Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Ever get that sense of Déjà vu ?  I do - all too frequently lately. 

And another case of Déjà vu to start the new page. 

This tidy looking example of a 7A38-7050 listed yesterday evening by Turkish eBay seller aquawatch may have looked familiar to one forum member, for completely the wrong reasons (the posts in that other thread in the eBay section have since been deleted):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390833190993

Description:Vintage Seiko 7a38-7050 green chronograph diver sport 100 stainless steel very nice very very rare model full original full working collectors watch big size

Case: stainless steel

Bezel: rotating green bezel

Size: 42mm with out the crown

Glass:original mineral glass

Dial: black and green colours fancy dial

Crown: original crown and buttons

Strap: original seiko steel bracelet-lug to lug 190mm

Movement: quartz movement

Working: full and good working

It was the fact that it was located in Turkey, in pretty decent, well-cared  for condition and remembering that some of aquawatch's previous 7A38 offerings have been shall we say 'a little less than appealing' (waterlogged even) that prompted me to scroll through the first page of this thread.  As soon as I saw this seller's photo of the case-back, with the JWC inspection sticker in place, I knew what I was looking for. This is the same 7A38-7050 that was listed on a Turkish website back in September 2012 - serial number 430690.

http://urun.gittigidiyor.com/taki-saat/seiko-7a38-7050-model-kol-saati-60485981

I cant remember what the asking price on Urun.gittigidiyor.com was back in September 2012. Whatever it was, it's academic.

Given the condition and with it being listed with worldwide visibility on eBay and the interest so far, I'm sure it'll go a lot higher.

What makes me think that ?  Bidding may only currently be @ $81, at the time of writing, but if you look at the bidding history:

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=390833190993

.... and some of the bid retractions that happened overnight, perhaps they're an indication of the shape of things to come. 

I'm out-- games are going on     e***0 has 16 bid retractions in the last 15 days 

I think you were wise to stay away, Don. 

For the record, the eBay auction for that 7A38-7050 ended about 10 minutes ago - @ a lofty $648 (approx. £381.34) after 32 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390833190993

Gee- and I just noticed some rust on the mvt. back plate photo.

Here's another 7A38-7050, in rather poorer condition (note: no photo of the movement) listed earlier today by a Filipino eBay seller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201133807631

I've only bothered uploading half of the seller's dozen photos as many are quite similar (and should tell you all you need to know). 

Apart from the 'pie in the sky' Buy-it-Now price; this bullsh!t   which annoys me, every time I see it churned out ....

The moldy dial lume batons (but surprisingly white main hands) and absolutely knackered bracelet should hopefully deter most. 

I must admit: I hadn't noticed (simply because I wasn't expecting it to sell quite so quickly), but that eBay listing for this less-than-ideal condition 7A38-7050 ended earlier this afternoon - sold against a best offer:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201133807631

According to Goofbid's Best Offer tool, - if it's to be believed, the offer the seller accepted was for over $300 !! 

This 7A38-7050 was listed yesterday afternoon by an Italian eBay seller:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271620411470

Rarissimo SEIKO 7a38-7050 in buone condizioni, funzionante, bracciale originale con tutte le maglie.....buon asta a tutti.

The seller has only included those two photos and his description may be brief, but it gives the impression of being a tidy example.

Indeed, I must admit I was tempted.  Fingers crossed those 2 photos are representative of the overall condition. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271620411470

Sold (to me), after 19 bids, the auction ending in something of a mini snipe-fest, for 334.33 Euros (approx. £262.47). 

Hot on the heels of that last 7A38-7050, which I bought, here's another example that was listed on eBay Italy earlier this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131314604836

Favoloso seiko 7a38-7050ao condizioni strepitose tutto funzionante vetro immacolato suo cinturino originale scatola epoca se servono altre foto o notizie fammelo sapere.

Possibly not quite in the fabulous amazing condition the seller would have you believe, if the amount of black paint missing from the small bracelet interconnecting links (an indication of lack of care) is anything to go by - and certainly well over-priced at 420 Euros.

That Italian eBay listing for a 7A38-7050 ended in the early hours of Friday morning (10th), selling against a best offer:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131314604836

I'm never quite sure whether to trust GoofBids's eBay Best Offer History tool, because as in this instance, it's got the date wrong ....

http://www.goofbid.com/ebay_best_offers_tool.html?gbo_username=cmax-28762

But if one does, it looks like the seller finally caved in and accepted an offer of approx 351.50 Euros (against his asking price of 420).

A 7A38-7050 with a bad case of Lume Rot (and typically tired looking bracelet) was listed on eBay in the States earlier this evening.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301429726753

UP FOR AUCTION:

A VERY NICE AND VERY HARD TO FIND SEIKO 7A38-7050 SPORT 100 CHRONOGRAPH.

MADE IN MARCH 1984.

THE WATCH IS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION AND A NEW BATTERY WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED. KEEP TIME AND THE CHRONOGRAPH START AND RESET AS SHOULD.

THE BEZEL IS IN GOOD CONDITIONS, BUT DON'T ROTATE. I DON'T KNOW IF SHOULD ROTATE OR NOT.

CASE AND BRACELET ARE STAINLESS STEEL--ALL ORIGINAL. THE BRACELET FITS UP TO 7"1/2' AND IS VERY COMFORTABLE.

ORIGINAL HARDLEX CRYSTAL.

THE DIAL IS ORIGINAL AND SO ARE THE ARMS. HOWEVER THE ARMS AND THE LUME MARKS ARE STAINED.

THE CRYSTAL HAS SCRATCHES. THE CASE AND BRACELET HAVE A FEW SCRATCHES DUE TO NORMAL WEAR.

SERIAL NUMBER :434616

That US eBay auction ended about 15 minutes ago, with the 7A38-7050 selling for $178.25 (equivalent approx. £113.50) after 18 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301429726753

Here's a rather nicer example (than his previous from October last year) of a 7A38-7050 listed by Italian eBay seller cmax-28762.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131405075682

Raro Seiko 7a38-7050 AO funzionante condizioni strepitose pari al nuovo vedi foto cinturino originale scatola Seiko Quartz originale.

But worth 500 Euros ??? 

In case you may be wondering where Italian would-be profiteering eBay re-sellers like cmax-28762 (plus Goffre78, angeli_65 with their various aliases and the rest of their ilk) pick up their stock from, there are two other very popular Italian online classified sales sites: www.Kijiji.it and www.Subito.it. But you need to browse them regularly and be quick off the mark to pick up bargains.

Now I'm not saying this 7A38-7050 which was posted on Subito.it earlier this week is in any way connected with the above example;

I just happened across it using another Italian sales site search engine:

http://prodotti.annuncifacile.it/seiko-7a38.html which, in turn led me to: 

http://prodotti.annuncifacile.it/ext/annuncio-17119866/Seiko-7a38-7050.html - the description text of which read:

Salve, cerco questo orologio seiko quartz chronograph sports 100 anni 70, ed in generale seiko della serie 7a38 massima serietà, valutazione in base a foto e descrizione. Seiko sq citizen casio vintage cronografo chrono d'epoca seiko 7a

Of course, if you click on the link to the original Subito.it listing, it's already been removed ! 

This 7A38-7050 in average used condition was listed on eBay Germany earlier this evening. As is often the case with watches that have been worn regularly, much of the matt black paint is missing from the small bracelet interconnecting links. There's a ding in the acrylic bezel inlay @ 55 and it also appears to be cracked at 10. The reason for the rotating bezel's reluctance to turn is also evident in the seller's second photo - it's clogged with dirt. The crystal is also scratched - but anyone considering bidding on it should be able figure most of that out and get a good idea of the overall condition, from studying the photos and translating the description.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271805787351

Hier bieten Sie auf einen sehr selten angebotenen Kult Taucher Chronograph der Marke Seiko Sports 100 Quartz mit der Ref. 7A38-7050 und Doppeldatum.

Die Uhr stammt aus der Zeit der 70 er 80 er Jahren.

Gehäuse und Band sind aus Stahl gefertigt.

Gehäuseboden ist verschraubt.Lüntte ist drehbar aber schwer.

Das Gehäuse ist in einem wirklich tollen Zustand. Das Band ist gelängt aber auf jeden Fall noch tragbar mit Faltschließe original Seiko. Die kleinen Zwischenglieder waren mal geschwärz kann man zum Teil noch sehen aber mit der Zeit eben abgetragen. Also das was Sie sehen ist kein Schmutz.

Durchmesser Gehäuse knappe 42 mm ohne Krone gemessen Höhe Gehäuse knappe13 mm.

Das Werk ist in funktioniert sowie die Chronofunktion und das Datum.

Eine neue Batterie wurde vor paar Tagen von meinem hiesigen Uhrmacher eingesetzt und er hat Band sowie Gehäuse auch gereinigt.

Sie erhalten somit kein bakterielles Mutterschiff.

Das Zifferblatt ist in sehr guten Zustand (Sehen Sie die Bilder).

Die Zeiger sind auch in einem klasse Zustand.

Das Glas ist ein Mineralglas mit kleinen Kratzer eigentlich unerheblich (Sehen Sie Bilder).

Viel Spass beim ersteigern.

Meanwhile overnight, mountapo_merchant (a.k.a. Edmar Duero) who is allegedly one of the more reputable Finipino watch botchers has listed another 7A38-7050, which might at first glance appear to be in similar cosmetic condition to the one on eBay Germany.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271807443803

Up for Auction...

...NOT Just AN ORDINARY WATCH BUT ... A HIGHLY REGARDED!!!

World's FIRST Quartz Analog CHRONOGRAPH!!!

_____________@@@_____________

ALL ORIGINAL VINTAGE VERY RARE

15 Jewel, Metal-Geared SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONO "7A38-7050"

_____________________________

This Timepiece is powered by Seiko movement calibre 7A28, a highly regarded World's First Quartz Analog Chronograph.

For more info about this movement calibre, click here and read the interesting review of this time piece by SteveG.

7Ax8 movements featured 15-Jewel count and are completely METAL-GEARED, which designs made them more interesting compared to their successors that used a lot of plastic parts inside. They contained highly precise electronic circuit and crystal oscillator. 7Ax8 are known for its durability and reliability!!!

The bullshit and T's & C's continue ad nauseam ... 

But going back to Edmar's statement: Please see above-shown pictures for they tell thousand of words ....

I believe the correct saying is: A picture paints a thousand words - and there's been an element of painting going on here.

The hour and minute hands look too white in his photos - as if they've been re-painted. The chrono' sub-dial hands most certainly have been, because they're a complete colour mis-match with the peppermint green sweep second hand, which looks original.

There's other refinishing been done besides - the clasp has been re-brushed and the case-back skimmed, to remove scratches.

But the real classic is the photo of the back-plate of his allegedly 'Very CLEAN movement has just been professionally serviced'. 

Apart from the rust / evidence of past battery leakage, the rotary step switch is set to maximum (+) advance. Never a good sign. 

So what are you waiting for ?  RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY - Now ! 

Filipino eBay seller mountapo_merchant's auction listing for his not-quite so all original 7A38-7050 ended about 10 minutes ago.

It sold for $213.61 (approx. £143.16) after only 3 bids:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271807443803

Meanwhile the previous (actually more original) example on eBay Germany has remained unsold.

It's been re-listed (for 3 days at a time) a couple of times and the opening bid price has been reduced from $150 to 130 Euros.

Still no bids on the current re-listing with another 21 hours left  till the auction ends: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271812685728

Of the two, if I was looking for a 7A38-7050 I would have gone for that one - on the basis that it was unmolested ....

However, earlier this evening another 7A38-7050 was listed on eBay Germany which, from the photos, looks better than either of them:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361249374669

Taucher Tachymeter Quartz Chronograph Seiko Sports 100 Ref. 7A38-7050 70er 80er

Der Erhaltungszustand OK. Glas hat Kratzspuren. Neue Batterie wurde Vom Uhrmacher gewechselt. Ansonsten Siehe Bilder. 

Löse nach und nach die Uhrensammlung meines Opas auf. Schauen sie auch meine anderen Auktionen an.

Welcome foreign bidders! I ship WORLDWIDE! Please ask me for shipping cost to your Country!

Have a look at my other auctions - many interesting articles there! 

Eine Garantie, Umtausch ist ausgeschlossen. 

Viel Spaß beim Bieten!!!

Meanwhile the previous (actually more original) example on eBay Germany has remained unsold. 

It's been re-listed (for 3 days at a time) a couple of times and the opening bid price has been reduced from $150 to 130 Euros.

Still no bids on the current re-listing with another 21 hours left till the auction ends: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271812685728

That latest auction re-listing by German eBay seller chaton1704 ended yesterday evening about 19:40 (UK time).

It sold for 152.57 Euros (approx. £111.63) after 4 bids:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271812685728

I was hoping to be able to post the results for these three recent 7A38-7050 auctions as a comparison, but ....

Just an hour later, the other German eBay seller 2007waldemarr ended his (the most recent) listing early. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361249374669

Although the header states:

because there was an error in the listing, I suspect that should read because the item is no longer available ....

and that he very likely accepted an offer outside eBay - possibly from one of the losing bidders on the previous auction. 

Outside and after ending the auction I send a offer of 190 € and get the nice green Hulk.  Sorry for my English.

Like most of the tired rubbish that he sells, this head only 'spares or repair' 7A38-7050 listed overnight by arch Filipino watch botcher jfm_watches probably better deserves inclusion in James's old Lower end & Bottom of the 7Axx barrel thread .... or the 

Latest mis-matched hotch-potch 7Axx spotted thread where I usually flag his more choice offerings, when I can be bothered. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311339741954

Apart from the obvious water damage to the dial (which he refers to as 'Age Specks'); the wrong hour and minute hands and any old (7A28) case-back fitted, which for once, he's actually admitted to in his description; note the black lettering on white background day and date wheels (should be White on Black). So the movement fitted clearly isn't original to this watch, either.

Be very scared. Run away, Run Away.