Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Bit of a moot point, as with no access to Seiko's manufacturing records, one can only go by the number of eBay sightings.

Anybody like to take a guess ?

If you were to combine the stainless 7A38-7020 SAA009J and its US market equivalent, the 7A38-7029 SAA013J, with the latter's four year plus production lifespan, and the modeI's apparent popularity, I suspect that would come pretty near the top.

But in terms of eBay sightings, particularly on eBay in the States, the gold tone 7A38-7289 SAA112J has got to be a prime contender.

Remember I had a bit of a chuckle in the eBay section recently, about US eBay re-seller Total_Time22, and his recent 'Carrying coals to Newcastle' exercise - buying an average-looking gold-tone 7A38-7289 from José 'Watchcooking' Sotto in the Philippines for resale ?

http://www.seiko7a38.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7867528-coals-to-newcastle-d-j-vu-profiteering-re-seller-total-time22

Fact #2. One of the most common 7A38 variants, and very easy to find is the gold-tone 7A38-7289. EBay in the States is the place to look - they were after all, a designated US-market model. Depending on the condition (wear of the gold plating is the biggest problem), you can pick up runners for sometimes as little as $25-50. I've bought a few, just to break up for their movements. In fact, here's one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130724998376  I'm the current high bidder @ $2.88. Anybody - please feel free to outbid me.

As some of you may be aware, for the last month or so, I've been carefully monitoring all José 'Watchcooking' Sotto's eBay auctions.

Not just the 7Axx's - everything, and keeping a record of which prominent eBay re-sellers won which auctions for his watches.

So this new eBay listing by Total_Time22 was not entirely a surprise, not even in the slightest:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330759832019

SEIKO VERY RARE VINTAGE QUARTZ CHRONO, SGP, 7A38-7289, ORIG, EXCELLENT

Note his constant (ab)use of the term 'VERY RARE', and the fanciful opening bid-price of $134.99 or Buy-it-Now option of $149.99. 

That eBay auction ended early on 7th July: This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. 

But not to worry, there have been 'just a few' more since then ....

Let's list them up, shall we ?

First, there's the one that I mentioned in that other post:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130724998376

SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH

Sold for $33.89 on 11th July after 5 bids.

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Although originally listed on eBay in April, this one had hung around a while:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221058626698

STUNNING SEIKO CHRONOGRAPH QUARTZ DATE WATCH SERVICED POLISHED WORKS WELL

It finally sold on the 18th July for $100 as a Buy-it-Now.

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271020240817 ended early and re-listed as

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271021397275

Seiko 7A38-7289 men's Goldtone watch

Sold as a 'Buy-it-Now for $100 on 19th July.

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200793376338

MENS SEIKO WATCH SPORTS CHRONOGRAPH

The auction ended in the early hours of this morning, 23rd July @  $36:00 after 11 bids.

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There's this one, with 4 more days of the auction still to run:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330767000097

VINTAGE MEN'S SEIKO 7A38-7289 CHRONOGRAPH WATCH - NICE!

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Possibly the nicest example so far, listed overnight:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370633242822

SUPERB SEIKO QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH DAY DATE MENS WATCH VINTAGE 1990s CLEAN CLASSIC! RUNS GREAT ORIG BOX CLEAN DL TACHYMETER SUB DIALS FINE!

Unfortunately, that short-sighted eBay seller appears to be blocking bidders from outside the USA. 

Given up looking for that other one, but that's 7 so far - and we've still got another week of July left.

Just don't ever let anybody try and convince you that these things are rare - let alone 'VERY RARE'. 

Footnote: The eBay auction for the last 7A38-7289 mentioned in the previous post just ended a few minutes ago:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370633242822

It sold for $122.50 (approx. £78.18) after 14 bids. I'd have thought that a little on the high side ....

Particularly after that other nice looking boxed example which sold on 23rd July, went for only $36.00 after 11 bids. 

I've lost count of the number of gold-tone 7A38-7289's I've seen listed on eBay over the last year or so, but it runs into high dozens.

There have even been one or two NOS boxed with tags examples, recently. I particularly remember this one in January:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191043113986

This auction is for a:

NEW OLD STOCK 

Seiko Watch 7A38 Quartz Chronograph in Original Box w/ Hang Tag 

CONDITION: - There are some very minor marks either from age or handling 

I tried to replace the battery to test it but it was difficult to open the back so I decided to leave it alone instead of possibly damaging something. 

Comes in the original box with tag. 

Please consider the photos as part of the description. 

Keep in mind my macro lens magnifies imperfections much more than the eye will see. 

I have some other watches for sale this week. Check them out if interested as I do combine shipping and only charge actual shipping cost.

I did think about buying it at the time. But apart from the fact I really didn't have any need whatsoever for another gold-tone 7A38-728x, it was being offered through eBay's non-functioning GSP program, which was then and still is still blocking bids from UK buyers. 

The very same gold-tone 7A38-7289, still with the same seized-on case-back is now being offered by would-be profiteering re-seller Starsinthedirt who appears to be the same person as recently joined forum member TimeTracker. Both are located in Meridien, ID.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310914792466

Seiko 7A38-7289 

Gold tone chronograph. This is part of the 7A series that were the worlds first quartz analog chronographs. It is quite a movement with no plastic parts and 4 separate motors. This movement is made to last a lifetime.

It is unused. Kind of NOS (New old stock), but it is being sold "AS IS" It is not working. The battery is dead and hopefully, that is all it needs. "No problem" you say? I bought it from a guy who could not get the back off and made a few marks in the case back. I can get most any back off but I only have hand tools. No desk mount case back opener. I was gentle because I didn't want to make any new marks but I was just about ready to grab the thing with a set of water pump pliers (I didn't though). Needless to say, this is one stubborn case back. I just gave up! So there it is. You can give it a go or take it in, but it is sold as is.

It is not altered. It is on it's original bracelet and comes with the box, and hang tag. The bracelet has all it's links and has not been sized. The removable plastic sticker on the back has never been removed. 

The box has some dings and the inside lid has been rubbed by the watch. Not bad but not quite perfect.

The watch measures 36 mm not including the crown, with integral lugs. 

Express shipping is the only international option with tracking. Many of my lesser watches go 1st class but on this one I will only offer Express for international buyers.

As I wrote in another thread about this would-be re-sellers speculatively over-priced 7A38-6109 last night, the same thing applies:

I don't think you need worry about international buyers at those prices Tom - least not any who are regular readers of this forum. 

Interesting to compare the two seller's statements and their photos of the case-back, same serial # 893679 obviously.

I tried to replace the battery to test it but it was difficult to open the back so I decided to leave it alone instead of possibly damaging something.

I bought it from a guy who could not get the back off and made a few marks in the case back. I can get most any back off but I only have hand tools. No desk mount case back opener. I was gentle because I didn't want to make any new marks ....

Either way, whoever you believe; a perfectly good pristine case-back ruined by one of these failed bodgers.

So I guess you're looking at $115 worth of 'added value' in terms of carefully applied case-back scratches.