Watch repair workshop

Skill and Care in Equal Measure

We repair watches with technical precision and personal attention, honoring both the craft and the people we serve.

Our Story

Arbor & Co began in 2018 when Cheng Wei, a watchmaker trained in Switzerland, returned to Kaohsiung with a desire to offer something he felt was missing in Taiwan's watch repair landscape: a service that balanced technical rigor with genuine warmth. He'd spent years in workshops where precision was everything, but he wanted to build a practice where care for the timepiece went hand in hand with care for the person who owned it.

The name "Arbor" refers to the axle or shaft on which a wheel pivots in a watch movement. It's a small component, often unseen, but essential. Without it, nothing turns. We chose this name because it represents our philosophy: we handle the foundational work that keeps things running, work that may not always be visible but makes all the difference.

Our workshop is located on Yixin Road in Zuoying District. It's a quiet space with good natural light, where we can focus on the detailed work each timepiece requires. We keep a small team — currently three watchmakers including Cheng Wei — because we believe in maintaining direct relationships with the people who trust us with their watches. When you bring a watch to us, you're not handing it to a faceless service center. You're working with people who know your name and remember your watch.

We're not interested in rushing work or scaling beyond what allows us to maintain our standards. Each service receives the time it needs. If that approach resonates with you, we'd be glad to speak with you about your timepiece.

The Team

CW

Cheng Wei

Founder & Master Watchmaker

Trained at WOSTEP in Switzerland, Cheng Wei brings 12 years of experience in movement restoration and precision timekeeping regulation.

LH

Lin Hui

Senior Watchmaker

Specializes in vintage timepiece restoration and mainspring barrel service. Joined Arbor & Co in 2019 after seven years in Taipei's watch industry.

YK

Yang Kai

Watchmaker

Focuses on gear train diagnostics and escapement regulation. Currently completing advanced certification in chronograph movement service.

Our Standards

Technical Precision

All work performed under magnification using calibrated tools. Pivot tolerances verified to manufacturer specifications. Timing tested across six positions before delivery.

Component Integrity

Original parts preserved whenever possible. Replacement components sourced from verified suppliers. All work documented with photographic records maintained for three years.

Client Communication

Written service estimates provided before work begins. Progress updates at agreed milestones. Direct contact with the watchmaker handling your service available throughout.

Professional Credentials

WOSTEP-certified watchmaking training. Member of Taiwan Horological Association. Continuing education in movement technology and case refinishing techniques maintained annually.

Security & Privacy

Workshop access restricted to staff only. Timepieces stored in secured cabinets overnight. Customer information treated as confidential and never shared with third parties.

Equipment Quality

Swiss-made watchmaker's lathes and staking tools. Timing machine calibrated quarterly. Ultrasonic cleaning system with filtered solutions replaced monthly for optimal component care.

What Guides Our Work

Fine watchmaking is a discipline that rewards patience and precision. Each movement contains hundreds of components, many smaller than a grain of rice, all working in harmony to measure time. When this harmony is disrupted by wear, contamination, or damage, restoring it requires both technical knowledge and careful attention to detail.

We approach each repair with respect for the watchmaker who originally assembled the movement and for the person who has entrusted us with its care. This means taking the time to understand what has gone wrong, explaining the situation clearly, and performing the work methodically rather than hastily. Speed in watchmaking often leads to problems that reveal themselves months later. We prefer to work deliberately and deliver results that last.

Transparency matters to us. When you bring a watch to our workshop, we examine it carefully and provide a written assessment of what needs attention. If additional issues emerge during disassembly, we contact you before proceeding. You should never be surprised by unexpected work or costs. This approach builds trust, which we consider as important as technical competence.

Watch repair in Taiwan has sometimes been treated as a transactional service — drop off your watch, receive it back without much communication about what happened in between. We've structured our practice differently. You're welcome to ask questions about the work, to understand what was done and why. We keep detailed service records so that future work can reference what has already been addressed. This continuity of care benefits both the watch and its owner.

Our workshop serves people in Kaohsiung and throughout southern Taiwan who value quality work performed with integrity. If that describes you, we'd welcome the opportunity to care for your timepiece.

Ready to Begin?

We're here to answer questions about your watch or discuss which service would be appropriate. Reach out by phone or email, and we'll respond within one business day.

Contact Us