Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at February 2, 2017 at 5:57 AM

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

Seiko7A38 at January 31, 2017 at 7:10 AM

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:

I suppose I should add an update to my last post about this grotty JDM 7A38-7110, offered by the arch-purveyor of dodgy watches and junk parts, Speedtimerkollektion, which was first listed on eBay at the beginning of January 2016. This re-listing has already run for nearly 6 months, being automatically re-listed every 30 days, but I just noticed they'd made a subtle revision to it last month:

They've added a 'Make Offer' option. Do I hear 99 Euros anybody ?? 

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

As a comparison to the above grossly over-priced mess, a rather better example of the JDM 7A38-7110 was listed yesterday evening by the Filipino eBay seller guilloche_enterprises (previously known as apol_of_your_eyes) with an opening bid price of only $0.01 cent. It's looks quite decent, by their usual standards, and doesn't appear to have been messed with - though I wouldn't mind betting the 'original' domed crystal has been polished. It's only let down by a couple of dings in the integral bezel. Already attracting quite a bit of interest, with bidding at $51 after 12 hours.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372006878851

The above eBay auction for a JDM 7A38-7110 ended about an hour ago, selling for a quite astonishing $462 after 34 bids.  That final bid price was due to a clash between two high bidding snipers. It's around double what previous examples in a similar condition have achieved on Yahoo Japan auctions - in recent memory. Looking at the winning bidder's other purchases, I think it's safe to assume the auction was won by UK Seiko collector Bob Barkell - eBay ID robertb113 (their feedback of 1150 also matches). 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372006878851

I try to get it...unfortunately it went from 300 to 450 in a flash. Pretty watch. Guigiaro vibe somehow.

You'll have your work cut out to beat Bob Barkell in a snipe-fest - he goes in with some crazy kamikaze last minute 'killer' bids - usually without any prior warning. He's beaten me on a good few over the years. 

Well, that's a game that can be very expensive. It sure did cost him, this time.

Well here's one that I suspect may come a little cheaper (despite the seller's completely unrealistic 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price). This average worn condition 7A38-7110 was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today, with an opening bid price of 3000 Yen or a 'Prompt decision' (Buy-it-Now) price of 45,000 Yen.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b284365794

Sometimes you gotta smile at how Google translates from Japanese. Check out the first line. 

It is medieval times.

Although there are scratches, etc. involved in use, you can still use it.

The button at the 2 o'clock position is astringent, but the chronograph also works.

I will exhibit it for collection arrangement.

It is currently in operation, but I do not know when batteries will run out.

I would be pleased if you acknowledge it based on the above.

Those who are seeking beautiful goods and finished goods should refrain from bidding you like thank you.

Moreover, I need your help by junk treatment without a no claim, returned goods.

Please contact me after dealing successfully in deal Navi (beta version). Bidding

from people with bad evaluations, those with anxiety about past transactions are

canceled without prior notice.

Since enclosure is not possible, I need your help well.

Shipment is only letter pack lights.

Packing will be simple in bubble wrap.

Shipping will be from Fukuoka prefecture.

When there is no connection within 24 hours after it makes a successful bid, I will cancel the successful bid by "deletion of successful bidder convenience".

Also, please make payment and easy settlement procedure within 3 days (excluding weekends and public holidays) from the bid date.

Even if payment and settlement procedures are not made within 3 days (except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays), the cancellation of the successful bid by "Delete of successful bidder convenience".

Although I am sorry truly, please bid it only for those who can acknowledge it.

Those who are seeking beautiful goods and finished goods should refrain from bidding you like thank you.

Moreover, I need your help by junk treatment without a no claim, returned goods.

I've never quite understood the logic of sellers who list two watches as job lot pairings, particularly when there's a large discrepancy in their potential values and they'd probably both achieve better prices if listed individually. Anyway, for the record, there was a 7A38-7110 listed on Yahoo Japan auctions earlier today, in a job lot with a 7A28-7000 Aliens - of all things.  They're asking 180,000 Yen opening bid price or 200,000 Yen for a Buy-it-Now. I can't be bothered to post the details. Have a look for yourselves.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w208789058

No great surprise, that job lot listing of a 7A28-7000 Aliens and 7A38-7110 ended 3 days later - unsold. The seller re-listed it as a Buy-it-Now for 170,000 Yen, but then ended the re-listing after less than 10 hours. 

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w208789058

The Japanese seller seems to have 'seen the light' and come round to my way of thinking, because in the early hours of this morning, he listed the two watches separately. The 7A38-7110 has an opening bid price of only 1 Yen, or the option of a 'Prompt Decision' (Buy-it-Now) price - a somewhat over-optimistic 48,000 Yen. The photos appear to have been cropped from the larger images used in the previous job lot listings. Note there's no mention of bracelet length / wrist size. To my eyes, it looks to be a bit on the short side*.  

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k284544474

Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

It is currently in operation. Can the needle at 10 o'clock move? Hello. There are times when you move one crown and move. I will exhibit with junk treatment. Since I will not do any returns, refund after it makes a successful bid, please withhold the more nervous one.

Shipping is only Yamato mail payment on delivery.

*Indeed, looking at the way he's cropped the third photo out of the original, he may be deliberately trying to conceal the fact.

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A38-7110 ended 10 minutes ago, selling for ¥23,500 Yen - equivalent to approx. $207.30 USD / £155 GBP, after 14 bids.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k284544474

This 7A38-7110 in average worn condition was listed on Yahoo Japan yesterday, as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 10,000 Yen. In typical YJ parlance, it's described as 'Junk', but I've seen a lot worse.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b312379436

Google translates the seller's formatted pastel coloured description as follows:

The above Yahoo Japan auction for a 7A38-7110 ended earlier this afternoon (at Midnight local Japanese time). The auction finish time was automatically extended by 5 minutes due to one or more late bids placed. It sold for ¥36,500 Yen after 17 bids, equivalent to approx $333.30 USD / £249.50 GBP. The very high feedback number of the encrypted winning bidder ID points to it having been won by an international buyer using one of the proxy bidding services.

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b312379436

This well worn 7A38-7110 was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1000 Yen. It has a badly scratched crystal and a very short bracelet - encrusted with years of grime. Oh - and a flat battery. 

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c659230809

Google translates the Japanese description as follows:

Brand: SEIKO

Model: SPEED MASTER

Model number: 7A38-7110

Case material: Stainless steel

Belt material: Stainless steel

Belt type: Bracelet

Dial Color: Black

· For second - hand goods, there are scratches, dirt, faded.

There is a scratch digging on the dial.

Scratch, there is dirt.

· The belt has scratches and dirt.

· Belt is genuine.

· It becomes individual custody. Please note.

· There is no accessory.

- Please tender after confirming with a photograph.

· The movement is stopped now with quartz.

· It is possible to change the date, time, day of the week by crown.

※ Because we have not examined our company, day difference and time difference,

We do not accept complaints about day difference and time difference after arrival of goods.

* Us, that commodity regarding knowledge shortage therefor detailed operation verification. We do not do.

※ There is no battery level.

· Because we do not exchange batteries, it is unclear whether the battery is out of order or malfunctioning.

·size

Diameter of about 3.8 cm (excluding crown)

Approximately 13 cm around the arm

* There is an error for amateur measurement.

· We are shooting photos in close physical condition as far as possible,

There may be slight differences in color etc.

* We can not provide guarantee of operation because it hands it under the present condition.

* In the unlikely event that there is a malfunction in operation, we can not respond to returned goods refund. Please acknowledge it beforehand.

· Please offer a bid after an understanding.

The above Yahoo Japan 7-day auction for a well-worn 7A38-7110 ended earlier this afternoon, selling for ¥15,500 Yen after 27 bids. That's equivalent to approx. $140 USD / £105.50 GBP

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c659230809

Time to write the final chapter in the long-running (since January 2016) sorry saga of the SpeedTimerKollektion 7A38-7110. (He says keeping his fingers crossed).

I'd last written an update about this watch on 9th July 2017 (higher up this page). Quite frankly I was already fed up to the back teeth of writing about it then. They carried on automatically re-listing it, every 30 days, retaining the same item number, for another YEAR, until they finally ended that listing, allegedly because the item was no longer available. Which was of course untrue.

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

As expected, it reappeared on eBay, re-listed once again in mid-August: still with the same ridiculous 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 499 Euros, or the option to make an offer, but this time with free international shipping - saving a whole 10 Euros. Again I simply couldn't be bothered to mention it here. I just added it to my eBay watching page. To my surprise, that latest re-listing ended yesterday evening.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113199398116

WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals it finally sold for an offer of 277 Euros.

As confirmed by the eBay Purchase History:

Note the two earlier declined offers for 145 and 150 Euros, which in my opinion, would have been a more realistic price to pay for a 7A38-7110 in this condition. Let's hope it stays sold. 

This JDM 7A38-7110, in average worn condition, was listed earlier this morning, by an Australian eBay seller, as a 7-day auction, with what's possibly an over-optimistic opening bid price of $470 Au. The seller is a member of this forum (Lyndon) and he explains the rationale for the pricing in his description. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202606658250

A difficult to find Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) 'Speedmaster' Seiko 7A38 model type 7110, with serial number 499294.

This model has a very simple, clear dial display with a nicely domed "crystal", along with unusual stopwatch like upper pushers.

It is in very good, but used condition. There are scratches and marks on the case and case back. The "crystal" is perfect (ie has been replaced), and the dial and hands are in exceptional and original condition. All functions work as they should, however the two larger stopwatch like pushers can occasionally feel a tiny bit "sticky"

The bracelet is the correct (I think) AA29B in SS.

The watch has not had a service while in my care, but the "crystal" has been replaced with a genuine replacement.

The starting bid is simply the total it owes me landed in my hands from Japan to Australia mid 2018.

I'm selling a number of watches primarily because I'm not wearing each of them enough to justify them (or as my wife says, "stop being a manchild and just get rid of them" ) .....

Please feel free to ask for anymore information or for specific photographs, if it helps your decision.

International buyers welcome.

I'm happy to supply flat rate shipping within Australia, however insured international shipping would be at cost with either FedEx or DHL, so please ignore the eBay shipping calculator etc. (and any import duties or other such costs are the buyers responsibility)

The photographs are an important part of the description, and as a private seller I don't offer a warranty or any price variations. However I'm happy to fully refund upon return if I have been unfairly misleading (return shipping at your cost).

This 7A38-7110, case-back s/n 499294 last sold on Yahoo Japan auctions at the beginning of June last year. As I wrote at the time (higher up the page):

It sold for ¥36,500 Yen after 17 bids, equivalent to approx $333.30 USD / £249.50 GBP. The very high feedback number of the encrypted winning bidder ID points to it having been won by an international buyer using one of the proxy bidding services.

It seems I owe forum member Lyndon an apology, of sorts, for questioning his pricing strategy.  Though for most of the week, I thought I was right.  No bids were forthcoming - until 2 hours before the auction was due to end, when someone bid the $470 Au. opening bid price. The 7-day auction ended this morning, with the 7A38-7110 selling for $501 Au. (equivalent to $355.43 USD), after 5 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202606658250

This JDM 7A38-7110 in average condition (with a typically scratched domed crystal) was listed on Yahoo Japan, a couple of days ago, as a 7-day auction, by a 'Store' seller. The opening bid was 14,000 Yen (plus 8% Japanese Sales Tax), making the 15,120 Yen shown in the summary. I had to chop the listing about a little, to remove the superfluous sidebar adverts. 

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l511409791

Google translates the Japanese seller's formatted description as follows: