Owner Experiences
These accounts come from owners who brought pieces to the studio and were willing to describe what the experience was like. Nothing has been embellished.
← Back to HomeNg Kian Wah
Petaling Jaya · Wheel Train Service
I brought in a 1960s manual-wind that had been losing about four minutes a day. Razif was thorough — he called before starting any additional work when he found a worn pivot that wasn't part of the original scope. The movement came back running within 30 seconds a day and I received a single page of written notes explaining what was found and what was done. That documentation alone was worth the trip.
April 2025
Faridah Zainal
Kuala Lumpur · Bracelet Sizing
I had a bracelet sized here for a watch I inherited from my mother. The studio removed two links and stored the rest in a small envelope with a handwritten note — the bracelet reference and the date. It sounds like a small thing, but it meant a lot given that the watch is a family piece. The fit was exactly right. The only reason I did not give five stars is that the wait was a week rather than the few days I expected, though that seems to be how a quiet studio operates.
April 2025
Amirul Syafiq
Shah Alam · History Session
David led the session and clearly knew the reference well. He brought out two books I had never seen and showed me the exact production sequence my calibre sits in. He was also honest when I asked about value — he said he did not do valuations and suggested a separate route for that. I appreciated the honesty. The session ran slightly over the 90 minutes and he did not rush to end it.
March 2025
Lim Cheng Soon
Ipoh · Wheel Train Service (postal)
I sent a piece from Ipoh after enquiring about the postal process. The studio sent specific packing instructions — not a generic note but actual guidance on the box dimensions and how to immobilise the watch inside. The piece arrived, was serviced within two weeks, and returned in the same careful packaging. I would use them again without hesitation.
March 2025
Renuka Pillai
Bangsar · Bracelet Sizing
Quick and precise. I brought a steel sports bracelet that had never been sized since I bought the watch secondhand, so I had no idea how many links would come off. Siti measured the wrist, explained which links she would remove and why, and the fit was comfortable straight away. The envelope of removed links was a nice touch.
April 2025
Hafizuddin Mansor
Kuala Lumpur · Wheel Train Service
I left a vintage automatic here for the wheel train service. The piece had reduced amplitude and was gaining about two minutes a day. Razif spotted contamination in the gear train during inspection, cleaned it thoroughly, and the piece now runs consistently. The timing verification reading was included in the notes, which gave me something concrete to compare against future checks. Four stars mainly because the price point is at the higher end compared with less specialised shops — though I understand why, having seen how the work is done.
May 2025
Wheel Train Inspection and Cleaning
The owner had a family piece — a Swiss manual-wind from 1971 — that had been gaining three to four minutes per day for several years. It had not been serviced in over a decade. The owner was uncertain whether the issue was in the train or elsewhere and wanted to understand the problem before committing to a full overhaul.
Inspection under magnification revealed heavy contamination throughout the going train and two pivots showing early wear. The studio contacted the owner to explain the pivot findings and agreed on the scope before proceeding. The train was cleaned in a multi-stage bath and pivots lubricated with oils appropriate to the calibre era. Pivot replacements were discussed but deferred at the owner's request.
After service, the movement ran within 15 seconds per day on the calibration stand. The owner received written notes including the pre- and post-service timing readings. The piece was returned within seven working days. The owner decided to monitor the pivot wear over twelve months before deciding on replacement.
"I was not expecting to receive timing data. That made the whole thing feel like a real service rather than a black box."
Bracelet Length Reduction and Link Storage
A father had purchased a steel sports watch for his daughter as a graduation gift. His daughter's wrist was significantly smaller than standard and the bracelet, as delivered, was loose enough to slide uncomfortably. He needed the bracelet sized without losing the links permanently, as he anticipated eventually passing the watch back.
The studio measured the daughter's wrist during the appointment and removed three links symmetrically, confirmed comfortable clasp seating, refitted the spring bars, and packaged the removed links in a labelled archival envelope. The written note on the envelope identified the bracelet model and the date of sizing.
The bracelet fit correctly and the links were retained for future use. The father kept the archival envelope with the watch's documentation. The studio completed the work in the same visit. Total time from arrival to departure was under 45 minutes.
"Keeping the links might sound obvious, but the previous place just discarded them. This time the envelope came back with the watch."
Watch History Conversation Session
A woman had inherited a watch from her uncle — a dress watch she could not identify and about which she knew nothing. She did not want a valuation; she wanted to understand what she had and whether it was worth looking after carefully. She had tried online forums with limited results and wanted to speak with someone who knew the period.
David examined the piece, identified the calibre family from the caseback markings, and located the reference in two published catalogues the studio holds. The session covered the brand's production history during the relevant era, the calibre's characteristics, and how to read the production codes. He was clear about what was documented and what was his interpretation.
The owner left with a clear account of what she held and why it was worth servicing. She subsequently booked a wheel train inspection on the same piece. She said the session changed how she thought about her uncle's watch — from an object of unknown significance to a piece with a traceable history.
"I went in not knowing what I had. I left knowing exactly where this watch sits in the history of the brand."
Phone
+60 3-2071 6849Address
4 Lebuh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00
Sat 10:00–14:00
The studio receives pieces by appointment and by post. Send an enquiry describing what you need and the studio will respond within two working days.
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