In fact, almost exactly a year later, in February 2012, I went on to acquire an almost identical version of the proper Cartier Ferrari Formula watch, fitted with the same grey shark strap, but the variant with the black ion plated case, which is model # F659.44.83 (shown top left in that catalogue illustration). The German eBay seller not only didn't accept PayPal, but was unwilling to ship 'Ausland'. So to circumvent his parochial-minded intransigence, I enlisted the assistance of a couple of 'middle men'. I posted it in the old forum's
Show and Tell - Your newest incoming 7A thread about a fortnight later. Here's the same two photos and a slightly later wrist shot from the old forum's WRUW thread.
- rsz_cartierff-7a38-black-gold-lightgrey-concentricferrarisubdials-greysharkstrap-p1090628.jpg (176.54 KiB) Viewed 5745 times
- rsz_cartierff-7a38-black-gold-lightgrey-concentricferrarisubdials-greysharkstrap-p1090629.jpg (172.79 KiB) Viewed 5745 times
- rsz_cartierff-7a38-black-gold-lightgrey-concentricferrarisubdials-greysharkstrap-wristshot-p1201173.jpg (228.71 KiB) Viewed 5745 times
Checking my records, I paid 306 Euros in winning that German eBay auction for my almost NOS condition example. Yes, granted that was over 9 years ago and Seiko 7A38 prices have increased dramatically since then. But $2000 for a rather less than desirable Cartier Ferrari Formula Cal. 531 variant ?? I'd opine that if the deluded Brazilian seller were to add the option to make an offer, he'd be lucky to get one for $500.