Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Unfortunately I was not able to save the picture about the auction.

Actually it is a 7A38-7010 in a quite tired condition without the original bracelet.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/310593647998

Well spotted Arpad. Not only without the original bracelet - but also fitted with an rather unsuitable incorrect replacement. 

It wasn't just you having a problem with eBay Germany. I've also noticed a few strange things happening lately. 

I think it's connected with their conversion to the 'new look' eBay. They seem to be gradually phasing in the regions.

Once you've added the item onto your watching page (eBay UK in my case), you can save the photo as normal. 

Speaking of eBay Germany .... and that particular auction listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310593647998

It annoys the hell out of me that the Germans are still allowed to operate with their own special set of local rules ....

PayPal is not still not a mandatory requisite for German eBay sellers - like it is for every other country in the world !! 

Agreed - I've found to my cost a couple of times that not only do you have to pay your own bank charges for an international money transfer, but sometimes the recipient also gets charged (and then won't release the watch until you re-imburse them this charge) 

This 'rant' could almost be a topic in its own right, Simon.

I bank with Barclays and I simply refuse to pay their extortionate charges (it was £25 minimum) for international money transfers.

So for years, when dealing with such recalcitrant German eBay sellers I'd go to the Post Office, draw Euros in cash and post them by 'International Signed For'. I've done literally dozens of transactions that way in the past. Then the Post Office increased their prices last year and I got caught out on a couple of deals - the watches simply didn't arrive.  So no more. No PayPal offered - I don't bother ! 

Seiko7A38 at January 2, 2013 at 4:33 PM

Yet another over-priced and mis-represented tired piece of junk, calling itself 'rare and original' from US eBay re-seller Total_Time22:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330852497568

SEIKO VERY RARE VINTAGE QUARTZ CHRONO, 7A48-7000, MOONPHASE, ORIGINAL, VG

The description includes:

THE WATCH HAS A ITS ORIGINAL SEIKO/SQ STAINLESS STEEL AND GOLD TONE BRACELET THAT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION

Which it clearly isn't - nor is it the correct original Seiko p/n Z1093C bracelet for a 7A48-7000 / -7009.

I'm certain that the seller knows it isn't - because he's had a good few of these pass through his hands.

If you're in any doubt what one looks like, there are 3 other 7A48-7000's on eBay (2 of which also grossly over-priced) all fitted with it.

I see this one's back again.  Just re-listed: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330873162635

Seiko7A38 at February 9, 2013 at 3:50 PM

I almost had to laugh at this one, if it wasn't for this particular seller's blatant dishonesty.  Listed earlier this evening by 'Lesterplant':

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380575560300

Here is a very rare vintage Seiko 7a38 diver's watch. Works great, keeps good time and everything works as it should - all the dials zero back etc. It does have some minor marks but still great. 

This is a big (43mm diameter) well engineered watch in solid stainless steel. Had a new battery fitted six months ago. Free postage including oversees - will be sent recorded delivery and must be signed for.

The complete head (and dial hands, etc.) is from a fairly decent looking stainless 7A38-6020 - with the usual faded bezel lettering, etc..

But the bracelet is from a 7A38-7050 (or 7A38-705A). Scroll back up the page a bit. Stop when you get to my post dated January 15th.

Note the 7A38-7050 being sold there - fitted with a non-original bracelet ? Well I'd lay odds that's where this bracelet came from ! 

The more observant of you may notice in that listing, he gives the Item location: South, United Kingdom. This one is Southampton.

The seller is a well-known purveyor of 7Axx frankens employing deceptive descriptions, named A.Braniff from Workington, Cumbria.

That's way up North (United Kingdom) where I come from. 

I noticed A. Braniff (a.k.a. Lesterplant) honoured us with another visit earlier today  (using a slightly different IP address).

He must be wondering why his 'Rare 7A38 Diver's watch' isn't selling.  Well he's certainly had plenty of 'plugs' on here. 

If somebody needs an original bracelet with "tag"

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Uhrband-Seiko-/321073562186

Using a Peppermint tea tag is classic......mit tag! 

Seiko7A38 at February 9, 2013 at 2:20 PM

Bit of a naughty one, listed on eBay yesterday evening by a Spanish seller. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271152924278

SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH VINTAGE 7A38-7270 SUWA

 

AN AUTHENTIC VINTAGE SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH 

CRONO RESETS FINE 

SEIKO 7A38-7270 

QUARTZ MOVEMENT RUNS FINE 

CASE MEASURES 38 mm AND 42 mm LUG TO LUG 

WATERRESISTANT BUT NOT TESTED 

PRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1987 

STAINLESS STEEL CASE AND ORIGINAL BRACELET 

SUWA FACTORY

I'm sorry, I don't know exactly what that is fitted, but it clearly is not the correct original Seiko p/n B1615S bracelet for a 7A38-7270. 

Edit: I should have recognised it by now though. 

This same 7A38-7270, serial # 7D5444 fitted with that same wrong bracelet has been 'doing the rounds' since at least January 2011.

Looking at one set of (12) photos, it was sold by Total_Time22 on at least one previous occasion. Note damaged 30 minute subdial.

Only saw this topic after I bid and paid

Yes,  I'm the one who has got this one.

Well got to start somewhere. Now I'll have to look for a strap and see how bad the damaged 30 minute subdial is.

Just have ask about a yellow face for it, as your beautiful yellow faced 7a38 the one that got me interested in the first place.

All help and advice would be gratefully received. 

Hopefully I can make good out of  bad.

Ric

Sorry, Ric. That's one of the dangers / downsides about posting about watches which aren't quite right (in my book), or up to scratch.

That someone like yourself is going to buy it and read about on here, after the fact. Or even join the forum, as you did and admit to it.

Don't be disheartened.  We've all bought a few bad un's (or complete wrong un's) in our time - it's all part of the learning process.

The damage to the 30 minute sub-dial on that 7A38-7270 might not be so bad. Possibly someone has since attempted to restore it.

The photos I posted before were from Total_Time22's eBay listing in May 2011. Here's a few from his previous listing in January 2011:

Seiko7A38 at February 17, 2013 at 8:39 AM

Sorry, Ric. That's one of the dangers / downsides about posting about watches which aren't quite right (in my book), or up to scratch.

That someone like yourself is going to buy it and read about on here, after the fact. Or even join the forum, as you did and admit to it.

Don't be disheartened.  We've all bought a few bad un's (or complete wrong un's) in our time - it's all part of the learning process.

The damage to the 30 minute sub-dial on that 7A38-7270 might not be so bad. Possibly someone has since attempted to restore it.

The photos I posted before were from Total_Time22's eBay listing in May 2011. Here's a few from his previous listing in January 2011:

thanks for the your words of wisdom and photos, well more things to change like the day wheel. well i'll looking for even bigger hammer.to fix it now.

Only joking road drill hehe !

where can parts be found like; english day wheel and the right strap? flea bay i would think.

cheers and thanks

Ric

You shouldn't need to change the day wheel, Ric. Seiko 7A38's are dual language. If you look again at Total_Time22's photos from his May 2011 eBay listing, you'll see it was showing WED(nesday), as opposed to Roman numerals in the other two sets of photos.

The original Seiko p/n B1615S bracelet may not be easy, but eBay is probably your best bet. You just need to keep your eyes peeled. 

PS - I'll drop you a PM. 

News on the 7270

 First a new name for it:  the triple 4 is here, The sub face marks are only noticeable when looked through magnifying glass.

and the hahahaha ORIGINAL BRACELET  does not fit my over my wrist.

The glass is clear. but apart from all that . I like it; why its my first 7a38, the scratches marks and dinks adds life to it. as its been used. thats why.   so all i need now is another bracelet and get it water proof / resistant . 

Ric 

good idea and thanks about the lengthener.    Used an old unoriginal strap from my 7a48,  lots of spit and polish to strap and watch. the watch needed a few bumps around the edges  iron out. Will post a picture, that if i can work it out.  

Speaking of non-original bracelets on 7A48's, I spotted this one listed by a Turkish eBay seller, earlier this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400422598633

Yeh - and before anybody points out that I fitted a non-original (Orient !!) bracelet to a work colleague's 7A48-7000 recently ....

I guess that makes me something of a hypocrite.  But at least the one I fitted looked like it might actually belong to the watch. 

Unlike this one, which the seller mentions in his concise description as simply:  Bracelet: stainless steel large size

Still, I guess we should be grateful that he's not claiming as many do that it's 'original'. Because it should be patently obvious it's not.

A penny for your thoughts, Gentlemen. 

Yet another mis-represented Seiko 7Axxx / bracelet - this time a 7A28-703B from another unscrupulous eBay dealer is what I think. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370790779391

What has been fitted vaguely resembles the correct original Seiko p/n B1074S bracelet, in that it's stainless with black inserts ....

But the link sections are too small and numerous, and the bracelet is too narrow where it meets the watch case:

Not quite sure what part number it is - possibly a C108, likely belonging to some unfortunate Seiko digital.

But the best bit is the close-up front view:

Not only is it fitted with the wrong bracelet, but somebody appears to have taken a bit of artistic licence with the chrono' hands.

This is becoming seriously tiresome and repetitive, for me - especially picking over 7A28's. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/161004913956

UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS A SEIKO CHRONOGRAPH 7A28-7049 QUARTZ IT APPEARS EVERYTHING IS WORKING BUT I DON'T HAVE INFO ON HOW ALL THE FUNCTIONS WORK

IT HAS ORIGINAL SEIKO BAND

Oh No it doesn't !!! 

Here's what the original Seiko p/n B1075S bracelet on a 7A28-704x looks like, for those who might be unfamiliar:

And yet another eBay business seller being 'economic with the truth'.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230964572398

Description includes:

THIS ONE IS FULLY WORKING AND I WILL TRY TO GIVE AN HONEST APPRAISAL  Yeh, Right ! 

STRAP - ORIGINAL & EXCELLENT WITH LITTLE FLEX, BUT IS QUITE SHORT AT ~ 6 1/2"

CLASP - STILL TIGHT WITH LIGHT SCUFFS

Oh No it isn't !! 

Dunno quite what that bracelet fitted is off, but here's what a 'quite short' correct original Seiko p/n B1241S bracelet looks like:

This stainless 7A38-7190 fitted with an incorrect B1615S bracelet (properly belonging to the stainless 7A38-727x range) offered by Italian eBay seller strega_68, earlier this week, had already been mentioned in the 'Craziest Prices' thread - for obvious reasons. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281092574698

My final throwaway line in that post read: But what is it about it that makes it MEGA RARE ?