Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

I guess with this thread having now received well over 20,000 views, it must be pretty much common knowledge (at least to any savvy watch collector / dealer) that the Yema N8 is effectively the same thing as a Seiko 7A38, just differently branded. Here's another Yema N8 with Seiko 7A38 included in the eBay listing title - a N81X26 'head only', listed by a French seller yesterday afternoon. Somewhat over-optimistically priced @ 250 Euros, but that's not unusual for this popular, sought after model.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252406250020

Superbe et tres rare Yema chronograph N8 1X26, avec un mouvement Seiko 7a38, fonctionne tres bien.

As with the two previous eBay listings for Yema N8's (on the preceding page), both of which had coincidentally also included Seiko 7A38 in their titles, that one didn't last very long either. The French seller ended the listing early, yesterday morning. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252406250020

My immediate reaction was to assume, incorrectly, that like the previous two, the seller had succumbed to an offer outside eBay.

It seems not. Rather than convert his existing Buy-it-Now listing, he re-listed it almost immediately as an auction, with a more realistic opening bid price of 150 Euros. Not sure quite why he did it that way - eBay doesn't show the item as having been re-listed. 

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

The above eBay auction for a Yema N81X26 ended a few moments ago. Right up until the final minute no bids had been placed, but as it was now priced about right (compared to the previous 'pie in the sky' Buy-it-Now price of 250 Euros), I felt sure it would sell. Indeed it did - for 156 Euros after 3 last minute bids. 

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

Seiko7A38 at January 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM

Seiko7A38 at January 8, 2016 at 4:55 AM

The other one listed by a US eBay seller is in all likelihood a Yema N80P896 Pseudo Plongeur ....

And a pretty good example of how not to list a watch on eBay. 

That said, it's been bid to $112.50, mostly by one enthusiastic bidder, which with the additional GSP program charges, already makes it an uneconomic buy for anyone outside the US. 

That diabolically poor US eBay auction listing for the Yema N80P896 ended a few moments ago. Thanks to the dogged determination of that same bidder, it ended up at an astonishing $278 (approx. £191.22) after 16 bids.  The mind truly boggles. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161935737401

Remember this diabolically poor US eBay listing for a Yema N80P896 'Pseudo Plongeur' which supposedly sold for $278, back in January, which I wrote about on page 18 of this thread ?  Well it transpires it didn't actually sell.  It appears that the same seller dwelkersu44 re-listed it. However, because he gave the re-listing a different title, changed the strap and uploaded an even worse set of photos, I didn't make the connection straight away. Instead of writing it up in this thread (where I should have done), I wrote it up in another possibly more aptly-titled thread in the eBay section:  The worst Seiko 7Axx eBay listing photos you've ever seen ....

Here's a copy and paste of my post from that thread dated March 8, 2016:

Normally, I'd post a link (and the listing photos) of any Yema N8 that I'd spotted on eBay (or LeBonCoin) in the relevant thread.

Indeed, there's quite a few of these quirky Yema N80P896 Psueudo Plongeurs with white dials mentioned throughout it.

But the 4 photos included in this current US eBay listing are so bad, that unless you knew what you were looking at ....

Well see for yourself ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161994235824

ALL DIALS FULLY WORKING

HAS BEEN TESTED BY A REPUTABLE JEWELER 

NOT ORIGINAL WATCH BAND 

From smoke free home

Date Stamp on camera not working---picture taken 3/1/16

Please check my feedback and bid w/ confidence.

Quite incredible in this day and age. The vague listing title and poor description certainly won't help, nor inspire confidence. 

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

I'd added this to my eBay watching page and seen it being re-listed maybe half a dozen times in vain.  The original opening bid price of $99 was later reduced to $69 - still no takers. Then earlier this week, I'd noticed the latest re-listing, with a further reduced opening bid price of $49 had finally attracted a bidder. The auction ended in the early hours of this morning, with the N80P896 finally selling for $54.53 (approx. £37.46) after only two bids. Somewhat less than the previous ridiculuous $278 ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162090302552

Seiko7A38 at April 17, 2016 at 2:40 PM

The re-listed auction for that scabby-looking Yema N8 Flygraf fitted with a NATO strap (which previously supposedly sold for 58 Euros in November last year) ended about half an hour ago. This time around it made 74 Euros (approx £59) after 21 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272203875137

Let's hope it stays sold this time. 

Unfortunately it didn't.  It's back yet again - but advertised on LeBonCoin this time, rather than eBay - as of yesterday evening.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/867066060.htm?ca=1_s

Rare montre yema flygraph chrono/rattrapante

This time, the would-be French seller (presumably the same person, because their location is still Lyon), has reverted to re-using the misspelt title and photos from his original eBay listing. (Edit: which he'd also used previously on LeBonCoin in December).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272028758364

As I wrote back at the end of October last year (on page 17 of this thread):

Probably one best avoided - unless you're French and désespéré ! 

Now especially so, with a 'pie-in-the-sky' asking price of 150 Euros ! 

Seiko7A38 at April 10, 2016 at 10:44 AM

This Yema Spationaute III, with age yellowed lume and non-functional 1/10s sub-dial hand, was listed on LeBonCoin this morning.

Typically, for a French seller, @ 400 Euros, it's well over-priced for the apparent condition. 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/montres_bijoux/950864519.htm

Montre Yema Spationaute III - Collector

Edit: Just spotted a mistake in the description - the stated dimensions (which the seller obviously can't have measured).

The watch in the photos is clearly a 43mm diameter full-sized version (N80P76) rather than a 38mm 'reduced' (N80A66). 

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

Not sure how I'd managed to fail spotting this Yema N81W63 which has been listed on eBay Germany for two weeks and more. 

One thing's certain though, with the ridiculous 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 479 Euros, it's likely to be around a while longer. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152127973093

Sie Bieten Hier auf eine: 

Yema Paris Chronograph Herrenuhr Quartz 18kt. Gold plattiert. 

Voll funktionstüchtig. Leder armand. Leichte Gebrauchsspuren. 

Durchmesser ohne Krone ca : 38mm. 

Made in Frankreich. 

Bilder sind Original Auktions Bilder. 

PRIVATVERKAUF, KEINE GARANTIE, KEIN RÜCKGABERECHT.

Bit of a late spot on my part, with less than 12 hours of the 5-day auction left to run. This Yema N8 Flygraf was listed by a US eBay seller middle of last week. It's been fitted with a non-original aftermarket stainless bracelet. Overall condition doesn't look too bad, for a well worn example, apart from the case-back engravings / serial and model number stampings appear to have been completely obliterated. Presumably the case-back has been skimmed to remove evidence of slipped tool marks. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191916885685

Beautiful Yema Flygraph chronograph Quartz watch. Has date and day in English and French. Bi-directional rotating bezel. Great condition. Crystal is clean and scratch free as is the bezel. The case and band are in very nice condition as well showing only light surface scratches from normal wear. It comfortably fits an 8" wrist. Good luck!!!

Not seen much in the way of Yema N8's listed anywhere lately - apart from the same couple of Yema Spationaute III's which have been re-listed on LeBonCoin.fr for months. One of them came down in price to 'only' 300 Euros (per my post of June 12th), but the other French seller still persists with his ludicrous 'pie-in-the-sky' 600 Euros asking price. 

I did manage to spot another attractive little N8 (also manufactured by C.G.H.) - this JAZ N8YZ669 two-tone 'Panda' listed by a US eBay seller a few days ago, with an opening bid of $9.99 and duly added it to my watching page. As you can probably guess from my under-lining of it, I was mildly amused by the seller's statement: This is the only day date chrono I have run across. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391529781195

This is the only day date chrono I have run across. International shipping is 13.50 up to 8 oz. International buyers.If you see 7.50 on regular shipping that means 20.00 shipping for overseas over 8 oz. All orders can be combined very cheaply. SMOKERS HOUSE. I try to show all of the wear. Most watches will need cleaning. Unless I mention extra band links, I do not have any. New people. It says money back. That means no bad feed unless you contact me. I deal in used items, even new items come with problems. If you can not get to the post office to return an item. Do not order over the internet. Hazards of the convenience. I just opened a new item I ordered. It looks used and does not work. Bad feed is not a solution.

I was almost put off by the seller's 'description' (and the clumsy scratches inflicted on the case-back), plus there was interest from another bidder, who initially seemed determined to win the auction. It was also due to end at 3:00am this morning - so I set up an automated snipe and went to bed. Turns out, this morning, I'd won the auction for a mere $26 - a little over 20 Quid. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391529781195

Similarly, I haven't seen any Yema N7's offered for sale lately, but then as 7A28's and their derivatives aren't my bag, I haven't exactly been losing any sleep over the fact. This one's a bit of a late spot, with a little over 12 hours of the 10-day auction left to run (I must have scrolled past it when I ran my searches on Yema at the weekend) - and a comparatively rare bird; the lesser-spotted two-tone version of the N7 America's Cup.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122074727260

Superbe montre Homme YEMA AMERICA’S CUP FRANCE 

Introuvable, introvabile, not found 

N° : 712396 

Diamètre couronne comprise : 40mm 

Montre entièrement révisée 

Mouvement à quartz, pile neuve 

Bracelet neuf 

Boitier en acier 

Water résistant 100 Mètres 

Boîte & notice 

Etat : voir photos

Acheté le 10 - 10 - 1986 

Frais de Livraison de 15€ en Colissimo Recommandé pour la France 

Frais de Livraison de 25€ pour le reste de l’Union Européenne 

Frais de Livraison de 35€ pour les Pays hors l’Union Européenne

Attention renseignez-vous auprès des autorités compétentes pour les Frais d’importation dans votre pays 

Merci de regarder la vente de mes autres objets

The watch does appear to be in decent cosmetic condition, but for something of such limited appeal to collectors, I strongly suspect the would-be French eBay seller won't getting any takers at the optimistic opening bid price of 200 Euros. 

One small point to note (for the 'anoraks' amongst us): I'd always assumed (incorrectly it would seem) that the Yema case model number for this two-tone version was N71Z36 - the same as the all stainless version. I've probably previously posted to that effect, earlier in this thread. The seller quotes N°: 712396 in his description (he's obviously mis-read the 'Z' as '2'). The addition of a '9' between the '3' and the '6' would be logical - same as the two versions of the 38mm 'reduced' Spationaute III. I tried zooming in on the case-back in the seller's composite image, in an attempt to verify, but couldn't quite manage to read it.

However, a quick google search on Yema America's Cup confirmed it. Found this thread. It may even be the same watch.

http://forum.horlogerie-suisse.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25209 - they don't seem to like quartz on that Swiss forum. 

Slightly out of focus, but the case-back model number still just about legible as N71Z396. The Yema sales code was Y196B.

Perhaps I mis-judged that Yema N7 America's Cup. It did manage to find a buyer yesterday, for the opening bid price of 200 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122074727260

Hardly worth mentioning really, but that scabby Yema N8 Flygraf on a NATO Strap, which has made umpteen prior appearances on eBay and LeBonCoin (documented on previous pages of this thread) was re-listed once again on eBay last week.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272347550255

MONTRE MILITAIRE YEMA FLYGRAF 

TRES BON FONCTIONNEMENT DE TOUTE SES FONCTIONS. CHRONO AVEC ARRET ET RATTRAPANTES. SYSTEME CHRONO STOP.

DIAMETRE DU BOITIER 43 MM. BRACELET NATO DE COULEUR KAKI. 

SYSTEME A QUARTZ AVEC PILE NEUVE MONTEE. 

N ACCEPTE PAS PAYPAL. REMISE EN MAIN PROPRE POSSIBLE POUR LES REGIONAUX. 

VOIR AUSSI MES AUTRES VENTES ET TRES PROCHAINEMENT D AUTRES ARTICLES D HORLOGERIE SERONT EN VENTE.

This 'spares or repair' (definitely in need of the latter) Yema N81X26 was listed on eBay last week by an Indonesian seller.

As you can see from my screen print, I didn't spot it until there was only a day or so before the 7-day auction was due end.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391546669135

VINTAGE YEMA chronograph for part 

MOVEMENT: ORIGINAL YEMA QUARTZ MOVEMENT ( not working ) 

CASE: ORIGINAL STAINLESS STEEL CASE ( measurement 37mm without crown x 44mm lug to lug ) 

 GLASS: CRYSTAL GLASS 

DIAL: ORIGINAL

CROWNS: ALL ORIGINAL 

STRAP: STRAP 

FOR ALL CONDITION LOOK AT THE PICTURES. I SELL AS IS

SHIPPING COST TO USA AND ASIA $20, OTHER $30

EMAIL ME FOR QUESTION. THANKS FOR LOOKING

SEE MY OTHER VINTAGE WATCHES

It was obvious from the seller's photo of the movement, it had suffered a battery leak - and also that he'd had it apart to examine, because the rotary step switch is missing and one of the screws in the battery plate is non-original. Hands need re-luming too, but apart from the slipped tool-marks on the case-back, the watch case and dial appeared to be in reasonable condition.

So - not that I really needed another of these - nor for that matter did I need any more restoration projects  ....

I decided to have a punt at it and sniped it manually in the closing seconds. Sold (to me) for $62.51 after 3 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391546669135

I picked up another cheap little 'Panda' last night - little being the operative word. It's a Kamatz 507000 boys / ladies watch. A well-worn example, fitted with a non-original two-tone bracelet. It was listed by a US eBay seller last week, offered through the GSP program.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311689647212

The seller certainly seemed to have done his homework, particularly by the inclusion of the sentence:

THIS IS THE UNISEX/LADIES/BOYS WATCH MEASURING 36mm IN DIAMETER

Anyway, despite the poor condition I thought it was worth a lowish bid and won it for less than $30. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311689647212

Whereas I have restored these watch cases (in the larger 40mm size), by re-brushing and repainting the bezel markings, I shalln't bother with this one. I'll simply transplant the dial / movement into a NOS Kamatz 507000 watch case that I already have to hand.

Not too difficult to spot this Yema N8 Flygraf, fitted with a non-original stainless bracelet, listed overnight by a US eBay seller, offered through the GSP program - thanks to his inclusion of Seiko 7A38 in the listing title. Which of course, it is a re-branded variant of. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322260027333

Up for sale is a Yema "Flygraf" Sliderule Aviator's Chronograph Watch, using Yema's version of the Seiko 7A38 movement. Yema is a French watchmaker that was owned by Seiko for a brief period between 1998 and 2005, but well before then they produced models using Seiko's 7A28 / 7A38 movement (I think even the 7A48 with the moonphase feature, but I'm not sure). 

Mechanically, this is working as it should with a relatively recent (a few months ago) battery. The chrono, day and date, and timekeeping all work as they should, and the sliderule bezel turns as it should. 

Cosmetically, it's in very nice shape. The crystal, dial, hands, and case all look perfect. The onion-style crown (a neat retro touch) looks great too, as do the buttons. Oddly, the caseback is totally blank - when I googled these models the examples I saw had writing and stuff on them, so I would've assumed it was polished. That said, the case shows its original finish, with alternating brushed and polished surfaces in great shape. So I can't imagine why someone would've polished the caseback completely. Anyway, your guess as good as mine. 

The watch is on what I think is an aftermarket/generic bracelet, as it's not marked Yema anywhere. That said, it suits the watch extremely well if so. 

For those unfamiliar with the 7A28 movement, it is a very collectible and high-quality movement that was Seiko's first analog quartz chronograph - I think the first such watch period, not just the first Seiko. It was fully jeweled with a whopping 15 jewels (unheard-of for a modern quartz watch), no plastic parts, and independent motors for each sub-dial. One sub-dial is for 1/10th seconds, and whizzes around like the dickens. See more here. 

Happy bidding!

_______________________________________________________________

I'm an amateur collector of vintage Japanese watches, mostly Seiko and Citizen. As such, I won't accept returns unless the watch arrives in different condition than as described. Please examine all photos as they are part of my description. This will only ship internationally via ebay's "global shipping program," which is the (expensive) quote you should automatically see in the listing if you aren't in the U.S. In my first real attempt at using this, I received messages from folks in Spain, England, and France all telling me that it wouldn't let them bid, so I apologize if it does so for you - there's nothing I can do to correct it :(. If you have a feedback score of less than 10, please contact me prior to bidding or I may cancel your bid. I am happy to combine shipping costs as long as whatever I'm selling will fit safely in a flat rate small USPS box, but the Global Shipping Program won't let me do this unless you agree to cancel your auction wins and re-do the sale as a single Buy-it-Now option, so be warned of that eventuality if you are an international bidder. I generally don't consider a buy-it-now option unless it blows my mind, but feel free to try to do so :). Thanks and happy bidding!

The eBay seller, seikocitizencollector, if I'm not mistaken is a regular contributor to SCWF - Brian Bilford, a bone fide collector ....

Who like many others is not averse to the odd bit of buying and selling. This particular N8 Flygraf looks pretty familiar to me too ....

By dint of the non-original stainless bracelet and unfortunately obliterated case-back engraving.

Scroll back up the page to my post of July 12th, where I wrote ....

Seiko7A38 at July 12, 2016 at 2:29 AM

Bit of a late spot on my part, with less than 12 hours of the 5-day auction left to run. This Yema N8 Flygraf was listed by a US eBay seller middle of last week. It's been fitted with a non-original aftermarket stainless bracelet. Overall condition doesn't look too bad, for a well worn example, apart from the case-back engravings / serial and model number stampings appear to have been completely obliterated. Presumably the case-back has been skimmed to remove evidence of slipped tool marks. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191916885685

There were no bids made on that listing - hence the reason I'd previously failed to post a result for the auction. Somehow, I missed spotting that it was re-listed the following day and then ended soon after - presumably sold off eBay for a lower 'back door' offer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191920829695

There is one slight discrepancy between that Yema N8 Flygraf and the one seikocitizencollector is now offering for sale and that's the apparent colour of the lume. The one sold by remedyauctions had cream coloured lume, whereas in most of Brian's photos it appears distinctly green. If you're wondering what I'm referring to, there's a few examples in this thread:

http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7226478 I really didn't need another Yema N8 Flygraf ....

Just ran my full worldwide search on Yema and the only other new listing for an N8 returned in the results was this ....

A dressy model N81W53 also listed by a US eBay seller overnight - and once again offered through the GSP program.

I haven't bothered uploading all 9 of the seller's photos, because many are very similar, on the same dark background.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381769905669

PLEASE READ VERY RARE YEMA PARIS N81W53 MEN'S ANALOG CHRONOGRAPH QUARTZ WATCH MADE IN FRANCE.AS YOU CAN SEE LOOKS OLD WITH MANY SCRATCHES ON THE GLASS AND ON THE CASE BUT ABSOLUTELY IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION. THIS WATCH IN MY POSETION SINCE 1998 OR 99 I DON'T REALLRY REMEMBER, BAND IS NOT ORIGINAL DURING THIS TIME I CHANGED 2 OR 3 BANDS, ORIGINAL BAND GONE WITHIN 1ST YEAR.NO RESERVE SHIPPING PRICE $6.45 FOR USPS PRIORITY MAIL OR $3.50 USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL

A couple of results for those last two US eBay auctions for Yema N8's, both of which ended in the early hours of this morning.

The N8 Flygraf with a shaved case-back, fitted with a non-original stainless bracelet made $175 (approx. £134) after 29 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322260027333

By comparison, the dressy little N81W53 by made a mere $53 (approx. £40.50) after only 2 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381769905669

If anybody fancies a 'resto' project, this non-working Yema N81W43 'Head Only' has been listed on eBay France for over a week, with no interest so far. It might be a quick and easy fix - or possibly not - there's that needs new battery / no seller's guarantee gotcher. Sourcing a new strap for it should be easier than most dressy N8's - this model has an 18mm lug width, whereas most others are 19mm. I did think about going for it myself (for the watch case), but it has the usual plating wear on the lug ends. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162214685545

Une aiguille c'est decrochée est pile a changée. Je ne peux pas garantir son fonctionnement.

PS - Although the seller states his location as Besançon (Yema's spiritual home), I suspect this is more of a coincidence.