Hi Spencer, I think we share a common issue as newbies and that is over-analysing the pieces. With the wealth of knowledge and attention to detail of experienced members, it can be scary to think that we may be buying a piece that is obviously fake and we don't want that. But maybe we get a bit paranoid and assess them too stringently.
I believe TDs also screen the QC pics and if there are any obvious flaws, they address it with the manufacturers before sending the QC shots to us. They do this to protect their reputation and TD status. But it's still definitely goid for us to conduct our own due diligence as well.
QC at Patek is some of the best in the world, and I believe superior to Rolex overall. I say this as a gen Rolex owner but admitfedly haven't owned a gen Patek. I have handled them in-store but went with a Lange (a decision I now regret to a degree). What I have noticed with the gen Nautilus (in pics) is that the date is either perfectly centred or sits too far to the left. While that appears to be the opposite of your DW, what it does say is that even the watch gods at Patek don't always manage to get it spot on (and that's when paying top dollar).
It has been argued by many experienced rep collector (and even on gen forums) that these high end pieces are hand made (to various degrees) and that minor differences should not be viewed as flaws but as the unique character of the piece. Afterall, hand assembled is more likely not to have the same tight tolerances as a precision machine, right?
I'm in no position to give advice, but I personally used to dislike patinas in metals and leather. I always wanted perfection and was OCD with how I took care of my watches, knives, and leather goods. I have since come to love the character of patinas, wear marks, and tiny discrepancies as they are elements of uniqueness to your item and often each mark has a story behind it. But more important than that is that it shows the item has been used and enjoyed.
I don't think you have to worry about what others think of that DW alignment. I would say it isn't centered but I would also say it isn't a flaw. The main thing is that you love your watch and accept it for what it is: a beautiful watch that YOU will hopefully be proud to wear.
