§ 01 — Client Accounts
What Owners Have Found
These are accounts from owners who brought pieces to the workshop. Some are straightforward; others involved more extensive work. All are written in ordinary language without embellishment.
← Back to Homepage12+
Years on the bench
320+
Pieces returned
4.9
Average rating
3
Specialist services
§ 02 — Reviews
From the Workshop Log
Patchara Somboon
Bangkok, Thailand
"I had a watch that had been sitting in a drawer for three years — the crystal was deeply scratched and the dial had some uneven fading. I wasn't sure if it was worth attending to. The written assessment gave me a clear picture before I committed to anything. The crystal work came back in two days; I returned it for dial refinishing a week later. Both were done properly."
Crystal polishing & dial refinishing — May 2025
Thanakorn Wicha
Chiang Mai, Thailand
"My grandfather's pocket watch — a Swiss repeater from the 1920s — hadn't worked since the 1980s. I was reluctant to take it anywhere because I'd heard too many stories about parts going missing or things being changed without asking. At Chimely, I received a full written assessment first, and nothing was done without my agreement. The turnaround was about ten weeks, which was accurate to what was quoted."
Pocket watch restoration — April 2025
Nok Lertpradit
Bangkok, Thailand
"Very straightforward from start to finish. I brought in a dress watch with a badly scratched mineral crystal — nothing complicated. It was back the next day, looking right again. What I appreciated was the brief summary at collection explaining exactly what had been done and what to expect going forward."
Crystal polishing — May 2025
Rajesh Chandran
Visiting from Singapore
"I was visiting Bangkok for two weeks and wanted the dial on my vintage watch looked at — it had been refinished poorly elsewhere years ago. I wasn't expecting it to be possible within my stay, but the workshop was clear that the three-week turnaround was genuine, so I arranged collection by courier. The result was noticeably better than what I'd received from the previous workshop."
Dial refinishing — May 2025
Aranya Phongsathorn
Bangkok, Thailand
"Had a pocket watch that had been in the family for a long time — stopped running and missing a small part in the striking mechanism. The assessment arrived by email a couple of days after I dropped it off, itemising what was needed. The part was hand-fitted rather than replaced with a reproduction. It runs and strikes now. The turnaround came in at the lower end of the quoted range."
Pocket watch restoration — April 2025
Kasem Mahapatanakul
Pattaya, Thailand
"I sent a brief description and photographs before making the trip from Pattaya. The response confirmed the crystal work would be appropriate and gave me the price upfront. No surprises at collection. The crystal is clear and correctly seated. I'll bring another piece later in the year for the dial work."
Crystal polishing — May 2025
§ 03 — Case Studies
Detailed Repair Accounts
Challenge
1927 Swiss Pocket Watch — Non-Running Repeater
Owner had inherited a repeater pocket watch that had not run since the 1970s. Several springs were fatigued, one hammer was displaced, and the striking train was gummed with old lubricant. The owner was concerned that original parts would be discarded without consultation.
Process
Full Station-by-Station Restoration
A written assessment was issued within three days of receipt. The striking train was disassembled and cleaned station by station. Two springs were hand-fitted from period stock; the displaced hammer was re-seated and regulated. All original components not replaced were retained. Progress updates were sent at weeks four and eight.
Result
Running and Striking — Returned at Week 10
The watch returned to the owner in full working order, running consistently across four positions and striking correctly on the quarter. Turnaround was ten weeks, within the quoted range. All displaced original parts were bagged and returned with the piece.
"I appreciated that nothing was done without my knowing. The stage log was an unexpected touch." — Owner, Chiang Mai
Challenge
1960s Dress Watch — Uneven Dial Ageing
Owner had a dress watch with a two-tone gilt dial that had aged unevenly — one section notably lighter than the rest, likely from UV exposure. The owner's concern was that a standard refinish would produce a uniform tone that did not match the original character of the piece.
Process
Colour-Matched Dial Refinishing
The dial assessment noted the two-tone character as a feature to be preserved. The lighter section was colour-matched to blend with the surrounding tone while retaining the mild variation characteristic of aged gilt dials. Hands were removed, serviced, and refitted with careful alignment checking.
Result
Dial Evened Without Losing Character — 3 Weeks
The refinished dial read as intentionally aged rather than factory-fresh. The uneven section was addressed without the result looking heavily restored. The piece was returned within the quoted three-week window at the fixed price.
"It doesn't look like it's been through a factory — which is exactly what I asked for." — Owner, Bangkok
§ 04 — Contact
Reach the Workshop
Telephone
+66 94 158 7036Address
39 Bang Lamphu Lang, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Hours
Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00
By appointment
§ 05 — Credentials
Professional Background
Thai Horology Society
Associate member since 2017
Precision Restoration
SE Asian Watchmakers Guild certificate, 2021
Complication Specialist
Repeaters, calendars, and antique pocket movements
Independent Workshop
Owner-operated since opening in Bangkok
§ 06 — Your Turn
Have a Piece That Needs Attention?
The first step is a brief message describing the watch and what you are hoping to have addressed. The workshop will respond with a straightforward assessment of whether the work falls within scope.
Send an Enquiry