Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Been looking for a 7a38-7020, and came across this one on ebay.  Just curious if anyone has any knowledge of the watch, the seller, or any red flags on either.

Appreciate any help.

Here is the item: http://www.ebay.com/itm/352279444404

Yes, the starting price is way too high. 

Correctly and concisely answered, Don. 

That US ebay seller flobaca is what I term a (scumbag) 'profiteering re-seller'.

There are a number of them around at the moment and his activities are becoming more prevalent. In the past, I've managed to find time to document their nefarious activities, but I've simply been too busy lately.

Modus operandi is as follows. He buys cheaply, usually lowballing the seller into a Buy-it-Now, lists it himself using a template, with a fresh set of photos; exaggerates the watch's condition and usually marks up the price by at least $200. Some mug punter eventually falls for it. 

From what I see coming up in my saved favourite searches, he tends to specialize in stainless 7A38-7020's / -7029's, 7A28-7040's and 7A28-7049's. From memory, he's re-listed that particular 7A38-7029 at least three times @ the current ludicrous opening bid price of $445.

Give me a few minutes and I'll try and find where he bought it - and hopefully tell you how much he paid for it. 

No, sorry Darren - I'm going to have to admit defeat on that one. 

There have been LOADS of 7A38-7029's listed on eBay.com in the last couple of months. I went back as far as November 2017, but couldn't match a case-back serial number to the one he's currently listing. That said, at least 3 of the sets of photos I'd right-clicked and saved in that period didn't include a clear (or any) shot of the case-back.

Here's a very simple search on ended listings for 7A28-7029 on eBay.com, which returns a few results (nothing like the actual number) and gives you some idea of the range of selling prices - it's very much dependent on condition and flobaca's recycled offerings are generally at the lower end condition-wise. 

donwatch at February 12, 2018 at 10:31 AM

Yes, the starting price is way too high. 

This part I was aware of, lol.  Probably why he's relisted it numerous times and never sells it.

Thanks for the help guys.

I don't know my Seiko part numbers extremely well, or what red flags to watch out for when it comes to replaced parts, etc.

I've always just liked the "dodecagon" shaped case and gray dial of what I thought was the 7a38-7020, but I'm assuming the 7029 and others utilize the same case?  Is the difference just the year, or are there other factors that are different in the various model numbers with that case?

For instance, some say "Sports 100" underneath the "Chronograph" on the dial.

Here's 2 others currently listed, any thoughts (2nd one says the chrono isn't working, so not really interested in that one, 3rd one looks a little beat up, but at least starts at a low price):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282839909268

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263165058411

https://www.ebay.com/itm/122954849933

Darren.

Firstly let me congratulate you on the correct use of the term 'dodecagon' to describe the shape of the bezel (and case). I get very annoyed by the ignorant morons over on SCWF (and elsewhere) who insist on referring to this case shape as a 'Seiko Royal Oak'. Apart from the fact that the Seiko 7A38-702x's look nothing like an Audemars Piquet Royal Oak (even the chronograph versions), the bezel on that watch only has 8 sides !! 

I don't intend to start a 'Buyers Guide' / Model Specific thread, but to briefly (or as briefly as I can) answer your questions there are 5 variants of Seiko 7A38-702x, which all share the same lower watch case.

I think you're familiar with the first two:

7A38-7020 SAA009J - All Stainless with a Taupe dial and Black sub-dials.

7A38-7029 SAA013J - Ditto. This is simply the US export version of the SAA009J.

They both use the same bracelet, p/n B1171S and have black Tachymeter rings.

The only real difference between them is case-back stampings (different markets).

There is another 7A38-7020, however ....

7A38-7020 SAA010J - Stainless case, Gold plated bezel with a two-tone bracelet.

This has a light grey dial (same colour sub-dials) and has a silver Tachymeter ring.

The similar two-tone bracelet p/n B1171C has gold plated bars on the centre links.

Although nominally a worldwide export model, these mostly turn up in Germany.

There are also two other models which use the same two-tone case and bracelet:

7A38-702A SAA012J - Has a Gold dial (gold sub-dials) and Gold Tachymeter ring.

7A38-702H SAA014J - Ditto. Is effectively the US export version of the SAA012J.

This last model isn't actually documented on Seiko's database, but is plentiful Stateside.

The gold plating of the 12-sided bezel is prone to wear, particularly on the corners. So you'll see plenty of well-worn examples (and Frankens) where the seller has deliberately stripped the remaining gold plating and polished it, leaving just the gold dummy rivets. It's probably the commonest 'mod' on any 7A38.

All the above correct original models have SPORTS 100 printed on their dials below Chronograph. You should also be aware that (apart from the bezel mod) the 7A38-702x variants are probably the most frankened 7A38 of them all. They're common, affordable and have an aesthetically pleasing shaped case. I've even built a couple myself. This is one of my favourites, built from a combination of stainless and two-tone 7A38-7020's, which included splitting and swapping upper and lower their dial plates. It's quite unique. 

I'm not about to upload more photos to illustrate this post, but if you take the time to page through the WRUW thread, you'll find examples of all of them - including my other self-built Frankens. Watch out for a couple of Don's though, because athough he also likes to 'mix and match', he doesn't always spell out the 'F' word. 

And as far as your three linked examples go ....

The first one was a subtle and rather alluring Franken (hence the distinct lack of SPORTS 100 on the all-black dial, which came from a stainless 7A38-7270).

I had already flagged it in the 'Heads Up on another 7A38 Franken' thread last week and this morning, it caught somebody out to the tune of $357.  I suggest you also read through that thread, where you'll find plenty more examples.

The second one is fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet (quite common).

The third one, although well worn appears to be a genuine unmolested example.

^^that  custom one you built looks terrific.

Thanks a lot for the info on the numbers.  I'll keep my eyes open for a good one for sale.  If you come across any, shoot me a message or email (dmb359@hotmail.com).  I'm not against a "built" or "franken" one even, I'd just like to know the work that was done.

Or if you decide to sell one, preferrably original, or possibly like the one in the picture.  I'm not opposed to a little over paying for it.  At least I'd trust the seller

Thanks Darren. 

Unfortunately none of mine are for sale (franken or stock). In fact it's only within the last year that I've finally managed to get hold of a couple of decent, reasonably priced examples of the stainless 7A38-7020 SAA009J myself - hard as that may be to believe.  Oh - and you're not the first to ask. 

If that's what you were referring to, my technique for splitting upper and lower dial plates when building Frankens is described in this old thread.

I nearly forgot. If you're looking for a stainless 7A38-7020 and you say you're not averse to the odd Franken, you should probably also read this thread !

That's what I figured, but doesn't hurt to ask. 

If you come across anymore that you aren't buying for yourself, keep me in mind...it would be much appreciated

On a side note.  Other than the ridiculous price of the original Ebay auction I posted from flobaca, does it appear all original?

Yes. 

So am I seriously thinking of overspending that much for a watch I want, that appears in good shape...instead of waiting forever to find a cheaper one?.. 

Talk me off the ledge....

Stupid lack of patience......

Your money, your choice. 

This is the almost mint example I bought at the end of May last year for £100.

That's approx. $138 in USD to you. Patience is not one of my virtues, either. 

Probably a once a year find, and someone with more knowledge than me on where and how to look, like yourself, would find it and scoop it up, lol.

You could sell me yours for $250 USD, and we both come away ahead

Hell, that third one I posted above has like 28 bids and is at over $185USD with almost 3 days left, and that one is quite beat up.

The other option is to learn how to restore them. The 7A38-7020 is a good one to practice on. Plenty of info on this site.      

I would love to get into restoring them, I just don't have the time to learn and do it right now.  3 kids keep me from doing a lot of "fun stuff".  I tend to like more newer watches anyways.  I currently have a 1979 Speedmaster, but most of my other watches are less than 10 years old. Just always wanted a 7a38 in great shape.  For me at this point in my life, I'm willing to spend a little more to get one, than look for a year or try to restore/build one (although that would be my ideal situation, lol)