Our Story
A workshop built on
patience and precision.
Jam Permata has served watch owners in Kuala Lumpur since 2008, giving each timepiece the unhurried attention it warrants.
Back to HomeWho We Are
About Jam Permata
Jam Permata began as a small bench operation in Lorong Ampang in 2008. The founder, Encik Farid Ismail, had spent years studying under a senior watchmaker in Penang before returning to Kuala Lumpur with the intention of doing thorough, careful work rather than quick-turnaround servicing.
Over the years the workshop grew steadily — not through advertising, but through word passed between collectors, families with inherited pieces, and everyday watch owners who appreciated being spoken to plainly. The pace has always stayed unhurried, because the work asks for that.
Today, Jam Permata handles three principal service types: full overhaul and recalibration of mechanical and automatic movements, crown and winding repairs, and assessments of vintage and inherited timepieces. Each service is carried out personally, with a written summary provided before the watch is returned.
The name itself reflects a simple idea: a watch is a gem that measures. We treat the pieces brought to us with that in mind.
Our Mission
To give each mechanical timepiece the level of attention its owner would hope for — careful examination, honest assessment, and work carried out without rushing the process.
Our Approach
We examine before we act. Every watch is documented when it arrives, assessed with care, and only serviced after a clear conversation about what was found and what the work involves.
Our Values
Transparency in pricing. Patience with complex repairs. Respect for the history of each piece that comes through the door. No pressure, no shortcuts.
The People
Who does the work
Encik Farid Ismail
Lead Watchmaker & Founder
Over fifteen years of experience with mechanical and automatic movements. Trained under a senior Penang watchmaker, specialising in calibration, overhaul, and the assessment of vintage pieces.
Puan Roslinda Lim
Workshop Assistant & Client Liaison
Handles documentation, client communication, and parts coordination. Roslinda ensures that each watch is correctly logged on arrival and that owners are kept informed throughout the process.
Encik Azhar Karim
Repair Technician
Focuses on crown, stem, and winding component repairs. Azhar has a particular familiarity with daily-wear Japanese and Swiss calibres that have seen extended use.
How We Work
Our standards and protocols
Arrival Documentation
Every watch is photographed and described in writing before any work begins. This record protects both the owner and the workshop, and forms the basis of the condition summary returned with the piece.
Calibration Verification
After reassembly, each overhauled movement is tested on a calibrating machine across multiple positions. The rate results are included in the written summary provided to the owner.
Parts Sourcing
Replacement parts are sourced from established suppliers. Where original components are available, we prefer them. If a part requires time to obtain, the owner is informed before we proceed.
Secure Handling
Watches in the workshop are stored in dedicated trays and never left unattended in an unsecured area. Vintage and higher-value pieces are kept separately and handled with additional care.
Transparent Assessment
We share our findings before requesting approval for any work. Owners are told what was found, what the service involves, and what it will cost — before any commitment is made.
Privacy of Client Details
Contact information provided by clients is held only for communication about the current service. It is not shared with third parties and is not used for marketing without explicit agreement.
Expertise
Mechanical watch care in Kuala Lumpur
Mechanical and automatic watches share a fundamental characteristic: they are assemblies of small, interdependent parts that rely on consistent lubrication and precise tolerances to function well. Over time, lubricants dry or migrate, components wear, and the fine adjustments made during manufacture are gradually displaced by use. A thorough overhaul restores those conditions, allowing the movement to run within the rate its maker intended.
At Jam Permata, the process begins with a complete disassembly of the movement under magnification. Each component is cleaned — ultrasonically and by hand where appropriate — then inspected for wear or damage. The barrel, train wheels, escapement, and keyless works each receive attention before reassembly with fresh, correctly graded lubricants.
Vintage timepieces present different considerations. Parts may no longer be manufactured, and the movement may carry historical features that reward conservation over replacement. Our approach to older watches is correspondingly cautious: we examine first, then discuss what we have found, and proceed only with the owner's understanding and agreement.
Crown and winding repairs are among the more common requests we receive, particularly for watches that have been worn daily. The crown and stem are the most frequently operated external parts of a mechanical watch, and they are subject to gradual wear at the point where they engage with the keyless works. A focused repair to these components — without the full movement being overhauled — is often the appropriate response when the rest of the calibre is in sound condition.
Begin Here
Bring your watch in for a conversation
We are glad to take a look and share what we find. There is no commitment required beyond the initial assessment.
Get in Touch