Client Experiences
What owners say
after collecting their watch.
These are accounts from people who've brought a watch to Wela Atelier — what they expected, what happened, and how the piece came back.
11+
Years in horology
340+
Movements serviced
4.8
Average client rating
96%
Would recommend us
Reviews
From those who've been here before
Somchai Klaikaew
Bangkok, collector
I brought in a 1960s Omega Seamaster that had stopped running. The assessment came back clearly written — four specific issues, a proposed course of action, and the cost. Nothing vague. The watch came back running within about 8 seconds per day, which is honestly better than I'd hoped. Three weeks start to finish.
May 2025 · Movement overhaul
Natthida Wiriyaphan
Chiang Mai
My grandmother's pocket watch had sat in a drawer for maybe twenty years. I wasn't sure it could be fixed. They sent me a very detailed email explaining what they found and what was possible. The turnaround was longer than expected — about six weeks — but the watch now runs and the original dial was preserved exactly as I wanted. Worth the wait.
April 2025 · Antique restoration
Pratheep Tangtrongchit
Bangkok
I'd had two bad experiences at larger service shops where watches came back with buffed cases that had lost all their original lines. So I was cautious when I brought in a JLC Reverso that needed a service. The watchmaker understood immediately — we agreed that the case would not be touched, only the movement. Exactly that was done. Service record included timing results in six positions.
May 2025 · Movement overhaul
Arisa Suradej
Bangkok, watch enthusiast
Brought in a vintage Longines with a quite scratched case. We had a good conversation about what to do — they explained the difference between removing scratches properly and just polishing everything flat. In the end we went for selective refinishing. The watch looks much better without losing its character. Good communication throughout.
April 2025 · Dial & case restoration
Krittapas Phongphan
Pattaya
I needed a mainspring replaced on an old Seiko 5. They didn't suggest more work than was needed — just the spring. The job was done in about two and a half weeks. Only minor thing is parking near Charoen Krung is a bit awkward, but the workshop itself is easy to find once you're on the street.
May 2025 · Movement overhaul
William Bauer
Bangkok (German expat)
As a German living in Bangkok I've struggled to find a watchmaker who approaches service the way I'd expect back home — with proper documentation and attention to detail. Wela Atelier is the first place here that has met that standard. My Glashütte Original came back with a service record I could actually read and use.
May 2025 · Movement overhaul
Case Studies
Three projects, in more detail
Challenge
A 1958 Omega Constellation with a broken shock jewel and failing keyless works
The watch had stopped entirely. The owner had inherited it from his father and wanted it running again without over-restoring it — patina intact.
Solution
Sourced a period-correct shock jewel setting through the NAWCC parts network. Rebuilt the keyless works. Full ultrasonic cleaning of the calibre 505 movement. Original dial left entirely untouched as agreed.
Result
Movement running at +5s/day average across six positions. Case and dial unchanged. Service record provided with timing data. Total project: four weeks.
"I didn't want it to look new. They understood that without me having to argue for it."
Challenge
A Thai-bought pocket watch from the 1920s with a completely frozen movement and missing crown
A collector brought in a piece from an estate sale. The movement would not turn, the stem was broken internally, and no replacement crown was available commercially.
Solution
Full disassembly revealed severe pivot wear and rust on three wheels. Two pivots were repolished; one wheel required fabrication. A crown was turned to match the original. Dial conserved, not cleaned.
Result
Pocket watch now runs reliably. Project took eight weeks and was discussed in detail throughout. Written project record provided. Owner decided to keep the aged dial as found.
"Eight weeks felt long at first but the updates they sent helped. The finished result was genuinely surprising."
Challenge
A modern Seiko SARB with deep case scratches from a workshop incident
An owner had damaged his daily-wear watch in a workshop. Scratches went through the brushed finish to bare metal on two lugs. The dial was undamaged and needed no work.
Solution
Selective case refinishing — only the affected lugs were worked on. Brushed surfaces were restored using appropriate draw filing and finishing media. Polished bevels were not touched.
Result
Damage addressed without over-polishing the case. The watch retained its production character. Two-week turnaround for case work only.
"You can't tell where the damage was. And importantly, nothing else was changed — I specifically didn't want a full polish."
Reach Us
Workshop contact details
Telephone
+66 2 619 4738Address
142 Charoen Krung Rd, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00
Sat 10:00–15:00
Professional Standing
Credentials and recognition
NAWCC Member
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors — member since 2017.
Swiss-trained
Lead watchmaker trained in Geneva and La Chaux-de-Fonds regions.
Thai Craft Awards 2024
Highly commended — Heritage Object Conservation category.
Your watch is next.
Contact us with a brief description of your timepiece and what it needs. We'll be in touch to arrange an assessment.
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