Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at September 12, 2019 at 9:41 AM

This stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet, was listed earlier this afternoon, by an Italian eBay seller, with a Buy-it-Now price of 250 Euros or the option to make an offer. Looking again at the seller's 2nd and 3rd oblique angled photos, something doesn't appear quite right with the crystal - as if it might be a much thicker replacement.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293224923346

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293225012557

After a false start (and almost immediate re-listing) that stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet, sold late this afternoon, not as eBay would have you believe, for the full Buy-it-Now price of 250 Euros ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293225012557

.... but as shown by this alternative 'true price' link, for a best offer of 200 Euros:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=293225012557

This well worn stainless 7A38-7140 'head only' was listed early this morning, by a Venezuelan eBay seller, as a 5-day auction, with an opening bid price of $50 (USD).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174042785434

Seiko 7A38-7140 Watch - Quartz Chronograph Sports 100 - Stainless Steel - Japan

Vintage watch in good working order.

Noticeable signs of use and aging. Please refer to pictures for details.

Noticeable scratches and tiny dents in case and caseback.

All functions tested and work fine.

Band or bracelet not included.

Please refer to all pictures, they are part of description. Buyer will get exactly the watch shown.

BEFORE BID OR BUY, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

SHIPPING: I WILL SHIP THE ITEM WITH FEDEX OR DHL INTERNATIONAL SERVICE. DELIVERY TIMES VARIES, USUALLY 6-8 BUSINESS DAYS TO UNITED STATES AND CANADA, 8-12 DAYS FOR EUROPE, 12-16 DAYS TO ASIA. I WILL SHIP THE ITEM WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE PAYMENT CLEARS.

IT IS RECOMMENDED TO CHECK IF FEDEX OR DHL CAN DELIVERY IN YOUR AREA. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, PLEASE ASK ME.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT DELIVERY TIMES: COURIER SERVICE IS TAKING IN THESE DAYS MORE TIME THAN USUAL FOR SHIPPING PROCESS, PROBABLY DUE TO CUSTOMS DELAY. DELIVERY TIMES DESCRIBED ABOVE COULD BE INCREASED. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS BEFORE BIDDING.

CUSTOMS TAXES: IMPORTING FEES AND TAXES MAY APPLY IN DESTINATION COUNTRY AND MUST BE PAID BY BUYER, SO PLEASE BE AWARE OF CUSTOMS COSTS IN YOUR COUNTRY. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND A COURIER SERVICE IS USED FOR SHIPPING AND NOT REGULAR MAIL (EMS, ETC.) IF THE ITEM IS SUBJECT TO DUTIES AND TAXES, ADDITIONAL COURIER OR CUSTOMS AGENT COSTS COULD BE APPLIED. THE SELLER WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY KIND OF CHARGES BILLED IN DESTINATION COUNTRY.

Hi, I checked the 7A38-7140 fitted with non-original bracelet still available for purchase. Which one of these 2 are a better buy?

You beat me to it.  By an amusing coincidence, later this morning, the Italian eBay seller re-listed his stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a non-original bracelet (which had supposedly sold for 200 Euros, 2 weeks ago).  This time, he's reduced the Buy-it-Now price from his original 250 Euros to 220 Euros.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293247297116

The 4 small-ish photos are the same as he'd used in his original listing and are already posted at the bottom of the previous page, so I won't waste bandwidth by  duplicating them here. To answer your question: If you compare the photos (and disregard the non-original bracelet fitted), the Italian eBay seller's watch head is in much better cosmetic condition. As to which of the two represents the 'better buy', that really does depend where the bidding ends up on the Venezuelan eBay auction in 5 days time, doesn't it ? 

Just wanted to update the team that the watch has been sold. He did not want to ship overseas.

Indeed, the stainless 7A38-7140 fitted with a non-original bracelet, which had been re-listed yesterday by the Italian eBay seller, sold (again) this morning.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293247297116

The eBay Purchase History shows it sold to a persistent buyer for a best offer.

The alternative 'true selling price' link reveals the offer accepted was for 180 Euros.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=293247297116

The 5-day eBay auction for a well-worn stainless 7A38-7140 'Head Only', by a Venezuelan seller, ended earlier this morning, selling for $212.50 after 30 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174042785434

@ Irwansun - on that basis, the Italian one represented the much better buy. 

Yes indeed. Now I have to look for the original bracelet.

Believe me, I do get tired of constantly bitching about all the profiteering re-selling that goes on on eBay. Earlier this afternoon, a stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a rather familiar-looking non-original replacement bracelet, was listed by an Italian eBay seller, with a 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of 490 Euros, or the option to make a much lower offer. Funny, I always thought John Player (Special) colours were Black and Gold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293263579222

SEIKO 7A38 JOHN PLAYER CHRONO MOLTO RARO

ANNI 90 VINTAGE

MODALITA' DI SPEDIZIONE:

CORRIERE ESPRESSO

MODALITA' DI PAGAMENTO:

PAYPAL (PREFERITO) O BONIFICO BANCARIO O RITIRO DI PERSONA

TERMINI DI VENDITA:

GLI OGGETTI IN VENDITA SUL MIO ACCOUNT SONO DI MIA PROPRIETA', NON HO RAPPORTI COMMERCIALI CON I MARCHI ESPOSTI, GARANTISCO IL FUNZIONAMENTO DI TUTTO CIO' CHE PROPONGO A MENO CHE' NON SIA ESPLICITAMENTE DICHIARATO NELL'INSERZIONE CHE L'OGGETTO IN ASTA E' DI FATTO NON FUNZIONANTE E VENDUTO PER RICAMBI O RIPARAZIONI, OLTRETUTTO ACCETTO RESTITUZIONI SOLO NEL CASO IN CUI VENISSE CONSEGNATO UN OGGETTO DIVERSO DA QUELLO DA ME VENDUTO O DA ME DESCRITTO.

SI TIENE CONTO DEL FATTO CHE LA VENDITA E' REGOLATA DALLE NORME DI COMPRAVENDITA TRA PRIVATI.

This is of course, the same stainless 7A38-7140 (having dubiously 'benefitted' from having its bezel skimmed, at the hands of the would-be profiteering re-seller), still fitted with the same incorrect replacement bracelet, which sold (for a second time) on eBay Italy on 26th September, for a best offer of 180 Euros.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=293247297116

Needless to say, the case-back serial number 530110 matches.

This stainless 7A38-7140 in lightly worn and evidently well cared for condition, was listed on Catawiki auctions, by an Italian seller, on the evening of 22nd November. I've only just received an email notification this morning and there are still nearly 2½ days of the auction left to run. The alleged expert's estimate is a hefty €550 - €650. Bidding is currently already @ 460 Euros. All 6 bids were placed in the space of 10 minutes, by the current sole high bidder. Whether this bidder ID # 5922 is a shill, or a genuine potential buyer, pushing the opening bid price of €250 up to meet the reserve - your guess is as good as mine.

http://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/32136359-seiko-men-1980-1989

I'd omitted to post an update on that stainless 7A38-7140 - but there wasn't any change in the final result. The Catawiki auction ended mid-week, with bidding still at the same price of 460 Euros. Evidently nobody thought it was worth more. 

http://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/32136359-seiko-men-1980-1989

This well-worn stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet, was listed in the early hours of this morning, by an Australian eBay seller, with a 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of $695 Au., or the option to make a much lower, more realsitic offer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274123239387

Rare model. Watch is in excellent condition, check photos for detail, all functions work spot on, non original band, contact me for shipping prices out side of AU, USA, UK, CAN, NZ. bidders with feedback under 10 please contact me first.

Indeed, do check the last photo for the rather tenuous looking bracelet attachment.

Checking my watching page, I just noticed that well-worn stainless 7A38-7140, fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet, listed by an Australian eBay seller at the beginning of December, with a 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of $695 Au., had sold in the early hours of this morning.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274123239387

Not for the reduced Buy-it-Now price of $625 Au., but as revealed by the alternative 'true selling price' link, for a best offer of $575 Au. Too much for this example, IMHO.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersion&item=274123239387

Hello everyone. I've been trying for some month now to join this forum. So now that it finally happened I am happy. I purchased this model late last year (before the whole Covid thing) What is the real value of this watch? I see people are conflicted. I will post pictures as soon as I get to my PC. Won't let me upload from phone. As far as I know it's in a good shape and with original bracelet.

Hi, Vladimir. Firstly let me say that I don't provide a valuation service.  Pricing for this model, like many other 7A38's is subjective - it really depends how much an individual is prepared to pay - compared to what is available for sale at the time. If you haven't already done so, I suggest you read through the entire thread and you'll find quite a variation in selling prices versus condition.

On the first page, there was an example listed on okazii.ro, back in November 2012. Nobody seemed interested at 300 Euros. However, had I seen the example listed on eBay Italy in November 2017 (on page 2), I probably would have paid the 350 Euros asking price. Then take that most recent example, sold on eBay Australia at the beginning of February for $575 Au. I personally wouldn't have paid anything like that for such an example, fitted with a non-original bracelet. But it was purchased by a prominent US Seiko collector Robert Lambert (power90801 on Instagram), who, from what I've seen, normally collects excellent / mint examples. Go figure. 

https://imgur.com/a/HVEwfys (links to Imgur album edited by Admin).

I do not know how to attach pictures here like you did  but as I promised earlier here it is  

Also thank you for the detailed review  I like mine but it is kind of a small fit for my hands... Everyone tells me that. From the case number starts with 53... I believe its from 83 ? if I did my research right.

Thanks for the (Imgur album) link, Vladimir. As you can see, I've edited your post and embedded your photos. You need to link them individually (rather than as an album), for them to display properly.

If your watch has a 53xxxx serial number, then it was actually manufactured in March 1985 (not 1983). See this thread. Let me take a wild guess at the full serial number: 530261 perhaps ?  The highly polished clasp is the giveaway.

If I'm correct, I've already posted about this watch, on page 2 of this thread, when it was first listed on ceasuridemana.ro, two years ago in June 2018, asking 750 Ron:

Looks like it sold about a year later, in June 2019:

http://ceasuridemana.ro/seiko-7a38-giugiaro-cronograph_a278289.html

You are correct Sir. As you advised I scrolled through the posts and saw the guy I purchased it from. What can i say... It works well... I like the look... Hope I didn't get duped / bamboozled. 

As long as you paid 750 Ron / Lei for it (that's a good price) - and not 450 Euros. 

It was 600 Ron from 900 (asking price). He was really cool about it. Mostly because I had an older vintage watch that I think he was trying to buy from me.