Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

My second 7A28-7000 arrived today. Unlike the first, this one has definitely got some wabi - which is why I bought it. My NOS version is just too good to wear.

This watch has been 'restored' by someone, and I thought I'd give an indication of what they've done.

1 - it has had a new crystal. Interestingly the person who fitted it, fitted it with the bevelled edge down. And, as this replacement crystal only had one beveleed edge, unlike the Seiko original which is bevelled on both edges it looked wrong.

(I fitted the correct crystal - from a sample case I had)

2 - it came fitted with the wrong battery (an SR920SW)

(I fitted a new, correct battery, the SR936SW))

3 - the 10pm pusher was missing its spring. Interesting - I guess it was removed to clean, and then lost.

(I fitted a new sping)

4 - the caseback had the wrong gasket - a rounded rather than flat one.

(I fitted a new, correct gasket)

5 - the pusher holder was held on with replacement screws - flat rather than phillips

(for now, I'll keep these - until I can find phillips replacements)

6 - it look like the pusher holder is a replacement

(which is good - 'cause I assume the original was knackerd!!)

7 - the top part of the bracelet was joined to the clasp with the wrong type of springbar, badly filed down

(I fitted a new, short bead one)

8 - the top edge of the case (effectively the bezel) has been polished

(I've left as-is. It is after-all going to be a daily wearer)

Now, all of the above are relatively minor, and I have to say that whoever did the work did a good job in not butchering the watch. The work has been done well.

It does show you though that despite appearences, a watch may have quite a past.

I took a few pictures yesterday when I was working on this.

The movement (with wrong battery):

the crystal (note the single bevel):

One of the pushers (they were all like this):

The replacement pusher holder screws:

And here's how it looks now:

Notice anything unusual (to my eyes, at least) about that movement's anti-magnetic back-plate, Simon ? 

Ah - just spotted it Paul (I think).

You're referring to the position of the trimmer switch?

I set this back to mid position when I took the backplate, PCB and 710 block off to give the movement a basic 'clean' and oil.

If not this, please tell me!!

No - it wasn't that, Simon.  Would I nit-pick your workmanship ? 

Notice anything unusual .... about that movement's anti-magnetic back-plate ....

Perhaps it's possibly because I haven't studied that many 7A28(A) movements ....

But this one in your 7A28-7000 Aliens is stamped CG - 5/100S; H.M.S., CG - S and CG - M over the coil blocks.

In my limited experience of SEIKO 7Axx (mostly 7A38) movements the back-plates aren't normally stamped in these positions.

Yes, you'll see it on Yema (Shimauchi V 906) and Cartier Ferrai Formula (Cal. 531) movements .... but not often SEIKO back-plates.

But coincidentally and hilariously enough, look at the position of the rotary step switch in this photo of the Shimauchi V906 movement in my very first Yema Spationaute III - one of the first close-up shots of a 7Axx movement I ever took:

Here's a backplate shot of a movement from a 7A28-7030 (which I picked up at the Birmingham Clock &Watch fair).

In my limited experience of SEIKO 7Axx (mostly 7A38) movements the back-plates aren't normally stamped in these positions.

Simon.

As per our phone call - I obviously haven't studied enough Seiko 7A28(A) movements. You certainly don't see it on SEIKO 7A38(A)'s.

Nice job Si