Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Hey Paul,

How easy / difficult is to find extra links to the bracelet?

Is there a "similar" styled bracelet available?

Not easy - almost impossible, Con. I've already tried Seiko Japan, without success - obsolete no longer available. 

There may well be another 'similar' Seiko bracelet out there, whose adjustment links would fit and be a reasonable match ....

But I've yet to identify one. Hence why I initially went for the clasp extender option on my first 7A38-7110 - then bought the second cheaper one with plenty of spare adjustment links fitted. The over-priced ex-Yahoo Japan 7A38-7110 offered by eBay re-seller fhipe has a VERY short bracelet -so will need LOTS of spare adjustment links to be wearable. Quote from my post of December 29th:

However, like many watches coming out of the Far East, the bracelet has been re-sized (to fit a much smaller wrist). This one is woefully short of bracelet adjustment links. The seller states the wrist size is 'about 16cm'. That's a little over 6¼ inches. 

Thanks Paul

Thought as much.

With the size my wrists are, I would probably need 3 clasp extenders to be able to wear it. 

Seiko7A38 at March 14, 2015 at 9:32 AM

In his latest re-listing for the ex-Yahoo Japan 7A38-7110, would-be profiteering Indonesian eBay re-seller fhipe has further reduced the opening bid price again to 'only' $425. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361241431054

Only another $100 Bucks to go and he'll be down to the price he paid for it. 

Latest re-listing in the early hours of this morning and would-be profiteering eBay re-seller fhipe has futher reduced the bid price ....

Now down to 'only' $395 - $700 less than the ludicrous $1100 as a Buy-it-Now he first tried asking in the last week of January. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221724702282

Only another $70 to break even / potential loss situation. 

Meanwhile, over on Yahoo Japan, apart from the two previous unsold examples (one from September last year, one from February) documented on page 2, which have since been re-listed, earlier today a third 7A38-7110 was listed.

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n142252157

セイコースピードマスタークロノグラフ7A38-7110

Google translates the lengthy description (not particulary well) as follows:

Detailed image, add later ■ Terms on the transaction (you bid on sure to read to become your understanding) ■ exhibit the majority is no longer needed goods or personal collection goods If you are using at home so 　used thank you to bid on the purchase confirmation your state the top products and understanding ■ There are also brand new unused but you may like some of the degradation per house storage in the ■ Product Description Even finely posted as much detail as possible image and mind you, but ■ above mentioned items and notes, you can bid on to become understanding carefully read the description of item Other notes ○ Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays New Year is not possible to correspond about basically shipping. ○ after the end of the auction I will contact you from here previously ○ thank you within your reply 48 hours. It will be removed if it passes , please visit the always Sumaho other full browser because it does not see additional images ○ is mobile and. ○ settlement method bank transfer (direct ownership possible), simple settlement. COD is not allowed. Within please transfer deadline one week. I can not guarantee regarding waterproof performance at the time of the battery out and brand new ○ Used watch only and is not a guaranteed accuracy in Reference values ​​of individual measurement for accuracy of ○ mechanical watch my left wrist (16cm) criteria for ○ arm around size is due and is subjective 　please think and rough reference value. You can not exchange even if you do not fit it to try. 　(Absolutely and depending on the return on the successful bid commission 5% + postage charge if that) ○ commodity itself is firmly protection will be, but the entire packing is simple packing Please note that the description of the ○ commodity state my opinion is due. Claim please refrain will respond if under ... contact us within two days after receipt if there was a failure and the like problems in ○ commodity. (I do not do support the second and subsequent days from the date of arrival) ■ Product Description is acquaintance request goods. Small scratch and feel there is no serious damage. However, image is somewhat generous glass is scratch can be seen in (cracks is not) there is Saibi haze inside glass. Behavior sends normal a date day of the week, chronograph operate normally. Buttons feel even better is it is accurate and not mad even when compared to even radio clock watch. Around the arm is 17 to about 18cm. Too much without frames. Delivery at Hakobun 2kg or less.

Belated Edit: The seller later embedded 5 more slightly larger photos in the listing description.  ( 2015年 3月 28日 6時 21分 追加）

Apart from the badly scratched crystal and some light rubbing wear to the silver anodised finish, it looks in pretty decent condition.

I noticed that the opening bid price on that most recent 7A38-7110 on Yahoo Japan has been reduced from 15,000 Yen to 9,800 Yen.

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n142252157

The vague reason give at the bottom of the description translates as:

We will once revocation because there was a bug in the product. ( 2015年 3月 28日 19時 49分 追加）

Might mean a bargain buy for someone prepared to take a chance on being able to fix 'the bug'. 

Just checking my eBay watching page and I noticed that profiteering re-seller fhipe's ex-Yahoo Japan 7A38-7110 finally sold in the early hours of this morning - for his latest much reduced opening bid price of $395 (approx. £265.49).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221724702282

I must admit I was interested in that most recent 7A38-7110 on YJ - as a potential project / source of more bracelet adjustment links. So a couple of days ago, I emailed Daisuke and asked if once again, he'd be kind enough to bid on it on my behalf. I gave him a maximum bid figure. He replied, asking if I might consider going higher - so I gave him an absolute maximum number.

The auction ended earlier this afternoon. With 30 minutes to go, Daisuke had already made a bid and indeed was ahead ....

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n142252157

10 minutes to go (where it normally starts to get interesting on Yahoo Japan) ....

You'll notice that the finishing time was 22:50 in Japan (2:50pm UK time) ....

Unfortunately work intervened, I was distracted, so unable to get any more screen captures.

Thing is, in this instance, it doesn't matter, because unusually for a YJ auction, the automatic extension flag was switched to No.

So although there were a number of late bids placed, right up until the final minute, the auction still ended at 22:50 local Japan time:

Daisuke won the auction for 17,500 Yen - my absolute maximum bid figure ! 

I spent a couple of hours this morning, stripping and cleaning my third, most recent incoming 7A38-7110 (once again, acquired with Daisuke's selfless assistance). Obviously from the Yahoo Japan seller's photos, it needed the scratched crystal replacing. I did think about fitting one of those very cheap Cousins 32mm domed flat bottom crystals as a substitute, but as I had a genuine Seiko p/n 320W46GN00 in stock, that's what it got. But I didn't re-assemble it - as such.

The bracelet on this third 7A38-7110 was in far better condition than the previous intended 'link donor', albeit with one less adjustment link fitted. There's minimal stretch between links and far less rubbing wear to the silver anodized coating. The Speedmaster clasp was nearly as good as my first almost pristine example. But the watch case itself wasn't quite so good. So I compared the condition of each sub-assembly with those of my second, then stripped that down as well - and re-assembled the best condition parts to make this one:

 With 8 removeable / adjustment links (4 per side) fitted, as supplied, the bracelet just fits my 7½" wrist on the last adjustment hole.

At the time of writing, my original almost pristine 7A38-7110 is still fitted with the make-do clasp extender. Next stage is to pick the best condition (4 in total) removable adjustment links from these two lesser examples and finally fit them where they belong. Now done. 

But while I had them laid out side by side ....

Seiko7A38 at August 10, 2014 at 10:20 AM

With my original almost pristine example (left).

They're breeding ! 

Quote from the top of page 2. 

Ahem. Didn't somebody infer not too long ago that the 7A38-7110 was supposed to be one of the rarest JDM variants.  

Seiko7A38 at March 27, 2015 at 3:17 PM

Meanwhile, over on Yahoo Japan, apart from the two previous unsold examples (one from September last year, one from February) documented on page 2, which have since been re-listed, earlier today a third 7A38-7110 was listed.

After being re-listed umpteen times, the 7A38-7110 first listed in September last year, immediately above (in quote), which I posted at the top of page 2, appears to have dropped off Yahoo Japan auctions. Seems that I'd overlooked to check it. It finally sold in May for the opening bid price of 25,000 Yen (equivalent to approx. $203.55 USD / £130.72 GBP).

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h192278086 

Meanwhile, the one from February, priced @ 22,000 Yen is still hanging in there. Yesterday it was joined by another.

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r129974563

セイコー　スピードマスター　クロノグラフ　クォーツ 7A38-7110

Google translates the seller's Japanese title and description (badly as usual) as follows:

Seiko Speedmaster Chronograph Quartz 7A38-7110

Second-hand goods, is currently out of batteries.

Operation check is not carried out.

There is a scratch on the glass. Belt is original one. Arm around, is about 19mm.

Degree scratches because goods will be used. There are individual differences. Please look always well even photos.

At present condition delivery, thank you.

Payment method

Resona postal savings · JNB · yahoo simple settlement

Shipping method

Letter pack 360 yen

Since it becomes a used junk treatment goods, thank you to bid only the direction which has an understanding.

No claim, no return asking for.

The opening bid price is 15,000 Yen. I expect it will sell, regardless of having a flat battery and scratched crystal (all too common with these watches), simply because of the reasonable length of bracelet fitted - '19mm' presumably meaning 19 cms = approx. 7½"

This grossly over-priced, grubby, partly-functional 7A38-7110 with moldy lume and a short bracelet, was listed on eBay yesterday by Speedtimerkollektion - the German-owned Spanish-based outfit: arch watch-botchers and purveyors of ex-Philippines junk watches.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131691706529

This reasonably tidy-looking example of the JDM 7A38-7110 was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions earlier today. Opening bid price is 5,800 yen and the listing duration is only one day.

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n174457327

The lengthy description is full of the usal caveats. Google translates the relevant section as:

Old Quartz Color chronograph wristwatch of Seiko. The operation of the chronograph, appears to be no problem, such as calendar operations, but there such as Senkizu in glass. The band is also a band that was attached from the beginning when you buy this watch. The length of the band can afford. Because of the old clock, I need your help by NC / NR.

Belated edit:

The above Yahoo Japan auction ended the following day, selling for 21,100 Yen (equivalent approx. $198 / £136.35) after 10 bids:

http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n174457327

Nearly 10 months since it first appeared on eBay, that poor example of a 7A38-7110 offered by seller SpeedtimerKollektion is still being automatically re-listed every 30 days (retaining the same item number) at the same laughable 499 Euros Buy-it-Now price. 

Meanwhile, here's another pretty decent looking example that was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions at the weekend with an opening bid price of only 1 Yen (and no reserve). Makes me wonder why 23 people are currently watching the SpeedtimerKollektion rubbish. 

http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c576501513

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

Description of item

【brand】Seiko 

【Product name】Speedmaster Chronograph 7A38-7110 (watch) 

It is the most popular of the Speedmaster ♪

Because the simple design with functionality as well as with origami, also recommended to the business scene! 

【Movement】Quartz 

【size】Cuff 18㎝, Belt width 1.7㎝, Face diameter 3.2㎝

【condition】

The remaining battery level is unknown, but it is moving without any problems. It is present condition ... delivery.

The belt has a very extremely fine scratches, but overall clean impression. 

※ Note ※ ※ Note ※ ※ Note ※ ※ Note ※ ※ Note ※ 

Because it is used goods, please refrain from the nervous one successful bid. (Return of acceptance does not do). 

For the smell of the product, not stated because of individual differences in how to feel. 

Only products that are reflected in the photograph. (Not reflected accessory is not attached). 

Thank you payment within three days after it makes a successful bid for the commodity. (You will If your contact is not can be confirmed not or payment stick is then canceled by the convenience of the highest bidder). 

We will ship Yamato Transport of cash on delivery within two days after confirmation of payment shipping concerned. (Prepayment is not received). 

Successful bidder it is determined by the judgment here that it is bad or vicious bid evaluation. There is a case where I am allowed to cancel a successful bid, please understand.

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a tidy-looking example of a JDM 7A38-7110 ended about 25 minutes ago. It sold for 29,388 Yen (equivalent to approx. $285 USD / £227.70 GBP) after 25 bids. Going by the high feedback number (11142) of the winning bidder ID, I'd suspect that it was won by a foreign bidder using one of the proxy bidding services.

http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c576501513

Here's another 7A38-7110 that was listed on Yahoo Japan auctions earlier today. Obviously it's in dire need of a replacement crystal. I'd suggest that any potential bidders might want to first enquire about the size of the bracelet (not stated in the description). In one of the larger photos subsequently added by the seller it looks rather short.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b239837642

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

Thank you for looking. Seiko Speedmaster Chronograph secondhand goods. Since it is old, there are scratches, feeling of use. There are many scratches on the glass surface. Currently, Chrono is functioning normally. ■ I am waiting for the bid of the old one, those with an understanding in the antique. Those seeking perfect items should refrain from bidding. ■ It will be shipped in this BOON. Dispatch by letter pack which can not be handled or letter pack outside fixed form etc can not be performed. ■ Please understand beforehand that the bidding of many bad evaluations may be withdrawn without prior notice. Thank you.

(Added at 19:16 on December 18, 2016)

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A38-7110 ended at lunchtime (UK time) on Christmas Day, selling for 25,500 Yen (equivalent to approx. $217.40 USD / £177.25 GBP) after 26 bids.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b239837642

Seiko7A38 at January 8, 2016 at 5:40 AM

This grossly over-priced, grubby, partly-functional 7A38-7110 with moldy lume and a short bracelet, was listed on eBay yesterday by Speedtimerkollektion - the German-owned Spanish-based outfit: arch watch-botchers and purveyors of ex-Philippines junk watches.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131691706529

It might have taken them just over a year, but it appears that eBay seller Speedtimerkollektion may finally have found a mug punter buyer for their 7A38-7110 !  Or at least some fool hit the Buy-it-Now button (for the full 499 Euros asking price) yesterday afternoon, because I can't see any evidence of a 'Best Offer' having been made. The mind truly boggles. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131691706529

Hah !  I didn't believe that anyone could really be that stupid. 

Speedtimerkollektion's basket case 7A38-7110 is back on eBay, re-listed this morning, at the same risible 499 Euros Buy-it-Now.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132081196101

Even if this watch-botching bunch of sharks were asking only 99 Euros, I'd profer the same advice:

Hopefully we can forget about the stupidly priced Speedtimerkollektion 7A38-7110 for another 12 months. 

Meanwhile this half decent looking example was listed on Yahoo Japan yesterday, as a 3-day auction with an opening bid price of 10,000 Yen. The seller's photos are a bit of an odd mix - there are two pairs of images grouped into frames and one separate, so I've simply uploaded them 'as found'.

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f203749830

Google translates the Japanese seller's description (badly) as follows:

[Product Roh explanation]

Brand, Brand: Seiko

Model Number: 7A38-7110

color: black board

Size: Men's about 38mm breath around teeth, maximum 17,5 cm degree death. 

It is a speed master of vintage Seiko. Used because it is scratching and feeling of use. Also, there are some scratches on the windshield. Worried people should withhold a bid. A genuine breath is a model that is popular with helmet mark stamping and sporty design. You can send the date and the day of the week by crown operation. You can start and stop the chronograph button. Of course I will time the time accurately. That's the old machine. Please consider after consent. Shipping is a letter pack. Thank you.