Dan S
·Okay, good to know. So if I were to replace the crystal, could I get a new genuine Omega crystal with the correct symbol, or don't they make them for my type of watch anymore? Then I could perhaps argue (to myself) that I'm actually bringing it closer to it's original form.
On a different note, you mentioned in your first answer that I shouldn't do anything myself. I will definitely not try to service the watch myself, and now I know that I should avoid polishing it too, but how far should I take this? Can I replace the strap myself? Can I do some very light cleaning once in a while, like wiping off fingerprints with a piece of soft cloth?
These may seem like stupid questions, but I've never rally handled anything like this before and I want to make sure that I develop good habits so that I can keep it in a good condition for many years in the future.
Not stupid questions, actually. Absolutely you can wipe the watch down with a soft cloth. For now, I'd suggest having the watchmaker install your strap. Many people change straps regularly, but I have also seen inexperienced people scratch the crap out of the lugs as the clumsily try to change the strap, and this is especially true with a gold case. I recommend that you buy a good tool (e.g. Bergeon spring-bar tool) and practice changing the strap on a cheap watch that you don't care about; you will see that it takes a bit of dexterity. After some practice, you will probably feel comfortable changing the strap yourself.