What clients say
Watches returned. Owners content.
The accounts below are from people who brought a piece to Wela Atelier and wrote to tell us how the work felt from their side.
Back to Home15+
Years of horological experience
600+
Pieces serviced at the atelier
4.8
Average client satisfaction rating
96%
Overhauls pass wear-in review without adjustment
From the workshop log
A selection of client notes.
Siriporn Charoenwong
Chiang Mai
My father's automatic watch had not been worn in about twelve years. I was not sure if it could be saved — the crown was stiff and the movement silent. Nattapong assessed it at the counter in about five minutes and told me clearly what the overhaul would involve. Three weeks later it came back keeping time. The written record was a nice touch.
May 2025 · Complete Overhaul
Marcus Kleinhans
German, living in Chiang Mai
I brought in a stainless bracelet that I had bought separately and could not size myself. The fitting took about forty minutes and was done while I waited — they had the right tools for removing the pins without scratching the links. The fee was exactly what was quoted. My only thought is that the turnaround time could be clearer at booking.
April 2025 · Bracelet Fitting
Pranee Wattanasuk
Lamphun, Thailand
Simple quartz battery change, so I did not expect to be impressed. But the way it was done — the case was opened carefully, the old battery checked for leakage before disposal, the contacts cleaned — felt more considered than the usual shop. Watch has been keeping perfect time since May.
May 2025 · Quartz & Battery Care
Takahiro Nishimura
Japanese, visiting Chiang Mai
I travel frequently and had not had my dress watch serviced in perhaps seven years. Found Wela Atelier online and came in without an appointment. They assessed the piece the same day and gave me a clear picture of what the full overhaul entailed. Communication throughout was in English, which I appreciated. The follow-up timing visit was a genuine extra that I did not expect to be included.
April 2025 · Complete Overhaul
Ratree Phetcharat
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Had a leather strap replaced and the clasp adjusted. The person who helped me — Wiraya — was patient and did not rush the sizing. She also noticed the spring bar on the opposite side was starting to wear and suggested replacing it while the strap was off. I was glad she mentioned it rather than just leaving it. Good service.
May 2025 · Bracelet & Strap Fitting
David O'Riordan
Irish, long-term Chiang Mai resident
A complete overhaul of my ETA-based automatic. The watchmaker took the time to show me what he had found during disassembly — a worn jewel that needed replacing, which added a modest charge agreed in advance. The piece came back running better than I can remember it running. Exactly what I hoped to find in Chiang Mai.
March 2025 · Complete Overhaul
Detailed accounts
Three pieces, three journeys.
A 1970s Swiss dress watch, dormant for over a decade
The situation
An owner brought in a Swiss manual-wind watch that had been stored in a drawer since a family member passed. The crown was frozen and the movement would not wind. No recent service record existed.
The work
Complete disassembly revealed heavily dried lubricant throughout and a broken crown tube. The tube was sourced, the movement ultrasonically cleaned, lubricated, and timed across positions. The crown was reassembled with a new gasket.
The result
Movement returned to +4 seconds per day on the timegrapher — within acceptable range for the calibre. The owner received a written record and returned for a follow-up check six weeks later. No further adjustment was needed.
"It was my mother's watch. Seeing it run again was more than I expected." — owner
A modern Japanese quartz with a leaking battery
The situation
A daily-wear watch that had been stopping intermittently. The owner had replaced the battery elsewhere six months prior. On inspection, the previous cell had leaked slightly, leaving a white residue on the contacts.
The work
Contacts were carefully cleaned under magnification, tested for continuity, and confirmed intact. A new cell of the correct voltage was fitted. The caseback gasket, which had partially flattened, was replaced to restore basic water resistance.
The result
Watch has been running without interruption since. The owner was advised on optimal battery replacement intervals for the movement type and told what to watch for that might indicate future cell leakage.
"They found the actual problem rather than just replacing the battery again." — owner
An oyster-style bracelet two sizes too large
The situation
A watch purchased secondhand arrived with a bracelet far too large for the owner's wrist. Two links had been removed by the previous owner using a push-pin tool, but the sizing remained wrong and the end-links showed slight distortion from the prior work.
The work
Wrist was measured and the correct number of links calculated. The distorted end-links were replaced with matching spares sourced for the model. Both spring bars were renewed. Bracelet was cleaned in the ultrasonic bath before reassembly.
The result
Bracelet now sits correctly without rotating on the wrist. The owner commented that the watch felt different — more like wearing it properly for the first time. End-link replacement added a modest charge, communicated and approved before the parts were sourced.
"I had not realised how uncomfortable a poorly fitted watch can be." — owner
Visit or write to us
Workshop details.
Telephone
+66 53 218 460Address
47 Nimmanhaemin Road, Suthep
Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: Closed
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Write to us or call with the details of your watch and what you have noticed. We will advise on the appropriate service and let you know what to expect.
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