These are accounts from clients across Penang and the Peninsula who have used the workshop for crystal work, movement overhauls and longer restoration projects.
← Back to HomeI dropped off an old Seiko 5 that had been sitting in a drawer for several years — it had stopped and the crown felt gritty. Ticklore gave me a written quote before touching it and kept to the timeline they described. The watch runs well now, and they gave me a proper timing report showing the figures before and after. I appreciated that — it meant I could see what had actually changed.
The crystal on my mother's dress watch had a deep scratch from a fall. I had taken it to two other places first and neither could source the right piece. Ticklore measured it and came back with the correct mineral crystal within a week. The fitting was clean and they replaced the crown tube at the same time because it had become loose. Wait time was reasonable — about six working days from drop-off to collection.
My father's Omega — an old automatic from the early 1970s — had not run in at least ten years. I knew it would need a full service and possibly case work too. Ticklore assessed it first and sent a written report before proposing what they could do. They were honest that the dial had some marks that they could not improve without risking the patina, and they recommended leaving it. I found that more reassuring than if they had promised everything.
I had not expected a workshop to document things so carefully. For my grandmother's watch — a small Swiss piece from the 1960s — they sent photographs at each stage of the work and the final folder they gave me is something I will keep with the watch going forward. The whole project ran about twelve weeks, which felt right for the amount of work involved. I was kept informed throughout.
Straightforward experience. I had a Tissot Powermatic that was losing about four minutes a day. The overhaul brought it to within thirty seconds per day, which is about what I expected for a budget automatic at its age. The power reserve is now a solid 38 hours where before it would stop overnight. They quoted a six-week timeline and finished in just under seven — the extra week was for a mainspring they had to order, which they told me about in advance.
The crown on my Longines had broken off entirely. I was not sure if the case could be saved or if the tube would need replacing. Ticklore replaced both the crown and the tube, re-tested the resistance, and gave me a note of what specification of crown had been fitted. The whole thing was done in five working days and the watch is perfectly watertight again. Good communication throughout — I knew what was happening at each step.
The client's daily-wear Seiko had begun stopping after about eight hours of wear, where the published specification calls for 40+ hours of reserve. The crown also felt slightly rough on winding — not seized, but not smooth either.
Full movement strip, ultrasonic clean and inspection. The mainspring had taken a permanent set and could not deliver full tension. The winding mechanism showed worn reverser wheels. Both were replaced. Movement rebuilt and regulated across six positions.
Post-service timing: +8 seconds per day flat. Power reserve at 48 hours: 41 hours measured. Client collected the watch seven weeks from intake. Timing report issued with both before and after figures.
The watch had not run since the early 2000s. The case showed deep scratches on the lower lugs. The dial had some oxidation but also a warm patina the family wanted preserved. The crown tube was cracked on one side.
Assessment week first. Written proposal agreed in stages: movement service, lug refinishing (polished faces only, to preserve case shape), crown and tube replacement, and a made-to-measure lizard strap in brown. Dial cleaning was discussed and declined by the client to protect the patina — this was recorded in the agreement.
Project completed in 14 weeks. Movement running at +12 seconds per day. Power reserve 36 hours. Client received the archival folder with assessment report, stage photographs, signed agreements and timing figures. The watch is now worn regularly.
A side impact had shattered the crystal. Fragments had entered the bezel channel, and the watch had been worn briefly with the case open to dust. The crown was intact but the client wanted it checked while the case was open.
Aperture measured. Sapphire replacement crystal sourced to the correct specification. Bezel channel cleaned of glass fragments. Case cleaned. Crown and gasket inspected — crown was found to be fine; only the gasket was replaced. Resistance tested on completion to the case's 10 ATM rating.
Case completed in six working days (one day for parts, five for the work and test). Resistance test passed. Written specification note issued. Client noted that previous attempts to source the crystal locally had failed — the correct aperture measurement made the difference.
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