Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at October 12, 2014 at 5:53 AM

Seiko7A38 at October 5, 2014 at 4:04 AM

Needless to say, that stupidly priced 30-day listing for a 7A38-7140 by Italian eBay seller valentinasex (a.k.a. goffre78, real name Alberto Ulmi) ended yesterday evening - unsold. At the time of writing, he hasn't re-listed it (yet).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181516481535

Meanwhile, over in 'cloud cuckoo land' (read the deluded mind of Alberto Ulmi) - he relisted his NOS 7A38-7140 the day after ....

Buy-it-Now reduced to 'only' $1800.  

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181550178480

I note with mild amusement that Alberto has further reduced the Buy-it-Now price on his latest 30-day re-listing to 'only' $1500. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181607733790

Only another $1000 bucks or so to go then. 

While I'm in 'self-quoting mode', remember this one, from the previous page - at the other end of the cosmetic scale ? ....

Seiko7A38 at November 26, 2014 at 7:42 AM

Meanwhile, at the other end of the cosmetic scale, here's a rather battered 7A38-7140 currently listed on eBay Italy. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201225974997

Dicono che sia un orologio raro e costoso; ha 15 rubini interni. mai visti dentro un orologio al quarzo. 

Quello che ho è con il vetro (credo minerale) molto segnato, con un bollo a ore 3 ma, NON è bucato.

la cassa è in buone condizioni ma la verniciatura è venuta via in diversi punti.

Il cinturino è mancante ma, restano i "mozzi" alle anse. 

Ora, la parte buona: l'nterno dell'orologio è semplicemente.

PERFETTO! come nuovo, sia il quadrante che meccanismo.

L'orologio è PERFETTAMENTE FUNZIONANTE. 

Batteria nuova appena messa. 

Se mandate domanda con vostra mail invio foto dettagliate. prima di pagare conattatemi.

Preferisco carta postale. Spedisco con raccomandata 1 ove possibile. Grazie della visita.

I'd forgotten to add an update, but that listing was ended early, later that day, because the item was no longer available.

Apologies - because there was an error in the listing. Same difference. Somebody made the seller a 'back door' offer. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201225974997

Oddly enough, another very well-worn 7A38-7140, missing most of its bracelet, but with a somewhat less opaque crystal was listed on eBay Italy yesterday evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131375409268

The description simply reads: Seiko 7a38-7140 ao funzionante vetro nuovo no cinturino.

So although it's hard to tell by comparing the photos, presumably this is the same beater, now fitted with a new crystal.

I can't say that I was watching it that closely, but bidding on that tatty 7A38-7140 sans bracelet hadn't got much higher than 25 Euros.

It clearly wasn't making progress quickly enough for the Italian eBay (re)seller, because he pulled it early this morning.

Allegedly because it was no longer available. Re-listed 2 minutes later with a somewhat optimistic Buy-it-Now price of 120 Euros. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/131380563114

Not content with re-listing this poor excuse for a 7A38-7140, his latest laugh-a-minute variation on a price theme - 99 Euros Opening Bid / 150 Euros Buy-it-Now, Italian would-be profiteering re-seller cmax-28762 also offered a more complete example earlier today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131396310620

Raro Seiko 7a38-7140AO tutto funzionante appena revisionato azzeramento perfetto tutto originale scatola epoca.

Look closely at the photos, particularly the 4th which shows evidence of significant rubbing wear to the black chrome plating.

I may be wrong, but this 7A38-7140 (re)listed by Italian eBay seller cmax-28762 could be the same one - just in different packaging.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131419393580

Raro Seiko 7a38-7140AO tutto funzionante appena revisionato azzeramento perfetto tutto originale scatola controscatola.

Yes, Paul   Same dinks at 1 o'clock on bezel.

Seiko7A38 at October 5, 2014 at 4:04 AM

Needless to say, that stupidly priced 30-day listing for a 7A38-7140 by Italian eBay seller valentinasex (a.k.a. goffre78, real name Alberto Ulmi) ended yesterday evening - unsold. At the time of writing, he hasn't re-listed it (yet).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181516481535

Italian eBay seller valentinasex (a.k.a. goffre78, real name Alberto Ulmi - he of the Craziest 7Axx Prices thread notoriety) listed 'another' NOS 7A38-7140 earlier this evening - with an asking price of $1400 this time.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181703181822

ORIGINALE SEIKO ALIEN 7A38-7140 SERIE GIUGIARO CON SCATOLA TAG NO MANUALE

 X ALTRE INFO CONTATTATEMI DA MUSEO DELLA SEIKO INTROVABILE

 ORIGINAL SEIKO VINTAGE WATCH 7A38-7140 NEW OLD THE STOCK BOX WITH TAG NO MANUAL

X COLLEZIONISTI E NON

FOR COLLECTION!

SHIPPING TO EUROPE 25$ EXPRESS

SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE 35$ EXPRESS

The photos are different to those of his original listing (asking $1900) from September / October last year and subsequent re-listings in November / December (ending at $1500 -see top of this page). The box may be different in this listing; there is no manual offered, despite there being one visible (under his chewed fingers) in one of the photos, nor any evidence of a correct SAA051J hang tag.

But I think we can safely assume that this is the same NOS 7A38-7140. He may have been careful (more likely careless, knowing Alberto) to obscure the case-back serial number in his new photos, but ....

If you compare the relative position of the case-back notches and the positioning of the JWC inspection sticker - they're identical. 

After umpteen re-listings, several price reductions and two eBay ID changes* Alberto Ulmi's NOS 7A38-7140 still went unsold !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181907762532

*Here's a copy and paste of something I wrote in another thread, this morning:

The seller's eBay user ID oldantiquestyle may be unfamiliar to some, but you only need to check their location of Firenze (Florence) and glance at the badly composed semi-literate description in bold red type to figure out that this is, of course, none other than our old friend Alberto Ulmi (of crazy prices notoriety), who previously went under the user more familiar ID's of goffre78 and valentinasex.

Here's the history on this user ID: http://contact.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ReturnUserIdHistory&requested=oldantiquestyle

It looks like goffre78 has retired (read banned): http://contact.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ReturnUserIdHistory&requested=goffre78

I must admit that I'm a little surprised, but yesterday Alberto Ulmi (various eBay aliases documented above) relisted that 7A38-7140 again at the 'reduced' price of 'only' $700. Bearing in mind that 15 months ago (October 2014) he was asking a ludicrous $1900. 

(For history see top of this page).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181973923840

Alberto Ulmi's 7A38-7140 appears to have finally sold for that 'reduced' $700 Buy-it-Now asking price early yesterday morning:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181973923840

It's gotta be said. If you're looking for a distinctively designed 7A38 and you specifically want one in NOS condition, the 7A38-7140 SAA051J has got to be the easiest to find - if you're willing to pay the frequently speculatively pitched Buy-it-Now asking prices*.

Yet another example turned up on eBay Italy yesterday:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281915421837

ITALIANO 

Dalla mia collezione privata propongo uno dei cronografi sportivi Seiko più belli, un 7A38-7140. L'orologio in oggetto è nuovo di stock, quindi assolutamente immacolato! E' un modello vintage di metà anni 80, molto sportivo e con cassa e bracciale al PVD nero e quadrante giallo bellissimo. L'affidabilità e la precisione sono garantiti dallo straordinario modulo al quarzo Seiko 7A38. E' un modello di primissima qualità fatto per durare nel tempo, 100% originale e tiene il tempo con assoluta precisione. Osservate attentamente le fotografie, sono parte integrante della descrizione. Per maggiori info e foto, prego contattare fantaliric@libero.it Si vende con clausola visto e piaciuto, no resi.

ENGLISH 

From my private collection one of the coolest Seiko chronographs ever made, the 7A38-7140. The watch is New Old Stock, immaculate! It's a vintage chronograph from the mid 80s, very sporty with a black PVD finish and a great yellow dial. The reliability and precision are guaranteed by the extraordinary Seiko 7A38 module. This is an high quality vintage watch made to last, 100% genuine, is tested and keeps accurate time. Look carefully to the pictures, they are an integral part of the description. For more pics and info, please contact fantaliric@libero.it The item is sold as is, no return!

*It seems Italian eBay seller areasettanta has already reduced their 'pie-in-the-sky' asking price within the first 8 hours ! 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemRevisionDetails&item=281915421837

.... It's already dropped by 100 Euros ! 

That latest NOS 7A38-7140 sold - quite quicky it has to be said, on Sunday evening against a Best Offer:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281915421837

According to Goofbid's eBay Best Offer History tool, the offer accepted (against the reduced Buy-it-Now price) was for 500 Euros:

Not sure where he's getting them from, but prolific newcomer 'Store' seller Eccentric Factory continues to churn them out.

His newest listing on Yahoo Japan is for an average condition 7A38-7140, typically speculatively over-priced at 48,800 Yen.

http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s486943220

There are a further 8 images (merged into one .jpeg file, which is remotely hosted) embedded in the body of the listing:

Google translates the seller's now familiar pastel hued description as follows:

Incidentally, the round black plastic presentation box shown at the top of the additional photos is not correct for a 7A38-7140.

It's quite common with JDM models, but of course the 7A38-7140 is a European export model (predominantly Italian market).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Belated Edit:

Much to my surprise, that rather shiny looking black chrome 7A38-7140 sold only 2 days later, for the 48,800 Yen asking price. 

With 8% Japanese sales tax added, making a total of 52,704 Yen - equivalent to approx. $484.25 USD / £336.20 GBP. Expensive.

http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s486943220

What is it with all these NOS 7A38-7140's that keep turning up on eBay Italy ?

Here's yet another that was listed yesterday - typically, for an Italian seller, speculatively over-priced with a Buy-it-Now for 900 Euros !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162068684756

There's only the one photo and what little there is by way of any description is written in the item specifics:

Google translates it as:

Objects in auction, unless otherwise stated, are to be considered USED. For the effective evaluation of the condition of the object at auction are authentic photographs, so do not hesitate to ask for more if you are unsure.

Hang on a minute ....

I thought the foregoing sounded all too familiar. 

Here's a copy and paste of my post from page 3 of the 7A38-705A thread (Originally posted on February 17, 2016 at 11:52 AM)

There was only the one photo and no proper description as such, just the Seller's Notes in the Item Specifics box, which translate as:

Objects in auction, unless otherwise stated, are to be considered USED. For the effective evaluation of the condition of the object at auction are authentic photographs, so do not hesitate to ask for more if you are unsure.

Needless to say, I didn't hesitate to hit the Buy-it-Now button. Don't think I've moved quite so quickly in a long time. 

Although I didn't waste a second researching him before I hit the button, it turns out that the seller: Metalli Preziosi Piemonte SRL is a Brick and Mortar establishment in Turin, dealing in watches, jewellery and precious metals: http://www.metallipreziosipiemonte.com/

It didn't click straight away, but this is the very same Italian eBay seller mppiemonte that I bought my tidy 7A38-705A from. 

He's obviously 'wised up' to current 7A38 prices since then.  Don't think there'll be quite such a rush to by this one, somehow. 

There hasn't been.  Four months later it's still being re-listed at the same 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 900 Euros. 

The eBay item number remains the same: 162068684756, so the seller obviously has it set to re-list automatically every 30 days.

Meanwhile, this well worn example of a 7A38-7140, fitted with a 'Tropic' strap, but also suppled with the original bracelet was listed on Italian free classified site, Subito.it a couple of weeks ago. Similarly, with it's disproportionately high asking price of 400 Euros, I expect this one will be around for a while.

http://www.subito.it/hobby-collezionismo/seiko-giugiaro-7a38-7140-modena-178160142.htm

Struggling to believe my eyes this morning  and the crass stupidity of some people. 

Yesterday evening, Italian eBay seller angeli_65 listed a NOS 7A38-7140, with a ridiculous Buy-it-Now price of $2500 !! 

But it's not just their 'pie-in-the-sky' asking price - it's the 4 photos they had the gall to use for this listing that gobsmacked me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272439317254

MEGA RARE SEIKO 7A38 - 7140 CHRONOGRAPH WATCH SPORTS 100 "BY GIUGIARO DESING"

stock fund

never worn

fully functional

For those who don't remember the photos, they're the same images they used 4¾ years ago, back in January 2012 ....

.... In their listing (one of four similarly sky-high priced 7Axx's) which started off the eBay Craziest Prices to date thread.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270900021867

VINTAGE SEIKO CHRONOGRAPH SPORT'S 100 CALIBER 7A38 - 7140 "BY GIUGIARO"

Asking Price - $2350 (approx. £1500)

Amazingly, their original listing still exists in eBay history (though the photos have long since disappeared).

Checking my eBay watching page, I noticed that the latest (automatic 30-day) re-listing for that other NOS 7A38-7140, first listed by Italian eBay seller mppiemonte in mid-May, had been ended early this time, 'because the item is no longer available'.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162068684756

Whether it was just withdrawn due to 'competition' from angeli_65's ludicrously over-priced example, or sold off eBay (presumably for a lower figure than 900 Euros) is anybody's guess. 

Here's possibly another NOS 7A38-7140 listed earlier today by Italian eBay seller strega_68, with a typical 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now asking price of $2300 !!  I say 'possibly another', because this might well be the same watch previously listed by his partner angeli_65 - which of course we never actually got to see any photos of (least not of the actual watch for sale). See below. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122296922246

MEGA RARE SEIKO 7A38 - 7140 CHRONOGRAPH WATCH SPORTS 100 "BY GIUGIARO DESING"

stock fund

never worn

fully functional 

piece coming from my private collection

Original Seiko box

Angeli_65's first 30-day listing was ended early on 5th December 2016, because 'the item was allegedly no longer available'. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272439317254

Her subsequent 30-day re-listing @ $2400 was also convieniently ended early, for the same reason, earlier today. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272474922178