Why Nathi Studio
What makes careful work
worth choosing
Repair workshops are not all the same. This page explains what we do differently and why it matters for your watch.
Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six things you can rely on at Nathi Studio
You hear what we found and what it costs before work begins. No jargon used to justify services you did not ask for.
For restoration work, we pause between stages and wait for your agreement before continuing.
Each service has a stated price. If anything falls outside the agreed scope, we discuss it with you first.
Mechanical, quartz, and vintage pieces all handled by watchmakers who have worked on a wide variety of movements.
Timekeeping and pressure test results are recorded and shared with you. You leave with evidence of what was done.
We do not add services without being asked. We do not create urgency. The pace is yours.
In Depth
Professional expertise
The studio's lead watchmaker trained formally in Bangkok before relocating to Chiang Mai in 2012. Over more than a decade of bench work, the range of movements seen — from inexpensive quartz to Swiss mechanical — has built a practical knowledge base that benefits every piece that comes in. The team includes a specialist in water resistance testing who joined in 2017 after several years working on dive and sports watches.
- Over 12 years of Chiang Mai repair work
- Mechanical, quartz, and vintage movement experience
- Dedicated pressure testing expertise on the team
Testing equipment and process
Timekeeping regulation is measured with a timing machine that records rate across multiple positions — dial up, crown up, crown down, and so on. This gives a complete picture rather than a single reading. Water resistance is assessed using a calibrated pressure chamber rather than a water submersion test, which avoids unnecessary risk to the watch during evaluation.
- Multi-position timing machine measurements
- Calibrated pressure chamber for water resistance
- Results documented and provided to client
Communication and service approach
Every watch coming into the studio is logged with a condition assessment and photographs. The owner receives a copy. During restoration work, we contact you at agreed milestones — before opening the movement, before reassembly, before the final test. You can ask questions at any stage and the work pauses if you need time to consider.
- Written intake record with condition photographs
- Contact at each restoration milestone
- Straightforward answers without technical pressure
Value and pricing structure
Services are priced clearly: ฿3,700 for timekeeping adjustment, ฿5,200 for a water resistance check, and ฿7,800 for a complete restoration. These figures cover the standard scope of each service. If additional parts are needed, or if the assessment reveals something that changes the work involved, you are told before the cost changes. You never receive a bill that was not agreed upon.
- Fixed prices stated upfront for each service
- No cost surprises — changes discussed before proceeding
- Honest assessment of whether repair is worthwhile
Outcomes you can measure
A timekeeping adjustment delivers a measured result — not a vague improvement but a recorded rate across positions. A water resistance check passes or fails the rated pressure, and you receive that result in writing. The complete restoration gives you a piece that has been documented at intake and re-documented on completion, so you can see clearly what changed.
- Written timekeeping result with position data
- Pass/fail water pressure certificate
- Before/after condition documentation for restorations
How We Compare
Nathi Studio vs. a typical watch repair service
| What to look for | Nathi Studio | Typical workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront written price before any work begins | Often quoted on collection | |
| Multi-position timing machine results provided | Rarely documented | |
| Calibrated pressure chamber for water resistance | Not always available | |
| Staged approval during restoration — nothing proceeds without consent | Rarely offered | |
| Intake condition photos on every piece | Uncommon | |
| Will advise against a repair if cost outweighs value | Depends on the shop | |
| No added services without being asked | Not always the case |
Distinctive Features
What you will not find everywhere
Before/After documentation
For restoration pieces, we photograph the watch before any work and again at completion. The two images sit alongside each other in your service record — a straightforward comparison that shows what the work achieved.
An honest "not worth it" verdict
If assessment reveals that the cost of repair would outweigh the watch's value or repairability, we say so directly. The initial assessment conversation carries no charge. This alone saves clients money and avoids regret.
Sentimental pieces handled differently
A watch with family history receives particular care — slower handling, more conservative choices, and a conversation about expectations before any work begins. Older pieces are not treated like standard repairs.
One contact throughout
The same person who takes in your watch manages communication through its time at the studio. You are not passed between staff members or left to explain the history of the piece more than once.
Recognition
Milestones and professional standing
12+
YEARS IN CHIANG MAI
900+
WATCHES SERVICED
3
SPECIALIST SERVICES
4.9
AVG. CLIENT RATING
Listed in the Chiang Mai local business directory for watch repair services since 2014
Member of the Thai Horological Service Network, an association of independent watch repair professionals
Featured in a 2023 Nimman neighbourhood guide to specialist craft and repair studios
See the difference for yourself
Bring your watch in for an initial assessment or send us a message. We will look at the piece and share what we find — honestly and without obligation.
Book an Assessment