Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

If you've read my first post on the previous page, originally written back in June 2013 (and subsequently edited in March 2016, for another reason), then you'll know that when I first saw an example of the Brutto Anatroccolo (Ugly Duckling) two-tone 7A38-706B with the Arabic numeral 727O dial, I had doubts as to whether it was a genuine (factory produced) variant or cobbled together Franken.

My initial doubts were primarily due to the watch not being documented on Seiko’s database. Apart from the fact that no records exist for a few other ‘known’ 7A38’s, I’ve since uncovered other similar undocumented variants of 7A38-706x, most of which seemed to have been produced for the Italian market and manufactured in December 1988. So any doubts about the parentage of the Brutto Anatroccolo had evaporated a long time ago. Despite that, I’d never seen another just like it, since I wrote this in June 2013. 

All it really needs to ratify Manuel's 7A38-706B would be sight of another example.

One finally appeared on eBay yesterday, listed (erroniously as a 7A38-7280) by an Italian seller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292004592923

Seiko 7A38-7280

15 Jewel movimento

Funzione Giorno / Data

Funzione cronografo

Dial Diametro 38 millimetri.

L'orologio fa parte della mia collezione privata.

The incompetent Italian eBay seller has repeated his error in the description despite the correct case-back number 7A38-706B being clearly visible in his third photo - as is also the now almost customary 8Dxxxx serial number. Not the best of examples, with obvious signs of wear, particularly to the crown - and in typically Italian fashion, speculatively over-priced for the condition, with a wishful Buy-it-Now price of 220 Euros.

'Ugly Ducklings' they may be, but the two-tone 7A38-706B is undeniably a rare bird. As can be seen from the date of my previous post, it's nearly two years since my last sighting. Two things are certain: they'll nearly always turn up in Italy and without exception, have an 8Dxxxx prefix serial number. As indeed does this example, fitted with a 'mock croc' leather strap, listed this afternoon by Italian eBay seller simone00simone, as a 10-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1 Euro.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113518881933

From my private collection, I sell this is wonderful Seiko vintage Quartz chronograph 7A38-706A, watch in excellent condition and fully functional in every part, perfect date change, perfect chronographs, perfect buttons.

For any clarification contact me, return not accepted, I don’t ship to Spain and Canary Islands.

The 10-day Italian eBay auction for a two-tone Arabic numeral dial 7A38-706B, fitted with a leather strap, ended this afternoon, selling for 121 Euros after 23 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113518881933

Another 7A38-706B 'Brutto Anatroccolo' eventually surfaced on eBay Italy (where else?) earlier today, listed as a 7-day auction, with a low opening bid price of 0.99 Euros, but a hefty 40 Euros shipping. Except this 'ducking' is uglier than usual. It's been completely rebrushed and in the process, stripped of almost all its gold plating, with only small traces visible on the edges of some centre bracelet links. The seller appears to be trying to pass it off as all stainless (Acciaio).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233697597216

Orologio in ottime condizioni appena revisionato per ulteriori informazioni 3286997505

The above 7-day Italian eBay auction for a 7A38-706B 'Brutto Anatroccolo', which has been completely re-brushed and stripped of almost all its original gold plating, ended a few moments ago, selling for 102 Euros after 34 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233697597216