Our Workshop
A Workshop Built Around the Work
Hairspring opened on Nimmanhaemin Road in 2009. The idea was simple: a place where watches receive the same consideration a skilled craftsperson would give their own timepiece.
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How Hairspring Came Together
The workshop was founded by Khun Wanchai Buranasiri, who trained under independent watchmakers in Switzerland before returning to Thailand. The name Hairspring — the delicate regulating spring at the heart of a mechanical movement — was chosen deliberately. It's the component that keeps everything in balance, and it reflects the kind of attention this work demands.
In the early years, the bench served mostly local collectors and a small number of referrals from jewellers who didn't carry their own repair service. Over time, the client base widened — travellers passing through Chiang Mai, expats, and Thai customers from across the north who needed a place they could trust with pieces that held real value, whether monetary or personal.
We've kept the team deliberately small. Each watchmaker handles a piece from intake through to completion — there's no handoff between stages, which means one person carries the full picture of what was found, what was done, and what the watch looked like when it came in.
What We Stand By
The Values Behind the Work
Transparency Before and After
We describe what we find, explain what the repair involves, and return every piece with a record of what was done. Nothing is vague about the process.
Respect for the Object
Watches carry history — of the person who wore them, the journeys they've been on. That context matters to how we approach the work.
No Unnecessary Work
If a part doesn't need replacing, we say so. We'd rather a customer leave satisfied with a smaller job done well than regret a larger one they didn't need.
The People
Who Works Here
Wanchai Buranasiri
Lead Watchmaker & Founder
Trained in mechanical horology with over eighteen years at the bench. Handles overhaul work and complex movement assessment.
Nattaya Thongchai
Watchmaker — Case & Crystal
Specialises in case finishing, crystal fitting, and bracelet work. Has been with Hairspring since 2015.
Pichit Saengthong
Workshop Coordinator
Manages intake, customer communication, and scheduling. Ensures every piece is tracked and returned on time.
How We Work
Workshop Standards
The practices we follow on every piece, regardless of value or service type.
Written Intake Documentation
Every watch is logged on arrival with a condition note, photographs, and a unique reference number. This record stays with the piece throughout its time with us.
Secure Storage
Watches not on the bench are held in a locked cabinet. Access is limited to workshop staff, and the log is reviewed at the start and close of each working day.
Post-Service Testing
After overhaul work, movements run on a timing machine for a minimum of 48 hours before the watch is returned. We check rate, amplitude, and beat error across positions.
Pressure Testing Where Applicable
Watches with water resistance ratings are pressure-tested after case opening and resealing. We use a dry pressure tester and note the result in the service record.
Original Parts Preference
Where original manufacturer parts are available, we use them. When they're not, we discuss the alternatives with the customer before proceeding.
Service Records on Return
Overhaul customers receive a written record of work completed, parts replaced, and timing results. Useful for insurance or future service reference.
The Craft
Watch Repair as a Considered Practice
The watchmaking trade rewards patience above most other qualities. A movement disassembled on a bench in Chiang Mai contains hundreds of components, many of which are smaller than a grain of rice and require tools ground to a single watchmaker's hand. The precision involved is not incidental to the work — it is the work.
At Hairspring, we handle mechanical and quartz watches across a broad range of makes and ages. The work ranges from a strap that's worn through to a movement that hasn't run in a decade, needing a full clean, fresh lubricants, and careful adjustment. Each category demands a different approach, but the underlying principle remains the same: look closely, understand what you're dealing with, and proceed without rushing.
Chiang Mai has a long-established culture of craft and repair. It's a city where traditional skills are still taught and practised, and where the idea of maintaining something well — rather than simply replacing it — carries genuine social weight. That environment suits the kind of work we do. Our clients come from the city itself, from across Thailand, and from other countries. What they share is an interest in keeping their watches in good order, and an expectation that the people handling them will take the job seriously.
When a watch leaves this workshop, it should work as it's supposed to and show the care that went into the service. That's the standard we hold ourselves to, and it's the reason our clients tend to come back.
Workshop Visits
Come and See Us
We're open Monday through Saturday. Bring your watch in for a look — no appointment necessary for drop-off and assessment.
Get in Touch