Why Kanok
What you should expect from a watch repairer.
The standards that matter most are rarely advertised. Here is how Kanok approaches each one.
← Back to HomeAt a Glance
Six things that shape every service
Skilled hands at every stage
Your watch is handled only by trained watchmakers — not junior staff or generalist technicians.
Assessment before commitment
We describe what we find and what we recommend before any work begins. You choose whether to proceed.
Verified timekeeping
Every serviced mechanical movement is tested on a timing machine. We share the results before returning the watch.
Heritage treated with care
Vintage and older pieces receive particular attention. Nothing is polished or altered without a prior conversation.
Prices stated clearly
Each service has a defined price. If anything additional is needed, we tell you the cost before we proceed.
Regular, clear updates
You hear from us at key moments. If a timeline shifts, we reach out promptly rather than wait for you to ask.
Expertise
Two decades of watchmaking knowledge
The founding watchmaker trained under a Swiss-qualified master in Bangkok before establishing the Kanok workshop. That foundation — understanding a movement's purpose before opening its case — shapes every repair that leaves this bench.
- Quartz and mechanical movements, including older calibres
- Familiarity with a wide range of makers and case styles
- Honest referrals when a piece requires specialist expertise we don't hold
Established 2004
Over twenty years of watchmaking on Tha Phae Road. The same address, the same care, an expanding depth of knowledge.
The intake process
- 01. You bring or send the watch with a brief description
- 02. We assess and provide a written recommendation
- 03. You approve the scope and cost
- 04. Work proceeds, with updates at key stages
- 05. Timing machine results shared before collection
Process
A system that respects your time and your watch
Bringing a watch for repair involves an element of trust. Our intake process is designed to make that trust easier to extend — by being clear about what we're doing, why, and how much it costs at each step.
Nothing proceeds without your approval. If we discover something unexpected while the watch is open, we contact you before touching it further.
Client Experience
Communication that doesn't leave you wondering
Watch repair can take time. We believe the waiting is much easier when you know where your piece is and what's happening to it. Our client liaison keeps you informed at each meaningful moment — not with automated messages, but with a personal note that answers the questions you'd actually ask.
- Intake confirmation with initial assessment notes
- Mid-service update on progress
- Collection notice with timing results and service summary
One person, every message
Pornpan handles all client communication personally. When you write to us, you hear from the same person each time — someone who knows your watch's story.
Service pricing
All prices in Thai Baht. No hidden additions without prior discussion.
Value
Fixed service prices with nothing hidden
Each service has a stated price. That figure covers the work described — not a base rate with additions tacked on afterwards. If a watch requires something beyond the scope of its selected service tier, we contact you first and provide the additional cost before touching anything further.
We're also willing to tell you, honestly, when repair costs more than a watch's practical value warrants. That conversation is part of the service.
How We Compare
Kanok versus a general repair shop
| Feature | Kanok Workshop | Typical Repair Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Written assessment before work begins | ||
| Timing machine verification after service | ||
| Cosmetic decisions discussed with owner | ||
| Stage-by-stage photography for restorations | ||
| All-in pricing, no surprise additions | ||
| Personal updates throughout the service period | ||
| Honest referral if piece is beyond scope |
What Makes This Different
Things Kanok does that aren't standard practice
Photographic journey for restorations
Each stage of a heritage restoration is photographed. The images accompany the watch home as a record of what was done and why.
Nothing cosmetic without conversation
Polishing, refinishing, or replacing visible parts on a vintage watch is always discussed with the owner first. The watch's character is not ours to change unilaterally.
Timing data shared with the owner
After regulating an automatic movement, we share the timing machine readout — amplitude, beat rate, deviation — so you understand what the service achieved.
Honest about the limits of repair
If a watch's repair cost approaches or exceeds its practical value, we say so plainly. The decision is always yours — we simply provide the information to make it properly.
Milestones
Two decades in numbers
21
Years on Tha Phae Road
1,800+
Watches serviced since opening
94%
Clients who return for further work
3
Service tiers — clearly scoped, fairly priced
Chiang Mai Artisan Workshop Recognition
Northern Thailand Craft Association · 2022
Certified Horological Practitioner
Thai Watchmakers' Guild · Since 2008
Recommended Workshop — Old City District
Chiang Mai Tourism Board · 2023
Take the next step
A workshop worth trusting with something that matters.
If you have a watch that needs attention — or one you'd simply like assessed — contact us. We'll be straightforward about what we see.
Contact the Workshop