Workshop Ledger · Testimonials
What owners say after the work is done
Accounts from watch owners who brought pieces to the Corvane Works bench — in their own words, as accurately as we can represent them.
← Workshop IndexFrom owners
Hafiz Zainal
Ipoh, Perak
Brought in a Heuer calibre 12 that had been sitting in a drawer for years. The reset action was sticky and the elapsed time hand would slip on the column wheel. Ruzaini walked me through what he found before starting. The report that came back with the watch described every part that was replaced and included rate data from each position. Pusher feel now is noticeably better than before it broke.
Chronograph Mechanism Service · June 2025
Lim Yoke Chun
Taiping, Perak
My father's collection came to me through his estate — seven pieces, ranging from a 1960s Seiko to a late-1980s Swiss dress watch we couldn't identify. I had the estate documentation service done on six of them. The report is thorough and well-presented. Three of the references were ones I hadn't been able to find online. The turnaround was about four weeks. I will say the pricing felt significant at first, but given the weight of the document that came back, it seems appropriate.
Estate Documentation · May 2025
Nur Syafiqah
Ipoh, Perak
Needed a strap fitted on a watch where the lug width is between standard sizes. Most places told me to buy a different strap. Azlan measured the case properly and found a rubber option that works well. The spring bars that had been in before were underrated for that deployant clasp — he pointed that out before fitting. Quick appointment, done the same morning.
Strap Fitting · June 2025
Ravindran Nair
Kampar, Perak
Had a Valjoux 7750 that wouldn't hold time after winding. Brought it to Corvane Works expecting a simple service but Ruzaini identified a damaged keyless works component during teardown. He contacted me before ordering the part. Total time was six weeks, which is as stated for this kind of job. The piece is running well now.
Chronograph Mechanism Service · May 2025
Tan Kok Wai
Teluk Intan, Perak
I was initially uncertain about leaving the watch given the duration quoted. Five to eight weeks is longer than what I have encountered elsewhere. But the communication during the service was good — one message partway through with an update — and the piece came back with a printed record that covered the parts replaced and the rate figure recorded over four days. I would use the workshop again for the same kind of work.
Chronograph Mechanism Service · June 2025
Faridah Ahmad
Ipoh, Perak
My grandmother left three watches. I was not sure what they were or whether they were worth attending to. The documentation service answered those questions clearly. The report was detailed — one of the pieces turned out to be a more interesting calibre than the case suggested. No pressure to do any further work, which I appreciated. Suraya prepared the written document and it is well-structured.
Estate Documentation · May 2025
Detailed accounts
Case Study 001 · Chronograph Service
A column-wheel calibre with failing reset function
Challenge
A vintage chronograph arrived with the reset pushpiece returning inconsistently — sometimes resetting cleanly, sometimes requiring two presses. The elapsed-time hand would occasionally stop mid-cycle. The owner had used the watch regularly for years and was uncertain whether the movement had ever been properly serviced.
Process
Full teardown revealed a worn reset hammer spring and debris around the column-wheel detent. The coupling clutch showed wear consistent with the movement's age. All chronograph components were cleaned, the worn spring replaced, and reset depth readjusted. Base movement serviced simultaneously. 72-hour check completed.
Outcome
Reset function restored, consistent across all ambient temperatures tested. Rate within ±8 seconds per day across three positions. Total service time: 6.5 weeks. Owner received written record covering all replaced parts and the regulation data from each day of the post-service check.
"I hadn't expected to receive a document describing the watch's performance in that much detail. It answered questions about the calibre I'd been carrying around for years." — H.Z., Ipoh
Case Study 002 · Estate Documentation
Six estate watches with incomplete histories
Challenge
A family submitted six watches from an estate, ranging across three decades of production. None had original documentation. Two were running; four were not. The family wanted to understand what they had before deciding how to proceed.
Process
Each piece was photographed at high magnification before handling. Calibres identified for five of the six pieces by reference number and movement marking. Dial and hands assessed for originality on all six. Function tested where possible; rate recorded. All findings compiled into individual entries within a single bound report.
Outcome
Report delivered at four weeks. One piece identified as carrying a dial not original to the case — noted factually without judgement. Two pieces assessed as needing significant work to return to running order; the care assessment was described plainly without recommending a course of action. Family received digital archive and bound printed document.
"The report identified a reference I had not been able to find anywhere. That alone made the service worthwhile for us." — L.Y.C., Taiping
Case Study 003 · Strap Fitting
Non-standard lug width and a worn deployant
Challenge
A piece with a 19mm lug width came in with a strap that had been force-fitted at 20mm and was putting uneven load on the lug holes. The spring bars installed were undersized for the deployant clasp the owner wanted to use.
Process
Lug width and thickness measured. Available leather and rubber options at 19mm assessed for case compatibility. Spring bars rated for the deployant selected from stock. Lug holes inspected — wear noted on one side, documented in writing. Strap and correctly rated spring bars fitted.
Outcome
Fitting completed in one appointment. Lug wear noted in the fitting record provided to the owner for future reference. Owner advised that the lug hole condition was worth monitoring. Deployant sits securely with correctly rated spring bars.
"The attention to the spring bar rating was something I hadn't considered. I've had straps fitted elsewhere where that wasn't discussed at all." — N.S., Ipoh
Corvane Works
Workshop · Ipoh, MY
Telephone
+60 5 2417 8362Address
41 Jalan Sultan Idris Shah
30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Workshop Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Workshop credentials
15+
Years of mechanical watch bench work
3
Defined services with written scope
72h
Post-service check on every chronograph
4.7
Average rating from completed services
Column-wheel chronograph specialism
Dedicated focus on column-wheel and cam-lever calibres. The workshop does not take on work it cannot complete well.
Estate documentation practice
Suraya Lim brings archival training to the estate documentation service — this is not a general repair assessment adapted for estates.
Ipoh, Perak — in-person appointment available
Owners may visit the workshop at 41 Jalan Sultan Idris Shah for drop-off, collection, or prior discussion.
Next Step
Have a watch that needs the same consideration?
Send a brief description of the piece and what you have observed. We will respond directly and honestly about whether the work is within our scope.