About the Studio
Work that speaks
for the movement inside
An independent watch repair studio operating from George Town's heritage quarter — thoughtful work on pieces that matter to their owners.
← Back to HomeThe Studio
rafflesi
rafflesi opened its doors in George Town in 2009, occupying a narrow shophouse along Lebuh Chulia where the neighbourhood's unhurried pace suits the nature of horological work. The studio came out of a straightforward observation: owners of mechanical watches in Penang often had to travel or wait weeks to receive an honest, documented service on a favourite piece.
The approach here has stayed largely unchanged since the first year. One bench. One watchmaker. Work is taken on when there is sufficient time to do it carefully, and the owner is kept informed at each stage. No piece leaves the bench without a timing check, and no service is documented in anything less than a written record.
Over the years the studio has developed a particular familiarity with vintage calibres from Swiss and Japanese manufacturers, the sort of movements that reward careful disassembly rather than rushed replacement. Complications — chronographs, perpetual calendars, world-time references — receive the same methodical attention as a straightforward three-hand movement.
The pre-purchase inspection service grew from conversations with collectors who found themselves uncertain about a pre-owned piece. The report they receive is honest about what the movement and case show, and equally honest about the limits of what can be observed at the bench.
Established
2009
George Town, Penang
Mission
To provide owners of mechanical and quartz wristwatches with careful, documented repair and restoration work — without pressure, without shortcuts.
Values
- Honest assessment before work proceeds
- Written records for every service
- Respect for the piece and its history
- No work without the owner's agreement
The People
Bench Staff
Rais Mazlan
Head Watchmaker
Trained in mechanical horology with a focus on complicated Swiss and Japanese movements. Has operated the rafflesi since the studio's founding.
Lim Hui Shan
Bench Assistant & Client Liaison
Handles client intake, service documentation, and strap fitting. Keeps the studio's reference library and parts catalogue up to date.
Arjun Pillai
Inspection Specialist
Conducts pre-purchase inspection reports and manages photographic documentation. Brings a collector's perspective to condition assessments.
Workshop Standards
How Work Is Conducted
Calibre-Appropriate Lubricants
Movement lubrication follows manufacturer-era guidance and modern horological standards. Vintage calibres receive period-appropriate viscosity grades where available.
Written Service Records
Each service generates a handwritten or printed record noting calibre, parts replaced, lubricants used, and timing results in multiple positions. Owners receive a copy.
Timegrapher Testing
All overhauled mechanical movements are measured on a timegrapher in six standard positions before return. Results are included in the service record.
Secure Storage
Pieces in for service are stored in individual labelled trays, locked overnight, and never kept at the studio longer than necessary once work is complete.
Photographic Documentation
Inspection pieces are photographed at intake and again at completion. Images accompany the written report and can be shared digitally with the owner.
No Unilateral Decisions
If the disassembly reveals something not discussed at intake — a worn part, a surprise — the owner is contacted before that element is addressed. The scope does not expand without agreement.
Studio Notes
On independent watch service in Penang
Mechanical wristwatches are among the few objects in daily use that still reward careful, human attention. The movements inside a mid-century automatic or a column-wheel chronograph were designed to be serviced by hand — disassembled, cleaned, inspected, lubricated, and reassembled with precision. That work cannot be done at scale without compromise, which is why an independent bench, operating at its own pace, remains a sensible choice for owners who want their watches looked after properly.
George Town's position as a regional heritage and travel destination brings a wide range of pieces to the studio. Visitors carrying family heirlooms, collectors resident in northern Malaysia, and buyers considering pre-owned acquisitions all pass through Lebuh Chulia for different reasons. The pre-purchase inspection service in particular has become a useful resource for the local buying community, where the secondhand market for mechanical watches has grown steadily over the past decade.
The studio maintains a working reference archive of movement documentation, service bulletins, and calibre indexes. This is a practical tool rather than a decorative one — when a movement presents a question about parts numbering or a service interval, the answer is usually in the cabinet rather than on a screen.
Bring a Piece In
The bench is open for enquiries
Whether you have a watch needing attention or a piece you would like assessed before purchase, the studio welcomes a conversation.
Send an Enquiry