A workshop in Lebuh Farquhar, working on watches that matter.
Verrik Horal was established to offer repair and maintenance work at a pace the craft deserves — no hurried assessments, no outcomes promised that cannot be delivered.
Back to HomeWhere Verrik Horal began
The workshop opened at 19 Lebuh Farquhar in George Town — a street with its own long association with trade and craft — after years spent working in larger service centres in Kuala Lumpur and, before that, undergoing training in Switzerland. The decision to establish a smaller, independent workshop came from a preference for working at closer quarters with individual pieces rather than processing volume.
Penang suited the purpose well. The city has a population of collectors and a number of residents with watches inherited from family — pieces that have rarely needed attention but, when they do, warrant careful handling. There is no shortage of work for a workshop that takes its time.
The three service areas — dial and hand refinishing, crystal replacement and bezel refitting, and heritage movement rebuilds — represent what the workshop does with consistency and what owners most commonly bring in. Enquiries that fall outside these areas are assessed individually.
What the workshop stands for
The work here proceeds slowly and with documentation. Owners receive a written scope of what will be done before any work begins. Nothing is altered without agreement. Pieces are photographed at intake. Heritage rebuilds are accompanied by a bound dossier.
This approach suits a particular kind of owner — one who cares about the history of the piece and wants it returned in a state that is honest rather than merely presentable. It is not a position suited to owners who need rapid turnaround above all else; for crystal replacement and similar straightforward work, most pieces are back within five working days, but heritage rebuilds take significantly longer.
Pricing reflects the labour and material involved. There are no additional charges introduced after work has begun without discussion and agreement.
The workshop team
Vikram Rajan
HEAD WATCHMAKERTrained in movement restoration and dial work over two decades, with time spent in both KL and Geneva. Manages all heritage movement assessments and complex disassembly.
Nurul Lim
CASE AND CRYSTAL TECHNICIANSpecialises in case work, crystal selection, and pressure testing. Has handled crystal replacement for a wide range of case profiles from diver-rated to dress watches.
Azlan Hashim
DIAL AND HAND SPECIALISTHandles hand lifting, relume work, and surface assessments. Trained in photographic documentation of condition states and carries out pre-work photography for all intake pieces.
Workshop protocols
Written scope at intake
Every piece receives a written description of what is planned before work begins. Owners confirm agreement before the bench is opened.
Macro photography at intake
A full photographic record is made at intake. The set accompanies any condition dossier and is available to the owner on completion.
Pressure testing after case work
Crystal and gasket work is followed by a calibrated pressure test to the case's stated water resistance rating, with results noted in the work record.
Period-appropriate lubrication
Movement lubrication is selected to be appropriate for the calibre's age and construction, not simply the nearest available modern equivalent.
Condition dossier for heritage rebuilds
All heritage movement work is accompanied by a bound document recording every intervention, with macro photography and written notes on each stage.
Secure storage during repair
Pieces in the workshop are stored securely between work sessions. Collection arrangements are discussed at intake for extended jobs.
Watch repair in George Town, Penang
George Town has maintained a tradition of skilled trade in its older streetscapes, and Lebuh Farquhar sits within the UNESCO-listed heritage zone where that tradition is still visible. Verrik Horal occupies a space that suits workshop use — practical, accessible, and not subject to the pressures of high-footfall retail.
The watches most commonly brought to the workshop include pieces from the mid-twentieth century that have passed between generations, and daily-wear watches that have sustained a crack or cloud to the crystal. Heritage pieces from Swiss, German, and Japanese manufacturers make up much of the rebuild work.
Owners in Penang, Kedah, and northern Malaysia are within reasonable driving distance of the workshop. Customers from further afield are welcome to discuss posted intake, with packing and transit discussed at the assessment stage. Insurance arrangements for transit are the responsibility of the owner; we can advise on appropriate methods.
The workshop does not offer servicing for quartz movements as a general rule, though certain diagnostics may be within scope — enquiries on this are welcome and will be assessed individually.
Bring your piece in for an assessment
Assessments are carried out at the workshop. There is no charge for an initial assessment and written scope — you are under no obligation until you agree to proceed.
Contact the Workshop