Our story
A workshop built around the work itself.
Wela Atelier opened because there was a gap: owners of fine and everyday timepieces deserved a quiet, honest place to have them looked after — without the pressure of a retail counter or the opacity of a large service centre.
Back to HomeHow we began
The atelier and its purpose.
Wela Atelier was established in Chiang Mai by a watchmaker who had spent years working within larger service operations and grew increasingly dissatisfied with the distance between the craftsperson and the owner. The name comes from the Thai word เวลา — time — a small acknowledgement that the work is, at its core, about the keeping of time.
The studio occupies a quiet corner of Nimmanhaemin Road. It is deliberately small. One watchmaker, a regulated bench, proper tooling, and the patience to do each job properly. The work carried out here ranges from routine battery and gasket services on quartz movements to complete disassembly and regulation of vintage mechanical pieces.
We do not attempt work we are not equipped to do well. If a piece falls outside our scope — because it requires manufacturer-specific tooling or specialised parts — we say so clearly and suggest where the owner might find appropriate help.
What guides us
Values that shape each conversation.
Honesty before service
If a watch needs only a clean and not a full overhaul, we say so. The aim is a long-term relationship with an owner, not a single transaction.
Scope agreed upfront
Before any work begins, the scope and the cost are communicated clearly. Nothing is added without approval.
A record of what was done
Every complete overhaul is accompanied by a written service record. We keep a copy in the workshop log.
Stillness as method
There are no appointment queues, no volume targets. Work moves at the pace the piece requires.
The people
Who you are working with.
Nattapong Srisuk
Head Watchmaker
Over fifteen years working with mechanical and quartz movements, trained in Chiang Mai and later in Geneva. Handles all overhauls and calibration work at the atelier.
Wiraya Phromma
Client Relations & Intake
First point of contact for all enquiries and drop-offs. Ensures that each piece is documented carefully on arrival and that owners receive clear, timely updates.
Thanin Chaiyo
Bracelet & Strap Specialist
Dedicated to bracelet sizing, strap refurbishment, and spring-bar work. Pays close attention to fit and finish on every piece that passes through the bench.
How we work
Our standards and protocols.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
All movement parts are cleaned ultrasonically before reassembly — removing decades of dried lubricant and fine debris without manual abrasion.
Correct Lubrication
Each movement type receives lubrication suited to its tolerances — not a universal oil, but the specific grade the calibre requires.
Multi-Position Timing
Mechanical movements are measured across six positions on a timing machine. Regulation continues until the rate is within acceptable range for the calibre.
Pressure Testing
Where applicable and appropriate to the watch's rating, gaskets are checked and a basic pressure test is performed after reassembly.
Written Documentation
Complete overhauls are documented in a service record. The workshop retains a log of all work carried out, referenced by serial and date.
Follow-Up Review
Overhauled movements are reviewed after the owner has worn the watch for several weeks. Drift outside expected range is corrected at no additional charge.
On the craft
Watch servicing in Chiang Mai — what we know and how we approach it.
A mechanical watch is not simply a device for telling the time. It is a set of tolerances — springs, pivots, jewels, and escapements — that must be attended to periodically if the piece is to remain useful and intact. The widely observed interval for a full service is somewhere between five and eight years for most calibres, though this varies considerably depending on the movement's design, how the watch is worn, and the conditions it encounters.
Quartz watches are often neglected until they stop. In many cases, the battery has simply discharged. In others, a leaking cell has corroded the contact points, or the gaskets have degraded and moisture has found its way inside. Early attention to a slow or irregular movement prevents damage that is more costly to address later.
Bracelets and straps are the most physically stressed part of any watch. Metal links work loose over time, spring bars fatigue, and leather straps absorb perspiration and humidity at a rate that depends heavily on Chiang Mai's climate. A well-fitted bracelet contributes to the comfort of wearing the watch and reduces the wear placed on the case and lugs.
At Wela Atelier, the approach to each piece is the same regardless of its monetary value: an assessment is made first, the owner is informed of what is needed and what it will cost, and the work proceeds only with that approval. There is no standard upsell, no unnecessary parts replacement, and no hurry.
Have a piece to bring in?
Speak to us before anything else.
A brief conversation — by telephone or written note — helps us understand the piece and prepare for the work. No obligation, no cost.
Get in Touch