Do you ever get that feeling of Déjà Vu ? I do, all the time. Especially having an almost photographic memory, it's frequently impossible to forget some of the horrors I see listed on eBay. This post is about two sightings of what's probably the worst 7Axx Franken that I've seen in a long time.
It first appeared in one of my eBay saved search notification emails at 2:25 pm on Tuesday 4th March. It was briefly listed by a UK eBay seller
ccbrightonlr, presumably an eBay store front for Cash Converters, London Road, Brighton, who claim to be the UK's largest pawnbroker and second-hand store. It was listed as a 7A38-7180. What a joke.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167354465683
- 7A48-5000-Stainless+Gold-Franken-7A38-7070-(709Ldial)-RubberStrap-eBay-March2025-Listing-Ended-Sold-£119.95.jpg (142.9 KiB) Viewed 45206 times
- rsz_7a48-5000-stainless-gold-franken-7a38-7070-709ldial-rubberstrap-ebay-march2025-1.jpg (243.09 KiB) Viewed 45202 times
- 7A48-5000-Stainless+Gold-Franken-7A38-7070-(709Ldial)-RubberStrap-eBay-March2025-6.jpg (190.26 KiB) Viewed 45202 times
The watch case was from a well-worn two-tone 7A48-5000. It retained that watch's white plastic minute ring (hence the curved recess at 12 to accommodate the original movement's moonphase sub-dial). The crystal was almost opaque with scratches. The 709L dial, hands and presumably movement were from a 7A38-7070, as possibly was the stainless crown. The watch was fitted with a rubber dive strap that was missing its buckle.
Best I could tell, the only part of it that actually came from a 7A38-7180 was the well-worn case-back.
- 7A48-5000-Stainless+Gold-Franken-7A38-7070-(709Ldial)-RubberStrap-eBay-March2025-12-(WrongCase-Back).jpg (88.84 KiB) Viewed 45203 times
I was out at the time the eBay notification arrived in my email inbox, and when I looked at the listing later, I saw it had sold at 2:39 pm; the listing was only live for 15 minutes or so. It sold as a Buy-it-Now for £119.95. I presumed someone must have wanted it for the 7A38-7070's 709L dial and movement, and that would be the last I saw of it. Wrong ....
It reappeared yesterday evening, listed as a low-start auction by another UK eBay seller
carl1036. He's also listed it as a 7A38-7180, but with a much shorter title.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156882497820
- 7A48-5000-Stainless+Gold-Franken-7A38-7070-(709Ldial)-MilaneseStrap-eBay-April2025-(Re-seller)-Listing.jpg (147.54 KiB) Viewed 45198 times
- rsz_7a48-5000-stainless-gold-franken-7a38-7070-709ldial-milanesestrap-ebay-april2025-re-seller-1.jpg (240.69 KiB) Viewed 45196 times
- rsz_7a48-5000-stainless-gold-franken-7a38-7070-709ldial-milanesestrap-ebay-april2025-re-seller-3.jpg (244.57 KiB) Viewed 45196 times
- rsz_7a48-5000-stainless-gold-franken-7a38-7070-709ldial-milanesestrap-ebay-april2025-re-seller-9.jpg (244.87 KiB) Viewed 45196 times
The would-be re-seller has fitted a replacement crystal (why sapphire, FFS?) and one of those cheap 'milanese' stainless mesh straps in place of the rubber strap. Other than that my previous analysis of its component parts applies. If you're reading this and end up buying it, please promise me you'll break it up for the dial / movement. Put it in a 7A38-7070 where it belongs, or build yourself something more attractive, like this.
- rsz_p1790089-crop.jpg (243.71 KiB) Viewed 45192 times
That gold dial is from a 7A28-6030. The hands could possibly be the original hands from the 7A38-702H, but note how far the sweep second hand is off its (12 o'clock) mark. Whether that dial means it's fitted with a 7A28 or 7A38 movement, your guess is a good as mine. 
Checking the bidding history, I strongly suspect it was shilled. That said, the mind truly boggles ! 
