7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

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7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by Seiko7A38 »

There's an appropriately titled thread in the 7Axx General Discussion section of the old forum which begs the question:
Did Seiko themselves ever fit 'wrong' (substitute) bracelets to certain 7A38's ?
It documents quite a few sightings of the stainless 7A38-7190 SAA053J fitted with Seiko p/n B1615S bracelets (as more usually found on the stainless 7A38-7270 and 7A38-727A), instead of the conventionally accepted p/n B1405S bracelet.

But that hasn't been the only time the question has reared its head.

Readers may recall a couple of instances in the old forum's 7A38-7180 SAA055J model specific thread, where those watches have been found fitted with another 'wrong' bracelet - Seiko p/n B1127C, normally found on another analogue black chrome coated watch, the 6923-7060 SQ Sports 100, instead of the conventionally accepted p/n B1412D bracelet. Over the years, I've seen a number of 7A38-7180's fitted with a variety of different non-original replacement bracelets. Some indeed were black chrome coated with gold plated ornament bars, but having since checked through my photo folders, the first time I actually saw a p/n B1127C bracelet fitted to a 7A38-7180 was in October 2017, when I posted about it on the first page of the old forum's model specific thread:

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The simple reason I dismissed that first instance was that the German eBay seller (the watch's original owner) was also listing a 6923-7060 (correctly fitted with a p/n B1127C bracelet) at the same time !! :!:

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Fast forward to the next such example in March 2020. To fully understand the context, it would help if you've read this appropriately titled thread: Poorly cataloged UK auction job lots included a DOZEN 7Axx's ! in the eBay section of the old archived forum. To quickly summarize, Mithra bought two job lots at auction. There were actually rather more than a dozen 7Axx's and one particularly desirable Seiko diver. Amongst them were no less than three 7A38-7180's. One was on the correct original p/n B1412D bracelet, another on a p/n B1127C bracelet and a 'head only'. I was intrigued by the one fitted with 'the wrong bracelet'. Mithra kindly provided this side-by-side comparison shot.

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In March, Mithra started selling off a few from this haul, including some 7A38's and 7Txx's. Meanwhile I'd been looking for an answer as to why this watch had been fitted with 'the wrong bracelet'. I suspect from the way the majority had been meticulously labelled, the collection once belonged to a collector, who wasn't averse to tinkering. I concluded:

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Mithra knew I was interested in (more intrigued by) the 7A38-7180 fitted with the p/n B1127C bracelet and gave me the opportunity to make him an offer (off eBay), but I don't think we ever actually discussed a price. He subsequently listed the three 7A38-7180's on eBay in May (see page 9 of the model thread), although they were no longer in quite the same configuration. He'd swapped the B1127C bracelet onto another 7A38-7180 head, in worn (rather than NOS condition).

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Otherwise I might have bid on it.

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To misquote Ian Fleming: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time, reassessment possibly required.”

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by Seiko7A38 »

There was another such NOS condition example of a 7A38-7180, fitted with the same 'incorrect' p/n B1127C bracelet, listed on Yahoo Japan earlier this week, as a 5-day auction with an opening bid price of 10,000 Yen.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m490268764

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Google translates the Japanese seller's description as follows:

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The 5-day auction ended a few moments ago, the finishing time having been automatically extended by 15 minutes, due to late placed bids, selling for ¥38,500 Yen after 15 bids, equivalent to approx $356.30 USD / £256.75 GBP.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m490268764

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So that's a 3rd instance. Hmm. Too much of a coincidence. Have I been too quick to condemn it as a 'wrong' fitment ? :?

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Once again I was sorely intrigued, but didn't succumb to temptation. Indeed I bid on that Yahoo Japan auction up to around 35,000 Yen. Had it not been for the carelessly scratched case-back (which frankly annoyed me, especially on seeing the 'before and after' photos), I might have pursued it to win. Probably just as well, because it doesn't make sense to get embroiled in a bidding war with a fellow 7Axx enthusiast. Last night, recently joined forum member Rob Lambert emailed me these three photos of his 'latest victory, which appears to be in a fine fettle'. ;)

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Congratulations, Rob ! :mrgreen: I still reckon it's a wrong 'un ! :P

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by power90801 »

Oh Paul, always quick to burst my bubble just when I'm still in the "afterglow" stage. What amazes me is the condition of these incorrect bracelets and if the consensus is that Seiko themselves may be the perpetrator then I just may be ok with that. ;) Impressive sleuthing on your part as usual.

Robert

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Yesterday evening Rob posted photos of his immaculate 7A38-7180 (albeit fitted with the 'wrong' bracelet) to Instagram.

Image

I had to chuckle at his incorrect tagging of the watch as a 'John Player Special' and 'The other J.P.S.' (as nods to the Seiko 6138-8030 and Lotus's sponsorship and black and gold livery). This watch was manufactured in February 1988. Lotus had switched sponsor and livery from the beginning of the 1987 F1 season - to Camel - yellow and blue ! :lol:

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Rob also uploaded the best 3 of them to yesterday's SCWF WRUW thread. I was hoping he might do the same here. :(

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Seiko7A38 wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 3:22 pmIndeed I bid on that Yahoo Japan auction up to around 35,000 Yen. Had it not been for the carelessly scratched case-back (which frankly annoyed me, especially on seeing the 'before and after' photos), I might have pursued it to win. Probably just as well, because it doesn't make sense to get embroiled in a bidding war with a fellow 7Axx enthusiast.
I must admit, with hindsight, I regret not having bid higher on that Yahoo Japan auction. But you can't win 'em all. :cry: So again, Congratulations to Rob on his purchase (wrong 'un or not). ;) Next time, I'll make you work harder for it ! :P

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by power90801 »

Oh Paul, I advise you to never take anything I say too literal. I could have a "pocket knife" in black and gold and I may even say it's the John Player Special model. :roll: I'll have to see how one goes about posting pictures on here of ordinary daily shots. Is there something similar to a "what are you wearing today" thread?

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Re: 7A38-7180 SAA055J alternative bracelet p/n B1127C ?

Post by Seiko7A38 »

Robert has continued to post photos of his 7A38-7180 on Instagram, most recently here on the 7th and again yesterday, where he hinted that he was selling it.

Image

So it wasn't exactly a big surprise to see it listed on eBay overnight. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286254734086

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I had to chuckle at his addition of 'All Original' on the end of the listing title. ;)

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