The Difference Between a Quick Fix and a Considered Service
There are many places to have a watch battery changed. Mainspring exists for the owners who want to understand what is happening inside their watch — and who prefer a service carried out properly, once.
Back to HomeWhat Brings Customers Back to Mainspring
Written Estimate Before Work Begins
Every assessment produces a written summary of findings and proposed work. Nothing is begun without your agreement in advance.
All Work Done In-House
Your watch does not leave our Nimmanhaemin Road workshop. The person who looks at it is the person who services it — no subcontracting, no hand-offs.
Prices Published Openly
Service fees are displayed on our website and at the workshop. Additional parts costs are itemised separately and agreed before ordering.
Photographic Documentation
For vintage and valued pieces, the entire project is photographed at key stages and accompanied by written notes you keep permanently.
Timing Machine Verification
All mechanical work is verified on a precision timing machine across multiple positions before the watch is returned to you.
Sympathetic to Original Finish
We do not re-polish cases or dials unless specifically requested. Patina and original surfaces are treated as part of the watch's value, not a problem to correct.
What Each Benefit Means in Practice
Expertise & Experience
The lead watchmaker at Mainspring has been working on mechanical and quartz movements for over fourteen years. That breadth of experience matters when you bring in something unusual — a movement from an obscure maker, a watch with a complicated crown mechanism, or a vintage piece with non-standard dimensions.
- Swiss, Japanese and European movement experience
- Vintage, contemporary and pocket watch capability
- Formal horological training, supplemented by practical apprenticeship
Tooling & Materials
Good repair work depends on having the right equipment. We use a professional ultrasonic cleaning system, a watchmaker's precision timing machine and current-generation lubricants specified for each type of movement. These are not incidental details — they are what separate a proper overhaul from a rough service.
- Ultrasonic bath with watchmaking solutions
- Precision timing machine (Witschi or equivalent)
- Moebius and matched lubricants throughout
Customer Communication
We stay in contact throughout a job. If something unexpected is found inside a movement — a cracked jewel, a worn wheel — we contact you before proceeding. For longer projects, progress updates are offered as standard rather than only when something goes wrong.
- Written pre-work assessment shared with you
- Contact made before any additional work or parts
- Progress updates on longer projects
Value & Transparent Pricing
Our three service fees cover the workshop labour for each type of work. Parts are charged at cost and listed separately on your invoice. There is no mark-up hidden in a bundled price — what you see on our services page is what labour costs, and parts are an honest addition when needed.
- Published labour fees — no guesswork
- Parts itemised at cost on the final invoice
- No work or parts without prior agreement
Outcomes That Hold
A well-executed mechanical overhaul should keep a watch running reliably for several years before the next service is due. We aim for timing within ±15 seconds per day on most movements, though actual results depend on the age and condition of the piece. The timing machine printout from your service is included in your service documentation.
14+
Years active
850+
Movements serviced
96%
Customer satisfaction score (2024–25)
Mainspring vs. Typical Watch Repair Providers
| Feature | Typical Providers | Mainspring |
|---|---|---|
| Written assessment before work | ||
| Published prices for each service | ||
| All work completed in-house | ||
| Timing machine verification included | ||
| Photographic documentation for vintage work | ||
| Parts sourced period-appropriately for vintage | ||
| Original finishes preserved unless requested otherwise |
— Comparison based on general industry practices; individual providers vary.
Three Things You Will Not Find Everywhere
A Permanent Record for Your Watch
The Vintage Revival service includes a documentation package — photographs, written notes and a condition summary — that stays with the watch. Future owners or watchmakers can read exactly what was done and when.
No Work Without Your Agreement
We will not replace a part without telling you first. If something unexpected is found during a service, we contact you, explain the finding and wait for your decision before proceeding. This applies to every service, not just the larger ones.
Assessment at No Charge
Bringing a watch in to be looked at does not commit you to anything. We will examine the piece and share our findings honestly. If the watch does not need the work you thought it did, we will tell you that too.
Milestones & Professional Notes
Chiang Mai Arts Quarter Commendation
2023 — Craftsmanship & Heritage category
Horological Society of Thailand
Associate Member since 2015
Nimman Neighbourhood Award
2024 — Best Specialist Workshop
850+ Movements Serviced
Cumulative since opening in 2011
See What Careful Service Looks Like
Bring your watch in, post it to us or send us a message. An initial assessment is at no charge — and it will give you a clear picture of what the watch needs before any decision is made.