This type of watch - if the chronograph rage continues - will surely only increase in value.
Reverse panda dial and a lauded movement... The price might seem steep now, but it'll seem like a bargain in a year or two.
Not being an expert, but the caseback puzzles me. No hippocampus, engraving looking too thick for age/originality and if going back to mid-50s pre-hippo casebacks, most I have seen have a border round the "Seamaster" text.
There was one (maybe even this one?) not long ago. It sat on timezone for months. Seller wanted $2K usd. I almost went for it, but found another speedy instead. It looks exactly like the same. I think it went on ebay and sold for about $2.6.
Anyway, you've got msnwatch's stamp of approval. It's legit. I think it's in ajjt for what it's worth.