What people say
after the work is done

The Situation

A Chiang Mai resident brought in a manual-wind piece that had belonged to his father. The watch was running about three minutes slow per day and the owner had heard the mainspring might be stretched. He wasn't sure whether it was worth servicing or whether the cost would exceed the watch's market value.

What Was Found

Assessment showed the mainspring was still within tolerances but the lubricant in the escapement and going train had dried entirely. The timegrapher reading showed erratic amplitude — the movement was starved for oil rather than mechanically worn. A standard overhaul without mainspring replacement was the appropriate route.

The Result

After the overhaul, the movement ran at +4 seconds per day — well within the standard for this calibre. The owner received a condition note with both timegrapher readings. He mentioned the watch now ticks with a different, more regular sound, which he had not expected to notice.

The Situation

A visitor from Bangkok brought in a steel sports watch with a three-link bracelet. The centre links were originally polished and the outer links brushed. Years of wear had blurred the distinction — scratches across both surfaces, the polished sections showing wear flats from contact. The owner wanted the contrast restored.

The Approach

The bracelet was disassembled. Each link type was worked separately — the brushed sections with directional abrasive matched to the original grain, the polished sections brought back with progressively finer compound. The case lugs were included in the same work. Two worn end-link pins were replaced during reassembly.

The Result

The bracelet contrast was restored. The owner noted on collection that it looked as it had when purchased, without looking obviously refinished — which is the goal. The work took three days and came in at the quoted starting price as no unusual materials were needed.

The Situation

A Chiang Mai hotel worker brought in his daily-wear diver. The watch had stopped the previous evening. He mentioned he swam with it regularly and hadn't had the battery replaced in about five years. He was concerned about water damage.

What Was Found

The battery was flat — no water damage was present, which the water-resistance check after opening confirmed the seals had held. The contact surfaces showed minor surface oxidation from the discharged battery sitting in place, which was cleaned. Seals were renewed as a matter of course.

The Result

The watch was returned the same afternoon. The owner asked about the water resistance rating going forward — we explained the seal renewal meant it was back to the manufacturer's specification and offered advice on how often the seals should be renewed given his swimming use.