Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at June 12, 2016 at 3:30 PM

I don't bother flagging these up in this thread any more, because I've presumed everyone who wanted one has got one by now. 

That is, other than to report them, post facto, as ended auction results.

The latest (re)listing for a NOS Yema Spationaute III Aragatz by US eBay seller izeldor (a.k.a Watchfactory.com, former Yema USA distributor) from their seemingly inexhaustible basement supply, ended a few moments ago, selling for $261 after two late bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191889569407

Over the 4½ years I've been maintaining this thread, I must have mentioned the NOS Yema Spationaute III's listed by US eBay seller izeldor a dozen or more times in it. I've no intention of going back through the last 25 pages to count the number - somebody else is welcome to.  What I do know, is that they sold a lot of them between August 2012 and the beginning of this year - and that now they definitely no longer have any stock left. He says confidently. 

At one stage, we even negotiated a fixed 'forum discount' price for purchasing them direct from WatchFactory.com. The late Mike Kelley kindly acted as US shipping agent. So hopefully all forum members who wanted one one of these lovely watches managed to get hold of one (or two).  I can't remember the highest price achieved by one of izeldor's eBay auctions, but towards the end, once demand had levelled out, they mostly seemed to sell for little more than their $250 opening bid price.

So why am I quoting one of their ended auction listings from June 2016, you may be wondering.  You'll see presently: it's the build-up to my next post and the end date of 12th June is quite significant.

One thing that had occured to me is that some buyers might not be collectors. There was always the chance that some of them were purchased as a potential investment - to flip for a quick profit at some point. Well unfortunately, I think I've come across the first blatant example of such profiteering.

Two days ago, what is obviously one of these ex-izeldor NOS Yema Spationaute III's was listed on Chronomania.net. I say 'obviously', because it's displayed with the typical US export packaging - the lacquered wooden presentation box, etc., which they supplied them in. The asking price is a hefty 650 Euros !! 

http://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=187332

The seller has also posted a scan of the now familiar Yema L'Heure des Héros period magazine advert (presumably nicked from this site) and the CNES photo of Jean-Loup Chrétien, wearing the (prototype space-flown version of the) watch aboard Mir, while playing his keyboard. I haven't bothered uploading either. You can find them posted elsewhere in this forum section.

Note the phrase of the seller's text I have marked with an arrow.

It reads: Cette montre n'a jamais quitté sa boîte

Which translates as: This watch has never left its box. Which isn't strictly true. 

Because on 30th June 2016 (note the date, two weeks after that particlar izeldor eBay auction ended), someone using the same internet nickname Pixtar posted a wrist shot in a WRUW thread on the Italian Orologi & Passioni forum.

So much for it never having been out of the box. Looks like he was wearing it at work too.  I was going to send him a sarcastically worded email - calling him out about his little faux pas and his blatant profiteering. But it seems like he's going to get away with it, because the status of his Chronomania listing was updated from [VENDS] to [Réservé] this morning. 

This is rapidly turning into the Spationaute III's Spotted thread.

But then you all know they're a particular favourite of mine. 

There were two more Spationaute III's listed on LeBonCoin on Monday.

The first is a full-size 43mm with the yellow lume batons, which appears to be in decent used condition. The seller has replaced the original Yema leather strap with a blue and yellow NATO - I guess in an attempt to do something by way of colour matching, like I did with my 'Ole Yella'. But it doesn't quite work in my eyes - ends up putting me in mind of Sweden / Ikea. Ill chosen NATO or not, it's typically over-optimistically priced @ 450 Euros.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1340756279.htm?ca=1_s

MONTRE YEMA SPATIONAUTE III 1988 mission franco

The second is a two-tone 38mm 'reduced' in average worn condition, fitted a non-original replacement leather strap. For once, this one's quite reasonably priced (IMHO) - asking 210 Euros.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1340642940.htm?ca=1_s

Montre Yema Spationaute lll

Just to recap, here's a summary of all 5 current listings for Spationaute III's listed on LeBonCoin. The last two have been on there a good while and the dates shown are when they most recently re-listed.

Seiko7A38 at November 17, 2017 at 7:52 AM

Another Yema Spationaute III was listed by a French eBay seller this morning, as a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of 1 Euro. At least this one's actually located in France.  It comes with a rather dog-eared copy of the period Yema magazine advert. The watch itself is in average worn condition. I'm not sure whether the bezel may been polished, in an attempt to remove scratches, but it looks unnaturally shiny. It's also missing some of the inlay paint. The blue leather strap fitted, which is overdue for replacement, is not original. I had to chuckle to myself about the mis-informed French seller's inclusion in his description of the phrase: édité en série 500 exemplaire - because his example is case-back serial # 1 566. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112644775875

The above French eBay auction (quoted from the previous page) for an average worn condition Yema Spationaute III Aragatz ended early this morning, selling for 221 Euros after 16 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112644775875

Seiko7A38 at November 13, 2017 at 10:22 AM

I haven't had much success in spotting any (let alone poorly listed) Yema N7's and N8's on eBay recently ....

This Yema N71X31 '7A28', which appears to be in decent condition, fitted with a replacement leather strap, was listed about a week ago, by a French eBay seller, with a Buy-it-Now price of 100 Euros or best offer. There's no mention of a model number (or the 7A28 connection) in the description. The title translates as 'used Yema watch'. I guess that makes a change from 'montre Yema ancienne'. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//253242856986

Seiko7A38 at May 30, 2017 at 9:19 AM

This dressy Yema N81W63 was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions yesterday with a rather optimistic opening bid price of 28,000 Yen (equivalent to slightly over $250 at today's exchange rate). The watch appears to be in fairly decent used condition, fitted with a replacement Morellato strap. It has the later production 'mininal printing' version of the dial, without PARIS or QUARTZ.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w181803103

I have to report a mildly bemusing eventual outcome to that Yahoo Japan listing for a Yema N81W63.  I'd noted that by the first week in September, the Japanese seller had reduced the opening bid price from his original 28,000 Yen to 20,000 Yen. Still there were no takers and he continued to re-list it on a weekly basis.  Last week, he further reduced the opening bid price to 18,000 Yen (equivalent to approx $162). I felt pretty sure it would sell this time. 

Indeed it did, earlier today - for ¥38,500 Yen after 14 bids !  That's equivalent to approx. $347 USD / £260. The mind truly boggles sometimes. 

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w181803103

That Yema Spationaute III on a rather distinctive (I'm being polite) blue and yellow NATO strap, which was listed on LeBonCoin last week, with a 'pie-in-the-sky' asking price of 450 Euros (see higher up this page), appeared on eBay this afternoon, with a somewhat more realistic Buy-it-Now price of 250 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112661241584

YEMA Montre Spationaute III MISSION spéciale aragat FRANCO - soviétique

Montre chrono quartz animé par un mouvement seiko 4 moteur ( 7A38)

Montre a aiguille 3 compteurs 3,6,9 heure

Boitier 43 mm en inox lunette tournante unidirectionnel

verre minéral bombé quelque rayure rien de grave

Vol longue duré aragazt CCP FRANCE N8OP76

Bracelet nato neuf

Fonctionne très bien

la boite et ancienne mais pas origine

colis pour la france 9 euro

colis pour europe 20 euro

paiement par chèque ou virement bancaire

PAYPAL UNIQUEMENT POUR LE RESTE DU MONDE !!!!!

The above Yema Spationaute III on a NATO strap sold this morning for the 250 Euros Buy-it-Now price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112661241584

Seiko7A38 at November 22, 2017 at 6:54 AM

The second is a two-tone 38mm 'reduced' in average worn condition, fitted a non-original replacement leather strap. For once, this one's quite reasonably priced (IMHO) - asking 210 Euros.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1340642940.htm?ca=1_s

Montre Yema Spationaute lll

I was a little surprised that 38mm 'reduced' Yema Spationaute III hung around as long as it did, but after a week or so, the above listing had dropped off LeBonCoin (now shows as désactivée), so I assumed it had been sold. Seems not. Last night the French seller re-listed it, with the price dramatically reduced from the previous 210 Euros to 115 Euros.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1347445537.htm?ca=1_s

Montre Yema Spationaute lll

The three photos are the same - the difference is in the longer description:

Looks like it's suffering from a recalcitrant chronograph sweep second hand. 

Here's another Yema Spationaute III, which evidently didn't actually sell last week (as I'd posted higher up this page on 24th November):

The above French eBay auction (quoted from the previous page) for an average worn condition Yema Spationaute III Aragatz ended early this morning, selling for 221 Euros after 16 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112644775875

The same French eBay seller gentil83_2 re-listed what is obviously the same watch at lunchtime today, but this time with a Buy-it-Now price of 250 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112668413295

Apart from being Buy-it-Now format, this listing differs from their previous in that they've obviously copied the title and description verbatim, complete with (-z) typo's and presumably the price, from that other recently ended French eBay listing (the Spationaute III on a blue and yellow NATO). Their photos are the same as they used before, except they've omitted to upload what was previously their primary image - with the dog-eared copy of the Yema magazine advert. 

This Yema Spationaute III 'head only' was listed earlier today by French eBay seller watchover15, as 'spares or repairs', with an over-optimistic Buy-it-Now price of 120 Euros (and currently no 'make offer' option). It's missing the all-important screw-down crown and the pin and tube fixing bars. The crystal is badly scratched, the lower R.H. lug appears to have been attacked with pliers (or other sharp instruments) and the case-back is typically graunched. The seller, whose offerings have featured in this thread before, states that it doesn't work because the crown / stem is missing, but you've got to wonder. So unless you're absolutely desperate for a repair project (I'm certainly not) - probably one best avoided.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263451019710

Montre YEMA SPATIONAUTE 3 quartz a réparer ou pour pièces

Montre boite et fond acier lunette 60 clics unidirectionnel couronne absente

La montre ne fonctionne pas il manque la couronne la tige est présente

verre minéral bombé rayé

Cadran en bel état

Aiguilles en bel état

Mouvement seiko 7a38 quartz ne fonctionne pas

43MM hors couronne

7€ pour la France

13€ pour l’Europe

24€ pour le reste du monde

Hang on a minute .... some of the foregoing sounds vaguely familiar. 

Seiko7A38 at November 13, 2017 at 8:31 AM

This Yema Spationaute III 'Head Only' was listed on LeBonCoin yesterday afternoon, with an asking price of 130 Euros. The seller openly describes it as non-functioning and sold as seen. As he stated, the crown / stem is missing.

Apart from that, the crystal is scratched and chipped; the hour hand appears to have been re-lumed at some point (its colour doesn't match). If you look at the movement backplate, the area above the battery well appears stained, indicating it has suffered a battery leak and the case-back is a mess, with a couple of nasty graunches. I wouldn't touch it at half that price, even as a project watch - not that I need another one. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1336164302.htm?ca=1_s

montre yema spationaute 3

Indeed, this seems to be another case of Déjà Vu. This is clearly the same Yema Spationaute III 'head only' that was listed on LeBonCoin in mid-November last year. As eBay seller watchover15 and GROMEGA are both located in Toulon, I think it's pretty safe to assume they're one and the same person. 

And that's the difference listing something on eBay with worldwide visibility can make (versus LeBonCoin). Sold, in less than 24 hours, late yesterday evening for the 120 Euros Buy-it-Now price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263451019710

I can remember buying complete working / almost mint Yema Spationaute III's for 120 Euros a few years ago.  I bet the French eBay seller is thinking to himself: Bonne chance avec celui-là.

This dressy Yema N81W43, the 'Big 12' dial version, in almost NOS condition, was listed on LeBonCoin earlier in the week, with a 'giveaway' price of only 60 Euros.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1373508218.htm?ca=12_s

Montre Yema Paris plaqué or neuf

Not that I really needed another one, but I messaged the seller anyway, in my best schoolboy French, asking if he'd be willing to ship to England. I didn't receive any reply. Needless to say if you click on the link, it's long gone.

In fact, the French seller had re-listed it, earlier this afternoon. Gone again. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/1375478642.htm?ca=12_s

This 'head only' Yema N8 Flygraf in poor condition, suffering from a scratched crystal, badly discoloured lume and historical moisture ingress, was listed yesterday morning, by a French eBay seller, with an opening bid price of 1 Euro. It's sold 'as is', non-working, for parts. Note the original pin and tube fixings are missing - those are 'fat' universal spring bars compressed between the lugs.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192438509621

Montre mythique de l'époque de la Spationaute III.

A marqué l'époque CNES.

La montre a pris l'eau et s'est arrêtée (il y a une dizaine d'années ).

Elle n'a pas été ouverte.

Vendue en l'état. Ne fonctionne pas.

The French eBay auction for the above non-functional Yema N8 Flygraf ended this morning, selling for 45 Euros after 20 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192438509621

Seiko7A38 at January 22, 2018 at 1:07 AM

And that's the difference listing something on eBay with worldwide visibility can make (versus LeBonCoin). Sold, in less than 24 hours, late yesterday evening for the 120 Euros Buy-it-Now price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263451019710

I can remember buying complete working / almost mint Yema Spationaute III's for 120 Euros a few years ago.  I bet the French eBay seller is thinking to himself: Bonne chance avec celui-là.

Oops ! It' s back again. Quelle surprise (not). 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263481365776

Edit: Ended early a few hours later as item no longer available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263481365776

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

This NOS Yema Spationaute III was listed in the early hours of this morning, with a completely unrealistic 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of $700 (but sensibly with the option to make an offer). It's being offered through eBay's GSP programme, which for anone foolhardy enough to pay the full asking price would add another $230 on top ! 

It's interesting for a couple of reasons. It comes not in the lacquered wooden presentation box that one would associate with the US export market (think US eBay seller izeldor), but the brown cardboard box normally found in Europe. It's also quite a late production watch, with a case-back serial number 5-658. I've only seen one later (5-693), which I own.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132502375885

Vintage Yema Spationaute III Split Second Chronograph Day Date Watch New Old Stock "NOS". The watch has a new battery installed and has been in storage since the 90's. Original Box And tags. Take a close look at the pictures and ask any questions before purchasing. 

Thanks for looking.

Well that didn't last long.  I have to admit 'twas I that bought it. After an initial lowball offer and some quick-fire exchanges of counter offers, the seller accepted mine. How much did I actually pay ?  I'll let you figure that out. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132502375885