Why Phaya

What makes working
with us different.

No surprises on the bill. No work started without your agreement. No guessing about timelines. These are not policies — they are just how we think repair should work.

Back to Home

At a glance

Six things to know about us

Pricing shown before work starts

We assess every watch and quote you in writing before touching it. The final invoice matches the quote unless something unexpected is found — in which case we call you first.

Timelines we actually keep

We do not overbook. The timeframe we give you at drop-off reflects when your watch will be ready. If anything changes, you hear from us directly.

Over fifteen years of practice

The team at Phaya has worked with mechanical and quartz movements since 2009. There are very few situations in a watch we have not seen before.

You are kept informed

We contact you when there is something worth knowing — not just when the watch is ready. Restoration clients receive updates at each stage.

Original parts preserved

For restoration work, original components are conserved wherever the movement will allow. Nothing original is discarded without discussion.

Established in Chiang Mai

A physical workshop you can visit, with the same address since 2009. We are not a collection service — you can drop in, meet us, and talk about your watch in person.

Professional expertise

Niran Suwanprasert trained in Switzerland before returning to Thailand. The wider team brings specialist knowledge across Swiss, Japanese, and vintage calibres. This breadth means most watches can be assessed and serviced without being sent elsewhere.

Swiss-trained head watchmaker
Specialist in vintage calibres and modern automatics
In-house assessment — no outsourcing for standard work

15+

years of watchmaking practice in Chiang Mai

watchmakers covering different movement families

1,200+

watches serviced or restored since opening

Our workshop tools

Electronic timing machine for regulation across six positions
Ultrasonic cleaning for movement components
Swiss-specification lubricants matched to each calibre
Water resistance testing to rated depth
Stereo microscope for dial and movement inspection

Technology and methods

The tools matter, but so does knowing when to use them. We use modern equipment — timing machines, ultrasonic cleaners, water resistance testers — where they add value, and traditional technique where that serves the watch better.

For older pieces, we are careful about what the watch can tolerate. Not every vintage movement should go through an ultrasonic cleaner. These judgements come from experience, not from a standard process applied to everything.

Customer service

We treat each client as someone who cares about their watch — because they do. Questions are answered without impatience. Assessments are explained in plain language. If we think a service is not yet necessary, we will say so.

In-person and remote enquiries both welcome
One working day response to all messages
Postal service for clients outside Chiang Mai

Value and pricing

Our service prices reflect the actual time and materials involved. We do not inflate quotes or add charges for things the watch does not need. We also do not cut corners to compete on price — the work is what it is, and the cost is what it needs to be.

Published pricing for all three service tiers
No additional charges without prior agreement
Assessment included in service cost, not billed separately

Comparison

Phaya versus typical alternatives

A straightforward look at how our approach differs from what many watch owners encounter elsewhere.

What to consider	Typical provider	Phaya
Price agreed before work starts
Specific timeline provided at drop-off
Original parts kept and returned
Written service record provided
Multi-position timing test after service
Postal service for out-of-town clients
Cosmetic decisions discussed before action

What sets us apart

Distinctive features of working with Phaya

The "Look First" Policy

We do not start work — on any watch — without first assessing it and agreeing the scope with you. This is not a formality; it is the way the process is structured. No assumptions, no surprises.

Documented Restoration

Every restoration piece is photographed and noted at the stages of assessment, disassembly, and completion. You receive a written summary. This is unusual in the region and matters for insurance and provenance.

The Conservation Option

Not every watch needs to look as it might have done when new. If the patina, the case wear, or the aged dial matters to you, we will preserve it. We offer conservation — not just restoration — as a distinct approach.

Known workshop, known people

You know who is working on your watch. Phaya is not a franchise or an intermediary. The watchmakers you speak with are the ones who handle the pieces. That directness matters when the watch matters.

Recognition

Milestones and affiliations

2019

Recognised by the Chiang Mai Craft & Trade Association for specialist services

WOSTEP

Head watchmaker holds WOSTEP-equivalent formal horological training