I have had a couple of these and did a lot of the research leg work a while back. Your date estimate is about right, the Mere hands ones were the earliest, the casebacks are also a tell as there were 3 versions and 3 case numbers, 41/42, 51/52, 61/62 for the autos depending on size. As you say the autos are much rarer than the quartz ones and the full size rarer than the mid in my experience. Yours looks at first glance to be a full size but the case number you quote is for the middle if my memory serves. Servicing is not too tricky unless you need parts. The movement is an overlier versions of the 1020 ie it is 2892 ETA based so is widely understood but some fo the parts and finishes are unique. The crown on this is correct for the later sword hands versions but the early ones were lobed, there is some cross over though so nothing is set in stone as the watch evolved over about 6 years from 1987-1993.
The bezels on these are un-replacable short of a new case so that is one of the red flags, this looks Ok but I think the price you quote is a little high. That isn't the nicest dial patina I have seen to be honest. I would put a mid size auto at around £750-1000 and a full size at £900-1200 depending on condition, box papers etc.
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