Hi all,

Recently purchases this on ebay. Everything looks correct to make this a true 7040, besides the fact that the caseback says 6309-7049. I don't understand it. Everything else looks right for 7040, even on the caseback-- Japan A after Water Resist, dial looks good, etc. Anyone have any theories?

 

My understanding is that 7040 and 7049 are identical. "9" just designates North American market.

 

+1 on what AAAKK said above

If you haven't already come across this article Fratello did a nice write up on this reference

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-seiko-6309-diver/

 

Correct. This is the case for many Seiko references, e.g. 6105-8110/8119.

 

Did you buy it or advertise it on ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-6309...-divers-automatic-watch-original/274039935886Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

As said above, just a 7040 for the US market.

 

I was in the process of buying and then saw the 7040 and got worried... messaged the seller and s/he changed it to 7049. Still might go for it.

 

I generally like the look of this with its honest wear. But I'd ask for a pic in indirect natural light. Could be wrong, but I suspect the blue hue of the bezel insert and yellow lume is exaggerated by the lighting conditions. If it still appeals to you, try an offer.

 

Agreed. I've asked for a pic. Right now, I could probably get it for ~400. Slightly steep, it seems, but if it naturally had the blue hue I think I'd go for it.

 

With the damaged bezel, lume-loss on the hour hand, and general wear to the case, it's not a top-notch example by any means. Just a beater.

 

I think, you can find better example for the money, or the same beater for less money.
This is what I've got for a bit more money: Serviced, original band, bezel and box.

 

Nice! Honestly, they’re tough to find. eBay ones are trending at upwards of $1k now.

And jeez do I end up having to do so much due diligence for eBay ones. This obviously isn’t limited to these Seikos, but in the past week I’ve had to correct years/refs from two major vintage sellers.

 

Please don't pay $1k for a 6309. I can see it being a fun beater, but if you're going to spend real money, pay up and get a 6105. You'll be happy in the long run.

 

A 6105 is a more exciting watch but as a beater 6309 is a better choice. Cheaper and without the WR issues that 6105 have.

 

What do you think is a reasonable price? Because this "beater" is listed for $480.

 

I'm not sure why you need me to put a price on this for you. Run the comps using the eBay advanced search to look for sold items, and using watchrecon and google to identify forum sales. Don't confuse asking prices with sales prices, and keep in mind that condition issues significantly reduce the value of a common watch. That little hole in the hour hand lume is going to turn most people off.

 

Not sure if it came off that way, but my putting beater in quotes wasn't meant to be snarky!

I was just saying that the prices seem to be all over the place, so was wondering what the consensus market price is at the moment, that's all. Plan to continue monitoring the prices.

 

Asking prices are all over the place. We see that comment a lot from people who haven't been following vintage watch prices for a long time. However, if you track actual selling prices, and correlate them with condition, they will almost always make sense (with perhaps a few outliers). Of course, this requires that you are able to identify condition issues. I suggest you do some research along the lines that I indicated. It will be a good experience for you.

 

As Dan S advised research is the key.

Pricing can be very subjective which in turn can lead to wide variations in asking and selling prices. For me, the watch needs work and as previously stated much better examples could be purchased for the same or even lower price.

To answer your question on price I would be prepared to pay around $200USD given its current condition and allowing for a service and relume of hour hand.

As an example this was recently sold on another forum for $460 USD and had been recently serviced.

 

This sold for roughly $275 on a different forum.