What careful work
actually provides
There is no shortage of places to leave a watch. The question worth asking is what kind of attention it will receive there.
← Back to HomeSix reasons to choose this workshop
Trained hands
Our lead watchmaker trained formally in Bangkok and Zurich — not self-taught from online guides.
Written record every time
You receive a summary of findings and work done — a reference you can keep.
Scope agreed before work starts
Nothing proceeds without your understanding of what will be done and what it will cost.
Only what is needed
We do not recommend work unless we can explain why it is necessary for this particular watch.
Timing machine verification
After service, movements are tested on professional equipment — not just visually inspected.
Tracked from intake to collection
Every watch is tagged and logged. Nothing is misplaced or confused with another job.
Years in the movement, not just the trade
Khun Prayut spent over a decade learning horology properly before opening Lanna Time — study in Bangkok, apprenticeship work in Zurich, and a return to Chiang Mai with a clear picture of what good repair actually looks like. That background shapes every decision made on a movement.
- Formal training in mechanical horology
- Familiarity with Swiss, Japanese, and older Thai-market calibres
- Seven years of continuous workshop practice in Chiang Mai
Years of workshop practice in Chiang Mai
Years of horological training before opening
The equipment we use
Watch-specific fluids, not generic solvent
Six-position accuracy measurement
Pressure test after gasket replacement
7× and 10× for component inspection
The right instruments matter
A watch cleaned in a poorly maintained bath, or reassembled without timing verification, may leave the workshop looking fine but running inconsistently. We use professional equipment because the alternative is guessing — and guessing costs the owner time and money further down the road.
The tools also allow us to give precise information: not "it runs a bit fast" but "it gains 12 seconds per day in the dial-up position." That specificity is useful for understanding how a movement is wearing.
We explain, not just repair
The gap between a watchmaker and a watch owner is often one of language — not spoken language, but the vocabulary of movements. We consider it part of the job to close that gap. You should leave knowing what was found, what was done, and roughly when the watch will need attention again.
Communication happens in Thai or English depending on your preference. If you want to ask questions while the watch is open on the bench, that is encouraged.
What you'll always receive
- A pre-work assessment with no commitment to proceed
- A quoted scope before any work begins
- A written record of findings and completed work
- Aftercare guidance specific to your watch
- A realistic next-service recommendation
Pricing explained
All prices are starting points quoted before work begins. If findings require a different scope, we discuss it with you first.
Clear from the start
Our prices reflect the time, materials, and equipment that proper watch service requires. They are not padded with hidden charges, and they are not artificially low in a way that leads to shortcuts on the workbench.
The Service Health Check at ฿4,300 is particularly useful for anyone unsure whether their watch needs more involved work — it often answers that question clearly and costs less than proceeding directly to a service that may not have been necessary.
Lanna Time vs. a typical quick-repair counter
A fair comparison of what different approaches actually deliver.
| Feature | Typical Quick Counter | Lanna Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-work assessment | ||
| Written service record | ||
| Timing machine verification | Sometimes | |
| Ultrasonic cleaning | Rarely | |
| Correct lubricants per component | ||
| Scope quoted before proceeding | Varies | |
| Heritage part sourcing | ||
| Aftercare guidance |
Distinctly Lanna Time
The "only what is needed" principle
We do not recommend a full service when a targeted repair will do. We do not replace a crystal when it can be polished. This approach costs us some revenue and saves you money — and we think that is the right way to work.
Heritage movement knowledge
Many workshops in the region focus on modern quartz pieces and newer automatics. Lanna Time has particular experience with older Swiss and Japanese movements — the kind found in family watches and long-kept pieces that rarely receive proper attention.
Thai and English fluency
Service documentation, consultations, and aftercare advice are available in both languages. Nuance is not lost in translation — you understand exactly what was found and what was done.
Sensible service interval advice
We tell you when the watch should reasonably come back — not as early as possible to generate work, but based on the movement type, usage, and conditions the watch sees in everyday Chiang Mai life.
A quiet record
2017
Year established on Tha Phae Road
600+
Movements serviced since opening
94%
Returning clients who have used the workshop more than once
3
Services covering the full range of typical repair needs
Member since 2019 — a peer group of independent skilled-trade workshops in the region
Associate member — ongoing engagement with professional horology standards in Thailand
Recognised May 2025 among craft repair businesses in the northern Thailand region
Bring the watch in
A first visit is just a conversation. Bring your watch, describe what you've noticed, and we'll give you a clear picture of where things stand.
Request a Service