Reasons to Choose
What a careful bench
offers that others do not
An honest account of what sets rafflesi apart from general repair shops and mail-order service centres.
← Back to HomeAt a Glance
Core advantages of the Tickwright approach
Single watchmaker throughout
The person who takes in your watch is the same person who services it and returns it.
Written record with every service
Parts, lubricants, timing results — all documented. Useful for maintaining service history on valued pieces.
Vintage calibre reference library
On-bench documentation for older Swiss and Japanese movements. Not internet searches — paper archives.
Owner consent at every stage
Work scope does not expand without a conversation. No surprises at collection.
Timegrapher results included
All mechanical overhauls include multi-position timing checks. The numbers travel with the service record.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Service prices are published. What you are quoted is what you pay unless the scope changes with your agreement.
Expertise
Fifteen years of bench work in Penang
rafflesi has operated since 2009. That span covers a range of movements — from entry-level automatics to complicated vintage chronographs — and the accumulated familiarity shows in how quickly a diagnosis is reached and how accurately work is scoped.
- Mechanical and quartz movement experience
- Familiarity with major Swiss and Japanese calibre families
- Specialist knowledge of column-wheel chronograph mechanisms
15+
Years Operating
800+
Pieces Serviced
3
Core Services
1
Bench, One Maker
Service Process
- 01Initial assessment — watch examined, issue noted, scope discussed
- 02Quote provided and agreed before work begins
- 03Disassembly, cleaning, parts inspection
- 04Lubrication, reassembly, adjustment
- 05Timegrapher testing, service record written
- 06Owner notified, collection arranged
Process
A method that does not skip steps
Each service follows the same sequence regardless of whether the piece is a modern diver or a mid-century pocket watch movement fitted to a wristwatch case. The discipline of the process is what produces consistent results.
Client Experience
Communication that respects your time
Owners are not chased for a decision, and the studio does not push work. When the assessment is complete you receive a description of what was found and an honest account of what addressing it involves. You decide what proceeds.
- Assessment communicated before any work starts
- Progress updates for longer-duration overhauls
- Collection at owner's convenience
Value
Pricing that reflects the work, not the brand
Service prices are set by the complexity of the work, not by the name on the dial. A strap refit on a vintage piece is the same price as on a modern one. An overhaul quote covers the described scope — if additional work is needed, a separate conversation happens first.
- Strap & Bracelet Refitfrom RM 120
- Chronograph OverhaulRM 2,950
- Pre-Purchase InspectionRM 380
Comparison
rafflesi vs. General Repair Shops
| Feature | General Repair Shops | rafflesi |
|---|---|---|
| Written service record provided | ||
| Same person assesses and services the watch | ||
| Timegrapher results shared with owner | ||
| Vintage calibre reference archive on-bench | ||
| Scope confirmed before work proceeds | Sometimes | |
| Published pricing by service type | ||
| Pre-purchase condition report available |
Distinctive Features
What you will not find elsewhere
The Bench Archive
The studio maintains a physical reference library covering vintage calibre families, service manuals, and parts indexes accumulated over fifteen years. When an unusual movement arrives, the reference material is on the shelf rather than retrieved from a forum post.
The Inspection Report
The pre-purchase inspection report is a structured document, not a verbal opinion. Photographs, timing results, and condition observations are assembled into a written record the buyer can keep — a useful document for the resale chain if the piece is sold later.
No Hand-Offs
Work taken in stays at one bench. There are no subcontractors, no parts sent elsewhere for servicing, and no communication through intermediaries. The watchmaker you speak to is the one with your watch in front of them.
Timegrapher Data on Request
Owners who want to see the raw timegrapher readings — beat error, amplitude, rate deviation — can request them. The data is recorded as part of every overhaul and shared without hesitation.
Milestones
Studio recognitions and history
George Town Heritage Business Network
Member since 2012
Penang Horological Society
Associate member, 2015
800+ Pieces Returned
Since 2009, across 3 services
Penang Tourism Board
Listed heritage craft studio, 2019
Next Step
Bring a piece to the bench
Describe the watch and what it needs. The studio will respond with an honest view of the work involved and the cost.
Request an Assessment