Cheap Racer Orient J39 'Panda' Anybody ?

[Seiko7A38]

The Racer branded J39027-70 BreitBling clone, particularly the 'Panda' dial version, is undeniably one of my favourite Orient J39 variants. I spotted another example on the Spanish classified site Wallapop.es a week or so ago. The seller has listed it as a 'Racer Steel Watch', with an asking price of just 40 Euros.

https://es.wallapop.com/item/reloj-acer ... -707385866

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The seller describes it as being in good condition. It's fitted with a non-original two-tone bracelet, which may actually be Racer branded. Other than that, the bezel quarter markers' gold plating are typically well worn, the pushers look like they're stuck in and will probably need freeing off. The watch head would generally benefit from a good clean.

I've been mulling it over for a while and have decided not to proceed with purchase, mostly because I really don't need another one. I'd exchanged a few messages with the seller, who had agreed, in principle, to send to UK, but now wants 25 Euros for shipping with tracking. In the recent past I've bought a number of watches from various Spanish classified sites and Correos or UPS (both fully tracked and signed for) usually costs a maximum of 15 Euros.

[Seiko7A38]

So am I relenting from my habitual obsessive collecting and hoarding ? Not really. Much as I like them, I really don't need another example in poorer condition than those I already own. Those two examples left and right of this group shot, taken in April 2019, are both NOS (the 'mock croc' strap being the original factory fitment).

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In fact, per this post from the old forum's WRUW thread, I'd bought another 4th example only a couple of months later.

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That one was subsequently converted into the other variant of Racer J39027-70: the black dial with gold sub-dials.

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