Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

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Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

A fairly obvious first case in point, to start the thread. This well-worn stainless 7A38-706A was listed by Macedonian eBay seller b0jan yesterday evening, with a highly over-optimistic Buy-it-Now price of $380. It's been fitted with an unidentified non-original replacement black Tachymeter chapter ring, which almost obscures the dial minute marks.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 3973340346

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Listing(WrongTachymeter).png
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There's no mention of this in the seller's very brief description, which includes the same mis-spelling of Chronogrqph:

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Description.png
7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Description.png (4.25 KiB) Viewed 7273 times

If you're in any doubt what the correct Tachymeter ring for a 7A38-706A SAA017J looks like (it's more of a greyish-blue colour, with radially oriented numbers), here's a recent wrist shot of mine from the WRUW thread.

7A38-706A-P1660060-crop.jpg
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

That 7A38-706A fitted with a non-original replacement Tachymeter ring sold this morning for an undisclosed best offer.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 3973340346

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png
7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png (47.48 KiB) Viewed 7261 times

The purchaser seemed determined, so hopefully bought it with his eyes open. :?

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-PurchaseHistory.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

This partially defective two-tone 7A38-7020 SAA010J, listed earlier this evening by a German eBay seller, with a highly optimistic Buy-it-Now price of 220 Euros, appears to be attracting a bit of attention. Must be the 'Royal Oak' fervour. :roll: However, apart from the chronograph faults (quite possibly caused by the stuck in 4 o'clock pusher), its hands aren't quite how they left the Seiko factory. I'm not certain, but it looks like someone has painted the hour and minute hands black all over (possibly to disguise dodgy lume). The tail is missing from the sweep second hand too. :(

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-CHRONO ... 4703811141

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-April2021-Listing.png
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Here's how those hands should look:

rsz_p1630088-crop.jpg
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Like the 7A38-706A, subject of my previous posts, that two-tone 7A38-7020 with suspect hands, sold rather quicker than I'd have expected, in the early hours of this morning, for an undisclosed best offer. The sole offer was made by a buyer with comparatively low feedback (13). Presumably he'd studied the photos.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-CHRONO ... 4703811141

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-April2021-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Seems that transaction didn't go well. It's back on eBay, re-listed by the German eBay seller earlier this afternoon. :roll:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-CHRONO ... 4713930381

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-May2021-Re-Listing.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Checking my eBay watching page, that two-tone 7A38-7020 with suspect hands appears to have sold quickly again, in the early hours of this morning - again for an undisclosed best offer, rather than the Buy-it-Now price of 220 Euros.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-CHRONO ... 4713930381

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-May2021-(re-listed)-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Oops ! It's back on eBay this afternoon !! :lol:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-CHRONO ... 4716648305

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-May2021-Another-Re-Listing.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Sold yet again, for another best offer, early this morning ! $64K Question: Will it actually stay sold ? 3rd time lucky ? :lol:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124716648305

7A38-7020-Stainless+Gold-GreyFace-eBay(Germany)-May2021-(re-listed)-Ended-Sold-BestOffer-Again.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Seiko7A38 wrote: Sun Apr 25, 2021 7:35 am A fairly obvious first case in point, to start the thread. This well-worn stainless 7A38-706A was listed by Macedonian eBay seller b0jan yesterday evening, with a highly over-optimistic Buy-it-Now price of $380. It's been fitted with an unidentified non-original replacement black Tachymeter chapter ring, which almost obscures the dial minute marks.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 3973340346

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Listing(WrongTachymeter).png
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rsz_7a38-706a-stainless-darkblueface-ebay-april2021-another-1.jpg
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Seiko7A38 wrote: Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:23 am That 7A38-706A fitted with a non-original replacement Tachymeter ring sold this morning for an undisclosed best offer.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 3973340346

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png
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The purchaser seemed determined, so hopefully bought it with his eyes open. :?

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-April2021-Another-PurchaseHistory.png
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Ever wondered who buys these non-original watches, possibly in too much haste, without conducting due diligence ? :| There's usually a pretty strong chance that they'll rock up on Instagram sooner or later: 3 weeks later in this case. ;)

Earlier this morning, Instagram poster aus_seiko_collector (a.k.a. Dimi or DT) uploaded this colourful wrist shot of it.

Image
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Ironic how he slates Macedonian eBay seller b0jan as having the photographic skills of a potato. That primary image certainly looked clear enough to me and was evidently sufficient to fool him into buying it. What I find even more incredible is that his post of this 'Wrong Un' has already managed to amass well over 200 likes in only 3 hours ! :roll:

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

That Instagram post has now amassed over 600 likes in 2 days ! :o

Image

There have also been 59 fawning comments left. From what I've read of them, no-one has dared call him out about the incorrect replacement Tachymeter ring (or his B/S about the seller's photos). Shades of the Emperor's new clothes. :roll:

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

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To my bemusement (if I'm honest, utter disdain) I see that Instagrammer aus_seiko_collector has posted another photo of his 7A38-706A, now fitted with one of those naff two-stitch pseudo-vintage leather straps, whose colour more closely matches the incorrect replacement Tachymeter ring, rather than the dial colour. :roll:

rsz_7a38-706a-stainless-darkblueface-wrongtachymeter-leatherstrap-instagram-aus_seiko_collector-wristshot-mon24.jpg
rsz_7a38-706a-stainless-darkblueface-wrongtachymeter-leatherstrap-instagram-aus_seiko_collector-wristshot-mon24.jpg (243.92 KiB) Viewed 6953 times

I am SO tempted to add a comment re: the Emperor's new clothes. It could be construed as having a dual meaning. :P

Image

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

The Instagram circus trundles on, with mindless sheep (sorry 'followers') adding more likes to his 7A38-706A, regardless of it being a 'wrong un'. :roll: His previous post has now amassed a whopping 837 likes. Yet nobody seems willing to blurt out the the bleedin' obvious. Earlier this morning, Dimi posted another wrist shot (it's now back on its bracelet again).

Image

I must admit I was sorely tempted to post an appropriate comment. :twisted:

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

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In a somewhat amusing development, that 7A38-706A fitted with an unidentified non-original replacement Tachymeter ring, (which was the original subject matter of this thread, back in late April), resurfaced on eBay earlier this morning. The Instagram poster appears to have eventually acknowledged the glaring discrepancy and so decided to move it on.

Image

He's listed it as a 10-day auction, with an opening bid price of $150 Au. Also funny that his user ID ends in 'hastey'. :lol:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7A38-7 ... 4111696176

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-(WrongTachymeter)-eBay-August2021-(Re-seller)-Listing.png
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7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-(WrongTachymeter)-eBay-August2021-(Re-seller)-Description.png
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Note the less than forthright statement from his description (compared to his reply to the Instagram comment):
Note: I don’t believe the tachometer is original to the watch, I believe it’s from another 7A38 model.
I'm absolutely certain that it isn't original - and it's not from any other Seiko 7Axx model either ! :!:

Apart from realizing his mistake (in buying it in haste), I'm wondering if there's another reason behind Dimi's decision to move it on. By an interesting coincidence, there was a half decent original example listed on eBay France a couple of days ago, with an asking price of 450 Euros. It sold very quickly for an undisclosed best offer:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265272507023

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-August2021-Ended-Sold-BestOffer.png
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The seller didn't manage to capture the dark blue dial colour, but it was definitely fitted with the correct Tachymeter:

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-August2021-1.jpg
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WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals the listing was live for less than half an hour and received only 18 views:

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-August2021-WatchCount.png
7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-eBay-August2021-WatchCount.png (73.72 KiB) Viewed 6479 times

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

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Checking my eBay watching page, I see that 10-day Australian eBay auction for a 7A38-706A, fitted with an unidentified non-original replacement Tachymeter ring, ended in the early hours of this morning, selling for $258 Au. after 14 bids.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304111696176

7A38-706A-Stainless-DarkBlueFace-(WrongTachymeter)-eBay-August2021-(Re-seller)-Ended-Sold-$258Au.png
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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

When looking for original unmolested examples, inexperienced buyers really need to watch their step, whether buying Seiko 7A38's from eBay, Instagram, Reddit or wherever. I may not have managed to identify the incorrect replacement Tachymeter ring fitted to that 7A38-706A, but I sure as hell recognise this one ! 8-) This very subtle for sale plug for a stainless 7A38-7060 was posted on Instagram a couple of hours ago by user seikomad. Note the arrowed hashtag. :arrow:

Image

Note (like the previous 7A38-706A) how the minute marks are partially covered by the Tachymeter ring and the uneven gaps between it and the lume pips on the ends of the hour batons. That at 1 o'clock is almost touching the inner rim.

7A38-7060-Stainless-SilveryWhiteFace-(WrongTachymeterRing)-Instagram-seikomad-WristShot-MIE1.jpg
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The reason is because the non-original replacement Tachymeter ring, which from its distinctive green printing, I believe to have come from an Orient or Racer J39908-70 donor, is used in that application under a 31.0mm Ø crystal, whereas the 7A38-7060 uses a 32.0mm Ø crystal. You can better see the uneven gap in the wrist shot which he posted yesterday.

7A38-7060-Stainless-SilveryWhiteFace-(WrongTachymeterRing)-LeatherStrap-Instagram-seikomad-WristShot-MAR31.jpg
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For the benefit of readers who don't know exactly how it should look, here's a wrist shot of my stainless 7A38-7060:

rsz_p1710074-crop.jpg
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The correct original Seiko Tachymeter ring is printed in dark grey with a light grey inner ring. Note also the much larger gaps between it and the ends of the lumed dial batons - and that the full length of the minute marks are clearly visible. Here's that green printed Tachymeter ring in its normal habitat - as regularly found in the Orient and Racer J39908-70:

rsz_p1730025-crop.jpg
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And as occasionally seen 'in the wild' (from a scrapped J39908-70 case).

rsz_p1750040.jpg
rsz_p1750040.jpg (232.13 KiB) Viewed 6344 times

Note the molded indentation in the perimeter @ 80, which is also visible in both the Instagram poster's wrist shots. ;)

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Re: Spot the undisclosed non-original component(s) !

Post by Seiko7A38 »

As you can see from my screenshot of Instagram poster seikomad's post, ever the smartass, I'd already left a comment. If you click on / expand the replies, you'll see that he confirmed my suspicion as to the source. 8-) I could have left it there, but followed up asking the pertinent question - i.e. what had become of the original Seiko Tachymeter ring.
Let me guess. You (or someone) broke the original Tachy ring when pressing out the crystal ?
Checking my Instagram feed, I see that he'd subsequently replied overnight:

Image

Note his last couple of sentences:
.... looks black in almost every situation but pairs really well with the hands/lume. Actually IMHO looks even better!
Seriously ? :? what about the uneven gaps ? Can his eyesight be that poor ? :lol: He later followed up that reply with:
The funny thing is that I keep the original 😂
Me ? :| Sceptical as always, I'm going to call bullsh!t. :P

See this related topic in the Workshop Tech Tips section, which may provide some alternative explanations. ;)

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