Kalasiam
Happy clients with watches

Kalasiam · Client Experiences

What clients have found here

These are accounts from people who have brought watches to Kalasiam. They describe what they came with, what happened, and what they took away.

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11+

Years in watchmaking

840+

Pieces serviced

4.8

Average client rating

96%

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Reviews

In their own words

Reviews collected between June and July 2025. Names and locations shared with permission.

ST

Suchat Teerawat

Chiang Mai

I brought in my grandfather's Omega from the 1960s. It had not run properly for years and a shop in town had told me it was not worth repairing. Kalasiam looked at it carefully, told me exactly what they found, and gave me the choice. I agreed to the restoration. When I collected it, it was running within two seconds a day. The written result they gave me is something I have kept.

July 2025 · Vintage Restoration

MW

Michael Wenger

Visiting from Switzerland

I was in Chiang Mai for a few weeks and noticed my Seiko was running fast. Found Kalasiam by chance. The timing regulation took two days. They gave me a printed result showing the before and after positions, which I appreciated — it is the kind of documentation you would expect from a good watchmaker, and it was not something I expected to find here. They were honest that the rate could drift again if the movement needs a fuller service in a year or two.

June 2025 · Timing Regulation

NP

Nattakan Phongphan

Bangkok, regular visitor to CM

Water resistance assessment for my diving watch — the crystal had fogged once after a short swim and I wanted to understand why. Kalasiam replaced all the seals, pressure tested it, and gave me a result showing exactly what pressure it held. They also explained in plain terms that my watch is rated to 100m but that practical limits for a watch of its age are probably closer to 30m. That is the kind of honest answer I was looking for.

July 2025 · Water Resistance Assessment

KL

Kanokporn Laithong

Lamphun

My mother's watch had been sitting in a box for fifteen years. I was not sure if it was worth spending money on, so I brought it in asking just for a look. They assessed it at no charge and explained clearly what was needed. I decided to go ahead with the restoration. Three weeks later I collected a watch that my mother now wears every day. The cost was reasonable and nothing was hidden from me at any point.

June 2025 · Vintage Restoration

JB

James Buckley

Digital nomad, UK origin

Brought in a vintage Longines that I had bought at a market in Bangkok. I was not sure what condition it was in. Kalasiam told me what they found before doing anything, which I appreciated because it meant I could decide whether the repair made sense given what I had paid for it. The work took about two and a half weeks. The watch now runs well. My only note would be that updates during the wait would have been welcome, but the end result was good.

July 2025 · Vintage Restoration

PW

Prayuth Wongchai

Chiang Rai

I used the timing regulation service after noticing my watch was running about a minute fast each day. The difference after regulation was significant — now it loses perhaps five seconds a day at most, which is well within what I would expect. The service took two working days and they called me when it was ready. Simple and professional.

July 2025 · Timing Regulation

Case Studies

Three detailed accounts

Case Study · Vintage Restoration

A 1958 Longines brought back into daily use

Challenge

A client arrived with a 1958 Longines 12.68Z calibre that had not run for approximately eight years. The movement was seized. Previous attempts at repair elsewhere had resulted in a bent cannon pinion, which the other repairer had not disclosed.

Our Approach

Full disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, and internal inspection. The bent cannon pinion was identified and discussed with the client. A period-correct replacement was sourced over two weeks. Movement lubricated with appropriate watchmaker-grade oils and reassembled. Timed over 48 hours.

Outcome

Movement running at +4 seconds per day in crown-up position, +7 seconds dial-down. Client received full timing sheet. Watch has now been in daily use for two months with no further issues reported.

"I had almost given up on this one. The written assessment before work began meant I understood the risk, and I was glad I decided to proceed."

Duration: 3.5 weeks · Service: Vintage Restoration · ฿5,600 THB

Case Study · Timing Regulation

Regulation of a Japanese automatic purchased for daily wear

Challenge

A client purchased a mid-range Japanese automatic at a Chiang Mai market and found it was gaining roughly 90 seconds per day. The movement was in otherwise good condition — it simply needed regulation rather than a full service.

Our Approach

Multi-position timing diagnostic. Initial beat error measured at 1.2ms — slightly high but not severe. Regulator adjusted; timing rerun in six positions. Beat error brought to 0.3ms. Rate settled at +8 seconds per day across positions, which is within normal range for this movement family.

Outcome

Client collected watch with printed timing results showing before and after figures. Advised that a full movement service in 2–3 years would help maintain this result. Watch now worn daily with no reported drift.

"Exactly what I needed — a fast, affordable fix with real data to show what changed."

Duration: 2 working days · Service: Timing Regulation · ฿1,900 THB

Case Study · Water Resistance

Gasket renewal and pressure testing before rainy season travel

Challenge

A client was planning a two-week trip including water activities and wanted to verify that their 10-year-old diver's watch could handle the exposure. The crown gasket was visibly compressed and the caseback seal had not been renewed since purchase.

Our Approach

All three gaskets — crown, crystal, and caseback — renewed with appropriate grade nitrile seals. Dry pressure test to 10 bar conducted first; watch held the pressure cleanly. Wet test at 5 bar for 30 minutes followed. No ingress detected.

Outcome

Client provided with written result showing test pressures and pass notation. Advised on practical daily limits for a watch of this age and construction. Client completed travel without moisture issues.

"The fact that they tested it properly rather than just changing the gaskets and telling me it was fine made a real difference to my confidence."

Duration: 4 working days · Service: Water Resistance · ฿4,100 THB

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Where to find us

Address

219 Thanon Nimmanhaemin
Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200

Hours

Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: Closed

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Bring your piece in and see for yourself

Initial assessments are at no charge. You are welcome to come in, talk about your watch, and leave with no obligation if you prefer to think it over.

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