What Sets Us Apart
Work You Can Follow From First to Last
There are many places to have a watch serviced. The difference with Thong Lanna is visibility — into what we find, what we recommend, and what we actually do.
Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six Reasons Owners Choose Thong Lanna
Honest assessment first
We tell you what we find before asking for a decision. No work starts without your agreement.
Written record provided
A plain-language summary of all work done, with measurements, is yours to keep.
Calibrated measurement
Rate, beat error, and amplitude are measured on professional equipment before and after service.
Your choices respected
Refinishing depth, parts decisions, and service scope are always guided by your preferences.
Service warranty included
Each service includes a short warranty on the work performed. If something is not right, we address it.
Unhurried conversation
We take the time to understand your watch and your goals. There is no pressure to decide on the spot.
Expertise
Fourteen Years of Movement Work
The founder of Thong Lanna trained under an independent watchmaker before opening this workshop in 2011. Since then, the team has worked through a wide range of movements — from mass-produced Swiss calibres to obscure antique ébauches. Experience with variety is what allows a watchmaker to recognise when a piece needs something outside the routine.
- Swiss, Japanese, and European mechanical movements
- Antique and vintage pocket watches
- Hand-finishing of replacement parts when required
14+
Years of focused movement work
±3 s/d
Typical regulated accuracy after tune-up
Equipment
Measured Results, Not Estimates
A timegrapher measures the rate and amplitude of a movement with precision. We take readings in multiple positions and share the raw results — before and after the service. This is the only way to verify that a regulation has actually improved a watch's behaviour, rather than simply asserting it has.
- Multi-position rate testing
- Beat error and amplitude recorded
- Results shared with the owner
Communication
No Surprises, No Pressure
We have found that most concerns owners have about bringing a watch to a repair workshop come down to one thing: uncertainty. What will be found? How much will it cost? Will the watch be the same when it comes back? Our approach to all of these is the same — explain clearly, agree in advance, and document throughout.
- Assessment findings shared before work begins
- Unexpected findings flagged, not buried
- Final cost reflects only agreed scope
Agreed Before Started
Every service scope confirmed in writing
฿4,200 – ฿14,500
Clear pricing by service type, no hidden additions
Value
Transparent Pricing for Each Service
Each of our three services has a stated price. The tune-up and overhaul prices cover the work as described. For antique restorations, a quote is provided after assessment, given the variability of the work involved. In all cases, the final amount will match what was agreed — additional work is only performed with prior approval.
- Stated prices on all standard services
- Antique work quoted after assessment
- No additions without agreement
Outcomes
A Watch That Runs Well and Lasts Longer
A properly serviced mechanical watch will typically hold its rate more reliably and require less frequent attention than one that has been oiled cursorily. The care taken at each service — correct lubricants, calibrated regulation, thorough cleaning — adds up over time. Owners who maintain their watches this way generally find they are wearing the same piece years or decades later.
- Improved and measured timekeeping
- Extended service intervals with correct lubrication
- Documented baseline for future reference
Watches That Endure
Maintained pieces pass from one generation to the next
How We Compare
Thong Lanna vs. Typical Repair Options
| Feature | Thong Lanna | Typical Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Written assessment before work begins | ||
| Calibrated timegrapher results shared | ||
| Step-by-step photographic documentation | ||
| Refinishing depth agreed with owner | ||
| Antique and pocket watch expertise | ||
| Service warranty on adjustment work |
What Only We Offer
Distinctive Features of the Workshop
A Service Record That Travels with the Watch
We provide a written record for every piece that passes through the workshop. This record belongs to the owner and becomes part of the watch's history — useful for resale, insurance, or simply as a reference for the next service.
Refinishing on Your Terms
We do not apply a uniform polish to every case. Before any exterior work, we discuss what you want — whether that is a light clean, selective restoration, or a return to a sharper finish. The work follows your decision.
Hand-Finished Parts for Antique Work
When a replacement part cannot be sourced from a supplier, we make or adapt one by hand. This is time-consuming but it is the only approach that treats a historical piece with appropriate care.
Postal Service by Prior Arrangement
Clients from outside Chiang Mai can send watches to us by post. We discuss packing, condition, and expectations before the piece is sent, so nothing is left to uncertainty in transit.
Track Record
Milestones Since 2011
14
Years in operation
2,400+
Services completed
850+
Returning clients
4.9
Average client rating
Member, Thai Horological Society
Professional membership since 2014, maintaining continuing education in movement repair and restoration standards.
Formal Watchmaking Training
Founder trained under a master watchmaker in Lamphun, completing an apprenticeship before opening Thong Lanna in 2011.
Recommended by Chiang Mai Collectors Community
Regularly recommended within local watch collector networks for antique and vintage work.
Take the Next Step
Ready to Talk About Your Watch?
An enquiry costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Tell us about your watch and we'll let you know what might be possible.
Request an Assessment