Mainspring
A collection of vintage watches on a workbench

Client Accounts

What Owners Have Said

A selection of experiences from the people who left watches at this bench — collected from notes, emails, and brief conversations over the past year.

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16

Years Open

1,400+

Watches Serviced

4.8

Avg. Client Rating

97%

Return or Refer

Client Reviews

Thirty-Seven Words and Counting

SK

Somchai K.

Chiang Mai, TH

My father's Omega Seamaster had been sitting in a drawer for nearly fifteen years. Mainspring gave it back running within a few seconds a day — I'd expected far less given its age. The bench log they included told me exactly what they'd found and what they'd done. Nothing felt exaggerated.

May 2025 · Routine Service

MW

Mark W.

Expatriate, Chiang Mai

Good, quiet workshop. Took about three weeks for my Seiko 5 overhaul, which is on the longer side, but the result was noticeably smoother. They phoned to confirm before ordering a replacement gasket, which I appreciated — small thing, but it showed they weren't just ploughing ahead without asking.

April 2025 · Crystal & Seal

PT

Patchara T.

Bangkok, TH

Brought a vintage Longines pocket watch from my grandfather's estate. Mainspring spent time discussing whether restoration was the right choice before I even committed. That conversation alone told me they were thinking about the watch's future, not just the invoice.

May 2025 · Collector's Restoration

RI

Riku I.

Visiting from Japan

Passed through Chiang Mai for two weeks and left a Grand Seiko in for a routine clean. Khun Prayut knew the calibre well and answered my questions without making me feel I was being indulged. Watch was ready before I left. I'd send pieces here from overseas without hesitation.

April 2025 · Routine Service

NR

Nida R.

Chiang Rai, TH

The crystal on my daily watch had a scratch I'd been meaning to deal with for two years. They polished the acrylic and also noticed the crown seal was starting to harden, which they replaced at the same time. Clear pricing, no surprises. I drove down from Chiang Rai and would do so again.

May 2025 · Crystal & Seal

DL

David L.

UK Resident, Chiang Mai

Inherited a Swiss pocket watch from my late uncle and didn't know what I had. Mainspring spent half an hour with me explaining the movement, its approximate age, and what it would take to bring it back. No charge for the conversation. Restoration took a while but the photos they sent through each stage were genuinely touching.

April 2025 · Collector's Restoration

Longer Accounts

Three Pieces, Three Stories

Case Study 01 · Routine Service

A 1970s Tissot Back in Daily Rotation

The Situation

A Thai collector brought in a Tissot automatic from the 1970s — a daily wearer that had become unreliable, losing roughly two minutes a day. Last service was unknown; lubricants were certainly past their useful life.

The Work

Full disassembly, ultrasonic clean, and fresh lubrication throughout. The timegrapher showed a worn mainspring — discussed with the owner, who agreed to replacement. Reassembled and regulated to within five seconds a day.

The Result

Returned in 16 days. The owner reported it running to within three seconds over the following month of daily wear. He left a note saying it was "back to being a watch rather than a reminder of what needs doing."

Case Study 02 · Crystal & Seal Renewal

A Diver's Watch Restored to Its Working Depth

The Situation

A British resident brought in a 1980s dive watch with a badly scratched mineral crystal and a caseback seal that had perished. He wanted to swim with the watch, but the resistance could no longer be trusted.

The Work

New mineral crystal fitted to original thickness. All seals replaced with correct hardness compound for the model. Case cleaned externally. Post-service pressure test confirmed resistance to original specification.

The Result

Returned in 18 days including parts sourcing. Owner emailed two months later to report the watch had been swimming in the Andaman Sea and remained dry. "Exactly what I wanted done — nothing more, nothing else."

Case Study 03 · Collector's Restoration

An Inherited Pocket Watch Returned to Function

The Situation

A British collector arrived with a Swiss pocket watch passed down from his uncle. The movement had been running badly for at least a decade. The dial had light foxing. He wasn't sure the piece was worth restoring.

The Work

Eight-week programme. Full overhaul with broken mainspring replaced. Dial assessed — foxing stabilised without touching the surface. Case refinished sympathetically. Thirty-two photos taken across the restoration phases.

The Result

Movement running within eight seconds a day. Owner collected the watch alongside a full photo record and bench log. He said he'd planned to sell it; he won't. It now keeps time on his bedside table.

Find the Workshop

Address

59 Nimmanhaemin Rd, Chiang Mai 50200

Hours

Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00

Professional Standing

Member, Thailand Watch Technicians Association since 2011

Wostep movement servicing programme graduate, 2008

Chiang Mai Business Excellence recognition, May 2025

Add Your Watch to the List

Bring it in. We'll take a look, be straightforward about what it needs, and let you decide what to do from there.

Contact the Workshop