Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Seiko7A38 at May 4, 2018 at 10:46 AM

Here's an interesting (and mildly amusing) case of Déjà Vu - and also possibly Buyer's Remorse (at the price he paid). This 7A38-7010 was listed earlier this afternoon, by an Italian eBay seller, as a 10-day auction, but with the instantly dismissable option to Buy-it-Now for a ludicrous 599 Euros.

As soon as I saw the first photo, I instantly recognized it as one of a set of 4, taken and previously used by strega_68 in his eBay listing. So I'm not going to waste bandwidth by re-posting them again.

See my posts higher up this page, dated: February 20, 2018 at 8:55 PM and March 18, 2018 at 10:43 AM (when it previously sold by strega_68 for $610).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183209161909

This seller's description is a little longer than Giovanni's usual effort:

Orologio Seiko Chronograph modello 7A38-7010 Vintage anno 1983.

Il movimento è il rinomato 7A38, evoluzione del 7A28, con aggiunta di data e mese, con 15 rubini e funzione hack.

Orologio usato in ottime condizioni funziona perfettamente in ogni sua parte, bracciale originale molto lungo con tutti i terminali.

Proveniente dalla mia collezione privata.

La lancetta grande dei secondi del cronometro non è perfettamente allineata (operazione che può essere effttuata da un orologiaio in pochissimi minuti).

Buna asta a tutti.

If you're in any doubt as to whether this is the same 7A38-7010 sold by strega_68 (I wasn't), then check the current re-seller's feedback as a buyer ....

Edit: It wasn't me who placed the opening bid and killed the Buy-it-Now !! 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183209161909

(With apologies for the lengthy quote to carry this over to the new page.)

Well, if he wasn't suffering from Buyer's Remorse before, I'm pretty sure the Italian re-seller of that ex-strega_68 7A38-7010 will be now.  His 10-day auction ended a few moments ago, with it selling for 239 Euros after 67 bids. That's compared to the $610 he foolishly paid for it, less than 2 months ago. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183209161909

This well worn 7A38-7010, fitted with a replacement strap of undeterminate black material (possibly rubber?) was listed yesterday evening by a Spanish eBay seller, as a 10-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1 Euro. Note the (fixed) Tachymeter bezel is well out of alignment. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153039058877

SEIKO QUARZ CRONO VINTAJE 1980

7A38-7010 A3

39 mm

BUEN FUNCIONAMIENTO

CRISTAL CON RAYITAS – LAS FOTOS SIRVEN DE REFERENCIA

Here's something from the other end of the cosmetic condition scale: a very nice well-cared for example of a 7A38-7010, listed this morning by a German eBay seller, as a 10-day auction with an opening bid price of 1 Euro. Bidding was already @ 76 Euros by lunchtime today and certain to go much higher.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113039585943

Angeboten wird eine Seiko 7A38-7010 Sports 100, ein Quarzchronograph mit Geschichte.

Zustand:

Die Uhr ist gebraucht und hat ein paar Gebrauchsspuren an Lünetteninlay, Gehäuse, Glas und Band. Die Spuren halten sich in Grenzen, die einzig größere Spur ist ein Kratzer im Glas bei 10 Uhr. Die Gehäusespuren sind oberflächlich und keineswegs tief. Alle Funktionen des Uhrwerks, der Drücker und Krone sind absolut einwandfrei. Die Drücker haben einen knackigen Druckpunkt, die Krone ebenfalls - alle Zeiger laufen und nullen einwandfrei, das Datum schaltet ebenfalls perfekt. Das Uhrwerk wurde von einem Spezialisten in Italien überholt, zerlegt und geölt - damit sollte die Funktion wieder für eine sehr lange Zeit gegeben sein.

Das Armband passt in seiner aktuellen Konfiguration an mein 17,5cm Handgelenk, hat aber durch die Verstellmöglichkeit noch viel Luft nach oben. Alle weiteren Details bitte den Bildern entnehmen, ansonsten gerne Fragen stellen.

Das Kaliber 7A38 ist der Nachfolger des ersten analogen Quarzchronographenkalibers überhaupt, dem 7A28, welches um eine Tages- und Datumsanzeige erweitert wurde. Im Gegensatz zu heutigen Quarzwerken besteht das 7A38 komplett aus Metallkomponenten, ohne Plastikteile und ist mit 15 Steinen gelagert. Es wurde darauf ausgelegt, komplett gewartet und auch reguliert werden zu können.

Viel Spaß beim bieten auf dieses außergewöhnliche Stück Uhrentechnik der 80er Jahre!

Wie immer: keine Garantie, keine Rücknahme.

Bidding on the above 7A38-7010 seems to have stalled, for the moment at least, at 281 Euros. Perhaps that's because the other potential bidders have realized they're competing with a shill: a Zero feedback bidder who has 100% activity with this seller - currently high bidder, having placed 14 of the 30 bids so far.

Meanwhile, the other 10-day auction for a somewhat lesser example, listed by a Spanish eBay seller ended earlier this evening, just over an hour ago, selling for 127.50 Euros after 26 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153039058877

The 10-day German eBay auction for a decent condition 7A38-7010 ended a few moments ago, selling for 321 Euros after 34 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113039585943

This 7A38-7010 in only average worn condition was listed at lunchtime today by an Italian eBay seller, with a risibly over-optimistic Buy-it-Now price of 480 Euros. Note the deterioration to the plating on some edges of the dial batons. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263767067004

Funzionante ed in ottimo stato, perfettamente conservato, presenti tutte le maglie, anche per grandi polsi. Referenza rara, indossato pochissime volte, Da non perdere. Buona giornata.

The above Italian eBay listing for a 7A38-7010 ended early this morning.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263767067004

Given the condition, the seller was clearly pushing his luck by asking 480 Euros as a Buy-it-Now, but I'm a little surprised he let it go for so much less - against his only offer. WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals it sold for 300 less - 180 Euros.

As confirmed by the eBay Purchase History:

This 7A38-7010, in average worn condition, was listed yesterday evening, by a German eBay seller, as a 7-day auction, with an opening bid price of 1 Euro. When I first saw the listing photos, I had to do a double take, thinking this was yet another case of Déjà Vu. But No - not this time. This same German eBay seller 2010michael0201 did previously list and sell a 7A38-7010 in January this year (see top of the previous page). Once again, in a very similar set of photos, he's used what appears to the bottom of an upturned spun aluminium saucepan as a background. But this watch is a different serial number.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362372709854

Sehr seltener und begehrter SEIKO Chronograph 7 A 38 7010 aus den 80er Jahren in sehr gutem Erhaltungszustand. Nur wenige, kleinere Gebrauchsspuren , die unvermeidlich sind. Der Chrongraph funktioniert einwandfrei. Das Originalarmband hat eine Länge von ca. 18cm Gelenkumfang. Die Bilder gehören wesentlich zur Beschreibung! Beim Bieten viel Spaß und Erfolg !

I'm sometimes appalled at the sheer unashamed greed of certain eBay sellers, particularly those dealing in spare parts. Yesterday, German / Italian based eBay seller contintasca (forum member 'Christian') listed these 6 secondhand bracelet adjustment links @ 15 Euros EACH  - claiming that they were for a 7A38-7010 / -701A or -701B. They may possibly fit, but they're definitely not the correct links.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232831220868

Pre-owned bracelet link for Seiko 7A38-701A, 7A38-701B, 7A38-7010 bracelets.

Unique opportunity to extend a short bracelet.

Price is for 1 link and 1 crosspiece!

If you buy more than one link and shipping fees are not automatically combined by Ebay I will issue a refund.

I dug out 6 of my 7A38-7010's / -701A and 701B's - all of which are fitted with the correct original Seiko p/n Z1118S bracelet. Christian's links may look similar from the topside (if a little narrower), but they're different underneath to the genuine article, which have the arrows stamped on the small interconnecting links and straight push-out sections. All mine look like this:

Edit: Update - 5 hours later, there they were - Gone. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232831220868

The recent 7-day German eBay listing for a 7A38-7010 (in my penultimate post) ended yesterday evening, selling for 261 Euros after 22 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362372709854

Seiko7A38 at May 11, 2018 at 7:06 AM

This 'bitza' 7A38-7010 was advertised for sale on WatchUseek a couple of days ago, by a Romanian seller, with a completely unrealistic asking price of 250 Euros.

Apart from the lack of an original bracelet, that's been replaced by a cheap black leather strap, it's also fitted with a gold-plated crown and the wrong case-back from a two-tone 7A38-7260. Probably one best avoided at any cost. 

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/fs-seiko-7a38-chronograph-4701183.html

Although I actively discourage others from using the 'Quote and Reply' function, I make absolutely no apologies for quoting my own post (in full) from the bottom of the previous page. You'll see why in a moment. 

Because it will not only save me re-posting the same 4 photos, but from having to repeat my earlier comments. Well almost.  

This 7A38-7010, in average worn condition, was listed about half an hour ago, by a UK eBay seller, as a 7-day auction with an opening bid price of £200.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273368468379

Here is my Seiko chronograph watch for sale. This watch is a collector piece and is in great condition the watch dates from 1983 and all functions work as they should. All hands reset as they should and date changes at midnight and quickset. The watch has recently had a new renata battery fitted and is keeping excellent time as you’d expect from a quartz watch. The case is in excellent condition with its original bead blasted finish intact the bezel is in excellent order with loads of colour left and is original to the watch so has marks and scratches but is not terrible. The glass has some marks but again not terrible and again original so I haven’t changed it. The dial is excellent but has some very light patina on some of the markers all hands are excellent and both dial and hands are original. Bracelet is in excellent order and will fit upto a 8 inch wrist (sorry no spare links) bracelet has some light scratches but no dinks or dents clasp is good and snaps closed tightly bracelet is original and ends are marked Z1118. This watch is all original and in excellent condition try and find another one only going up in value. The movement is a fifteen jewel Quartz arguably the best Quartz movement ever made any questions please message me regards Dan.

The above 7-day UK eBay auction for a 7A38-7010 ended a few moments ago, selling for £205 after only 2 bids.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273368468379

It seems that lately, any old 7A38, no matter how poor an example, will sell for good money eventually. Even when describing it, I write something suitably sarcastic like: Probably one best avoided at any cost and in any currency.

That 7A38-7010, fitted with the wrong case-back, gold-plated crown and a cheap leather strap, previously unsuccessfully advertised for sale on WatchUseek and subsequently listed on eBay by a Romanian seller finally appears to have sold early this morning.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142851389346

WatchCount.com's Look-up tool reveals it finally sold for a best offer of £140:

As confirmed by the eBay Offer / Purchase History:

I'm sure readers are as fed up about mr blathering on about this 'Déjà Vu' thing, much as I am having to go over the same old ground - or should I say the same bad pennies: speculatively over-priced, sometimes misrepresented watches which are re-gurgitated ad nauseam by a succession of sellers.

Earlier today, an instantly recognisable 7A38-7010, in well worn condition, fitted with a non-original 5-hole Seiko clasp (the giveaway) was listed twice by ostensibly two different Japanese eBay sellers. Firstly on eBay.com, with 'worldwide' visibility and a 'pie-in-sky' Buy-it-Now price of $435 US by proxy.seller japanese.shop ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223106061177

Followed 10 minutes later by this listing on eBay.com.au (and available only to Australia) placed by used.and.vintage_japan, with an equivalent 'pie-in-the-sky' Buy-it-Now price of $600 Australian.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123316519202

Both use the same four photos (from the original set of 6 previously used on Yahoo Japan) and virtually the same description:

The saga of this watch started on 31st October last year (halfway down page 5) and I wrongly assumed had ended in February this year (halfway down page 6). Here's an ironic partial quote from one of my earlier posts:

Originally posted by myself on February 15, 2018 at 3:25 PM

To save you flicking back to the previous page ....

The previous Yahoo Japan auction ended on 5th November 2017, with this same 7A38-7010 selling for ¥20,400 Yen after 4 bids. That's equivalent to $178.73 USD / £136.37 GBP at the prevailing exchange rates.

What makes the current (re)seller think it's worth any more is totally beyond me.

For crying out loud !

Those previous two eBay listings are still current, both with a week to run. It's just been listed again - by a third Japanese proxy eBay seller - japanmegamall.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113238937804

Speaking of speculatively over-priced, less than ideal examples ....

This well worn (and likely polished) 7A38-7010, with grotty lume, was listed this morning by a Filipino eBay seller, with a laughably over-optimistic Buy-it-Now price of $375 - at least $200 more than it's realistically worth in that condition.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153175768771

Selling is used SEIKO Chronograph 7a38-7010 Quartz watches. Guaranteed Authentic Seiko watch, Made in Japan. this watch is morethan 30 years old made during 80's, but still in good condition and properly function. Waterproof/resistant not tested due to old age. Please see photos for actual details and place your bid accordingly. What you see is watch you will get. USA buyer pay $30.00 for shipping cost. Asia and European Buyer will pay $35.00 for shipping cost. Local buyer will pay 150.00 pesos for LBC domestic shipping.

Brand: SEIKO Chronograph 7A38-7010

Original Seiko Black Dial In Great condition. Bezel shows scratches due to old age.

Case made of Stainless steel, shows scratches due to old age. Please see photos for details.

Original Seiko Glass no visible scratches.

Seiko Quartz Movement. Keeps on Time, Day and Date properly function and Chronograph properly function.

Width 39.5 mm Excluding crown. Length 43 mm from Lugs to Lugs.

Band: Seiko Stainless steel Strap will fit 7 inches and below

Gender: Men's

Case, Dial, Crown, Movement and Bracelet are all original Seiko.

I could go on about how much this pointless 'James Bond' keyword spamming annoys me, but it won't make an iota of difference. Instead I'll just say that this distinctly non-Bond 7A38-7010, in average worn condition, fitted with a cheap and nasty-looking Milanese mesh bracelet was listed this afternoon, by a keyword spamming German eBay seller, with a Buy-it-Now price of 249 Euros. Apparently, according to him, UK is already no longer part of the European Union.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153193134214

Guter Seiko Quartz Chronograph Herrenarmbanduhr , James Bond Ära 80er Jahre

Seiko Quartzwerk mit Datum und Stopfunktion, läuft super

Durchmesser 39 mm

Uhr ist noch schön erhalten , normale Gebrauchsspuren

Gutes Edelstahlarmband , 20 steg

Der Zustand ist auf den Bildern gut zu erkennen.


Es handelt sich um einen Privatverkauf unter Ausschluss jeglicher Gewährleistung.

The above 7A38-7010 fitted with a cheap Milanese mesh strap, in place of the original Seiko p/n Z1118S bracelet, sold yesterday evening for the German eBay seller's 249 Euros Buy-it-Now price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153193134214

I don't need to check this using WatchCount.com's Look-up tool, because the buyer told me himself. I've recently been in email correspondence, with someone who had tried and failed to join the forum. Let's just call him 'Lolo'.  Said he was looking for a 7A38-7010, so naturally, I pointed him in the direction of this thread. I suppose I should have told him to be patient (meaning wait for a better example) - plus it's likely the price of this particular example would have come down, or the seller might have added a 'Make Offer' option later. In his most recent email, 'Lolo' admitted he knew he'd overpaid for it.

Still, I guess I should be grateful he didn't plump for the other one. 

To my surprise - and horror, the tired and typically shiny looking 7A38-7010, listed earlier this month by Filipino seller what_more, appears to have sold in the early hours of this morning for the $375 Buy-it-Now price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153175768771

As unfortunately for someone, confirmed by WatchCount.com's Look-up tool.

Checking the eBay Purchase History doesn't actually show the Buy-it-Now transaction, but it reveals a couple of distinctly lower offers were made and declined. It's probably safe to assume that the two expired offers of $300 were counter-offers made by the seller.

But there was another 7A38-7010 listed on eBay recently that I'd missed. 

Time to turn the page ....