Our Story
Work done with time and attention
Escapement is a small atelier in Petaling Jaya. We handle mechanical watches the way they were meant to be handled — carefully, and without shortcuts.
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How Escapement began
Escapement grew from a single watchmaker's bench in Petaling Jaya. The name refers to the small mechanism at the heart of every mechanical movement — the part that regulates the release of energy, tick by tick. It felt like an honest name for work that depends on patience and precision.
The atelier opened its doors in 2014 with one focus: mechanical and vintage watches that deserve careful attention. Over the years that scope has remained intentionally narrow. We do not take on every piece that arrives; we take on pieces where we can do the work properly and share the process openly with their owners.
Our current services — a visual review, a lume refresh, and a full heritage workshop engagement — reflect the kinds of requests we see most often, and the kinds of work we do well. Each involves the owner at every meaningful stage. We do not proceed in the dark.
The atelier is located at 22 Persiaran Surian, a quiet address in the Petaling Jaya area that suits the pace of the work. Visits are by arrangement, and most enquiries begin with a short note describing the piece.
Our approach
We share written observations and photographs at each stage of a project. Nothing proceeds without the owner's word. This is not a standard we adopted to differentiate ourselves — it is simply how we think watch repair should work.
Our scope
We work with mechanical hand-wound and automatic movements, with a particular interest in vintage and heritage pieces. Cases, dials, hands, and luminous material fall within our scope alongside the movement itself.
Our location
The atelier is at 22 Persiaran Surian, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Visits are arranged in advance. We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00.
The People
At the bench
Razif Hamdan
Principal Watchmaker
Trained in mechanical horology with over sixteen years at the bench. Razif leads the Heritage Workshop Engagements and oversees all movement work at the atelier.
Suraya Nor
Dial & Lume Specialist
Suraya focuses on dial surfaces and luminous material. She handles all Lume Refresh work and contributes to the visual review process with a careful eye for finish condition.
Farouk Ismail
Client Liaison & Parts Research
Farouk manages owner communication and sources period-appropriate parts for heritage projects. He ensures that every client receives timely updates and photographs at each stage.
Standards
How we work
These are the principles we hold ourselves to on every piece that passes through the atelier.
Transparent scope and pricing
Before any work begins, we confirm the scope and the price. There are no additions without prior discussion and agreement.
Piece security and handling
Each piece in our care is logged on arrival and stored securely. Parts removed during service are retained and returned with the watch unless agreed otherwise.
Owner approval at decision points
We pause before major steps that affect the watch's character or condition, share our observations, and wait for a response before proceeding.
Period-appropriate parts sourcing
For vintage and heritage pieces, we look for components that suit the watch's era and character. Where original parts are unavailable, we discuss options before sourcing alternatives.
Client data handled with care
Contact details and watch records are used only for the purpose of the service engagement and are not shared with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Written records for every project
Heritage workshop engagements include a written record of the work carried out. This document is returned with the piece and serves as a reference for future owners or servicers.
Our Values
What the atelier stands for
Mechanical watches occupy an unusual position among objects. They are functional instruments that require attention over time, and they often carry personal meaning — a piece handed down, a purchase made on a significant occasion, something worn daily for years. The care they receive should reflect that.
At Escapement, we proceed on the assumption that the owner knows their piece and has a view on how it should be handled. Our role is to bring technical knowledge and steady hands to the work, and to communicate clearly at every stage so that the owner remains involved and informed.
We work with vintage and contemporary mechanical pieces, from simple hand-wound movements to more complex calibres with additional functions. The range of our services — visual review, lume refresh, and heritage workshop engagement — is deliberately modest. We have chosen depth over breadth, and we think that shows in the quality of the work.
The atelier is based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and serves owners across the Klang Valley and beyond. Enquiries arrive by email and telephone, and most projects begin with a short conversation about the piece and what the owner has in mind.
Get in Touch
Bring your watch to the atelier
Whether you are considering a visual review for an inherited piece or a full heritage engagement for an older mechanical watch, we are glad to hear from you.
Send an Enquiry