Client Experiences
What owners say after collecting their watches.
Accounts from clients across Thailand and abroad, following services and restorations at the Wat Ket workshop.
Back to Homepage20+
Years in the craft
600+
Movements serviced
4.9
Average client rating
96%
Return for future work
Client Reviews
Experiences shared by owners
Surachai Pongpan
Bangkok, Thailand
I sent my grandfather's Omega Seamaster from Bangkok for a full service. The communication was steady throughout — never had to chase for an update. When it came back, the timing was noticeably better and the crown felt right again. They also returned a worn cannon pinion they'd replaced, which I hadn't asked for but appreciated.
Movement Clean & Regulate · May 2025
Natcha Lerdwong
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Brought in a vintage Longines with a date function that had stopped advancing. They explained what was wrong before asking me to leave it. The repair took a bit longer than expected — about five weeks — but the explanation was reasonable: a replacement part had to be sourced from abroad. No complaints about the result.
Complication Adjustment & Repair · April 2025
Marcus Heinz
Germany (visiting Chiang Mai)
I was in Chiang Mai for two weeks and walked past the workshop. The watchmaker spent about twenty minutes with my Rolex Explorer without rushing — just looking and talking through what he found. I had to leave it, of course, but shipping back to Germany was arranged clearly. Arrived in excellent condition.
Movement Clean & Regulate · May 2025
Arthit Thammachat
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The pocket watch belonged to my great-uncle — an old Swiss piece that had sat in a drawer for decades. I wasn't sure it was worth repairing. After the assessment, the watchmaker gave me an honest account: the movement could be brought back, but he also named what would need replacing and what that meant for cost. I decided to proceed and I'm glad I did.
Full Vintage Restoration · March–May 2025
Priya Krishnan
Singapore
Sent my Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso for complication repair — the date function had become erratic. I was a little nervous about shipping a watch like that internationally, but the instructions for packing were clear and specific, and the updates during the work were reassuring. The date now changes cleanly at midnight, which it hadn't done in years.
Complication Adjustment & Repair · April 2025
Wanchai Pattana
Lampang, Thailand
Straightforward service experience. Brought in a Seiko 5 that was losing about four minutes a day. Assessment same day, written quote the following morning, watch back in three weeks. It now runs within a minute per day, which is reasonable for this calibre. The documentation they included was a nice touch — timing results on six positions.
Movement Clean & Regulate · May 2025
Case Studies
Three pieces, three different stories
Case Study 01
A 1967 Longines pocket watch, dormant for thirty years
The Situation
The watch had not been wound or opened since the owner's father passed away in 1994. The mainspring was fully wound when stored and the crystal was cracked. The owner wanted it running but was concerned about altering its original character.
What Was Done
Full disassembly and cleaning. Mainspring replaced after assessment showed metal fatigue. Period replacement jewels sourced for two worn pivot holes. Original blued hands and dial retained without alteration. Crystal replaced with a period-appropriate profile.
The Outcome
The watch runs at +6 seconds per day — well within specification for this calibre. Completed over eight weeks. The owner noted that the piece looked, in his words, as it would have the week it was made.
"They respected what it was. Nothing was polished that shouldn't have been."
Case Study 02
A Valjoux 72 chronograph with seized column wheel
The Situation
The chronograph pushers had locked. The owner, a collector, had tried a second workshop which had declined to open the case. The movement had not been serviced in over a decade and the previous lubrication had congealed around the column wheel mechanism.
What Was Done
The chronograph bridge was removed and the column wheel freed without replacement — the part itself was sound once cleaned. The entire movement was serviced at the same time, including new mainspring. All original parts retained.
The Outcome
The chronograph starts, stops, and resets cleanly. Movement running at +3 seconds per day. Turnaround was five weeks, with two update messages during the process.
"Another watchmaker had turned it away. These people looked at it properly."
Case Study 03
A Seiko 5 sent from overseas with a broken setting stem
The Situation
A client in Singapore had purchased a vintage Seiko 5 online and the crown fell away when she tried to set the time. The setting stem had broken at the winding pinion. She had not found a local repairer comfortable with the calibre.
What Was Done
Replacement setting stem sourced and fitted. The movement was also cleaned and regulated at the owner's request since it was already open. Total cost confirmed in writing before the additional service was undertaken.
The Outcome
Returned to Singapore within three weeks, running well within normal tolerances for a vintage automatic movement. The owner has since sent a second piece for routine service.
"Easy to communicate with, no surprises in the cost, and the work was exactly what was agreed."
Contact
Reach the workshop directly
Phone
+66 89 467 2510Workshop
56 Thanon Thanon, Wat Ket
Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
Hours
Monday – Saturday, 9:00 – 18:00
Credentials
Professional affiliations
NAWCC Study Member
Active study member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, with access to technical research and calibre reference libraries.
Chiang Mai Artisan Craft Directory
Recognised craft workshop in the Wat Ket riverside quarter since 2018.
Thailand Horological Society
Participant in regional study groups for vintage movement identification and period-correct restoration practice.
Your Turn
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