A Workshop Run on Patience and Precision
Mainspring has been caring for watches in Chiang Mai for over a decade — one piece at a time, with no shortcuts on the bench.
Back to HomeHow Mainspring Started
Mainspring opened on Nimmanhaemin Road in the early 2010s, when the founding watchmaker — having trained in Bangkok and completed an apprenticeship with a Swiss-trained technician in Chiang Rai — decided to set up a small, independent bench in the city's arts quarter. The intention was straightforward: offer a repair service that explained itself clearly, priced honestly and treated every watch as something worth caring about.
The workshop grew steadily by word of mouth. Expats, collectors and local families began bringing in pieces they had inherited or worn for years. Requests for vintage restoration work came in alongside simpler battery jobs. The range of services deepened naturally, guided by what customers actually needed rather than by what was easiest to sell.
Today the workshop remains small by design. Every watch is assessed and worked on by the same person you speak with at the counter. That continuity matters — it means the watchmaker who handles your piece understands its full history from the moment it arrives.
What We Are Here to Do
Honest Assessment
We look at what a watch actually needs — not what generates the largest invoice. If a simple service is sufficient, that is what we recommend.
Care for the Object
Watches carry sentiment as well as mechanics. We handle both carefully — preserving original finishes where possible and documenting what we find.
Clear Communication
Nothing happens to your watch without your agreement. We share a written plan before work begins and keep you updated throughout longer projects.
Who Works Here
Krit Phansiri
Lead Watchmaker
Over fourteen years of hands-on repair experience, with a particular focus on Swiss mechanical movements and vintage Thai-market pieces. Krit trained in Bangkok before completing further study under a certified horological technician.
Ariya Tanawat
Parts & Documentation
Ariya manages parts sourcing and maintains the workshop's documentation archive. With a background in fine-arts conservation, she brings a careful eye to the cosmetic side of vintage restoration projects.
Niran Wattana
Workshop Assistant
Niran handles intake, basic quartz servicing and customer correspondence. Currently completing a formal horological programme and developing bench skills under Krit's supervision.
How We Work
Written Estimate First
Every job begins with a written assessment shared with the owner. No work proceeds without explicit agreement on scope and cost.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement components are cleaned using a professional ultrasonic bath with appropriate watchmaking solutions — not improvised shortcuts.
Manufacturer-Grade Lubricants
We use current-generation Moebius and equivalent lubricants throughout, chosen to the specification of the movement being serviced.
Timing Machine Verification
All mechanical work is verified on a timing machine across multiple positions before the watch is returned, to confirm rate accuracy.
Water Resistance Testing
Where the case design permits, water resistance is checked after any work involving case opening, and the result is noted in the service record.
Secure Storage
All watches in our care are stored in a locked, monitored cabinet when not on the bench. Customer pieces are never left unattended in open areas.
Watch Repair in Chiang Mai — Our Approach
Mechanical watchmaking is a discipline that rewards patience. A watch movement may contain over two hundred components, many smaller than a grain of rice, each requiring precise handling and correct lubrication. At Mainspring, we approach every service as the movement's designer intended — methodically, with the right tools and materials for the job.
Chiang Mai's climate presents particular considerations for watch ownership. Humidity, temperature variation and the city's active outdoor culture mean that gaskets and seals on water-resistant watches deserve regular attention. A battery refresh that includes gasket inspection is not merely convenient — it is a practical step that can prevent moisture damage to a movement that would otherwise be costly to address.
For collectors and families with inherited pieces, the documentation side of our vintage revival work is often as valuable as the mechanical service itself. A watch with a clear photographic and written record of its restoration history is a watch whose story can be understood by whoever cares for it next — whether that is a child, a grandchild or a future owner who simply values knowing what they have.
We work with Swiss, Japanese and European movements — both vintage and contemporary. If you are uncertain whether your watch is suitable for our services, the straightforward way to find out is to contact us or bring it in. We are happy to look at a piece and give you an honest view at no charge before any commitment is made.
Ready to Bring Your Watch In?
Visit the workshop on Nimmanhaemin Road, call, or send a message. We will be glad to take a look and share our thoughts on what your watch needs.