Can this watch be saved?

[jfp2476]

I'll try to make this short, but it does require some backstory.

My grandfather was a great guy, and loved a good bet. In 1960, he took a bet with a friend, for, you guessed it--the outcome of the Presidential election. The loser would have to buy the winner this Omega Seamaster, which they had both seen in the window of a local jeweler. Upon Kennedy's election, my grandfather received the watch and wore it in good health for many years.

After he passed away, it was handed down to my father, who also wore it regularly. Unfortunately, the caseback began having problems--the gold was literally wearing away. Over the years he took it several times to a jeweler, who told him it had to do with the pH of his skin (no idea if this is true), and he (the jeweler) would fill the caseback with new gold on occasion.

When my father passed away in the early 2000's, the watch came to me. I didn't do anything with it for a while (the caseback literally has a hole worn in it) but eventually took it to a reputable watchmaker in Boston about 4 years ago, who advised I shouldn't wear the watch, ever. And that a new caseback couldn't be sourced. And he was horrified that the previous jeweler had filled it with gold and let my dad carry on.

I dot care about valuation on this watch (it's invaluable as far as I'm concerned) but I would like to wear it occasionally. It runs like a champ and is in (I think) good enough aesthetic condition to wear if the caseback were fixed and I got a new strap.

Any ideas on what can be done? Also, I know these are terrible pictures. I can try to do better, but my phone is all I've got and I can't seem to find any macro settings.

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