What clients say when they pick up their watch.

Challenge

A 1970s Seiko automatic — unworn for 15 years

A collector brought in a vintage Seiko 5 that had been in storage since 2009. The movement had seized and the crystal was heavily scratched. The original bracelet links were corroded at the pins.

Solution

Full movement service including ultrasonic cleaning, mainspring and keyless works inspection, and re-lubrication. Crystal replaced with a period-matched mineral glass. Bracelet pins replaced and bracelet restored to working condition. Original hands and dial cleaned conservatively — patina preserved.

Result

Movement running within +6 seconds per day on timing machine at collection. Work completed in four weeks. Owner chose to keep original crystal (with scratches) in the end — we had the replacement ready but they preferred the aged look. That kind of decision is always the owner's to make.

"I wasn't expecting it to look or run this well. The patina is exactly as it was."

Challenge

An everyday quartz — stopped mid-day, intermittently

A client's daily-wear Casio had been stopping intermittently for about three months — sometimes for minutes, sometimes for hours. New batteries from a previous shop hadn't helped. The owner assumed it was beyond repair.

Solution

Assessment revealed oxidised battery contacts rather than a movement fault. Contacts cleaned, new battery fitted with correct cell type, and case resealed. Simple Care Visit — no movement work required. Owner was told exactly what was found and why the previous battery change hadn't resolved it.

Result

Watch running consistently since collection in June 2025. Cost was the Simple Care Visit rate — no additional charges. The client had expected a more expensive diagnosis. That's how it should work: we charge for what the job is, not what it could have been.

"I thought it was finished. The fix was something so small — and they explained the whole thing clearly."

Challenge

A family Longines — passed down without documentation

A family in Kota Kinabalu brought in a Longines piece estimated to be from the 1950s. The case was tarnished, the dial had moisture damage, and the movement was running approximately eight minutes slow per day. No provenance papers existed.

Solution

Cabinet Piece Restoration over six weeks. Movement fully serviced including hairspring inspection. Dial conserved rather than re-dialled — the discolouration was accepted as part of the piece's history. Case polished conservatively. Strap matched to approximate period style. All decisions taken with the family at each stage.

Result

Movement running at +4 seconds per day at collection. The family now has a full written record of the watch's condition and all work performed — something they can pass on with the piece. The restoration document adds a chapter to the history the watch already carries.

"The service record alone meant a lot to us. We'll keep it with the watch."