Owner Accounts
What owners say
after collecting their pieces
Accounts from watch owners who have brought work to the rafflesi — unedited in substance, varied in service type.
← Back to Home15+
Years in Penang
800+
Pieces Serviced
4.8
Average Rating
3
Core Services
Client Reviews
From owners who have visited the bench
Khoo Teng Wei
George Town, Penang
Had a vintage Seiko chronograph that had been sitting in a drawer for years — the column wheel wasn't engaging and the reset was stiff. Rais assessed it the same afternoon I dropped it off, explained exactly what was involved, and gave me a written quote before anything was opened. Three weeks later the piece runs beautifully. The service record he provided lists every part touched. That kind of documentation is rare.
April 2025 · Chronograph Overhaul
Siti Rahayu Putri
Butterworth, Penang
Went in for a strap replacement on my husband's watch — a steel bracelet that had stretched considerably. The studio had the correct lug width in stock and resized it while I waited. They also pointed out some wear on the clasp that I hadn't noticed and replaced the butterfly clasp at a reasonable additional cost. Quick, sensible service without any pressure to do more than was needed.
April 2025 · Strap & Bracelet Refit
Darshan Nair
Kuala Lumpur (visiting)
I used the pre-purchase inspection service before committing to a vintage Longines I had been considering from a dealer. The report came back with clear photographs, timing results over 24 hours, and honest notes on the service indicators — signs that the movement hadn't been touched in some time. That information allowed me to negotiate the price down and budget properly for the eventual overhaul. Worth every ringgit.
March 2025 · Pre-Purchase Inspection
Lee Mei Ling
Ipoh, Perak
Brought in my grandfather's pocket watch — technically a pocket watch conversion. It had been stopped for years and I wasn't sure if it was worth repairing. Rais looked at it without charge, identified the issue (a broken mainspring), and gave me an honest picture of the condition. I decided to proceed and the watch now runs within a few seconds a day. The service record he gave me is something I'll keep with the watch.
March 2025 · Mechanical Overhaul
Ahmad Hafizuddin
Alor Setar, Kedah
Sent a watch by post for the pre-purchase report — the studio communicated clearly on packaging requirements and kept me updated. The report itself was thorough. One thing to note: turnaround was closer to a week than the stated three to five business days, which I understand given the studio is a single-person operation. The quality of the report made the wait worthwhile.
April 2025 · Pre-Purchase Inspection
Rajesh Kumar
Penang Hill area
My GMT watch had been losing time and the date was skipping. After the assessment Rais identified a worn date wheel and some dry pivot jewels. He quoted for both issues separately so I could decide on the scope. The timegrapher printout he gave me on collection showed the watch running at plus-four seconds per day across all positions. That kind of transparency is exactly what you want from a watchmaker.
April 2025 · Complication Overhaul
Case Studies
Three pieces, three outcomes
Challenge
1970s Heuer column-wheel chronograph
The chronograph function had stopped resetting cleanly. The start-stop pusher was intermittent and the minutes counter had lost its snap return. The owner had been told by another repairer that replacement column wheels were unavailable.
Solution
Full disassembly confirmed a worn column wheel tooth and a bent resetting hammer. The studio located a compatible new-old-stock column wheel from a parts donor movement sourced from a European supplier. The hammer was straightened and polished. Took four weeks to complete once parts arrived.
Result
Chronograph function fully restored. Timing at +3 seconds per day in crown-up position. Written record documents the parts source, movement reference, and timing results. The owner now has a functioning piece with a service history that supports its value.
"I'd been told it was beyond repair. It wasn't."
Challenge
Pre-owned Rolex Datejust consideration
A buyer in KL was considering a Datejust from an independent seller. The asking price was significant. They wanted an objective condition assessment before committing, particularly regarding the dial's originality and the calibre's service state.
Solution
Pre-purchase inspection conducted over three business days. Caseback opened, calibre inspected and compared against reference data. Dial examined under magnification. 24-hour timing performance recorded. Photographs taken at 12 angles including crown and clasp wear points.
Result
Report confirmed an unoriginal chapter ring replacement and documented service indicators suggesting the movement was overdue. The buyer used the report to negotiate a price reduction of approximately 12%, accounting for the upcoming service cost. Purchase proceeded with full awareness.
"The report paid for itself many times over."
Challenge
Daily wear bracelet — extended travel
An owner returning from two months abroad found their steel bracelet had stretched noticeably during the trip. Several links had play and the clasp was releasing under wrist movement. The bracelet was a discontinued reference with non-standard links.
Solution
Assessment found two loose link pins and a worn clasp spring. The studio fitted new pins and sourced a compatible replacement clasp. Bracelet resized by two links for a cleaner fit. Case exterior cleaned during the service without additional charge.
Result
Same-day turnaround. Total cost within the standard strap service rate. The bracelet now sits securely with no play across any link. Owner noted the case cleaning was an appreciated detail not originally requested.
"Ready to collect the same afternoon."
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Phone
+60 4-2637 8419Address
88 Lebuh Chulia
10200 George Town
Pulau Pinang
Hours
Mon–Fri: 10am–6pm
Sat: 10am–4pm
Sun: Closed
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