PRICE $
995.00 PLUS $25.00 SHIPPING AND HANDLING TO 48 contiguous STATES.
If you're looking for a deal on a cheap, beat-up sextant, then please
look elsewhere. We only offer the highest quality, best looking instruments that we can find, and specialize in the premium
brands. All our listings are highly detailed, and offer a rating which mentions the good and the bad, warts
and all. Our sextants are shipped in careful packaging so you receive them in good working order. They have been personally
tested beforehand. We also offer one of the best purchase assurances available on Ebay in which your satisfaction is guaranteed
on delivery or your money will be cheerfully refunded - no questions asked. (see below) There's no hidden fine print
or gimmicks to worry about.
As a former partner with Tamaya in the development of its modern
line of sextants, I take pride in offering an absolutely an absolutely outstanding example of Tamaya's premier sextant,
the Model 733 Spica which I helped design. It is Serial Number 42454, and comes with its original inspection certificate dated
April 25th, 1981, and the original instruction booklet issued by the manufacturer. Its high impact plastic case is still
being used with current production. All numbers match. The street price of this sextant new is over $1800.00
Many professional navigators judge this instrument to be
the best of the modern sextants.
This instrument operates like a well oiled piece of machinery. It
shows no minor evidence of wear. All the chrome parts glisten. The mirrors are spotless. The sextant's paint
is perfect, front and back. The only thing we did was replace the batteries..
As is, this sextant is exceptional and is ideally suited for a
someone who seeks a high quality instrument. For use at sea, it should provide outstanding dependable service, and
pride in the ownership of a premium Tamaya sextant which is considered by many to be the world's best contemporary sextant.
Index mirror
Horizon mirror with sun shade mounted
CONDITION: Irrespective of age,
overall condition, is "as new". Adjustable index and side error are nil. All moving parts turn freely.
Nothing is broken. The illumination works. Mirrors are perpendicular to frame. Both mirrors are without blemish. The
case is in excellent condition. The sextant's paint is as new. All the numbers match.
STAR RATING: Without qualification, this
instrument rates 5 STARS
QUALIFICATIONS: For purposes of judging
whether my opinion counts, I was the editor of the chapter on sextants of the 1977 Edition of "Bowditch", The American
Practical Navigator, NAVPUB 9; a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Navigation Symposium Board, 1975-1978; the author of a book
on marine sextants, Cornell Maritime Press,1975, and the founding president of Nautech Maritime Corporation which partnered
with Tamaya of Japan in the introduction of the MS 733 Spica, the MS 833, Jupiter, MS 933 Venus sextants and the
famous NC-2 navigation computer, in the U.S. market. I am also a retired Master Mariner, and formerly held a
U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans.
It is deserving of someone who can appreciate
the fine points of a sextant, and is willing to pay an appropriate price for this level of quality and excellence.
GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: You
must be fully satisfied with your purchase on arrival and that our description is entirely accurate or your money back.
The only conditions are that an email authorization be obtained within three days, and that the instrument is returned in
its original condition and packaging, and insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in
this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault.
COMPANY HISTORY: To my
knowledge, no public history has ever been published by Tamaya or anyone else. What I know from my personal relationships
was that the company was founded in 1675. That is not a misprint, over 328 years ago. Its original business was trading beads.
I believe that it was during WW II, it first got into the sextant business. Prior to that its major emphasis was in surveying
instruments which was always the larger portion of its business. Somewhere along the line it was acquired by K. Hattori
interests. Hattori is a name much like Smith in this country, but this Hattori was an industrial giant having founded Seiko
Watch and Epson Computers. Yasuo Hattori became the chief executive officer, Ito his assistant, and under their leadership
the company aggressively expanded its manufacturing capabilities and interest in marine navigation. This was done with
the introduction of a new line of sextants starting in 1975 which included the MS 733, Spica, then the moderately priced
Jupiter, MS 833, and lastly the 7/8 scale Venus, MS 933. Concurrently. a line of hardwired navigation computers was introduced
starting with the famous NC 2, then the NC 87, and lastly the NC 2000 which may still be in production. I went back to sea
in 1978, but on a personal level have kept in touch with the Hattori's ever since.
TAMAYA MS 733 SPICA Sextant SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees Telescope: 4
x 40 Coated optics Frame: Aluminum with bonded bronze arc. Black enamel paint. Micrometer Drum:
reads to 1 min. The venire to 1/6 min. Index Mirror: 57
mm x 42 mm. Horizon Mirror: 57 mm diameter. Shades: 1 caps for telescope's ocular lens 4 shades for;index mirror
3 Shades for horizon mirror Weight: 4 lbs 2 oz In case 10 lbs. Carrying
case: High impact plastic
INCLUDED ARE:
1 Tamaya MS 733 Sextant frame
1 4 x 40 mm Scope
1 Mirror adjustment wrench
2 spare replacement bulb
2 batteries - new
1 sextant case
Buy this fine
quality sextant Now!
For those seeking
more information about the modern marine sextant I suggest they get a copy of a book written in 1975, now out-of-print. The Myths & the Truth about Selecting a Marine Sextant. Cambridge MD: Cornell Maritime Press, 1975. 44pp, 10
illustrations. Topics include scope power, mirrors, shade glasses, theoretical brightness, accuracy, workmanship, accuracy,
comparison of specifications. It is available at the University Library, all locations, of The California State
University for free.
Copyright 2006, Land And Sea Collection, All
rights reserved
