Three Services,
One Considered Approach
Each piece that arrives at the Cogspring bench is assessed on its own terms. The work offered here — bench service, pocket-to-wristwatch conversion, and dial restoration — reflects the range of requests that heritage watch owners bring to the workshop.
How the Workshop Approaches Each Project
Cogspring does not operate as a high-volume repair shop. The bench takes a small number of projects at any one time, so that each movement receives unhurried attention. The process below applies whether a piece is coming in for routine servicing or for a more involved conversion.
Initial Assessment
The movement is examined before any agreement is made. The watchmaker notes the condition of the escapement, mainspring, and dial, then discusses what is feasible with the owner. No work begins without a written summary of the proposed scope.
Owner Consultation
Before any step that cannot be reversed — case polishing, lume reapplication, conversion case fitting — the workshop contacts the owner with photographs and a plain-language explanation. The owner's instruction is recorded.
Bench Work
Components are cleaned ultrasonically where appropriate and by hand where the material calls for it. Mainsprings, jewels, and crystals are sourced from established suppliers. The escapement is regulated on the timing machine and checked across multiple positions.
Quality Check
The reassembled movement is run on the timing machine for a minimum of 48 hours across crown-down, crown-up, and dial-up positions. Rate deviation and amplitude readings are recorded and shared with the owner.
Documentation
Each completed project is accompanied by a service record: photographs of the movement before and after cleaning, timing results, components replaced, and the date of work. This travels with the piece and is useful for any future watchmaker who handles it.
Return & Follow-up
Pieces are returned in a service pouch with written care notes. The workshop is available for follow-up questions within six months of collection at no additional charge. Owners are encouraged to bring the piece back if they notice any irregularity in timekeeping.
Service 01
Pocket Watch Bench Service
A specialist bench service for hand-wound pocket watches of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The case is opened with the appropriate dies and the movement is removed for full inspection. Components are cleaned, mainsprings are evaluated for set and replaced where necessary, and the escapement is regulated.
Hairsprings are checked for true and flat. The dial, hands, and crystal are inspected and cleaned with non-abrasive methods. Cases — often gold-filled or silver — are gently polished only when an owner requests, with care taken to preserve hallmarks and engravings. This service suits owners of family heirlooms wishing to bring an inherited piece back into running order.
What is included
- Full movement disassembly, inspection, and ultrasonic cleaning
- Mainspring evaluation; replacement where elasticity is compromised
- Escapement regulation and timing-machine verification
- Hairspring inspection; dial, hands, and crystal cleaning
- Written service record with before-and-after photographs
Process at a glance
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01
Case opening and movement removalAppropriate case-opening dies used; movement photographed before disassembly.
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02
Component cleaning and assessmentEach part cleaned; worn or fatigued components noted and discussed with the owner.
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03
Reassembly and lubricationMovement reassembled with watchmaker-grade oils applied to specified points only.
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04
Regulation and timingEscapement adjusted; 48-hour timing run across multiple positions.
Service 02
Wristwatch Conversion of Pocket Pieces
A workshop-specific project that adapts a working pocket watch movement into a wristwatch case, allowing owners to wear an heirloom piece. The conversion uses appropriately sized new cases and lugs sourced from established suppliers; the original dial and hands are preserved wherever possible.
The workshop discusses each project with the owner before any step that cannot be undone, and provides a written plan with photographs. The result is a wearable piece that retains the character of its heritage movement. This service suits those who value an inherited timepiece but wish to wear it daily rather than keep it in a drawer.
What is included
- Feasibility assessment — not every movement is suited; the workshop advises honestly
- Case and lug sourcing from established horological suppliers
- Preservation of original dial and hands where condition permits
- Full bench service of the movement included in the project
- Written project plan with photographs at each stage
Process at a glance
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01
Movement assessment and case matchingDiameter, height, and stem position measured to identify compatible cases.
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02
Owner sign-off before orderingCase photographs and specifications shared; owner approves before any purchase.
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03
Movement service and fittingMovement serviced; stem shortened or replaced as needed; fitted into the new case.
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04
Timing, regulation, and final inspectionCase seal checked; timing run completed; strap fitted as agreed with owner.
Service 03
Dial Restoration & Lume Refresh
A workshop service for owners of older watches whose dials have aged less gracefully than their cases. The dial is carefully cleaned using the gentlest methods that will lift surface dust without disturbing the original printing.
Where lume plots have lost luminescence, the workshop discusses conservative reapplication versus preservation of patina — and proceeds only on the owner's instruction. Hands are inspected, straightened where needed, and relumed to match the dial. This service suits owners of mid-century mechanical pieces and tool watches.
What is included
- Non-abrasive dial surface cleaning, preserving original printing and patina
- Owner-directed lume reapplication or patina preservation decision
- Hand inspection, straightening, and colour-matched lume refresh
- Crystal cleaning or replacement where required
- Photographic record of dial condition before and after work
Process at a glance
-
01
Dial photography and condition reportMacro photographs taken; condition of printing, lume, and substrate noted.
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02
Lume consultation with ownerOptions presented; no reapplication without written instruction from the owner.
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03
Cleaning and restoration workSurface dust removed; hands relumed to agreed standard; crystal replaced if required.
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04
Reassembly and reviewDial refitted; final photographs taken; service record prepared for the owner.
Choosing the Right Service
The table below is a starting point. Many owners benefit from a brief conversation before deciding which service suits their piece — the watchmaker is glad to advise without any obligation to proceed.
| Consideration | Bench Service RM 990 |
Conversion RM 2,790 |
Dial Restoration RM 1,420 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement requires cleaning and regulation | — | ||
| Piece is in pocket watch format | — | ||
| Owner wishes to wear the piece daily | — | — | |
| Dial has surface dust or faded lume plots | — | — | |
| Written service record provided | |||
| Photography at each key stage | |||
| Suits mid-century wristwatches and tool watches | — | — | |
| May involve irreversible steps | Minimal | Possible | Possible |
| Best for | Family heirloom pocket watches needing to run again | Inherited pocket pieces the owner wishes to wear | Vintage wristwatches with tired or aged dials |
Workshop Standards
The following protocols apply across all three services. They are not marketing language — they describe how the bench is run from day to day.
Measurement First
No judgment is made about condition from photographs alone. Every piece is assessed in person before any quotation is given.
Owner Authority
No polishing, lume work, or conversion step is carried out without the owner's written agreement. The watchmaker recommends; the owner decides.
Timing Verification
All serviced movements are regulated on a timing machine and run for a minimum of 48 hours. Rate and amplitude results are included in the service record.
Permanent Record
Every project produces a written service record that travels with the piece — useful for future watchmakers and for insurance or estate purposes.
Service Pricing
Prices reflect the time and materials each service requires. There are no hidden charges; the figures below are the bench rate for standard work. More involved cases are discussed before any commitment is made.
Pocket Watch Bench Service
- Full movement disassembly and cleaning
- Mainspring evaluation and replacement where needed
- Escapement regulation and 48-hour timing verification
- Written service record with photographs
Wristwatch Conversion
- Feasibility review and case sourcing
- Full bench service included
- Original dial and hands preserved where possible
- Phased owner sign-off before each irreversible step
- Photographic record throughout the project
Dial Restoration & Lume Refresh
- Gentle non-abrasive dial surface cleaning
- Owner-directed lume decision
- Hand straightening and colour-matched lume refresh
- Crystal replacement if required
All prices in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) · Duration is typical; complex pieces may require more time · Scope quoted before any work begins
A piece worth keeping
is worth a conversation first.
If you are uncertain which service applies to your watch, the workshop welcomes enquiries. Bring the piece in or send a brief description with a photograph — the watchmaker will advise without any pressure to proceed.