Patina
Clients receiving their watches at Patina

Client Experiences

What people say
when the watch comes back.

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14

Years open

1,400+

Movements serviced

4.8

Average rating

96%

Client satisfaction

Client Reviews

In their own words

DM

David Morrison

Chiang Mai expat

Had a movement service done on my daily ETA 2824. Wichai explained the condition clearly before starting, and the watch runs noticeably better — I checked it against my phone for a week and it was within a few seconds per day. The written report was a nice touch. Will be back when it needs attention again.

May 2025

NS

Napat Saengthong

Collector, Bangkok

Sent a vintage Seiko 5 with a worn cannon pinion. They sourced a correct period part and kept me updated throughout. The documentation for a watch that old was genuinely useful. Took about three weeks in total — longer than a standard service, but the part sourcing took time. Worth the wait.

April 2025

SL

Sophie Laurent

Visitor from France

I came in with my grandmother's Longines that had not run for years. They did the health check first and told me exactly what was needed — no pressure to do the full restoration immediately. I went ahead with the movement service, and it now runs well. The price was fair and they communicated clearly in English throughout.

May 2025

KC

Kritsana Charoenwong

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Brought in my father's heirloom Omega Constellation for a full restoration. They kept me involved at every stage and documented everything carefully. The watch is now in the family archive with a proper written history. The patience and attention to original details was exactly what this piece deserved.

April 2025

MB

Michael Bauer

German expat, Chiang Mai

Simple health check on my Tissot Seastar. The drop-off took about fifteen minutes and they explained everything clearly. I came back two days later for the summary — they recommended a full service within the next year but said it was not urgent. I appreciated the honest advice and did not feel pushed into spending more than necessary.

May 2025

AT

Anchisa Thapthim

Chiang Mai, Thailand

My husband's old Citizen had been sitting in a drawer for years. Patina serviced the movement and it now runs within the expected range for the calibre. The staff were patient and the written record they provided was more thorough than I expected. The place has a calm, professional feel — not a busy counter.

April 2025

Case Studies

Three watches, three stories

Case Study 01

A 1968 Omega De Ville, long dormant

Challenge

The watch had not run for at least fifteen years and was brought in by the original owner's son, who wanted it restored for everyday wear. The caseback seal had perished and there was oxidation on the case lugs.

Approach

A full heirloom restoration was agreed in two stages — movement service first, then case work. An original gasket was sourced from a Swiss parts supplier. Case work preserved the original brushed finish on the lugs rather than re-polishing to a false shine.

Result

The movement now runs within ±6 sec/day across positions. The archive document covers the full service history for the piece. The owner now wears it daily. Total time: 8 weeks including parts sourcing.

"I wanted it to look like a well-cared-for old watch, not a new one. That is exactly what it looks like."

— Phat, Chiang Mai

Case Study 02

A daily Seiko running four minutes fast per day

Challenge

A Seiko 5 Sports worn daily for six years had begun running four minutes fast. The owner suspected a worn escapement but was not certain. He wanted an honest assessment before spending on repairs.

Approach

The health check revealed dried lubricant in the escapement, causing erratic beat. A full movement service was recommended and agreed. After cleaning and re-lubrication, the movement was regulated carefully across six positions.

Result

The movement now runs within ±10 sec/day, within specification for the calibre. Total cost: ฿14,600. The owner returned after three weeks — no adjustment needed. Completed in 10 days.

"They explained what was wrong in terms I could follow, quoted me a price, and stuck to it. The watch is noticeably better."

— James, visiting from Melbourne

Case Study 03

An inherited pocket watch with unknown history

Challenge

A Swiss pocket watch from the 1930s came to us as part of a larger family inheritance. The family knew little about its history and wanted to understand the piece and make it functional before deciding whether to display or wear it.

Approach

We identified the calibre and researched the approximate production period using the movement serial number. A full service was carried out. The archive document included what we could establish about the movement's provenance alongside the service record.

Result

The movement runs within ±15 sec/day — good for its age and calibre type. The family now has a documented record for a piece they know nothing about from before 2025. Total time: 6 weeks.

"We came in not knowing what we had. We left knowing exactly what we had and with a document to prove it."

— Rattanaporn, Chiang Mai

Find Us

The workshop is open to visits

Address

12 Thanon Tha Phae
Chang Moi, Chiang Mai

Hours

Mon–Fri 9–18
Sat 10–16

Your Turn

Bring your watch in for a conversation.

No obligation for the initial look. We will tell you honestly what the watch needs and what it would cost — and you can decide from there.

Get in Touch