Our Story
A Small Workshop,
Focused on One Thing
Hairspring was built around the belief that a watch deserves the same care on its second service as it received on its first — whether it cost a few thousand baht or considerably more.
← Back to HomeThe Workshop
How Hairspring Came to Be
The name comes from the balance-wheel spring — the slender coil at the heart of a mechanical movement that governs each oscillation. It is one of the most delicate parts in a watch, and one that demands both patience and precision to set correctly. That quality felt like an honest description of the work we do.
Hairspring opened on Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai because the neighbourhood suited a small technical workshop: accessible without being frantic, with the kind of foot traffic that brings in people who are curious about craft rather than in a hurry. The location has stayed the same since the workshop opened, and so has the approach.
We take on quartz and mechanical work. Battery and seal visits are straightforward and usually done the same day. Calibre-level servicing takes longer and is carried out with more documentation — you will always know what was found inside and what was done about it before the watch leaves the bench.
Our Position
What We Are Here to Do
Most watches that come in do not need a complicated story. A fresh cell, a gasket that holds pressure, or a clean movement that runs within a reasonable daily rate — these are modest aims, and they are the right ones. We do not oversell the scope of a job.
When a watch does need more involved work — a column-wheel chronograph whose reset column is worn, for example, or a movement that has been running dry for years — we explain the situation plainly and let you decide how to proceed. There is no pressure to approve work you are not certain about.
Our mission is simple: return each watch in better functional order than it arrived, communicate clearly along the way, and charge a fair price for the work actually done.
The People
Who Works on Your Watch
Krit Pornprasert
Lead Watchmaker
Trained in movement service and regulation, Krit handles chronograph and mechanical calibre work. He has been repairing watches in Chiang Mai for over a decade and keeps precise notes on every calibre that passes through the bench.
Nantawan Wongsa
Quartz & Seal Technician
Nantawan manages quartz servicing, cell replacements, and water-resistance checks. She carries out pressure tests methodically and is careful to document any case condition notes for the owner before work proceeds.
Arthit Tanasri
Workshop Coordinator
Arthit handles intake, customer communication, and parts sourcing. If you contact Hairspring by phone or email, you will most likely speak with him first. He ensures every watch is logged, tracked, and returned with its paperwork in order.
How We Work
Standards We Hold to
Calibre-Correct Lubricants
We use the oil grades specified for each movement type — escapement oil, mainspring grease, and pallet-fork lubricant are not interchangeable. Applying the wrong viscosity shortens the interval before the next service.
Pressure Testing Equipment
Water-resistance checks are performed with a dry-air pressure tester rather than by submerging the case. This allows us to assess seal integrity without introducing moisture to any joint that might already be marginal.
Written Service Records
Each calibre-level job receives a written summary noting what was found, what parts were replaced, and the timing rate observed at completion. We encourage owners to keep this with the watch as a service history record.
Case and Bracelet Protection
We protect the case and bracelet from bench contact during movement work. When a watch comes in for a service, it should leave in the same cosmetic state — we are not here to polish it unless you specifically request that.
Rate Checking After Assembly
Mechanical movements are placed on a timing machine after reassembly to verify the daily rate in multiple positions. We share the readings with you so you have a clear picture of how the movement is running.
Secure Watch Storage
Watches left for multi-day service are stored securely on-site. Each piece is tagged on intake with owner details and the agreed scope of work, so nothing is misplaced or confused with another job on the bench.
About Our Expertise
Watch Repair in Chiang Mai — What to Expect from Hairspring
Chiang Mai has a growing community of watch enthusiasts, and many residents want a local option for servicing that goes beyond department-store battery kiosks. Hairspring was established to fill that space — a workshop where you can bring a quartz dress watch or a mechanical sports piece and receive the same considered attention either way.
Quartz calibres often ask very little of their owners for years at a time, which can lead to neglect. Seals degrade gradually, and a crown gasket that was adequate five years ago may no longer hold a pressure test. A battery replacement appointment is a reasonable moment to also assess whether the seals are worth renewing — especially ahead of Thailand's rainy season or a beach holiday.
Mechanical watches are more particular about service intervals. A movement running low on lubrication will still keep time for a while, but wear accumulates on the escapement and keyless works until a more substantial repair becomes necessary. A timely service — usually every four to six years depending on the calibre — keeps that cost manageable.
Chronograph calibres occupy their own category. The additional levers, springs, and column-wheel mechanisms that control the stopwatch function require careful disassembly and individual attention during reassembly. We carry out chronograph servicing over several days and provide a written summary of the work done, so you leave with a clear account of what was found inside the case.
If you are unsure which service your watch needs, contact us with a brief description — movement type if you know it, brand, what you have noticed — and we will suggest the most appropriate option without steering you toward something you do not need.
Ready to Bring Your Watch In?
Drop by the workshop on Nimmanhaemin Road during opening hours, or send a message ahead of time if the piece needs a longer conversation.
Get in Touch