JUST a couple of weeks after the launch of the Apple Watch, we found ourselves stumbling upon the tiny old shop (which is more like a booth) of watchmaker Chan Kin Wah, 58.

Chan was there at his workstation, just slightly larger than a school desk, delicately handling the fine inner pieces of some pretty expensive timepieces.

Clearly, this guy knows what he’s doing. He picked up all his skills from his father, Chan Hin Yan, from whom he inherited the shop.

“Most big watch companies today will help you with some minor repairs, but I take the watches apart piece by piece, and make sure everything is fixed and in good order. Only then do I reassmble it, so it’ll be as good as new,” said Chan.

Watch man: Watch repair expert Chan Kim Wah learned his skills from his father, at the very same workshop he currently runs on Malacca”s famous Jonker Street.

But unfortunately, the rise in digital watches – and now smart watches – has put a dent in Chan’s business.

Chan isn’t complaining, though. He could have expanded his business over the years, but he could never bear the thought of leaving his little shop, which is located near the end of Jonker Street, where the river is. “I prefer the quiet and simple life,” he said.

Plus, Chan still gets plenty casino online of business from owners of antique timepieces who can’t find anyone else to help with their repairs.

Though business has slowed down, Chan Kim Wah still has plenty of customers who bring him old or antique watches which the big companies won”t or can”t repair. Chan”s shop is on Jonker Street.

One of his customers, a man named Rosli, said he first brought a watch to Chan’s father to be fixed, and he’s been coming here ever since. “I’m an amateur watch collector, and a cheapskate one at that – that’s why I keep coming back to my friend here!” he said with a laugh.

Of course, Chan has thought about passing his skills down to the younger generation, but sadly, he was never able to find any dedicated apprentices.

Nevertheless, Chan continues doing what he loves most, at the very place where he learned it from his father. Now that’s a truly timeless story.