Encounter with Goh Seo Choon

After much thought, I decided to try out Goh Seo Choon service. (ref http://yeomansweblog.wordpress.com/2007/03/26/a-local-watch-maker/"



I had a seiko handwind which wasn't smooth during winding so I decided to take it to Goh Seo Choon (Mr Goh) to get it checked out.

Upon arrival, he took a look and decided that the crown wheel and ratchet wheel had to be changed as the "teeth were worn", and he would try to source for parts, I decide to take the plunge and see what Mr Goh could do to help the situation.



1 week passed and I visited the shop 3 times, he closes early (during weekdays) and as I was working could only reach the shop around 6pm (twice it was closed) even though it is clearly written on the signboard and on his receipt that he closes at 8pm on weekdays .



Finally mananged to get to the shop before it closed, and Mr Goh said he was unable to find the parts, ok that's the risk of old watches . I asked him details on the issue, is it both wheels that need changing or only one of them (I was willingly to source the parts myself) , he then said it's "impossible" to find that parts and most parts on the internet don't fit, regardless I pressed on for more info, then he shocked me by saying he didn't even try to find the parts as it was not possible to get them. He did not even take a look at the watch during the time the watch was with him. I took the watch back and thought to myself that he could have saved all the trouble by not taking the watch in the first place ....



Anyway I went home and open the caseback to take a look. I found the click out of position and guess that it might have been the cause, so I did some research and looked at the demos/videos for the click on the ETA/Unitas 6497 (closes handwind movement that is still widespread). Finally I unscrewed the click, repositioned it back and now the winding is much smoother !!!



I know that Mr Goh has an attitude which I was prepared to put up with, but I expected a little more professionalism on looking into watch issue rather than "giving up" after taking it in for repair. I also start to question his knowledge on watch repair since this was a simple fix I did myself ....



Time to put on my flame resistant suit ....

Thanks for sharing your experience Bro Eawtan...



will avoid the mentioned place with a 20 feet pole....



Thanks again for the info....



i cannot understand how come veteran watch repairmen generally have attitude toward paying customers...esp those who are not regulars...



Well....all i can say is i feel for you bro eawtan as i had encountered a similar situation many years ago for my vintage omega bumper movement watch but not with this water repair man lar...

there's always a first time........& it always will be the last :lol:

I keep mixing up Mr. Elder GOH and Mr. Younger GOH... 哪个是哪一个？Until i notice the name printed on K2 name card... ohhh... Mr. GOH-Young is the one @ K2 while Mr.GOH-Older is the one @ GCC(Goo Chia Chui)...

That's sad to hear. Expect people in the service industry to have customer service. But IMHO. Thanks for the update and appreciate the sharing with fellow seikoists.

I fix your Seiko, I can only charge you $50 ? $100 you probably walk away.



Now, you bring a Rolex, I can charge you easily $300 and you walk away smiling like you won 4D because RSC quote you $800.



End of the day, they are running a business, they are not driven by passion. Sad to say, there isn't much watchmakers with a passion here.

Another point to note, good watchmakers can make their own parts. Almost an non-existent in Singapore.

"roo7"

I fix your Seiko, I can only charge you $50 ? $100 you probably walk away.



Now, you bring a Rolex, I can charge you easily $300 and you walk away smiling like you won 4D because RSC quote you $800.



End of the day, they are running a business, they are not driven by passion. Sad to say, there isn't much watchmakers with a passion here.

I have prev paid S$190 to service a seiko + nos replacement part ... (different shop which did a fanatastic job)

"eawtan"

[quote="roo7"]I fix your Seiko, I can only charge you $50 ? $100 you probably walk away.



Now, you bring a Rolex, I can charge you easily $300 and you walk away smiling like you won 4D because RSC quote you $800.



End of the day, they are running a business, they are not driven by passion. Sad to say, there isn't much watchmakers with a passion here.

I have prev paid S$190 to service a seiko + nos replacement part ... (different shop which did a fanatastic job)[/quote]

I remember I walked past his shop before and ask if he service russians, his reply, just buy a new one, it's cheaper. :? I won't go there again.

"roo7"

[quote="eawtan"]


I have prev paid S$190 to service a seiko + nos replacement part ... (different shop which did a fanatastic job)

I remember I walked past his shop before and ask if he service russians, his reply, just buy a new one, it's cheaper. :? I won't go there again.[/quote]





but it makes sense :lol:

:o Why go to Goh Seo Choon when we have been recommending K2?

"Yeoman"

:o Why go to Goh Seo Choon when we have been recommending K2?

Try out 2nd source ....

"Yeoman"

:o Why go to Goh Seo Choon when we have been recommending K2?

Senior Goh got appear on newspaper before ma but ......











The attitude and service is -100 feedbacks to me.. Went once not gotta go back again :)

I called Mr. Goh Snr a couple of years back for a simple enquiry and he sounded like a D*CK.I didn't even bother to pay him a visit.



There can only be on (Seiko) Goh in our lion city. Go figure which one.



Ciao,

Tele

"telepgm"

I called Mr. Goh Snr a couple of years back for a simple enquiry and he sounded like a D*CK.I didn't even bother to pay him a visit.



There can only be on (Seiko) Goh in our lion city. Go figure which one.



Ciao,

Tele

:lol: :lol:

Junior Goh from K2 is the best in my opinion. However, my friend prefers Senior Goh, as his charges are cheaper.

Funny that I only see this thread now and thus decided to post



Older Goh (吴小春 aka goh xiao choon) has an attitude problem but frankly he is ok. I visited him numerous times Liao.... Even the most recent one to fix my mum's vintage Seiko quartz watch where the board obviously has burnt. He say he will try to find... No guarantee and ask me to call back few days later.... Which I did. He said he found it and charges me $38. I had checked at least 5-6 watch shops and was quoted the minimum $68. As my mum really treasure the watch for memorial purpose, I went down to GXC which is my last resort.



Price wise he is cheap... He is also a no nonsense person... Do it or not up to u. But he is generally ok.. That's the reason why people are still going back to him



My two cents worth of feedback... He is really not so bad

"Vinc04"

Funny that I only see this thread now and thus decided to post



Older Goh (吴小春 aka goh xiao choon) has an attitude problem but frankly he is ok. I visited him numerous times Liao.... Even the most recent one to fix my mum's vintage Seiko quartz watch where the board obviously has burnt. He say he will try to find... No guarantee and ask me to call back few days later.... Which I did. He said he found it and charges me $38. I had checked at least 5-6 watch shops and was quoted the minimum $68. As my mum really treasure the watch for memorial purpose, I went down to GXC which is my last resort.



Price wise he is cheap... He is also a no nonsense person... Do it or not up to u. But he is generally ok.. That's the reason why people are still going back to him



My two cents worth of feedback... He is really not so bad

+1.



Senior Goh is a kind man. He helped me search high and low for a crystal for my father's first Seiko watch. He charged me cheap cheap despite all his effort. Kudos to Senior Goh. By the way, this watch was bought in 1970 and handwind movement never needs any servicing. Watch is still very accurate. Kudos to Seiko too!!



Image unavailable · farm8.staticflickr.com

Same for my mum SEIKO quartz ladies watch. It was a piece she owned for 20over years and bought by my late father.. But typically old aunties won't want to spend too much money to repair it. After listening to it, senior Goh says he will try to find.. Really nothing to say for him.



But I noticed one thing.. Don't bargain price with him. I believe he is aware his price is cheapest in the industry and thus once u bargain... His attitude problem come Liao... If u Sui Sui just pay him his price.. He will be very professional... Hahahahahhaah

Just wanna say ; Mr Goh from K2 is the best! Good service with a smile :)

I had a bad experience with Mr Goh Seo Choon as well.



Bought him a few watches including a Seiko Alba ( Worst Damaged watch after repair)



First of all , my glass broke when i dropped the watch. so i went to him to have a replacement glass and touch up of a missing minute marker.



He did a fairly ok job , super flat glass instead and the missing minute marker , he merely use a black paper or some sort and stick it up ( glue mark visible.)



So i was thinking , it's ok , as long as it working fine ( as it a first watch given to me by my wife)



To my horror , watch cant even function continuously 3 hours even on my wrist ( after winding )



i went back , told him watch is faulty and power reserve is bad as well ( after a whole day of wearing , i place it on the table and it cant even last till morning)



He said look into it and tell me collect few days later , ( as usual , told me he close shop at 6 and quite attitude when i told him i will be there 6 15 pm earliest)



Exact words that he told me : u dun come later than 6 15 if not i will pull the shutters down.



So i collected the watch in a rush and went back home.



Guess what ? watch is worse than before , crown become super stiff , case back shown alot of scratches due to his case opening skill , watch cant even function.



I was thinking , is this the service that he render?



I will not recommend anyone i know to him and let alone let him service the other watches i have.

What shop is this?

this is watch shop of Mr Goh at Smith Street. the Chinatown market.

"OilnGas"

this is watch shop of Mr Goh at Smith Street. the Chinatown market.

Ohkk. Lucky i,ve. Not been there before

I have quite a good experience with Elder Goh. One shocking experience I had is at LTH at Tanjong Pagar. The watchmaker din ask me if I want the old crystal just broke it and din have an exact replacement in the end.



Sent by the yellow minions.

When I read first post, I thought this was referring to K2! Good thing I read on and also clicked on the links to see which Goh this was referring to. (Sorry, I'm newbie here, so only know about K2.)



As many agree, K2 is the place to go. Sei"goh", anyone? :lol:

I have good experiences with GSC at chinatown market... I din bother to talk too much to him, told him the problem with my vintage, he assessed, and told me the agar agar quotation (if more parts needs replacement, will cost more). I came back 2 wks later, and he passed me the fully functioning watch.. thats it... cost is 1/2 of what K2 quoted me.



been to GSC numerous occasions to purchase paros straps. no fuss, he just passed me the catalogue, I asked for the right size for a particular design in the catalogue... he dug through his plastic bag and passed to me... no need bargain as I confident he will not overcharge...



If you are there to make friends like ah goh at K2, then you gotta be uncle and click with him... else just keep it professional...

Hmm does GSC do mods?





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Does Goh Seo Choon sell watches also or just repair only. Funny thing I missed his shop for the times I was there for lunch, only see a watch shop at a corner which is quite near the durian stall.