THREE BENCH SERVICES
Each Service Shaped Around What the Watch Actually Needs
The studio offers three services. No upselling between them — you choose what fits your situation, and the work is done to that scope.
Back to HomeSTUDIO APPROACH
How Work Is Managed at Melakaben Horology
Before any service begins, the piece is examined and the owner is told what has been found. This is not a formality. It shapes what service is recommended and what the owner should expect in terms of timeline and cost. If the piece does not require the service under consideration, that is said plainly.
Once a service is underway, the scope does not change without contact. If disassembly reveals something that was not visible at intake, work stops. The finding is described to the owner, options are discussed, and the revised scope is agreed before anything further is done.
All three services follow a written record system. What was done, what was replaced, and what readings were observed are noted at each stage. The owner receives this record along with their watch.
Examine
Condition assessed before any work is agreed
Attend
Work carried out to agreed scope, owner informed if anything changes
Return
Piece returned with written record and photographic documentation
SERVICE 01
Friction Fit Hand Replacement
A bench service addressing the friction-fitted hands found on the majority of wristwatches. Each hand is inspected for hub deformation. Replacements are sourced to reference-correct specifications where required. Hands are refitted with attention to height and clearance over the dial, and the hour, minute, and seconds hand are confirmed to operate without interference through full rotation.
What This Service Covers
- Hub condition inspection before refitting
- Reference-correct hand selection
- Height and dial clearance verification
- Full-rotation interference check
- Photographic work record included
Process Steps
Intake and visual assessment — condition of existing hands and hub
Source replacement hand/s if required, owner informed of specification
Refit with attention to height stack and dial clearance
Full-rotation test across all three hands
Photographic record completed, watch returned with documentation
PRICE
RM 290
SERVICE 02
Period Reference Movement Overhaul
A specialist overhaul for vintage movement families where components must be sourced with care. The work begins with a review of part availability before disassembly occurs. Full stripping, ultrasonic cleaning, pivot and jewel inspection, mainspring barrel assessment, replacement of fatigued components with period-correct references from the studio's inventory, calibre-appropriate lubrication, reassembly, and multi-position timing follow in sequence.
What This Service Covers
- Part availability confirmed before disassembly
- Full disassembly and ultrasonic cleaning
- Pivot, jewel, and mainspring inspection
- Period-correct component replacement
- Multi-position timing protocol
Process Steps
Part availability review — before any disassembly
Full disassembly; ultrasonic cleaning of components
Inspection of pivots, jewels, barrel, and mainspring
Replace fatigued parts with period-correct sourced components
Calibre-appropriate lubrication; reassembly; multi-position timing
PRICE
RM 1,580
SERVICE 03
Watch Travel Care Notes
A structured informational session covering the practical considerations of travelling with a watch. Topics include altitude effects on water-resistant case designs, magnetic fields at security checkpoints and in electric vehicles, and how heirloom pieces should be transported in checked versus carry-on luggage. The session is informational only — no work is done to the watch. It concludes with a written summary of the points discussed.
Topics Covered
- Altitude and pressure effects on water-resistant cases
- Magnetic exposure at security points and in EVs
- Carry-on versus checked luggage considerations
- Travel-friendly storage options
- Written summary provided at end of session
How the Session Works
Owner describes their travel plans and the watch/es they intend to carry
Studio walks through relevant considerations for those specific pieces
Questions answered in plain language throughout the conversation
Written summary of discussed points prepared and given to owner
PRICE
RM 140
WHICH SERVICE?
Choosing the Right Service for Your Watch
If you are unsure, contact the studio. An assessment conversation before committing to a service is always available and costs nothing.
| Your situation | Hand Replacement RM 290 |
Movement Overhaul RM 1,580 |
Travel Notes RM 140 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A hand has come loose or fallen off | — | — | |
| Hands are misaligned or appear bent | — | — | |
| Vintage watch running poorly or stopping | — | — | |
| Watch last serviced many years ago | — | — | |
| Planning to travel with a valued piece | — | — | |
| Questions about carrying a watch on a flight | — | — |
SHARED STANDARDS
Protocols Applied Across All Services
Photographic Documentation
Images taken at key stages of every service. Owners receive copies. Records are retained on file for one year from the date of service.
Written Work Record
A written note of findings, actions taken, and components used is prepared for every service. Given to the owner at collection along with the watch.
Work Paused for Unexpected Findings
If anything is discovered that falls outside the agreed scope, work stops and the owner is contacted before any decision is made about how to proceed.
Piece Tracking Log
Every watch is logged by serial number or visual reference at intake. Matched to the same record at collection. No piece leaves without being verified.
Owner Data Handling
Contact details and watch information provided at intake are held only for service management purposes and are not shared. Refer to the studio's privacy policy for details.
Honest Turnaround Communication
Expected timelines are stated at intake and updated if circumstances change. Owners are not left to follow up; the studio communicates proactively at each stage.
PRICING
Service Pricing
SERVICE 01
Hand Replacement
RM 290
per watch
- Hub inspection included
- Reference-correct hands
- Photographic record
SERVICE 02 · SPECIALIST
Movement Overhaul
RM 1,580
per movement
- Parts review before work begins
- Full disassembly & cleaning
- Period-correct components
- Multi-position timing
SERVICE 03
Travel Care Notes
RM 140
per session
- Personalised to your travel plans
- No watch work — purely advisory
- Written summary provided
GET STARTED
Not Sure Which Service Fits? Ask First.
A short conversation before committing to a service often saves time for both sides. Contact the studio with a description of your watch and what you have noticed.
Send an Enquiry