What should I do with this Omega?

[rlg43p]

I am a watch novice so please excuse some fairly basic questions.

This watch was my father's, given to him for 25 years of employment/service at Shell. It still keeps very good time and I like to wear it.

However the inside of the glass will mist up and I wonder if it should be serviced. It is from 1976 and I don't know if it has ever had any maintenance. I have had a look online and the suggestion is that a service will cost around £450 - I am not sure the watch is even worth that much...

Should I get it serviced?
Is it worth getting it serviced as it isn't one of the most valuable types of watch?
How much should I expect to pay?
How to I choose the best place to get a service performed? (I live near Stratford-on-Avon)

Any advice gratefully received.

Edited by rlg43p on Saturday 12th September 15:44

[rlg43p]

Thanks to all for your advice. I will call in to Christopher Poel in Stratford and see what they have to say.

[rlg43p]

Update: I went to Christopher Poel today. He tested the watch and said it didn't need servicing, He put it on some device to test the amplitude of its movement (?) and was amazed that it was still as good as some new watches. Said it was a mark of how good these old Omega watches were.

He gave me some advice as to how to take care of it and remove the moisture and supplied a nice new strap.

Thanks for the recommendation Dolf Stoppard

[rlg43p]

GC8 said:

If it mists up it will be scrap sooner rather than later.

Terrible advice.

He was concerned about the moisture I mentioned but advised on how I could get rid of it and prevent recurrence. I would stress it isn't permanently misted up.

[rlg43p]

mikeveal said:

You don't need a new strap and advice. You need it serviced and you need it serviced sooner rather than later.

But feel free to ignore the unanimous advice you're being given here. Its your heirloom, and if you're happy to let it deteriorate for the sake of a few quid, then that is your business.

Just don't say that you weren't warned.

Who says I am ignoring the advice?

As it happens I have done exactly what has been recommended both before and since the initial recommendation and visit to the shop in Stratford.

What makes you think it's OK to be such a sanctimonious *****?

Edited by rlg43p on Monday 26th October 20:15

[rlg43p]

Lord Marylebone said:

Out of interest, who did you choose for the servicing in the end?

As suggested the watch is off to Anglesey.

[rlg43p]

mikeveal said:

I was not being sanctimonious, that's your inference and your assertion, not my intent.

Now that's cleared up, I'll answer the essence of your question. Weirdly I actually care that the watch is kept looking as good as it does. I mistook your lack of posting for a lack of action and tried to bring home the consequences of such inaction. From your reaction, I gather the message was effective whether or not it was required.

[sanctimonious] There's no need to thank me, you're very welcome.[/sacntimonious]

Whether or not you intended it the post was clearly sanctimonious and derogatory. You assumed without any justification that I had ignored the advice given.

Your post was not "effective" because it had no effect other than to offend.

The conversation with Anglesey Watch had already taken place prior to your "contribution" and the decision taken to send it there had already been made.