From Owners Who Brought Their Watches In
What Clients Say About the Bench
Reviews from people who left a watch with us and waited. We are grateful they took the time to write them down.
Back to Home15
Years at the bench
340+
Watches serviced
4.8
Average satisfaction
100%
With written bench note
Owner Feedback
Client Reviews
Ahmad Karim
George Town, Penang
Brought in a Seiko quartz that had been sitting in a drawer for about four years. The current draw reading was apparently quite high, which Reuben explained meant the module was working harder than it should even on a fresh cell. He replaced the cell, cleaned the contacts, and fitted new gaskets. The written note he gave me was more detailed than I expected — actually explains what the current draw numbers mean so I can compare at the next service.
July 2025 · Quartz Module Service
Lim Chin Wei
Butterworth, Penang
The chronograph service took about six weeks, which is longer than I'd have liked, but the result is significantly better than before. The reset function on my Heuer had been drifting — returning to about two seconds rather than exactly zero. After adjustment it returns cleanly. I did have to wait a while for an update communication in the middle of the service, but they responded once I followed up.
July 2025 · Chronograph Service
Siti Rahimah
Georgetown, Penang
I had my late mother's dress watch conservatively cleaned — kept all the original lume and the honest wear on the case. The discussion before the work started was thorough, and Nurul was clear about what conservative cleaning would and wouldn't change. They sent me a photograph set before and after. The watch looks respectfully cared-for without looking like something that came off a production line last week.
August 2025 · Dial & Hand Refinishing
Tan Hong Seng
Penang Hill area
Three quartz watches serviced here over the past year. Each one came back with the written note, which I've started keeping with the box and papers for each watch. Simple detail but it adds something — like having a proper service history rather than just knowing the battery was changed at some point. Quick turnaround on all three, two to three days as stated.
July 2025 · Quartz Module Service (×3)
Krishnaswamy Mani
Bayan Lepas, Penang
My vintage Zenith El Primero had amplitude issues whenever the chronograph was running — noticeable losing about 40–45 degrees when engaged. The timing traces before and after make it easy to see what changed. The turnaround was five weeks, which was within the quoted range. Price was as stated. Reuben's written account of the clutch adjustment was unusually specific for a workshop note, which I appreciated.
August 2025 · Chronograph Service
Yew Fung Lai
Tanjung Tokong, Penang
Had the dial on a 1970s dress watch fully refinished with reprinted markers. The consultation process was longer than I expected — samples, discussions, sign-off on the brief — but I understand why they do it that way. The result matched the reference photographs we agreed on. The duration was eleven weeks, which is on the longer side of the quoted range, though they were straightforward about why when I asked.
July 2025 · Dial & Hand Refinishing
Detailed Accounts
Service Case Studies
Case 01 — Chronograph Complication
A 1980s Heuer Autavia with Intermittent Clutch Failure
The Problem
The chronograph would start cleanly about seven times in ten, but on three of those attempts the centre seconds hand would stutter immediately after engaging and then stop moving. The reset function worked reliably, but the chronograph hand was returning to approximately 1.5–2 seconds rather than dead zero. The owner had owned the watch for twelve years and had not had the movement serviced.
What Was Done
Full calibre strip, ultrasonic cleaning, and re-lubrication with appropriate lubricants at each complication point. The clutch showed wear on the mating surfaces — cleaned and adjusted but not replaced. Reset hammer spring tension was adjusted. Heart piece examined; surface condition adequate, alignment corrected. Timing traces taken in six positions with chronograph both engaged and disengaged before and after service.
The Result
Clutch engagement reliable on all starts across fifty test cycles. Chronograph hand returning within 0.2 seconds of zero on reset. Post-service traces showed amplitude improvement of approximately 28 degrees when chronograph engaged. The owner received the before-and-after trace printouts with the bench note. Duration: 5 weeks, 3 days.
"The clutch problem had been there since I bought the watch secondhand. I'd just assumed it was a feature. Apparently not."
— Penang collector, Chronograph service, July 2025
Case 02 — Dial and Hand Refinishing
A 1960s Omega Constellation With Deteriorated Lume
The Problem
The tritium lume on the hour markers had flaked away from three of the twelve positions, and the hands showed differential ageing — the minute hand significantly more faded than the hour hand. The dial itself was in good condition. The owner's objective was to have the watch look as it would have done perhaps ten years after manufacture, not as-new. Conservative work only — no full refinishing.
What Was Done
Written brief agreed and signed: conservative approach only, preservation of existing patina, lume infill on the three affected markers to match aged tone rather than fresh white. Reference photographs taken of all twelve positions before work began. Colour samples for the lume infill were presented and approved. Hands treated to equalise ageing appearance. Dial surface gently cleaned; no re-printing of any elements.
The Result
The three repaired marker positions are indistinguishable from the nine original positions in ambient light. The hands now present consistently. The dial patina is unchanged. Complete before-and-after photography set with colour reference notes provided. Movement rate confirmed within ±8 seconds per day across six positions on completion. Duration: 9 weeks.
"The sign-off process felt bureaucratic at first. By the end, having the photographs and the brief document with the watch made sense. It's a record of decisions."
— George Town, Dial refinishing, August 2025
Case 03 — Quartz Module Service
A Citizen Eco-Drive Drawing Abnormal Current
The Problem
The watch was an Eco-Drive that the owner believed was functioning normally. It had been serviced elsewhere roughly eighteen months earlier. A preliminary current draw check during intake showed consumption approximately three times the expected specification figure, indicating a developing module fault rather than a simple charge depletion issue. The watch was still running, but not for much longer at that draw rate.
What Was Done
Current draw confirmed on the meter at intake. Case opened, contacts cleaned, capacitor charge checked. The previous service had not renewed the terminals, which showed corrosion consistent with the elevated draw. Terminals cleaned thoroughly, contacts re-examined, capacitor assessed as adequate. Gaskets renewed. Case resealed and pressure tested. Post-service current draw measured at correct specification.
The Result
Current draw returned to specification after terminal cleaning. No module replacement required. The owner had come in expecting a routine cell renewal and left understanding why Eco-Drive pieces need periodic contact cleaning even though they have no conventional cell. Bench note included the before-and-after draw figures. Turnaround: 2 working days.
"I didn't know the watch had a problem. The intake check found it. That detail alone was worth the visit."
— Butterworth, Quartz module service, July 2025
Find the Bench
Contact Details
Phone
+60 4-263 8194Address
17 Lorong Toh Aka
10100 George Town
Pulau Pinang
Bench Hours
Tue–Fri: 10 am–6 pm
Sat: 10 am–4 pm
Sun & Mon: Closed
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