Strange Rolex Submariner dial , 1972 ,

You need to show more of the bracelet, in particular the flip-lock and the clasp code. If original, the flip lock would not have grooves. Not a deal-breaker obviously.

You cant have it both ways. To get a good deal you need to accept an element of risk. If you want absolute certainty you’ll need to buy from a good collector or dealer and pay the associated premium

First, I identify with your enthusiasm and perhaps impatience. Seems like you went in gung ho without preparation and with gleeful abandon. \Bravo

Couple of points, gleaned over a few years experience.

The words reputable and auction house are not usually in the same sentence. I am not criticizing them, rather we should not expect them to be reputable - they are a sales organisation, not your friend. Some individuals will be highly knowledgeable and reputable, but if they are those two things they usually leave to start their own thing.

Second, do not, in a million auctions, expect as a newcomer to buy a correct 10k Euro 1680 beating dealers who know what they are doing, and have been doing it for years, and its all they do. A well seasoned collector might win one, but its going to be a lot of luck as well as probably taking a chance.

Lastly, whats wrong with the OP watch for that price? To me nothing. (better than the other one your friend shows, which to me has no charm at all). True, patina is appreciated by people like me who like odd decay, and many do not. Each to their own. That said, I will echo what others have said, you paid a newbie tax. We all do.

The alternative is to go down to Antoine De Macedo and pay top dollar for something correct, and if you have an issue he will work it out to keep his reputation and profit. (He has lovely watches)

I suggest you wear it and learn. There is nothing like ownership to teach.

It’s a good point about expectations in an auction. Unless it’s a very, very small, local auction house with little/no online presence you’re extremely unlikely to get a bargain on big ticket watches like most Rolex and Speedmasters. You might get lucky with a 34mm Seamaster or less popular models with lower profit margin for dealers but that’s still not that common.

I’m amazed by the prices some auctions achieve for some models. I do wonder whether some dealers who buy large volume have some agreement on buyer premiums as often the total price doesn’t make sense

That is the correct clasp and flip-lock. Sometime in the 80s, the shape of the clasp changed and the flip-lock for the later clasp has two grooves.

It’s a little hard to tell from the photos but I’m not seeing any obvious red flags.