Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at April 17, 2015 at 5:21 AM

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. 

Well not everybody heeded my advice - but then I didn't really expect them to.  In fact there were 9 different bidders.

That poor excuse for a 7A38-7050 parts watch sold in the early hours of this morning for $63.25 (approx. £42) after 12 bids.

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

If you check the bidding, you'll note that the encrypted winning bidder ID 2***m (726) sniped it twice in the closing seconds.

This is the eBay account mcn260 used to purchase (lots of similar junk) on eBay by profiteering Yahoo Japan re-seller Swotlab.

So I think it's safe to predict that it will re-appear over on Yahoo Japan in a couple of weeks - probably fitted with a notched strap. 

Well it did turn up, eventually, albeit a couple of weeks later than expected - and just as he bought it - still without a strap fitted ! 

It was top of a search result on '7A38' on Yahoo Japan first thing this morning - along with the rest of his ex-eBay re-cycled 7A38's.

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m134051706

80's セイコー 7A38 BIGケース クロノ ダイバー /ジウジアーロ

Google translates Swotlab's lengthy Japanese description as follows:

It becomes overseas model was released watch 7A38 module mounted from Seiko in the 1980s.

The 7A38 is a model, but the back cover has become a thing of 7A28-7029.

This model is a high scarcity value since the launch of the only time overseas.

Bezel will rotate.

Body size: horizontal 41 x vertical 41 mm thickness 13 mm (horizontal not including crown)

Band is not attached. Please attach the leather band, etc. by the successful bidder.

The delivery method becomes only Sagawa Express prepayment.

Enclosed dispatch is possible. Watch the postage be what piece successful bid will be uniform.

● Central ● Kansai ● Kanto ● Shin-Etsu ● Hokuriku: 750 yen

● China (Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori, Shimane): 860 yen

● South Tohoku (Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima): 860 yen

● ● Kyushu, Shikoku ● Tohoku North ( Aomori, Akita and Iwate): 970 yen

● Hokkaido: 1250 yen

※ Okinawa and Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, even if you live in Hokkaido, please contact us for shipping remote island in case.

Condition ************************************************* ********** 

Appearance: There is some damage to the dial, but the others I think whether good condition in spite of the old ones.

Operation: other does not work only a total of 30 minutes on the left side, we have to operate.

Guarantee of remaining battery power can not be.

● Note ●

have indicated to the extent that understood by the condition of the appearance. oversight I think also that there place is so

nervous one in the state certainly before the bidding question please.

Since it is an old thing, claim thank you within three days after goods arrival if you do not work at all.

Please note we can not accept any claim if more number of days has elapsed.

Please see Because it is written in the self-introduction in relation to the day that can be shipped.

Please reply within five contact for 36 hours from here. If you made ​​a successful bid is in dealings Navi.

Saturday and Sunday, thank you within 48 hours to disconnect the holiday.

************************************************** *******************

Please have a look because it exhibits other in a variety of products as well. 15_5_18

Typical of this profiteering re-seller's mark-ups, his opening bid / Buy-it-Now prices of 21,000 Yen / 27,000 Yen equate to approx.  $175.40 / $225.60 USD (or £112 / £144 GBP) compared to the $63.25 / £42 that he paid for this piece of junk three weeks ago.

Yesterday evening, Italian eBay seller valentinasex - a.k.a. goffre78, real name Alberto Ulmi of 'Craziest Prices' thread notoriety listed a 7A38-7050, with his usual small selection of lacklustre photos (no chewed fingernails in these shots) and semi-literate description ....

Oh, and a Buy-it-Now price of 'only' $650. 

Bearing in mind that Alberto's pie-in-the-sky Buy-it-Now asking prices usually start at $1500 or even as much a $2200 for allegedly NOS examples of 7Axx's .... this is probably, in reality, just an average condition example, which you could pick up a lot cheaper.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181790498226

ORIGINALE SEIKO 7A38-7050 SERIE GIUGIARO CON SCATOLA NO TAG NO MANUALE

ULTRA RARO 

X ALTRE INFO CONTATTATEMI DA MUSEO DELLA SEIKO INTROVABILE

ORIGINAL SEIKO VINTAGE WATCH 7A38-7050 MINT CONDITION BOX NO TAG NO MANUAL

X COLLEZIONISTI E NON

PERFECT WORKING ULTRA RARE MPOSSIBOL FIND

FOR COLLECTION!

SHIPPING TO EUROPE 25$ EXPRESS 

SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE 35$ EXPRESS

This horrible example of a well-worn 7A38-7050 fitted with ill-matching Milanese mesh bracelet, listed earlier this afternoon by Filipino watch-botcher eagles_timezone falls into 2 categories: 'Best Avoided' and with an opening bid price of $300 - 'Wishful Thinking'. 

Check out the subtly re-painted hour and minute hands (minus lume) and the not-so-delicately applied baton re-lume job. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191683908425

Not sure where he gets the serial number # 351269 from - that he's included in both listing title and description below (which would make it the earliest 7A38 ever produced), but as you can see for yourself, from his last 3 photos it's actually 434177. 

This post is something of a belated deferential nod to our newest forum member Zultan. 

I recognized his familiar user ID, which he uses on other watch forums as soon as he registered. 

Had James not started off this thread, I probably would have begun it myself by citing my first online sighting of a 7A38-7050 ....

Offered for sale on the old Network54 SCWF: http://www.network54.com/Forum/170229/message/1176166587/FS-+7A38-7050

Welcome aboard, Willy. Over to you ....

This one I purchased in Lebanon in 1985. Sold it a couple of years ago.

Seiko7A38 at October 24, 2015 at 4:28 PM

This post is something of a belated deferential nod to our newest forum member Zultan. 

I recognized his familiar user ID, which he uses on other watch forums as soon as he registered. 

Had James not started off this thread, I probably would have begun it myself by citing my first online sighting of a 7A38-7050 ....

Offered for sale on the old Network54 SCWF: http://www.network54.com/Forum/170229/message/1176166587/FS-+7A38-7050

Welcome aboard, Willy. Over to you ....

You are correct! That is the old ad for my watch.  I bought the watch in Lebanon during my time as a UN soldier way back then. Since it's 30 years ago I can't remember exactly where I bought it, but I think it was in a small shop in the village Harris near Tibnine in south Lebanon.

This was the watch that started my interest for Seiko watches.  I regret I sold it but I have 50-60 watches in my collection so some of them has gone over the years and some have been added. Currently I have a couple of 7A28-7040s and some other 7A28 wrecks that resident in some parts watch boxes. 

I haven't been to much into watches the latest years but I still have my collection. Have a look at my website.

I haven't updated it in some years but still have some of the watches. 

http://seiko.freehostia.com/

best regards

Willy

Here's another close-up shot of Willy's 7A38-7050 that I'd right-clicked and saved from another thread on the old Network54 SCWF:

Seiko7A38 at September 6, 2015 at 10:12 AM

This horrible example of a well-worn 7A38-7050 fitted with ill-matching Milanese mesh bracelet, listed earlier this afternoon by Filipino watch-botcher eagles_timezone falls into 2 categories: 'Best Avoided' and with an opening bid price of $300 - 'Wishful Thinking'. 

Check out the subtly re-painted hour and minute hands (minus lume) and the not-so-delicately applied baton re-lume job. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191683908425

A somewhat belated update to my post from above:

Needless to say, that poor excuse for a 7A38-7050 SAA025J went unsold at the ludicrous opening bid price of $300. 

It was subsequently re-listed a number of times throughout September and October:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201430617563 - supposedly selling for $260. The buyer must have had second thoughts. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191709552810 - again @ $260 - No bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191716952603 - reduced to $230 - No bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191722208737 - reduced to $199 - No bids

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201459438574 - finally selling to some mug punter in the first week of November for $180 (approx. £118) .

Meanwhile, here's a rather more original example of the 7A38-7050 SAA025J currently listed on eBay Germany:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221964128792

Die Uhr funktioniert einwandfrei. Hat seit dem Batteriewechsel vor einem halben Jahr nur wenige Sekunden verloren.

Es liegen weitere Glieder bei, so dass die Uhr auch an breite Handgelenke passen müsste.

Sie hat insgesamt die üblichen Gebrauchsspuren. Die Lünette müsste entfernt werden, da sie sich durch den angesammelten Schmutz nicht mehr drehen lässt. 

Gerne können Sie mir natürlich auch Preisvorschläge zuschicken. 

Keine Gewährleistung, Garantie und Rücknahme der Ware!

Possibly over-optimistically priced, with a Buy-it-Now asking price of $300 Euros - but it's difficult to guage the true condition from the seller's somewhat lacklustre dingy grainy photos. 

This typically stupidly speculatively over-priced 7A38-7050 (in less than ideal condition) was listed on eBay yesterday by Italian seller strega_68. Note that some of the lume batons are discoloured (two directly above where the battery sits) and virtually all the matt black paint from the small bracelet interconnecting links has been worn away.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121862408122

RARE Seiko vintage Chronograph Watch 7A38 - 7050 Sport 100 "GIUGIARO design"

Seiko in good conditions

Perfectly working

Rotating Bezel

All original Seiko

Box Original Seiko

I must admit, I was rather surprised to see the above listing for 7A38-7050 drop off my eBay watching page as quickly as it did. 

It appears to have sold against a Best Offer on Friday morning:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121862408122

According to Goofbid's eBay Best Offer History tool, someone paid $400 for it too ! 

Another speculatively over-priced 7A38-7050 appeared on eBay Italy this morning, listed by a zero-feedback seller:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262287080471

Raro seiko anni 80 perfetto 7A38-7050.

Although the seller briefly describes it as 'perfect', the case-back shows plenty of signs of wear. If I was in the market for another, I'd certainly want to see more than just those two photos, before considering parting with anything like the 520 Euros asking price. 

A rather familiar looking 7A38-7050 appeared on eBay in the States yesterday evening. You don't often see this model on that side of 'The Pond', but it's not difficult to figure out how this particular example got there. The manky lume batons at 11 and 12 o'clock, almost complete lack of black paint on the small bracelet interconnecting links and the (incorrect for this model) Giugiaro style Seiko stand / case are clear giveaways. This is the same 7A38-7050 sold surprisingly quickly by Italian eBay seller strega_68, a month ago, for $400 (against a Best Offer). Looks like a probable case of Buyer's Remorse. Buy in haste; hopefully flog it at a slight loss. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182027609492

Vintage Seiko Chronograph Sport 100

Rare Giugiaro design

7A38-7050

Good Condition

Keeps perfect time

Rotating bezel (shows slight sign of wear)

Day / Date

Original operating user manual

Original box

Despite that listing having 46 watchers at one point, by the time the auction ended late yesterday evening, it had only been bid to $202.50 - and the reserve was not met. Presumably by some margin. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182027609492

The seller subsequently re-listed it, but then ended it early, 15 minutes later. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182034909292

Then re-listed it again 5 minutes later: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182034914126

Seiko7A38 at February 12, 2016 at 5:57 AM

Another speculatively over-priced 7A38-7050 appeared on eBay Italy this morning, listed by a zero-feedback seller:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262287080471

Although the seller briefly describes it as 'perfect', the case-back shows plenty of signs of wear. If I was in the market for another, I'd certainly want to see more than just those two photos, before considering parting with anything like the 520 Euros asking price. 

Meanwhile, that speculatively over-priced 7A38-7050 listed by the zero-feedback Italian eBay seller went unsold and was re-listed:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262297646675 and again yesterday: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262308844648

I note the would-be seller has since uploaded a new primary image - one which doesn't bear too close inspection:

Not only is there a chunk out of the bezel's acrylic inlay, between 50 and 55, but what are those strange nibbling marks on the top L.H. corner of the watch case ?  Certainly far from perfect in my book ! 

Second time around, that ex-strega_68 7A38-7050, offered by the disenamoured US re-seller was bid to $273 - still well short of the $400 he paid for it in haste in mid-January. Needless to say, the reseve price was not met (again). 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182034914126

Unlucky - Third time around.  This time, the would-be re-seller of that ex-strega_68 7A38-7050 opened the bidding @ only $1 (but with a Buy-it-Now option of $400). The auction ended in the early hours of this morning; the bidding reaching a mere $137.50. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182046434125

The latest re-listing ended earlier this morning - a couple of hours ago.  Even though I was up and wide awake, I didn't bother watching it end. Fourth time around it was bid to $210.50 - still well short of the would-be (re)seller's reserve price. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182054107428

The next act of the would-be re-seller of the ex-strega_68 7A38-7050 was to re-list it with an opening bid of $300 and no reserve.

Bearing in mind the previous highest figure it had been bid to was $273, the outcome was predictable - no bids were placed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182063614720

He re-listed it once again, almost immediately - with the same $300 opening bid price, yesterday evening: 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182071650507

But then that re-listing was ended after only a few hours in the early hours of this morning. One presumes that someone messaged him and made him an offer - putting him (and us) out of his misery. Hopefully that'll be the last we see of it.