Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Here's failed would-be profiteering Yahoo Japan re-seller  l_h_m_m's latest loss leader. 

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r121042458

This is of course the ex-Stuart Lennard 7A28-6030 (sans strap) which he bought for $66 in November ....

.... and originally had up as a Buy-it-Now for $12,000 Yen. Still with the same badly scratched crystal too. 

Which brings me neatly round to my next rant against this totally incompetent individual.

If you've read my last few posts on the previous page, criticizing this seller's activities, then you'll probably remember this one ....

Seiko7A38 at November 17, 2014 at 7:27 AM

This would-be profiteering Japanese Yahoo Japan re-seller l_h_m_m is laughably predictable. 

If you've read my updates of 10 days ago, to the Name and Shame thread in the Members Lounge section then ....

You'll know I'd identified the eBay ID he uses (which shows as n***4 / 4***d in abbreviated / encrypted form) - lonto4271_6h4dgvu

Towards the end of last week, he left Stuart Lennard (rubyginny) feedback against the only two 7Axx's he'd won from the last batch:

They were an average condition stainless 7A38-7020, which he paid rather too much for, in his efforts to win Stuart's auction:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121476496880

and a gold tone 7A28-6030 which he picked up relatively cheaply for only $66 due to lack of interest from other bidders:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121476490469

This morning, both were summarily listed on Yahoo Japan, to bring the tally of his unsold (ex-Stuart Lennard) 7Axx's to six:

http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/user/l_h_m_m?p=7a

Despite his apparent enthusiasm for the Seiko 7Axx marque (or should I correctly say making a profit from re-selling them) ....

It would appear that this greedy incompetent is incapable of undertaking the most basic of repairs to justify any such mark-up. 

If you read and translate his own Yahoo Japan listing descriptions of the 7A38-7020 and 7A28-6030 ....

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f146828841 and http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r12104245

He appears to have done nothing about sorting the sticky pushers on the former (which he commented on in the feedback he left).

.... Nor replacing the badly scratched crystal on the latter. Still, at least he appears capable of removing a strap, if nothing else. 

Note particularly the penultimate sentence.  

I ran a couple of quick searches on Yahoo Japan this morning; one on Seiko 7A28 - and had to do a double take ! 

At first glance I thought he was also re-listing the ex-Stuart Lennard 7A28-710A as a low start auction, but then I clicked on the link:

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f147939121

セイコー スピードマスター等 7A28 7A38 系用 ガラス風防 新品

If you let Google translate the title and description:

Seiko Speedmaster etc. 7A28 7A38 system for glass windshield new

Thank you for taking a look. I will spare glass windshield new exhibition that can be used in Seiko Speedmaster etc. 7A28 7A38. Seiko speed is mineral glass windshield that can be used to define a master or other 7A28 system 7A38 system. 7A28 · 38 system of disassembly and cleaning and parts replacement in the makers got finished. Here is not a genuine part, but this is brought to Yodobashi clock repair corner, etc., it is possible for you to repair. Outer diameter is about the size of 31.0mm thickness 1.5mm. ※ Because there are also different models of outer diameter in 7A28 · 7A38 system, please note.

[Payment method] Yahoo! simple settlement bank transfer - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation [delivery method] will be delivered in Kuroneko mail service ----- Free. ※ If you have, etc. - hope special delivery and compensation with courier letter pack other delivery method can also be accommodated. ※ In that case you will pay. Other I have exhibited. Please take a look.

This complete and utter incompetent, who is apparently incapable of changing a crystal himself, is now offering one for sale !! 

Belated edit: Here's where he purchased the crystal from eBay seller Seikoforever: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250965770182

Seiko7A38 at December 16, 2014 at 8:20 AM

Here's failed would-be profiteering Yahoo Japan re-seller  l_h_m_m's latest loss leader. 

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r121042458

This is of course the ex-Stuart Lennard 7A28-6030 (sans strap) which he bought for $66 in November ....

.... and originally had up as a Buy-it-Now for $12,000 Yen. Still with the same badly scratched crystal too. 

And another FAIL.  Strike # 3 ! 

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r121042458

That Yahoo Japan auction ended mid-afternoon. I wasn't watching it - better things to do.  Despite being extended a couple of times, due to late bids placed, it still only made 3100 Yen - equivalent to approx. $26 USD / £16.50 GBP. Less than half what he paid for it.

Certainly not the best of examples, but perhaps still worth mentioning because of the 'extreme rarity factor' ....

This JDM 7A28-7140 Bridgestone fitted with a non-original bracelet was listed on Yahoo Japan as a one-day auction earlier today.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b167705039

!!! セイコーxブリヂストン 7A28-7140 クロノ ジウジアーロ !!!

Google translates the seller's Japanese description, replete with all the usual caveats, as follows:

!!! Seiko x Bridgestone 7A28-7140 Chrono Giugiaro !!!

* Product Description *

[Model] Seiko [Accessories] body only. No.

[Size] can accommodate up to diameter 40mm thickness 10mm wrist around 20cm position.

[State and description of goods] used A quartz. Behavior is good. Edge of the bezel has come out is silver. Glass also has a small wound. Overall it is clean without any major trauma. This is the speed for men watches of Bridgestone bespoke Chronograph master 7A28-7140.1985 year made ​​of SEIKO Japanese watch brand. Material will be stainless steel. Giugiaro is a very rare collection watch generations. Because of course is the real goods, please bid in comfort. Please, thank you

[Degree] Description ◎ When you have the unused goods exhibition, there are only about with the exhibition scratch.

◎ There are rubbed by beauty goods somewhat used, it is used very beautiful state.

◎ small Use Used A, there is a middle scratch, it is used to the extent there is no noticeable scratches.

◎ small Use Used B, and medium scratches, it is the extent there are still a little small scratch.

◎ small Use Used C, there is a middle scratch, it is used to the extent that there remains a noticeable scratch.

* Delivery method * shipping is, I heard a Yu-pack. * Please specify in other delivery methods such as fixed form mail outside will not be accepted. * Payment * Japan Post Bank only. * Comment * * genuine products only because it does not dealing with it please participate in an auction in comfort. * After commodity bidding successfully, please join only those who can settlement within three days. * After a successful bid, if otherwise in dealings Navi within 24 hours after e-mail from us, you will cancel treatment. * Since it has sent as used goods If you have any understanding, thank you to the person who is not nervous. (State judgment, for taking photos, I think that individual differences there. Points etc. anxious as you are not going to claim I ask questions best regards in advance.) * anxiety to evaluate (the newer one, bad appraisal. many If) there is, you may cancel by the judgment here. * In the case of cancellation after the successful bid, automatically [very bad] than YAHOO auction you will arrive to the successful bidder. After, cancellation after the successful bid, you received a 5% commission of the successful bid price at your's, thank you bid repeatedly carefully. * For business trip often, I will reply as soon as possible only if the answer of a question is slow there can be.

* Operation or failure of the goods arrival time, except when it is, but it was a fake that can not be there first, returned goods, refund (please contact within two days after goods arrival.) We will refund the price after the return confirmation . Corresponding to the will of (successful bid price + transfer fee + shipping). (Other correspondence absolutely do not do.) * Return of conditions → ① Please contact if corruption and failure there ② within commodity arrival from the 2nd in dealings Navi at the time of arrival.　 [Notes] * the following cases, it is not able to accept returned goods. → * If the sake of the successful bidder's convenience, such as not like it. * Size, in the case of a successful bidder, such as color mistake. * Successful bidder of negligence, and dirt in the product, if the scratches, failure occurs. * If you can not contact within two days after delivery.

Despite all the foregoing blurb, one thing the seller has omitted to mention is that the dial is badly faded. It's not uncommon for the red pigments Seiko used to fade to yellow, with time and exposure to sunlight. But I've not seen a faded 7A28-7140 before. Apart from the obvious sub-dial rings, note the minute marks are similarly faded. Compare with the previous NOS example on page 2 of this thread.

.... which sold on YJ in October 2013.

That Yahoo Japan one-day auction for the rather-less-than-ideal-condition 7A28-7140 Bridgestone on a non-original bracelet ended about half an hour ago - at approx. 3:00pm UK time. There was no extension to the finishing time, as I might have expected. 

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b167705039

It sold for 18000 Yen (equivalent to approx. $149.50 USD / £96 GBP) after 15 bids by 9 different bidders.

Hopefully, anyone who regularly searches Yahoo Japan auctions will have quickly realized that most of the export model 7Axx's that appear on there have come from eBay - where they previously sold for rather lower prices. Towards the end of last year, I'd been (mis)using this thread to document the (mostly failed) efforts of a relative newcomer - profiteering eBay / YJ re-seller l_h_m_m.

At the time of writing, the brown coated 7A38-6020 he bought from Stuart Lennard (in October last year) still remains unsold. 

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r120581060

The Buy-it-Now price has since come down from his original pie-in-the-sky 98,000 Yen to a less-than-profitable 68,000. 

But I started off that series of posts, in the last week of October by citing another eBay / Yahoo Japan re-seller, Swotlab ....

Who is rather more successful at the game and has been at it for at least six years - that I know of ! 

Seiko7A38 at October 25, 2014 at 10:13 AM

(Partial Quote)

Then you've got the other 'smarter' re-sellers, who buy their watches on one sales platform and re-sell on another - e.g. eBay and Yahoo Japan (and visa versa for that matter). One particular individual, who has been at it for many many years is the Yahoo Japan re-seller Swotlab. He uses eBay ID mcn260 (which shows as either c***2 or 2***m in abbreviated / encrypted form) to bid on and buy his stock for immediate resale on YJ.

Swotlab regularly has plenty of 7A28's, 7A38's and 7A48's listed on Yahoo Japan - most of which can easily be traced back to the previous eBay auctions where he bought them, frequently from less-than-reputable watch-botching Filipino eBay sellers.

At the time of writing he only has these three 7A38's listed: http://sellinglist.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/user/swotlab?p=7A

The gold-tone 7A38-7000 and his brown coated 7A38-6020 have already been documented in the respective 7A38-xxx model threads.

You'll note that all three of these listings are tagged as 'NEW!'. Don't be fooled. This is Swotlab's latest 'cheat', which he started using during his one-upmanship battle with l_h_m_m towards the end of last year. What he's now doing is very craftily listing his watches as one-day auctions, set to automatically re-list (keeping the same item number), presuming they go unsold. Hence the 'new' tag. 

The brown-coated 7A38-6020 is the same one he bought in October last year - I wrote in the model specific thread, at the time:

This is of course the very same brown-coated 7A38-6020 sold by Filipino eBay seller time_essence on 13th October for $168:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301342384656

Thing is once you've sussed his basic modus operandi, you can often predict what's coming next.

I'd been watching Yahoo Japan for the last couple of days, eagerly awaiting his next crap offering - a rather dog-eared / messed about with 'head only' 7A38-7050 with a scabby dial that he purchased from arch Filipino eBay watch-botcher jfm_watches.

It still hasn't re-appeared yet.  Maybe in another day or so.  Perhaps I'm just impatient for my next opportunity to take a poke. 

But this is what I'd been building up to. 

When I ran a search on Yahoo Japan on 7A38 yesterday evening, anticipating Swotlab's forthcoming listing for the ex-jfm_watches 7A38-7050, I happened to spot another 7A38 with a scabby dial, that had just been listed - one which I immediately recognised. 

Subtitled: Some call it Patina .... Others are more honest (in a roundabout way) .... or Lost in Translation. 

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u77822387

セイコー7A38‐7060　1984年海外向け　クロノ暦付き・クォーツ

Google sometimes translates the Japanese seller's descriptions adequately. Other times not quite so - when I'll tweak them a bit.

But in this instance, I'm going to copy and paste it verbatim, just as Google translated it, because I found it rather amusing:

Outline: (including lag) bezel Vertical 44mm × width 37mm (not including crown) × about 10mm thick (included breath, 17cm length end-end buckle closure, does not include the body clock) 

Material: felt stainless ST, (no scratches) mineral windshield, the entire color in dirt in the face of a board color (white Silver = ivory) is coming out light path Tina. Manufacturer logo (SEIKO, cursive chronograph) Yes bleeding print printing locations such as notation section and the second hand index part.

Marker dots and hour and minute needle night light does not decline emission. Tacheometers periphery 20 minutes and 12 minutes per the crack there. (In addition, dirt bleeding needle luminous part)

Bezel normal vision (front) lugs, satin finish. Side other-mirror finish. Bezel ⇒ glass outer circumference side (small scratch many), Pusha aside both sides (small scratch many), the back (often little rubbing, etc.)

-Pusher There bruise places 2-3 in (Split button = normal vision upper left part) circumference.

The appearance of the stainless-section, or the previous owner of the finish? , It will look good degree generally. (It is a subjectivity to the last, there may be an oversight etc.. Please acknowledge)

Belt (Ivory Nato type, pull through), (breath, SEIKO SQ notation, the previous owner goods, non-original guess) Izure also use goods

Activity : Chrono function goodness (upper left = split unit as compared to the other two places pusher, looked like a superfluous need was charged Press)

Day difference : about +25 seconds (made by 1984, elapsed per more than 30 years age product, good people of permissive and taken in Antiques & Kyuoroshiti product)

Accessory is the only belt in addition to the body (nylon & breath).

Origin ... in November 2014, purchased from overseas auction (ebay) Australian cellar. "RARE 1984 VINTAGE SEIKO 15J"

※ 15J (= 15 Jubilee, 15 stone) Furekomi of. Except breath notes, that of the original parts. Especially movement sing made of Suwa Seiko.

Day / date version of reference ··· 7A38 to 7A28 (no calendar). 7A28 (derived number) at the time, the Royal Army (to the RAF and RN of heli-pilot) supply. Gen1 and renowned as the (first generation). Then, eject the 15 stone, non Jewel type 7T27 as Gen2. The pattern that current is supplied from the pulsar under the umbrella of Seiko. And when it was spread tentacles even to those spin-off in the way of military fan, I think the best in the collection.

In addition, in black panel is large, white dial or would not be prized. It will think that take a considerable difference.

※※ This product secondhand goods, it is some of the feeling of use.

Nervous one, person who requests the can goods I think better to be ahead of the bid want. Please give me a bid of those who can understand the state said so.

Scratches, etc., there may be an oversight, and the like. It is the untrained eye

Please forgive. (I have observed / reported at most) .... it continues. 

Obvious translation errors include: Lag = Lug and Breath = Band / Bracelet, but the classic one is Path Tina .... Patina ! 

In case you'd failed to recognise the watch from it's scabby dial (and I accept that I'm probably guilty of spending way too much time studying photos), the Japanese seller has given a strong (and very honest) clue to the watch's previous history in their description:

Origin ... in November 2014, purchased from overseas auction (ebay) Australian cellar. "RARE 1984 VINTAGE SEIKO 15J"

This is of course the same stainless 7A38-7060 with a scabby dial, then fitted with an incorrect replacement bracelet (now on a NATO), that I documented at some length on Page 8 of the Yet another 7Axx on an undisclosed non-original bracelet .... thread.

And to partially quote myself from my post of 2nd November 2014:

Blah, Blah, Blah, the bnllsh!t 'description' and T&C's continue ad nauseam .... 

Well apart from the “LIGHT AGE PATINA TO DIAL” - read evidence of severe moisture ingress / attack by battery acid fumes ....

which is itself a good reason to avoid this over-priced piece of junk, there's that incorrect non-original replacement bracelet fitted.

In case of any doubt (not in my mind), the serial number 420139 matches. 

Where I fall down sometimes is that having flagged up crap like this, I subsequently fail to follow up by posting the auction result.

Which is probably just as well in this case, because some idiot (presumably the YJ seller) paid $291 AU for this piece of junk ! 

Not far short of the eBay seller's $300 AU Buy-it-Now asking price, in fact ! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281485144714

Unlike l_h_m_m and Swotlab's offerings, I don't believe this is yet another attempt at eBay / Yahoo Japan profiteering  / re-selling.

The YJ seller nhyyw508 is asking 20,000 Yen as an opening bid price, which equates to $212 AU (compared to the $291 he paid).

I suspect it's more a case of Buyer's Remorse, now he's realized what a piece of junk it is. 

Unfortunately, because he paid way over the odds for it, I suspect this will become another 7A38 re-listed for months ad nauseam. 

Thing is once you've sussed his basic modus operandi, you can often predict what's coming next.

I'd been watching Yahoo Japan for the last couple of days, eagerly awaiting his next crap offering - a rather dog-eared / messed about with 'head only' 7A38-7050 with a scabby dial that he purchased from arch Filipino eBay watch-botcher jfm_watches.

It still hasn't re-appeared yet.  Maybe in another day or so.  Perhaps I'm just impatient for my next opportunity to take a poke. 

Well eventually it did re-appear on Yahoo Japan, just as predicted - albeit a couple of weeks later than expected. 

This morning, running a quick search on '7A38' on Yahoo Japan auctions - for the first time in a few days ....

I spotted what at first glance, appeared to be a new listing for a half-decent looking example of a JDM 7A38-6040.

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r131657644

However, upon checking the other photos and translating the seller's title and description, it turns out to rather more than just that ....

Rare SEIKO 7A38 3 Set of junk

1. 7A38 6040 Speedmaster

Domestic model popular helmet buckle

Arm around 16.5cm ~ 17.5cm

To normal operation. Bezel is loose.

2. 7A38 7010 International Model

Arm around 16.5cm ~ 17.0cm

1 / 10S is the junk that does not move without the return-to-zero.

Watch as I work.

Buckle is SEIKO notation because it is foreign models. (The clasp on the stretched p/n Z1118S bracelet is not original).

3. 7A38 7270 International Model

Arm around 17.5cm ~ 18.5cm

It seems that out of batteries, but operation verification Not because it does not run.

1 / 10S from the time there was a battery, did not even run without the return-to-zero.

It is a foreign model we believe is the belt has been replaced. (Nope - that's actually the correct Seiko p/n B1615S bracelet).

1 has been operating normally at the moment, but it is an exhibition of junk treatment because the three sets. 2.3 Douzo part removing etc.

1 is the start from ¥ 15,000 for the normal operation at the moment.

Their own also have experience, but old for chronograph of goods suddenly, there are times when you will not return-to-zero. After a successful bid, please bid person only okay to become such a state.

Battery is always unknown or was replaced.

Please pardon even off immediately. Replace yourself.

With regard to trade, all no claim, no return, please.

Returns will not be accepted.

Unfortunately somebody else has already spotted it - that scumbag profiteering YJ / eBay re-seller l_h_m_m is the first bidder. 

http://pageinfo13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/show/bid_hist?aID=r131657644

A slightly belated update to the foregoing post. Thankfully a couple of days later, a third bidder prevented this tidy-looking 7A38-6040 from falling into the hands of would-be profiteering re-seller l_h_m_m - presumably by hitting the Buy-it-Now button. 

http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r131657644

The lot sold on 24th August for 30,000 Yen - equivalent to approx. $246.50 USD / £160 GBP. Not a bad price for an 'instant collection'.

It's been a while since I've seen a 7A28-7160 Honda F1 listed on Yahoo Japan. This nice looking used example appeared overnight.

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u87362373

セイコー × F-1ホンダレーシング メンズクロノグラフ 7A28-7160

Google translates the Japanese 'Store seller's title and description as follows:

Seiko × Honda F-1 Racing's Chronograph 7A28-7160

SEIKO × HONDA F-1 GRAND-PRIX RACING TEAM 

Model number 7A28-7160

Stainless quartz (in operation) 10 water pressure

Chronograph function

case diameter diameter 40mm

arm around (inside diameter) 17.5cm

accessory: none

USED ​​GOODS

Glass scratch No, but it is seen a little attrition and small scratches on the case belt. Operation verification ending.

Actual expenses postage + consumption tax please.

The opening bid price is a confident 24,000 Yen (equivalent to $207.50 US). It'll be interesting to see what it sells for in 5 days time.

Or perhaps not. 

There seems to have been little interest in that 7A28-7160. Only one bid placed by an offshore buyer using the Buyee proxy service.

http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u87362373

24,800 Yen equates to $204 USD at today's exchange rate. Even when you add the 8% Japanese sales tax (applicable when buying from YJ 'Store' sellers), which takes it to 26,784 Yen / $220.50; the 10% Buyee fees, shipping and possibly 20% VAT and Customs clearance charges, this still represents something of a bargain buy (given the 'rarity factor'), particularly when compared to Stuart Lennard's allegedly NOS example which was listed on eBay up until the first week of October and remained unsold @ $750 USD:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121753234702

I thought for sure someone was going to outbid me.  My high bid was 24,800. You never know if you don't try ! 

Nice catch, Don. 

I presume you did notice the wrist size quoted: 17.5cm - which is slightly less than 7" ?  That may be what put off other bidders. 

I may be able to work with it, or pass it on    ---BUT I get to hold it in my hand  

Bargain basement Bridgestone anybody ? 

This 7A28-7140 was listed on Yahoo Japan earlier today, with an opening bid price of only 8000 Yen. 

http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s470779020

Google translates the seller's Japanese title and description as follows:

Beautiful goods! Rare! Seiko! 7A28 BRIDGESTONE!

It becomes very rare Seiko chronograph. Bridgestone Motorsports and Seiko will become a collaboration was watch.

It is a confirmed operation with batteries exchange. Glass There is very little thin line scratches, the case is also not particularly large damage, including, I think that it is the beauty goods.

Bracelet is after-market goods, but it is a new article that is tailored to the case and face color.

Arm around can be adjusted up to about 20cm at the maximum. No claim no return, please.

The small photos (320x240) make it difficult to gauge the true condition - and the blue case-back sticker is probably a red herring. 

Paul , the Honda F1 is going to be $265.00 and that is with shipping      Not too big of a hit    I understand that these watches were never sold  retail ? With less than 300 made ?