CLIENT REVIEWS
What owners say
after the work is done
Accounts from people who have brought watches — quartz everyday pieces, mechanical family heirlooms, and vintage collector pieces — to our workshop in Mai Khao.
Back to Home14+
YEARS IN PHUKET
1,800+
WATCHES SERVICED
4.8
AVG. CLIENT RATING
340+
VINTAGE RESTORATIONS
OWNER ACCOUNTS
From the workshop log
David W.
Bangkok · Expat resident
Brought in a 1967 Omega Seamaster that belonged to my father. Wanchai spent twenty minutes examining it before telling me exactly what the movement needed and what it would cost. No pressure, no vague estimates. Six weeks later I collected it with a written report and a full set of photos. It runs within three seconds a day now, which I understand is decent for a fifty-year-old movement.
May 2025 · Vintage Restoration
Siriporn T.
Phuket Town · Teacher
Battery replacement on my Tissot. Same day, no fuss. I asked about the water resistance since I swim with it occasionally and they explained what the check had found — one gasket was showing wear so they replaced it at the same visit. They wrote it all down which I appreciated. Collection was easy, the receipt was clear. Only reason not five stars is the workshop is a little tricky to find the first time.
May 2025 · Battery Replacement
Marcus H.
Germany · Long-stay visitor
My IWC Pilot had been running about a minute slow every day for two years. Full service here sorted it. What struck me was the timing report at handback — they'd tracked it in three positions over four days and included the daily rate figures. That kind of documentation is what you'd expect from a brand service centre, not a small workshop. Pricing was also fair for the work involved.
April 2025 · Mechanical Full Service
Napatsorn L.
Chiang Mai · Architect
I sent a 1971 Seiko 5 by tracked post from Chiang Mai after reading about their postal service on the website. They confirmed receipt, updated me when work started, and sent the photographic record digitally before the watch shipped back. It arrived well packaged. The movement is running cleanly and the case has not been touched cosmetically, which is exactly what I asked for.
May 2025 · Vintage Restoration (postal)
Richard C.
UK · Retired, Phuket resident
Three Seiko mechanicals in for service over the past two years. Each one came back running better than before, with the paperwork to prove it. The turnaround on the last one ran a week longer than estimated due to a part being sourced — they called to let me know, which I respected. It took three weeks total. I'll keep coming back.
April 2025 · Mechanical Full Service
Akira K.
Japan · Tourism sector
Quick battery change on my Citizen, but the staff noticed the crown felt loose and told me before starting. They fixed that too — small extra charge, quoted before they touched it. The kind of attention most shops don't bother with for a basic battery job. I came back two months later with a more significant piece that needed a full service.
May 2025 · Battery Replacement
CASE STUDIES
Longer stories
CASE STUDY 01 · VINTAGE RESTORATION
1963 Rolex Oysterdate — inherited, non-running, unknown service history
CHALLENGE
The watch had been in a drawer for roughly fifteen years. The movement would not wind, the crystal was cracked, and the crown thread was partially stripped. The owner — who had inherited it from a grandparent — wanted it running but was concerned about the dial condition and did not want it over-restored.
APPROACH
We cleaned and overhauled the Cal. 1225 movement, sourcing a replacement mainspring from our vintage parts network. The crystal was replaced with a correctly domed acrylic matching the original specification. The crown thread was repaired. Case exterior was cleaned only — no polishing. Dial condition noted and documented but left unchanged.
OUTCOME
Running within 8 seconds per day across positions after regulation — within normal range for this calibre. Turnaround was eight weeks including parts sourcing. Owner received 34 photographs covering every stage of the process and a written parts provenance document.
"I was worried they'd polish it into something it wasn't. They did the opposite — explained what they'd leave alone and why. The dial still looks its age, which is exactly right."
CASE STUDY 02 · MECHANICAL FULL SERVICE
1985 Seiko 6309 Diver — running +90 seconds/day, worn pusher seal
CHALLENGE
The owner wore the watch diving regularly and had noticed it gaining significantly through the day. On inspection we found the movement was heavily overdue for service — dried lubricants throughout — and the crown tube seal had degraded. The watch had been used in the sea with compromised water resistance.
APPROACH
Full movement overhaul. The movement was dry-cleaned, all worn gaskets replaced including the crown tube, and the case cleaned inside before reassembly. Water resistance tested to the stated rating after sealing. Regulation took additional time due to the worn rotor bearing, which was quoted and approved before proceeding.
OUTCOME
Running at +4 seconds per day after regulation — a significant improvement. Three-week total turnaround. We included specific guidance on tropical gasket maintenance schedules, given the regular diving use in Phuket's sea conditions.
"They caught the crown seal issue before any water had actually got in. Worth knowing. The notes on how often to get it checked in this climate were useful — no one had ever told me that before."
CASE STUDY 03 · BATTERY + DIAGNOSTIC
Citizen Eco-Drive — battery assumed, fault was crown contact corrosion
CHALLENGE
The owner came in expecting a battery replacement, but the movement type (Eco-Drive) uses a capacitor, not a cell. The watch had stopped after an unusually humid period and the owner had not worn it for a month. Initial assessment indicated a charging issue, likely caused by corrosion on the capacitor contacts.
APPROACH
We explained the difference between the battery and capacitor systems before touching the watch. On opening, corrosion was confirmed. The capacitor was replaced and the contacts cleaned. The watch was set in indirect light for charging. Case-back seal also replaced given the moisture evidence.
OUTCOME
Running normally. Total cost was higher than a standard battery change due to the capacitor replacement, but this was quoted and agreed before the work. Same-day turnaround. Owner was given written guidance on humidity storage to prevent recurrence.
"I assumed it needed a new battery. They explained what was actually wrong, quoted it before doing anything, and fixed it the same day. No drama."
FIND THE WORKSHOP
Workshop contact & hours
PHONE
+66 2 476 0815ADDRESS
12 Mukkala Road
Mai Khao, Phuket 83110
HOURS
Mon–Fri: 09:00–17:30
Sat: 10:00–14:00
Sun: Closed
CREDENTIALS
Professional affiliations
Thailand Horological Craftsmen Network
Member since 2013
Phuket Chamber of Commerce
Registered specialist trade member
Watchmakers of Thailand Forum
Vintage restoration contributor 2018–2024
YOUR TURN
Ready to bring your watch in?
We look at the piece first and explain what we find. No commitment before the assessment.
Contact the Workshop