parfait état de marche (mouvement quartz 4 moteurs/15 rubis Seiko 7A38, sur bracelet ZRC en requin bleu. 

Marquage commémoratifs au dos avec numéro individuel 1-296. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Rare Yema Spationaute III chronograph, from 1988 when J.L. Chrétien flew during 5h 57 minutes in space with the russian Alexandre Volkov during the Aragatz mission. 

All running, movement is the Seiko 7a38 with 15 jewels, 

special markings in back with individual serial number 1-296. 

Genuine shark bracelet.

However, one salient fact Laurent has omitted to mention is that the watch he is selling is the reduced 38mm version, model # N80A66

- not the full-sized 43mm version, model # N80P76 as worn by the cosmonauts on the Aragatz mission. Rarer, but well over-priced. 

US eBay seller 'izeldor' (a.k.a. Watchfactory.com) have now listed the alternate version of the Yema Spationaute III (with shark strap):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190760901372

This will probably be your last chance to grab one of these gorgeous 7A38-based watches, with true 'space flown' heritage, as 'NIB'.

I happen to know they only have a few left. 

And finally ....

After initially listing his Yema N8 Flygraf on LeBonCoin at a ridiculous 450 Euros back in June and  ....

re-listing it over and over umpteen times using borrowed stock photos of my (ex-Louis-Eric Beckensteiner of Yema) Flygraf ....

Mon ami Philippe has finally managed to take some photos of his own watch at last - and it actually doesn't look half bad. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/400007777.htm?ca=1_s

Montre yema chrono

Mise en ligne par philippe le 29 novembre à 11:21.

Prix : 190 €

Ville : Quincy-Voisins

Code postal : 77860

Description : 

montre YEMA chrono FLYGRAPH 

MARQUE ORIGINALE YEMA.

IL NE S'AGIT PAS D'UNE CONTREFACON. 

Modèle inspiré de la Breitling Navitimer

Mouvement Quartz 

Parfait état de marche

Bracelet Breitling

In fact, although a shade on the expensive side, given the apparent condition, I'd say he's finally arrived at around the 'right price'. 

Especially when compared with that rough ex-Filipino Yema Flygraf offered by Timely_Classic - currently bid to a ridiculous £410 ! 

This will probably be your last chance to grab one of these gorgeous 7A38-based watches, with true 'space flown' heritage, as 'NIB'.

I happen to know they only have a few left. 

That eBay auction ended yesterday evening at $357 (approx. £222.75) after 7 bids by 5 different bidders: 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190760901372

If Watchfactory.com do what they said they were going to (on their previous similar internationally listed auction) and make 'second chance offers' to the losing bidders, then that may well have been the last opportunity to grab one of these NOS Spationaute III's. 

Seiko7A38 at November 24, 2012 at 5:40 PM

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose .... so here's a dressy gold-tone Yema N7 listed on eBay France earlier this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251189523798

CHRONO YEMA

MONTRE CHRONO YEMA 

pile à changer 

bracelet double cuir bleu marine

It's a model # N71X33, the same as belonging to 7A28 collector Mark Mills, as pictured near the top of the first page. 

One bargain-basement priced Yema N7 - just sold for a mere 26.50 Euros: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251189523798

Or then again, perhaps not.  Is this yet another of these eBay sellers who plays by his own set of rules ? Re-listed this morning.  

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251195483395

Belated edit: Second time around, it made more than double the previous selling price, with bidding ending at nearly 55 Euros:

I've seen a few of these Yema N81X26's listed on various Malaysian and Indonesian blogspots over the last couple of years.

Usually they're in pretty poor condition and with risible asking prices, and often as not stuck on those god-awful Nato straps.

This one's far from perfect - missing it's chronograph sweep hand, and with some odd marks under the sub-dial hands. 

http://sbobetbola365.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/for-sale-yema-paris-pilot-chronograph.html

FOR SALE: PARIS YEMA PILOT Chronograph

Paris Yema chronograph, black dial with three white sub dial, Quartz movement Shimauchi Ltd.. cal. V906

that takes the base of the quartz chronograph Seiko cal. 7A38, Coupled with a black leather strap.

FOR SALE: Rp.550.000

But 550,000 Indonesian Rupiah is equivalent to around only $57 US.