Our Story
Patience Is the First Tool in Any Watchmaker's Bench
We are Chronofeld — a Johor Bahru atelier where every timepiece receives the time it deserves.
Back to HomeEst. 2009, Johor Bahru
The Atelier Behind the Name
Chronofeld opened its doors on Jalan Wong Ah Fook in 2009 with a simple conviction: that watches — whether worn daily or passed across generations — deserve to be cared for by someone who truly understands them. Our founder, who trained in watchmaking under a certified horologist in Penang before spending several years apprenticing with movement specialists in Switzerland, returned to Johor with both the technical grounding and a deep appreciation for the craft.
Over the years, our client base has grown from local professionals to serious collectors across Johor and beyond. Some bring in watches for a straightforward battery change. Others arrive with heirlooms that have not run in decades, or acquisitions from estate sales that require careful research before a single screw is touched. We approach each situation with the same measured attention.
Our workshop is modest by design. We believe that a quiet, unhurried environment is the right setting for fine watchmaking — and that the relationship between a watchmaker and a client should be built on clear conversation rather than sales pressure.
Our Mission
To extend the working life of mechanical and quartz timepieces through precise, considered care — and to do so in a way that respects both the watch and the person who owns it.
Our Values
Honesty about what a watch needs. Patience with work that cannot be rushed. Transparency in communication. And a genuine respect for the objects entrusted to us.
The People Here
Meet the Watchmakers
Rauf Hamidun
Lead Watchmaker
Formally trained in Penang and apprenticed in Lausanne. Specialises in complex calibers, vintage movements, and Collector's Restoration work.
Lim Yu En
Movement Technician
Handles routine services, quartz calibration, and battery replacement across a wide range of Japanese and Swiss movements.
Siti Nadzirah
Client Relations
The first person you'll speak with at Chronofeld. Coordinates assessments, communicates updates, and ensures every client feels informed throughout.
How We Work
Our Workshop Standards
Pressure & Water Resistance Testing
Case backs are resealed and pressure-tested after every service. We do not return a watch to a client without verifying integrity at the appropriate rating.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement components are ultrasonically cleaned using solutions matched to each material type. No shortcuts that could leave residue in delicate gear trains.
Timing Machine Verification
Every mechanical movement is measured on a timing machine across at least four positions. Rate adjustments are made to meet manufacturer specifications.
Secure Storage
Watches in our care are stored in a locked, climate-controlled environment. Every item is logged on arrival and checked against records at collection.
Work Documentation
Restoration clients receive a written service record. Overhaul clients receive a summary of components inspected and replaced.
Transparent Quoting
We share a clear scope and cost estimate before any work begins. If something unexpected arises during the service, we consult the client before proceeding.
Watchmaking in Johor Bahru: A Considered Craft
Malaysia's southern cities have a long history of skilled trades, and fine watchmaking sits among them — demanding patience, steady hands, and a thorough knowledge of mechanisms that have changed remarkably little over a century. At Chronofeld, we take that heritage seriously. Our work covers Swiss, Japanese, German, and other calibers, ranging from common quartz movements to hand-wound pocket watch escarpments that require careful study before disassembly.
Johor Bahru clients value access to a workshop where they can speak directly with the person carrying out the work. We find that this directness leads to better outcomes: a client who can describe precisely what they have noticed — an inconsistent date change, a mainspring that winds but does not retain power, a crown that has become stiff — gives the watchmaker far more to work with than a written note left with a third party.
Our three service tiers — Essential, Caliber Overhaul, and Collector's Restoration — are designed to match the real range of situations that timepiece owners face. We are also glad to advise those who are unsure which applies to their watch. That conversation costs nothing and helps both sides understand what lies ahead.
Come and See the Workshop
Walk-in assessments are welcome at our Jalan Wong Ah Fook atelier during business hours. We are glad to take a look and share our thoughts.
Get in Touch