The Story
How Patina began
Patina opened in 2011 in a narrow shophouse on Thanon Tha Phae, in the part of Chiang Mai's old quarter where craft workshops and small merchants have sat side by side for decades. The founder, Khun Wichai Suphachok, had spent the previous decade studying movement repair under two separate watchmakers — one in Chiang Mai, one in Zürich — before returning to Thailand with a clear idea of what kind of workshop he wanted to run.
The name Patina was chosen deliberately. Patina is what forms on a surface that has been properly looked after over time — it is not wear, it is evidence of age handled with care. That is as close as any word comes to describing what we are trying to do: help watches age well, so they remain functional and meaningful rather than simply old.
In the years since, the workshop has grown to include two additional watchmakers and a part-time specialist for case and bracelet restoration, but the working rhythm has remained the same. We take on work at a pace that allows each piece to receive proper attention. We do not have queues of dozens of watches waiting; we have a manageable number of pieces at any given time, each one at a known stage in a documented process.
Our clients tend to fall into a few groups: collectors who have found us through word of mouth and trust us with pieces they have owned for years; expatriates and visitors who need a reliable workshop they can communicate with in English; and families who have inherited a watch and want to understand what it is and what it needs before deciding how to proceed. All three groups get the same thing: a plain assessment, a clear recommendation, and work carried out to the same standard.
Mission & Values
What we stand by
Honest counsel
We describe what we find in straightforward terms. If a watch needs less than you expected, we say so.
Documented work
Every service produces a written record. The watch has a history it did not have before it came to us.
Originality first
We preserve what is already there. Replacement happens only when a part is beyond use, and always with your knowledge.
The People
Who looks after your watch
Wichai Suphachok
Founder & Master Watchmaker
Trained in Chiang Mai and Zürich, Wichai established Patina in 2011. He leads all heirloom restoration work and takes on the movements that require the most patient attention.
Nattaya Promphan
Watchmaker
Nattaya handles movement services and regulation work. She is particularly adept with ETA and Miyota calibres and carries out most of the timing documentation.
Arthit Tancharoen
Case & Bracelet Specialist
Arthit focuses on the casework side of restoration — polishing, case refinishing where appropriate, and bracelet servicing. His attention to original surface character is exacting.
Standards & Practices
How we approach the work
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement parts are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath before reassembly, removing old lubricants and debris without mechanical abrasion.
Multi-Position Timing
All serviced movements are measured on a timing machine across multiple positions. Results are recorded and included in the service documentation.
Grade Lubrication
We use Swiss-standard watch oils and greases appropriate to each specific friction point — the correct lubricant in the correct quantity makes a meaningful difference to longevity.
Safe Custody
Watches left in our care are stored securely when not being worked on. We maintain a clear log of every piece in the workshop at all times.
Written Agreements
For any work above the Health Check level, we provide a written scope and cost before starting. Changes to scope are agreed in writing before proceeding.
Post-Service Follow-up
We encourage clients to return after a few weeks of wear if anything feels off. A brief re-regulation after running in costs nothing additional.
Our Craft
Watch servicing in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a long tradition of skilled craft work, and Patina sits comfortably within that tradition. Mechanical watchmaking requires the same qualities that distinguish any careful craft: patience with fine detail, an understanding of how materials age, and a willingness to let the work take the time it needs rather than the time that is convenient.
We service Swiss mechanical movements — including ETA, Unitas, and Peseux calibres — alongside Japanese movements from Seiko, Citizen, and Miyota. For vintage and antique pieces, our approach emphasises finding and using the correct period-appropriate parts where possible, and documenting clearly when a modern replacement has been necessary. This matters to collectors and to families passing watches down through generations.
Chiang Mai's climate is warm and moderately humid for much of the year. These conditions accelerate the degradation of watch lubricants and can encourage oxidation in movement components. A watch that might comfortably run five years between services in a temperate European climate may benefit from attention every three to four years in Northern Thailand. We factor this into our recommendations without overstating the urgency.
For those living in or visiting Chiang Mai with watches that need attention, Patina offers a reliable, English-speaking workshop where the work is done in-house and the person you speak to at drop-off is the same person who examines your watch. We are located a short walk from Tha Phae Gate, accessible on foot from most central accommodation.
Work With Us
Bring your watch in for a look.
No appointment is necessary for a Health Check. For Movement Service or Heirloom Restoration, a brief message in advance helps us prepare and give you our full attention.
Get in Touch