Kalasiam · Our Story
A small atelier with an unhurried point of view
Kalasiam was founded on the idea that watch repair works better when the person bringing in the piece is treated as a collaborator, not a customer waiting on a ticket.
Back to HomeWho We Are
From a bench on Nimmanhaemin
Kalasiam began when its founder, after years of studying mechanical watchmaking in Bangkok and later in Geneva, returned to Chiang Mai with the intention of opening a quiet, focused workshop rather than a large commercial repair centre. The name Kalasiam — drawn loosely from the Thai word for time and a nod to the country that shaped the atelier's character — reflects that intention: a place where time is taken seriously, and not rushed.
The workshop sits on Nimmanhaemin Road, one of the older streets in Chiang Mai's Suthep district. The space is deliberately small. A larger workshop would mean more throughput; that is not what Kalasiam is for. The priority is that each watch that comes through the door receives considered attention, and that the person who brought it in understands what was done and why.
Over the years the atelier has developed particular experience with vintage and inherited watches — pieces that carry weight beyond their mechanical function. These require a different kind of care. The instinct to restore everything to factory condition is not always correct. Sometimes the more respectful response is to stabilise a movement, regulate it, and leave well alone.
Kalasiam's approach is to communicate before acting. An assessment is shared with you, options are discussed, and nothing is changed without agreement. This is not a slow process — it is simply a careful one.
The Atelier
The People at the Bench
Pimchanok Krisana
Master Watchmaker
Trained in Geneva and Bangkok, Pimchanok oversees all restoration and diagnostic work with a focus on preserving the original character of each piece.
Nattawut Sirichai
Technical Specialist
Nattawut handles timing regulation, pressure testing, and the careful replacement of seals and gaskets. He is meticulous about documentation.
Waraporn Phanich
Client Liaison
Waraporn is the first point of contact for new clients. She handles assessments, written reports, and ensures that communication is clear at every stage.
How We Work
Standards We Hold to in Every Job
These are not policies printed on a wall — they are habits that have shaped the workshop since it opened.
Written Assessments
Every watch that comes in for more than a brief look receives a written condition note before any work is authorised.
Appropriate Lubricants Only
We use watchmaker-grade lubricants chosen for each movement type and age. Incorrect lubrication is one of the most common causes of premature wear.
Post-Service Testing
After any restoration or regulation, the watch runs on the timing machine for at least 24 hours before it is collected or returned.
Parts Retained
Any part removed from your watch is kept and returned to you in a small envelope. You may inspect or retain it as you wish.
Secure Storage
Watches left in our care are stored in a locked cabinet when not being worked on. We do not leave pieces unattended on open surfaces.
Clear Collection Protocol
We confirm identity before releasing any watch and provide a written receipt noting work completed and the date of collection.
Our Values
A watchmaker's patience applied to every task
Watch repair requires a disposition that is at odds with speed. The components inside a mechanical movement are small, interconnected, and sensitive to how they are handled. A repairer who rushes creates problems that take longer to resolve than the original fault. At Kalasiam the pace of work is set by the watch, not by an appointment calendar.
Northern Thailand has a long tradition of craft that values the relationship between maker and material. In Chiang Mai, teak carvers, silversmiths, and weavers have historically worked with an attention to detail that does not appear in mass production. Kalasiam sits in that tradition — not as a claim of cultural heritage, but as a genuine reflection of where the atelier is located and the values it has absorbed from the community around it.
Clients who bring their watches to Kalasiam include long-term Chiang Mai residents, travellers passing through the city with a piece that needs attention, and collectors who have been searching for a repairer they can trust with something that matters to them. The mix is broad, and each situation is treated with the same careful approach regardless of the piece's monetary value.
We believe that a watch returned in honest, running condition — with a clear record of what was done — is worth more than one polished to look new but worked on hastily. That belief shapes every decision made at the bench.
Work With Us
Bring your watch in for an honest look
An initial assessment costs nothing and commits you to nothing. We simply look at what you have and tell you what we find.
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