What Owners Say
Pieces Returned, Owners Pleased
The watches we care for belong to people with stories about them. Here are a few of those stories, in the words of the owners themselves.
Back to Home400+
Timepieces serviced or restored
97%
Owner satisfaction rate
14+
Years of watchmaking experience
4.9
Average rating from verified clients
Client Reviews
In Their Own Words
Somchai C.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
My grandfather's automatic had not run in several years. I was uncertain whether it could be brought back — the movement looked quite dirty. Lanna Wela assessed it carefully, explained what they found without making it sound alarming, and came back with a clear cost before doing anything. The watch now runs within about eight seconds a day. I am genuinely glad I found them.
Movement Service — May 2025
Pranee N.
Bangkok, visiting Chiang Mai
I had a small chip on my dress watch crystal that had been bothering me for months. They replaced it while I was visiting the city — a sapphire crystal fitted properly, with the case cleaned around the bezel as well. The difference is noticeable. The whole thing was straightforward and they kept me informed about which crystal they were fitting before they did anything.
Crystal Replacement — April 2025
David W.
British expat, Chiang Mai
I had a vintage Swiss movement that several other shops had told me was too old to be worth servicing. Lanna Wela disagreed — politely — and took it on. The written plan they produced before starting was more detailed than I expected and gave me confidence they knew what they were doing. It took a few weeks but the result was worth the patience.
Vintage Restoration — April 2025
Kanya T.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
What I appreciated most was how they communicated. I had been to other repair shops where you hand over a watch, receive no updates, and collect it with an unexpected bill. At Lanna Wela every step was discussed first. I knew what was happening, why, and what it would cost. That alone made the experience very different.
Movement Service — May 2025
Michael R.
Australian, long-term Chiang Mai resident
I collect vintage Japanese automatics and finding someone in Thailand who is comfortable working on older Seiko and Citizen movements is not easy. The workshop here handled two pieces for me without any drama — serviced properly, timing results shared after, and both running well four months on. I will bring more.
Movement Service (x2) — March–April 2025
Natchaya P.
Chiang Rai, Thailand
My mother's watch — a piece she brought from her travels in Europe in the 1970s — needed a crystal and a service. I was nervous about trusting it anywhere. The team here took time to explain what they saw and what they recommended. They were honest that the vintage patina on the dial would be left untouched, which was exactly what I wanted to hear.
Crystal Replacement & Service Consultation — May 2025
Stories in More Detail
Case Studies
The Challenge
A 1968 Swiss lever-escapement pocket watch, inherited from a Thai-Chinese merchant family, had not run in over twenty years. The owner brought it to us with no expectations other than to understand whether it could be brought back to life at all. The movement showed significant oil degradation and several rusted jewel settings.
Our Approach
We produced a written assessment covering each affected component, with photographs shared with the owner before any work began. After discussion and agreement, the movement was fully rebuilt over five weeks, with a replacement mainspring sourced and two jewel settings carefully re-bedded. The original dial and case were cleaned conservatively to remove surface dirt without disturbing the aged finish.
The Result
The pocket watch now runs to within thirty seconds per day — appropriate for a movement of its age and type. The owner collects it regularly and regards it as the piece they are most glad to have rescued. The original patina on the dial, which they had specifically asked us to preserve, remains exactly as it was.
Full Vintage Restoration — 5 weeks — ฿14,700
The Challenge
A daily-worn automatic had been running about four minutes fast each day for several months. The owner had assumed this was normal wear and had not had the movement serviced in approximately seven years. The crystal had also developed fine hairline scratches across the centre, making the dial harder to read in bright light.
Our Approach
We assessed the movement first and found the oil had degraded significantly on the regulating mechanism, causing the erratic rate. We discussed both the movement service and crystal replacement together, giving the owner one clear decision to make rather than two separate ones. Both were agreed before any work began.
The Result
After service and a mineral crystal replacement, the watch runs within three seconds per day. The owner commented that it felt like a different watch to wear — lighter dial reading, more reliable timekeeping. Total turnaround was seventeen days, with one progress update shared midway through.
Movement Service + Crystal — 17 days — ฿12,200 combined
The Challenge
A 1980s Japanese automatic purchased abroad had stopped running shortly after the owner moved to Chiang Mai. Two other shops in the city had declined the job, citing unfamiliarity with the calibre. The owner had largely given up on it before being referred to Lanna Wela.
Our Approach
We were familiar with this calibre family and agreed to take it on after a proper inspection. The movement needed a replacement click spring and a thorough clean — nothing exceptional, but work that required the right parts and patience to locate them. We kept the owner informed throughout what proved to be a slightly longer parts-sourcing process.
The Result
The watch was returned running well within its specification, timing verified and results provided. The owner was visibly surprised that it had been possible at all. We charge the same for less-common calibres as for familiar ones — the work is what it is, and the owner's piece deserves the same care regardless of its heritage.
Movement Service — 21 days — ฿4,500
Find Us
Contact Details
Phone
+66 97 524 8160Workshop
78 Loi Kroh Road
Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai 50100
Hours
Mon–Sat: 10:00–18:00
Sunday: Closed
Professional Standing
Credentials and Memberships
Thai Horological Association
Professional member, affirming standards in mechanical watchwork across Thailand.
Certified Watchmaking Technician
Technical certification in mechanical movement servicing and repair procedures.
Recommended — Chiang Mai Workshop Directory 2024
Listed among recommended repair and restoration specialists in northern Thailand.
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