Craftsmanship in Every Detail
A workshop built on patience, precision, and respect for horological tradition
Return HomeOur Story
Coppergear began with a simple observation: many timepieces in Johor Bahru were being discarded or poorly serviced when they could have been restored to proper function. The workshop was established to offer an alternative — a place where watches receive careful assessment and appropriate repair, whether they're everyday quartz models or cherished vintage pieces passed through families.
The name Coppergear reflects our approach. Copper is a material that develops character over time, improving with age rather than deteriorating. Gears represent the interconnected precision required in watchmaking. Together, they embody our philosophy: respect for both the mechanical and the temporal, understanding that a watch is more than its technical specifications.
Operating from our location on Jalan Wong Ah Fook, we've built relationships with watch owners who appreciate honest communication about what their timepieces need. Some repairs are straightforward; others require patience and candid discussion about realistic outcomes. We prefer to set appropriate expectations rather than make promises we cannot keep.
Our mission is straightforward: provide competent watch repair and maintenance services while treating each timepiece with care. We acknowledge that we cannot fix everything, but we can usually offer guidance even when a repair is beyond our scope. This honesty, paired with technical capability, forms the foundation of our work.
Our Team
Khor Liang
Founder & Master Watchmaker
With two decades of experience in horological repair, Khor brings patient attention to both quartz and mechanical movements, specialising in vintage calibres.
Azlina Mohamed
Dial Restoration Specialist
Azlina's careful approach to dial rehabilitation preserves the character of aged timepieces while stabilising deterioration and addressing cosmetic concerns.
Raj Thiru
Bracelet & Case Technician
Raj handles bracelet servicing and case refinishing, ensuring that the external components of timepieces receive the same attention as the movements within.
Quality Standards
Proper Equipment
We maintain calibrated tools and testing equipment appropriate for both quartz and mechanical timepieces, ensuring accurate diagnosis and repair.
Documentation
Each service is documented with photographic records where appropriate, particularly for vintage dial work and complex restorations.
Transparent Communication
We provide honest assessments about what can be achieved, estimated timeframes, and costs before beginning work on your timepiece.
Secure Handling
Timepieces are stored securely while in our care, with individual tracking to ensure proper handling from intake to completion.
Expertise and Approach
Watch repair requires a combination of technical knowledge, manual dexterity, and patience. At Coppergear, we've developed competence across various service areas while acknowledging the limits of our capabilities. Quartz movement replacement involves selecting compatible calibres, ensuring proper installation, and verifying timekeeping accuracy. This straightforward process still requires attention to detail regarding dial-feet positioning and hand alignment.
Vintage dial rehabilitation represents more nuanced work. Rather than attempting to make aged dials appear new, we focus on stabilisation and sympathetic enhancement. This means removing accumulated grime without disturbing original printing, addressing deteriorating luminous material, and making careful retouching decisions in consultation with the watch owner. The goal remains preservation rather than transformation.
Bracelet servicing might seem less technical than movement work, but it significantly affects how a watch wears. Stretched links, worn pins, and compromised clasps all diminish the ownership experience. Through disassembly, cleaning, component replacement, and refinishing, we restore bracelets to comfortable functionality while matching the original finish treatment of the case.
Our workshop maintains tools and equipment appropriate for these services. Movement holders, hand-setting tools, ultrasonic cleaners, and refinishing materials are essential for competent work. We also keep reference materials for calibre identification and parts sourcing, recognising that successful repair often depends on access to appropriate components.
Continuing education matters in watchmaking, as techniques evolve and new materials become available. We stay informed about developments in the field while maintaining respect for traditional methods that remain effective. This balanced approach helps us serve both modern quartz watches and vintage mechanical pieces with appropriate care.
Discuss Your Timepiece
Whether you need routine maintenance or have questions about a specific repair, we're available to discuss your watch's needs.
Contact Coppergear